A pendulum inclinometer for use with small deep-submersibles

Abstract

The authors developed a pendulum inclinometer suitable for use with small deepsubmersibles or surface craft. The instrument uses a relatively short heavy pendulum and a viscous damping system for minimizing the effects of unwanted oscilatory motion. The pendulum relative motion is transmitted to the dial pointer through a flexible cord. The mechanism is designed so that the inclinometer gives a direct reading of the tangent of the angle of inclination. Adjustments are provided for leveling the instrument and for setting the dial to zero. Upper and lower clamping devices protect the pendulum suspension from damage during transit. The inclinometer has been used successfully in recent inclining experiments for the small research submarine Alvin.