RU2790203C1 - Improved cable of upper line sonar with high resolution - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: electrical engineering.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to the technical field of cables, in particular to a cable, which is made of synthetic polymer material, is stable to crushing forces, shows high rigidity and tensile strength, and which includes wires for data signal transmission and/or power wires. The claimed cable of an upper line sonar has a power element and a core, wherein the cable of the upper line sonar contains a segment of the main cable, containing a core, as well as at least one fiberoptic wire, which: (i) is located in a spiral shape and (ii) is fully enclosed in solid flexible material. Moreover, the specified at least one fiberoptic wire is enclosed in solid flexible material by its placement and/or enclosing between: (a) a layer of solid flexible material, containing a core surface, and (b) a layer of solid flexible material, containing an additional layer, which is outer to the core surface. At the same time, an additional thermoplastic layer contains an outer surface, and the fiberoptic wire contains an optical tube having a diameter, while measurement of the diameter is obtained by measurement of a distance along an imaginary straight line passing within a cross-section of the optical tube along its greatest width. The fiberoptic wire contains the most outer edge, while the solid flexible layer additionally contains a layer having a thickness measured from the most outer edge of the fiberoptic wire to an outer surface of the layer, which is at least four times greater than the diameter of the optical tube of the fiberoptic wire and may contain from four to sixty six diameters of the optical tube of the fiberoptic wire.

EFFECT: creation of a non-steel cable of an upper line sonar, providing higher resolution and/or quality of a signal transmitted by means of fiberoptic wires contained in the cable of the upper line sonar.

15 cl, 13 dwg

Description

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

The present disclosure relates generally to the technical field of cables, and in particular to a cable that is made from a synthetic polymeric material, is crush resistant, exhibits high rigidity and tensile strength, and which includes wires for transmitting data signals and/or or power wires.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The towed trawl usually includes a headline sonar sensor to monitor the opening of the trawl and schools of fish in front of the trawl. The data cable, ie the headline sonar cable, sometimes referred to as the third tether, includes a wire for transmitting data signals from the headline sonar sensor to the towing vessel. Both for the success of commercial fisheries and for the health of marine mammals and seabirds that depend on healthy fish stocks, it is critical to develop and implement technology to easily identify and distinguish between different fish species, as well as adults and juvenile fish. Fish tend to be shoals according to their age group, eg adults and juveniles are shoals in different shoals, and also according to their species, i.e. salmon, saithe and herring shoals are independent of each other. However, with the current technology, it is not possible to accurately differentiate different age groups of fish of the same species, and the existing technology does not allow reliable differentiation of different species when such species are mixed in the same region. As a result, juveniles and undersized fish continue to be caught in large numbers even if they are not targeted, and as a result, non-target species tend to be caught in large numbers even if there is no economic benefit from catching them.

To explain how a species of fish is accidentally caught, even if it does not bring economic benefit, can be as follows: For example, when fishing for Alaskan pollock, the fishing fleet often accidentally catches many thousands of tons of non-target species, such as herring, salmon, squid, etc. Some of these non-target species are prohibited by law, such as salmon or herring, and the idea behind this ban is that no one should benefit financially from catching non-target fish. This policy arose out of conflict between the natives and other salmon and herring shore fishing organizations and modern high seas fishing fleets. Thus, salmon and herring caught in Alaskan waters by high-seas fishing fleets are counted by government authorities, then taken out to sea and thrown overboard. Or, as in the case of squid, the catch is sold at a low price. Similar situations exist in most other fishing regions. In addition, schools of juveniles such as walleye pollock, as well as other fish, cannot be easily separated from schools of adult fish using prior technologies. Thus, many thousands of tons of fish juveniles are destroyed even though they are too small for fillets, and are used only for making fishmeal, which is very bad.

Thus, it is easy to understand that it is important to protect non-target fish species, juveniles and small fish from unintentional catch. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to determine the composition of fish schools identified and targeted by fishing vessels, such as mid-water/ocean trawlers, at the location of the fishing gear itself. For example, due to the fact that during fishing operations the position of the mid-water/ocean trawl can be more than half a kilometer away from the trawler, as well as due to side currents and different flow directions between surface currents acting on the trawler and deep currents acting directly trawl, the position of the trawl most often does not correspond to the orientation of the trawler pulling the trawl. For this reason, the hydroacoustic equipment on board the trawl vessel does not make it possible to accurately determine which schools of fish are directly in the opening path of the trawl itself. This can only be determined using sonar located directly on the trawl net itself. Therefore, if non-target fish species and juveniles are to be protected, rather than caught, it is necessary that the sonar located on the trawl itself be able to distinguish between fish species, juveniles and small fish and, moreover, transmit this information to the trawl vessel. Various organizations are currently working on the technology for such sonars, and it is safe to say that sufficient technical progress has been made, and with the help of known technologies, it is possible to create a sonar that can accurately distinguish between different types of fish, as well as juvenile and adult fish. The use of such equipment on the headline sonar, for example, would allow the operator of the trawl vessel to distinguish and thus avoid passing the trawl opening in the path of schools of juveniles and non-target fish species.

The problem is that the current state of the art does not offer a headline sonar cable that is capable of transmitting a data signal of high enough quality to allow the use of very high resolution sonars that are able to distinguish between different fish species, as well as juveniles and small fish. Therefore, even if it is possible to create a sonar that can do this, it is still not possible to use it, because it is not possible with known headline sonar cables to transmit a signal with a high enough resolution over the distances that exist between the headline sonar and the trawl vessel to extract benefit from the use of such high resolution information. The impossibility of real use of such equipment obviously hinders the development of such equipment. Thus, it can be understood that there is a long overdue need in the industry for a top line sonar cable capable of transmitting a data signal strong enough to allow the use of equipment capable of distinguishing between fish of different species, as well as adult fish and juveniles, so that non-target fishing can be avoided. fish and juveniles.

Currently, the traditional strength members of conventional headline sonar cables are made of steel and include a center metal wire surrounded by laminated, stranded or braided copper wires. Braided copper wires surrounding the center wire protect the data signal transmitted over the center copper wire from electromagnetic interference, which degrades the quality of the transmitted data signals. Headline sonar cables can be up to 4000m long and in addition to their primary function of transmitting data signals they are also sometimes used to increase the opening of the trawl by raising the headline. Therefore, the headline sonar cable is sometimes referred to as the third cable.

When used with a trawl, the headline sonar cable must absorb the load resulting from the pitching of the trawler in rough seas. The pitching forces the stern of the trawler, where the winch of the third cable is located, to transmit pulsating shocks to the sonar cable of the upper line unwinding from it. Pitching greatly increases the compressive force applied to the headline sonar cable on the winch, thereby correspondingly increasing the likelihood that the data wire of the headline sonar cable may be damaged.

One of the downsides of conventional steel top sonar cable is its weight. The weight of the top line sonar steel cable is detrimental to the operation of the trawl and the performance of the fishing gear. The long steel headline sonar cable extending between the trawler and trawl will extend below the trawl headline. In addition, the trawler headline sonar cable winch often lacks the power to pull the headline steel sonar cable because the winch can support its weight.

The steel sonar cable of the headline, which extends below the headline of the trawl, must pass through schools of fish in front of the opening of the trawl. Passing the steel cable of the headline sonar through the school spooks the fish and the school turns sideways. Turning the school sideways can reduce the catch because some of the fish avoid the opening of the trawl.

Another disadvantage of steel top sonar cable is when the cable breaks. The torn steel cable of the headline sonar, due to its weight, first falls down, and then begins to cut through and damage the trawl. Similarly, when the trawler is turning while towing the trawl, it often becomes difficult to steer the steel sonar cable of the headline so as to avoid contact between the cable and the trawl lines and/or bridles. Contact between the topline sonar cable and the trawl lines and/or bridles can damage the topline sonar cable and the trawl lines and/or bridles, either individually or collectively. Similarly, sometimes the headline sonar cable comes into contact with the trawl door. Contact between the headline sonar cable and the trawl door can either cut the cable or entangle the cable with the trawl door, causing the trawl door to become unmanageable. Solving any of the previous problems associated with the use of top line steel sonar cable requires the removal, repair and/or reconfiguration of the fishing gear.

Over time, rust also destroys the steel cable of the headline sonar. In addition, headline steel sonar cables are difficult to splice because they typically consist of two layers of twisted steel wire, one twisted clockwise and the other twisted counterclockwise.

Cables made from synthetic polymeric materials have physical properties very different from those of conductors such as optical fibers and wires made of copper, aluminum or other metals. In most cases, the elasticity of wires is very low, while synthetic polymer materials usually have more elasticity. Twisting twisted and/or braided fibers and/or filaments of synthetic polymeric materials into a cable further increases the elasticity of the finished cable due to the voids that occur between the fibers and/or filaments. A straight conductor oriented parallel to a cable or contained within a cable made from synthetic polymeric materials tends to break upon initial application of tension which stretches the cable. The structural elasticity of cables made from synthetic polymer materials can be reduced by stretching the cable when hot or cold. Stretching a cable made from synthetic polymeric materials reduces elasticity by compressing the fibers and/or filaments and removing voids.

Fibers and/or filaments made from ultra high tenacity synthetic polymeric materials such as ultra high molecular weight polyethylene ("UHMWPE"), HMPE, Kevlar (TM) and Twaron (TM); carbon fibers; aromatic polyester, such as Vectran (TM); thermosetting polyurethane, such as Zylon (TM); and aromatic copolyamide, such as Teknora (TM); typically have an elongation at break of 2 to 10%. A cable made from such materials typically has a structural elongation of 2-5%. If a conductor is placed inside or with a cable made from such a synthetic polymeric material, it must withstand this elongation without breaking or becoming brittle, eventually leading to premature failure of the conductor.

Known signal cables for power transmission and data transmission, using synthetic fibers as a strength element. For example, Cortland Cable Company offers these cables for seismometer/magnetometer tow cables, side-scan sonar and video surveillance tow cables, and ocean floor seismic cables. Such cables, when tied to a Remotely Operated Vehicle (“ROV”), operate at low tension and little swell. Severe wave impacts are uncommon in current ROV cable and fixed ocean cable applications, or other known non-steel cable applications carrying power and data cables. In fact, it is well known in the art that ROVs should not be used with such lines in the rough conditions in which trawlers normally operate.

In fact, it is correct to say that when high tension is required in combination with repeated windings under tension on the winch drum and storage under tension on this drum, as is the case with the trawl headline sonar cable, fabrication of a tension-sensing data cable having a conductor surrounded by strength element formed from man-made fibers is not the preferred choice of the industry. One of the reasons the industry continues to rely on heavy data cables with strong steel members is that many past experiments with sheathed wires (including fiber optic lines, copper wires, etc.) in power elements such as braided sheath layers of synthetic polymer fibers have either failed in high tension applications such as those described above or have failed to provide a level of resolution, i.e. received signal quality, equal to or better than conventional designs.

Patent document WO 2004/020732 A2 discloses a cable having a thermoplastic core enclosed in a braided, co-extruded or pultruded sheath. During manufacture, the cable is heated to a temperature at which the thermoplastic core becomes liquid or semi-liquid. When heated to this temperature, the cable stretches so that it becomes permanently elongated. During stretching, the hot thermoplastic core material fills the voids in the surrounding sheath. For added strength and/or stiffness, the thermoplastic core may include a central inner fiber or strength member thread that is different from the thermoplastic core and is made of a metallic or polymeric material. Using a metal central internal power member to transmit data signals does not work because during the manufacture of the cable the metal wire either breaks or becomes so brittle that it fails prematurely.

In an attempt to meet a long standing need in the industry, our prior application WO 2009/142766 A2 proposes a non-steel strain sensing data and power cable capable of withstanding very high loads, such as those experienced by a trawl headline sonar cable, as well as capable of being reeled or winch under high tension, and which can be wound and unwound from a winch subjected to the wave action of a fishing trawler without rapid damage to the cable, in particular before twenty-four calendar months from the date of first use. Unfortunately, while these disclosures have met with some acceptance, especially with regard to the conductors formed from the metallic filaments included in the described headline sonar cables, attempts to include fiber/optical wires in accordance with these ideas have failed because these fiber optic wires broke at the first using a cable.

In an attempt to further improve the resolution of the data signal and thus meet the above-described remaining long-felt needs in the industry for headline sonar cables, several years after our aforementioned initial publication, we have proposed further and subsequent ideas, embodied in the subsequent application WO 2017/149553 A1. These ideas include ideas related to increasing the resolution of the signal transmitted by any metal data signal conductors, as well as any fiber optic conductors that may be used in forming the headline sonar cable. While these ideas markedly improved the signal resolution of the metal conductors used with the described headline sonar cables, attempts to use fiber optic/fiber optic wires with such headline sonar cables also failed because these fiber optic wires also broke the first time the cable was used.

Thus, it is clear that there continues to be a long overdue need in the industry to improve data signal quality and/or resolution for headline sonar cables, and especially for headline sonar cables using fiber optic wires.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a non-steel headline sonar cable capable of being winched under the tension and wave shock experienced by a fishing trawler, which remains intact for at least 24 calendar months of its commercial use from the date of first use, and which provides higher resolution. and/or the quality of the signal transmitted by the fiber optic wires contained in the headline sonar cable as compared to the prior non-steel headline sonar cables described in applicant's patent documents WO 2009/142766 A2 and WO 2017/149553 A1, and in particular has in sufficient quality and resolution of the transmitted data signal to enable the use of equipment capable of distinguishing between different fish species, juveniles and small fish.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-steel headline sonar cable capable of being wound onto a winch and remaining intact under the tension and wave shock experienced by, for example, fishing trawlers and seismic vessels, in particular those having a displacement of over 100 tons and even over 3000 tons.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-steel topline sonar cable capable of being winched at a pull of over 100 kg, which remains intact for at least 24 calendar months of its commercial use from the date of first use on trawlers or seismic vessels of over 200 tons displacement. .

Another object of the present invention is to provide a non-steel headline sonar cable that does not kink when loosened.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is based on the surprising and unexpected discovery that by suspending within a flexible solid material an optical fiber wire, itself formed into a helix, to form a main cable formed by the combination of (i) the fiber optic wire defining the helix; and (ii) a flexible solid material within which is suspended (and preferably fully encapsulated) a fiber optic wire defining the helix, and using the main cable as a support core for a (preferably braided) strength element formed from a polymeric material that preferably supports the natural the shape of the internal cavity of the strength member under tension, which is sufficient, for example, 10% or more of the maximum tension force of the strength member, it is possible to obtain an unexpectedly durable high-resolution headline sonar cable.

The present invention is further based on the surprising and unexpected discovery that, with a method of manufacturing a topline sonar cable that includes a new step of providing additional fixation between a core containing a thermoplastic material and fiber optic wire(s) helically wound around of the core, this additional fixation being in addition to any fixation resulting from the fact that the fiber optic wire(s) are connected to the core while being coiled around it, and that by providing this additional fixation before placing the thermoplastic material around the fiber optic wire combination ( wires) and the core so as to enclose the fiber optic wire(s) within the thermoplastic material and/or between the core and the thermoplastic material; and then forming at least a sheath layer of a polymer material strength member around the sheathed fiber optic wire(s) helically wound around the core, a headline sonar cable having a very high signal quality can be obtained, thus fulfilling a need long felt in the industry .

Preferably, the core around which the fiber optic wires are helically wound is formed from a thermoplastic material and at least has an outer layer of thermoplastic material, and also preferably the thermoplastic material located around the combination of the core and the fiber optic wires helically wound around the core is a thermoplastic material which creates a very strong bond with the thermoplastic material forming the core and at least with the thermoplastic material forming the outer layer of the core, for example forming the core layer with which the helically wound fiber optic wires are in contact. Ideally and preferably, the bond formed is inseparable. For example, the bond should ideally be so strong that the thermoplastic material that surrounds the combination of the core and the fiber optic wires helically wound around it cannot solidify from the thermoplastic material that forms the core.

Even more preferably, the thermoplastic material that is located around the combination of the core and the fiber optic wires helically wound around it is a thermoplastic material that forms a very strong bond, and preferably an inextricable bond, with both (i) the thermoplastic material forming the core, as well as at least and especially with the thermoplastic material forming the outer layer of the core; and (ii) the fiber optic wires and/or the outer layer and/or exterior of the fiber optic wires, such as any buffer material, insulating material, or other material forming the outer layer of the fiber optic wires.

Thus, in one aspect, the present invention provides a headline sonar cable having a strength member and a core, wherein the headline sonar cable comprises a length of main cable comprising said core and also comprising at least one fiber optic wire arranged in a helical manner; and completely encased in a hard, flexible material. Thus, typically at least one fiber optic cable is arranged in a helix around the core.

In one embodiment, the headline sonar cable is encapsulated in a hard, flexible material by being positioned and/or enclosed between: (a) a layer of hard, flexible material containing at least the surface of the core, and in some embodiments, the entirety of the core from center to its surfaces; and (b) a layer of hard, flexible material containing a layer that is external to the surface of the core.

The layer of hard, flexible material containing the surface of the core (or the entire core) and the layer of hard, flexible material containing the layer that is external to the surface of the core are preferably rigidly bonded to each other and more preferably permanently bonded to each other. Thus, in some embodiments, the joint strength is substantially equal to or greater than the tensile strength of one or both materials.

In some embodiments, the layer of hard, flexible material containing at least the surface of the core and the layer of hard, flexible material containing the layer that is external to the surface of the core each contain the same substance, and they are permanently bonded to each other, which means that in some embodiments, the layer containing at least the surface of the core layer that is external to the surface of the core is made of essentially the same or the same material.

In one embodiment of the headline sonar cable: (i) a layer of hard, flexible material containing at least a surface of the core; (ii) a layer of hard, flexible material containing a layer that is external to the surface of the core; and (iii) the layer containing the fiber optic wire is permanently connected to each other. In some embodiments, each of these three layers contains the same substance, and they are permanently bonded to each other, which means that in some embodiments, they are made of essentially the same or identical material. In embodiments containing these three layers, it is preferred that they are all permanently bonded to each other.

The hard, flexible layer outside the core (i.e., the surrounding fiber optic cable) has a thickness, measured from the outermost edge of the fiber optic conductor to the outer surface of said layer, which is preferably at least four times the diameter of the optical tube (22, 22A) of the fiber optic wire, and preferably 4 to 66 times the optical tube diameter of the fiber optic wire.

In some embodiments of the present invention, the headline sonar cable comprises a flow shield, where the combination of the flow shield and the outer surface of the hard, flexible layer surrounding the core conform to the inner wall of the cavity of the cable's surrounding strength member, the strength member preferably representing a hollow braided power element. In some embodiments of the headline sonar cable, the boundary between the hard, flexible layer (3) surrounding the core and the surface of the core has a shape that does not match the inner wall of the force member cavity. In some such embodiments, the interface between the hard, flexible layer (3) surrounding the core and the surface of the core is shaped without raised dimples when viewed from the outside of the core (eg, out of the core).

In some embodiments, the headline sonar cable comprises a plurality of fiber optic wires, each of which is preferably completely enclosed in a hard, flexible material forming the surface of the core (or the entire core) and a hard, flexible material forming layer (3). Preferably, the outside of the fiber optic wire does not directly contact the outside of any other fiber optic conductor at any point along the length of the main cable.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a headline sonar cable comprising the steps of

(i) arranging in a helical manner at least one fiber optic wire around a core containing a thermoplastic material that forms at least a surface of the core;

(ii) then placing additional thermoplastic material around the combination of the core and at least one fiber optic wire that is helically arranged around the core to completely enclose the fiber optic wire within the thermoplastic material;

(iii) then curing the thermoplastic materials in order to form the main cable (10);

(iv) then forming a flow protection shield around the main cable;

(v) then forming a hollow braided strength element containing synthetic material around the main cable, covered with a screen to protect against flow; followed by tensioning the resulting cable and heating sufficient to ensure permanent deformation of the layer (3) containing the thermoplastic material, without causing a violation of the structural integrity of the layer (3), as well as to enable the extension and compaction of the resulting cable and the strength element containing the mentioned received cable;

(vi) then determining that the desired amount of elongation and compaction of the obtained cable and the strength element containing the specified obtained cable has been achieved, followed by cooling the obtained cable to a temperature at which the thermoplastic material-containing layer (3) cannot be permanently deformed, not causing damage to the structural integrity of the layer (3), thereby permanently elongating and compacting the strength element as well as the resulting cable, and ensuring that the layer (3) in combination with the flow shield conforms to the inner wall of the strength element cavity. A method for producing an improved high resolution headline sonar cable is characterized by the following steps:

A. providing a core, preferably containing a thermoplastic material and preferably having an outer surface layer of a thermoplastic material, and optionally containing any wires and/or other elements within the core;

b. arranging at least one and up to several fiber optic wires in a spiral form around the outer side of the core;

With. optionally, but most preferably, providing additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires, which form a helix around the core;

d. positioning additional thermoplastic material around a combination of the core and fiber optic wires helically arranged around the core to enclose the fiber optic wires between the core and the thermoplastic material;

e. forming a flow shield around the combination of the core, the fiber optic wires helically around the core, and the thermoplastic material around the combination of the core and the fiber optic wires helically around the core;

f. forming a preferably woven layer of polymer material strength element shell around the screen to protect against flow and the elements contained therein;

g. arranging in a fluid state around the sheath layer of the strength member a hardening elastic adhesive such as a multi-component blended polyurethane; And

h. forming a protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength member and the elastic adhesive, thereby forming an improved high strength, lightweight and crush resistant high resolution power fiber optic data cable of the present invention.

Most preferably, the thermoplastic core material and the additional thermoplastic material are selected such that the bond formed between (a) the solid phase of the additional thermoplastic material; and (b) the solid phase of the thermoplastic material forming the core and/or at least forming the outer portion of the core is so strong that the two thermoplastic materials cannot be separated. That is, they cannot be completely separated from each other, and any attempt to do so will result in an uneven break, as a result of which it will not be possible to obtain a structure having only additional thermoplastic material, and/or having only a core without additional thermoplastic material. This bond is preferably inextricable. Even more preferably, the additional thermoplastic material and the thermoplastic core material are the same thermoplastic material.

Even more preferably, the additional thermoplastic material forms a strong bond with the material forming the outer layer of the fiber optic wires. Even more preferably, both the thermoplastic material forming the core and/or forming at least the outer surface of the core and the additional thermoplastic material both form a strong bond with the material forming the outer layer of the fiber optic wires.

Further, contrary to the current state of the art and the industry trend for crush-resistant power and data cables formed from synthetic polymer strength members, such as cables of the prior art applicant, and before the manufacturing steps disclosed above: "g. arranging in a fluid state around the sheath layer of the strength member a hardening elastic adhesive such as a multi-component mixed polyurethane; and H. formation of a protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength element and the elastic adhesive", the cable of the present invention, formed using the steps (a) to (f) disclosed above and having no protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength element and the adhesive layer that adheres such a coating to the sheath layer of the strength member, can now be cold stretched. For example, it can be stretched at a temperature that is low enough not to cause the thermoplastic material to melt. A tension of 15-80% of the maximum tensile force of the sheath layer of the strength element is considered useful. The cable can then be provided with a protective sheath, such as a braided sheath, which is bonded to the strength member's sheath layer with an elastic adhesive. Or, alternatively and optionally, and before stages: “g. arranging in a fluid state around the sheath layer of the strength member a hardening elastic adhesive such as a multi-component blended polyurethane; and H. formation of a protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength element and elastic adhesive, additional subsequent steps include stretching to the depth of heating the cable formed using the above stages (a) - (f) and not having a protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength element and adhesive layer, which adheres such a coating to the shell layer of the strength element, as follows:

(i) applying a first tension to the sheath layer of the strength element, and thus to all elements contained within the sheath layer of the strength element (the sheath layer of the strength element and all elements contained within it may also be referred to herein generally as "cable in progress"). »);

(ii) applying heat to the unfinished cable of the present invention, such heat being chosen to cause the thermoplastic material within the unfinished cable of the present invention to reach a molten, eg, semi-liquid state. Optionally, and as experimentally determined, regardless of desire, contrary to the state of the art and industry trend, heat can be chosen and applied so that only a portion of the core reaches the molten state, especially so that it is sufficient so that the portion of the core closest to outer side of the incomplete cable, has reached the molten state, but not enough for the part of the core closest to the longitudinal central axis of the incomplete cable, has reached the molten state. This can be achieved by controlling both the temperature and the duration of exposure to heat, for example by running an unfinished cable through a furnace, by adjusting the heat, means of heat application, such as radiant heat with or without hot air or steam blowing, etc., and also the rate of passage of the cable through the furnace and its length, until a set of parameters and/or a formula for a specific diameter and design of the unfinished cable is experimentally reached, allowing only those parts of the thermoplastic in the cable to be melted that are near its outer surface, without causing melting those parts of the thermoplastic in the cable that are closer to its longitudinal central axis. Thus, for example, the core 1 can remain solid while the additional thermoplastic layer 3 can reach a molten state during cable processing.

(iii) applying tension to the sheath layer of the strength element of the unfinished cable sufficient to elongate the sheath layer of the hollow braided strength element and the structures contained in the sheath layer of the hollow braided strength element (such as fiber optic coils) by a predetermined amount that does not cause the fiber optics to break. wires, and which also eliminates the structural elongation of the sheath layer of the strength element, while reducing its diameter and the diameter of the unfinished cable;

(iv) determining that a desired amount of elongation, and preferably a predetermined amount of elongation, of at least the sheath layer of the strength member has been achieved;

(v) cooling the sheath layer of the strength element and the elements contained within it, preferably while maintaining tension on the sheath layer of the strength element and thus also maintaining tension on the elements contained within it, for example within an unfinished cable, until the thermoplastic material contained inside the sheath layer of the strength element does not reach a solid state, and also so that the combination of elements contained inside the sheath layer of the strength element acquires a shape corresponding to and adapted to the natural shape of the walls formed by the internal cavity of the hollow braided strength element, and preferably, but not necessarily, also so that, as a result, the optical wires contained within the cooled incomplete cable experience some compression and/or reduction in their length, approximately 0.5% or less, but may be more;

(vi) applying to the outer surface of the sheath layer of the strength element any additional elements or substance, such as polyurethane or other elastic adhesive substance in a fluid state; then

(vii) while the elastic adhesive is still in a flowable state (if such an agent has been chosen for use), forming a protective coating around the shell layer of the strength element and the elastic adhesive layer and/or other elements located outside the shell layer of the strength element, thereby forming the improved synthetic fiber reinforced high resolution headline sonar cable of the present invention.

The headline sonar cable thus formed of the present invention provides much higher data signal quality and/or resolution than known headline sonar cables, allowing the use of equipment that is currently in development but cannot be used with known cables. headline sonar, and which allows fish species to be identified and their sizes to be distinguished, thereby avoiding the capture of non-target fish, as well as juveniles and small-sized fish, thus improving the health of fisheries, marine mammals and seabirds, as well as fishing communities that depend from them, while achieving the objectives of this disclosure.

With the benefits listed above, the non-steel headline sonar cable described meets a need long felt in the industry.

These and other features, objectives and advantages will become apparent or apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment illustrated in the various drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a headline sonar cable in accordance with the present disclosure, which shows the various layers in one embodiment thereof;

Fig. 1A is a side view of the headline sonar cable shown in FIG. 1 which likewise shows its various layers;

Fig. 2, 3 and 4 show the manufacturing steps for forming the headline sonar cable main cable 10 in accordance with the present disclosure.

Fig. 3A is a cross section along line 3A shown in FIG. 3;

Fig. 4A is a cross section along line 4A shown in FIG. 4;

Fig. 5 shows a side view of the main cable 10 shown in FIG. 4 of the headline sonar cable shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, where the helical fiber optic wires 2 as well as the first strength member 8, completely enclosed in the thermoplastic material 1, 3, and thus also completely enclosed in the main cable 10, are shown in dotted lines, as in the X-ray.

Fig. 6 is a cross section along line 6 shown in FIG. 1;

Fig. 7 is a side view showing the profile of the main cable 10 after completion of the heating and tensioning steps of the headline sonar cable (performed before the installation of the outer cover 7 and the adhesive layer 6), where the strength member sheath layer 5 and the flow shield layer 4 are not shown. in the drawing so that the main cable 10 can be seen, and where the portions of the fiber optic wires 2 enclosed in the main cable 10 are shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the headline sonar cable shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A along line 6 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A showing the various layers of the headline sonar cable 20 where the assembled headline sonar cable has been heated and stretched prior to the installation of the adhesive layer 6 and the final outer cover 7.

Fig. 9 and FIG. 9A are a perspective view and a side view, respectively, of an alternative embodiment of the headline sonar cable of the present disclosure, showing its various layers where the coax cable has been included in the core 1 and main cable 10.

Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the alternate headline sonar cable shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 9A along line 10 shown in FIG. 9 and FIG. 9A showing the various layers of the final assembled headline sonar cable 20 where the final assembled headline sonar cable has been heated and stretched prior to the installation of the adhesive layer 6 and the final outer cover 7.

Fig. 11 is a side view of the headline sonar cable of the present disclosure, showing its various layers, where a portion of each fiber optic wire 2 has been torn off from the main cable 10, resulting in layer 3 as well as layer 1 breaking, with the material of layer 1 and layer 3 adhered to the outer buffer/insulation layer of the fiber optic wires with an adhesion force sufficient to cause at least portions of the material of layer 1 to separate from the other material of layer 1 and remain attached to portions of the buffer/insulation layer of fiber optic wires 2 during and after the part is torn off. fiber optic wires 2 from layer 3, and thus from the main cable 10 (thereby also forming grooves in the main cable 10, which were previously occupied by the combination of the length of the fiber optic wire 2, as well as parts of the material forming layer 1 and 3).

Fig. 12 is a cross section perpendicular to the long axis of the fiber optic wire 2 of one type of fiber optic wire 2 used as an example of forming a headline sonar cable of the present disclosure, and showing the various layers and members that make up the fiber optic wire 2, including the core 41; lining 43 and buffer 45 (buffer 45 is also known as "buffer layer", "coating", "sheath" or "insulation"). For the purposes of the present disclosure, the combination of core 41 and sheath 43 contained in any fiber optic conductor used in forming any embodiment of the topline sonar cable of the present disclosure forms a unit known as the "optical tube" denoted in FIG. 12 by reference numeral 22. For the purposes of this disclosure, the largest width of any optical tube used in any fiber optic conductor used in forming the headline sonar cable of this disclosure is referred to herein as the optical tube diameter and is obtained by measuring the distance along an imaginary straight line passing through through the cross section of the optical tube with its largest width, as shown in FIG. 12 imaginary straight line 33.

Fig. 13 is a cross section perpendicular to the long axis of the fiber optic wire 2 of another type of fiber optic wire used as an example of forming a headline sonar cable of the present disclosure, and showing the various layers and elements of the fiber optic wire. The fiber optic wire shown in Fig. 13 contains layers and elements similar to the fiber optic wire shown in FIG. 12, including: core 41A, cladding 43A, and buffer 45 (also known as "buffer layer", "coating", "sheath", or "insulation"), except that fiber optic wire 2 in FIG. 13 comprises an additional cladding layer 47, which is also known as the "outer liner" and/or as the "outer liner layer", hence the liner layer 43A is optionally also known as the "inner liner" and/or "inner liner layer". For the purposes of this disclosure, the "optical tube" of the fiber optic wire shown in FIG. 13, as well as any fiber optic wire used in the formation of any headline sonar cable of the present disclosure, is also formed by the core and jacket combination (which in the case of the fiber optic wire shown in FIG. 13 includes inner and outer jackets 43A and 47), indicated by reference numeral 22A. For the purposes of this disclosure, the largest width of any optical tube used in any fiber optic conductor used in forming the headline sonar cable of this disclosure is referred to herein as the optical tube diameter and is obtained by measuring the distance along an imaginary straight line through the cross section of the optical tube. with its largest width, as shown in FIG. 13 by an imaginary straight line 33A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1 and FIG. 1A shows a headline sonar cable 20 of the present invention, including: a core 1 containing a thermoplastic material and associated with a first strength member 8 (see also FIG. 2); at least one and preferably several fiber optic wires 2 spirally arranged around the core 1 (see also Fig. 3), which can be any type of useful fiber optic wire, although it has surprisingly been found that a single fiber optic wire is preferred; an additional thermoplastic layer 3 covering the spirally arranged fiber optic wires between the layer 3 and the outer surface of the core 1 (see also Fig. 4); screen 4 for flow protection; layer 5 of the shell of the power element; elastic adhesive layer 6 and protective outer cover 7.

The core 1 is preferably formed from a thermoplastic material. However, the core 1 may include metal and/or other wires (not shown in Fig. 1) and/or other elements (not shown in Fig. 1) located inside the core, such as a coaxial power and/or data cable (see the elements indicated by reference numerals 21, 22 and 23 in Fig. 9, Fig. 9A, Fig. 10 and Fig. 11, showing the inner core 1 with coaxial cable); and/or such as copper filament braided wire, and/or such as the electromagnetic shield described in our previous publications referenced above. The portions of the core 1 not occupied by elements necessary for the manufacture and/or operation of the headline sonar cable are preferably formed from a thermoplastic material. Regardless of which design is used for the core 1, the outer surface layer of the core 1 is formed from a thermoplastic material and has a thickness prior to stretching stages ranging from about 0.5 mm to about 4 mm, preferably from about 1.5 mm to about 4 mm. .

Preferably for all embodiments of the headline sonar cable of the present invention: core 1 has a circular cross section (although, less preferably, it may have an oval, or quasi-oval, or quasi-circular, or elliptical cross-section); and when the core 1 has a circular cross section, the diameter of the core 1 is preferably thirty-two to two hundred and sixty-four, and preferably forty to sixty-four, optical tube diameters of the fiber optic wire used in forming the headline sonar cable of the present invention. Surprisingly, such embodiments have been found to provide a higher resolution of transmitted data and are contrary to the prior art and industry trend, as shown in an illustrative example in our previously published patent applications. When the core 1 has a cross section that is not perfectly round, the diameter of the core 1, measured as the diameter at the largest width of the cross section, preferably has a value in the above ranges.

In one particularly preferred embodiment of the headline sonar cable of the present invention, the core 1 is preferably directly connected to the first strength element 8. This can be achieved by forming the core 1 around the first strength element 8, for example, by extruding a thermoplastic rod around the first strength element 8 ( see Fig. 2), or alternatively, for example, by first extruding a thermoplastic rod to form the core 1, and then weaving a hollow braid around the thermoplastic rod to obtain a braided first strength element 8, which can be done with using a conventional braiding machine. At present, it is preferable that the core 1 be formed around the first strength member 8 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, and that the first strength element 8 does not come into contact with the surface of the core 1. At present, to form the first strength element 8, it is preferable to use a strength element capable of maintaining its integrity at temperatures up to 120 degrees Celsius, preferably up to 200 degrees Celsius, and especially at temperatures up to 270 degrees Celsius, such as aramid thread or interlaced polyester threads. At present, it is preferred that the strength member is not formed from a thermoplastic material.

However, alternatively, as shown in FIG. 9-11, which depicts an alternate embodiment of the headline sonar cable illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 1A, where the coaxial cable assembly has been included in the core 1 as shown by elements 21, 22 and 23, when it is desired to include a metal wire inside the core 1, the first strength element 8 may be located inside the braided metal conductor 21, and the combination of the braided metal conductor 21 and the first strength element 8 can then be directly connected to the core 1, preferably by extruding a thermoplastic layer 22 around the combination of the braided metal conductor 21 and the first strength element 8, to form a rod that defines the core 1; and, in addition, an electromagnetic shield 23 can be formed outside the thermoplastic layer 22, for example, by laying copper threads in two opposite directions of the layer, where such an electromagnetic shield 23 can also serve as a conductor and/or conductive loop, and then the thermoplastic layer forming the exterior core 1 can be formed around this electromagnetic shield.

The fiber optic wires used in the formation of any headline sonar cable of the present invention preferably have a buffer layer on the outside of the sheath that is sufficiently thick and is formed from a sufficiently abrasion resistant material to withstand the abrasion that occurs during the manufacturing process without being completely worn out. removed in any position from the outer surface of the shell, and could maintain its integrity at temperatures up to 200 degrees Celsius, and especially at temperatures up to 250 degrees Celsius, even more preferably at temperatures up to 270 degrees Celsius; and further preferably such buffer layer consists of a material that includes a mixture of materials, where one material in the mixture is the same thermoplastic material as used in the formation of layers 1 and/or 3, preferably polyethylene or nylon , and the combination of silicone with a thermoplastic material is currently preferred. An example of such a buffer layer is indicated by reference numeral 45 in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

Reference numeral 19 in FIG. 5 shows the pitch of the fiber optic wires helically arranged around the core 1: the fiber optic wires are preferably helically arranged around the core 1 with a pitch that is 160-480 and preferably 336-480 optical tube diameters for at least one and preferably all of the fiber optic wires formed into the headline sonar cable.

As shown in FIG. 5: For any embodiment of the top line sonar cable of the present invention, the additional thermoplastic layer 3 is preferably formed such that it completely covers the outer surfaces 15 of the fiber optic wires 2 with a layer of thermoplastic material 13 having a thickness chosen such that, after the final production of the top line sonar cable the fiber optic wires remained encapsulated in the thermoplastic even after the combination of main cable 10 encapsulated in the flow shield 4 optionally but preferably be deformed by heat stretching as described herein to fit and support the internal cavity of the power element 5 (see Fig. 8).

Referring again to FIG. 5: For any embodiment of the top-line sonar cable of the present invention: Preferably, when positioned around the core and fiber optic wires helically wound around the core, the additional thermoplastic layer 3 has a thickness measured from the outermost edge 15 of the fiber optic wire to the surface 17 of layer 3 main cable 10, which is preferably a minimum of 4, and may be in the range from 4 to 66 diameters of the optical tube of this fiber optic wire. In other words, for any headline sonar cable of the present invention, it is preferred that the thickness of that portion of the additional thermoplastic layer 3 that is outermost edge 15 of the buffer layer 45 of the fiber optic wire forming the headline sonar cable is between 4 and 66 diameters of the optical tube of this fiber optic wire.

The flow barrier 4 can be any layer that stops and/or substantially stops the passage of molten (eg "semi-liquid") phases of thermoplastic material through the flow barrier. Preferably, the flow barrier is formed by closely interlacing polyester fibers or filaments with such a dense braid structure that the molten phases of the thermoplastic contained in the additional thermoplastic layer 3 and also contained within the core 1 do not and/or practically do not pass through the screen for flow protection. When it is desired to implement an optional, but less preferred, embodiment of the overhead sonar cable of the present invention by forming the overhead sonar cable, omitting the steps of heating the cable until the thermoplastic material in core 1 and/or layer 3 reaches a molten state, which is contrary to state of the art and industry trend, the flow protection screen can be omitted, and thus the flow protection screen is optional and optional in such embodiments, which is also contrary to the state of the art and industry trend.

The sheath layer 5 of the strength member is preferably formed from a superfiber such as HMPE, and when the overhead sonar cable is thermally stretched at or near the thermoplastic phase change temperature, this layer is preferably formed with a 24-strand braiding machine to form a hollow braided layer. 5 strength member sheath of 24 strands, for example with a strand construction of "2x24" and even more preferably "3x24", which is contrary to the prior art and the industry trend of using a 12-strand braiding machine to produce a hollow braided layer 5 of a strength member sheath of 12 strands. When heating and stretching the headline sonar cable of the present invention is chosen, such a step is performed before installing the elastic adhesive layer 6 and the outer cover 7 so that the result is a combination of the outer layer 3 of the main cable 10 and the flow shield 4 enclosing the main cable 10 deformable so that it adapts to the interior cavity of the hollow braided strength member (and also to force the main cable 10 to assume a wave-like profile in plan view, see Fig. 7), most preferably without deforming the thermoplastic material layer which is the outermost core 1 and around which the fiber optic wires form their helix (see Fig. 8), which can be determined by forming the outer thermoplastic material layer of the core 1 in a different color than the thermoplastic material layer 3 and determining whether they deform interface due to heating and growth compression, the aim being to remove structural tension and induce densification of the strength element without deforming the core 1, which is contrary to the state of the art and the industry trend, as illustrated by our previous patent applications, where the fiber optic wires were pressed into the core 1 as a result of the steps stretching and/or heating and stretching steps.

The elastic adhesive layer 6 is preferably a type of polyurethane, such as a mixed polyurethane of two or more components, which is preferably applied in a flowable state to the outer surface of the strength member shell layer just prior to forming the protective coating 7 around the strength member shell layer. As a result, the elastic adhesive layer 6 binds the sheath layer of the load-bearing element to the protective coating.

Production methods

The method of manufacturing a topline sonar cable according to the present invention includes the steps of:

(a) Step 1: providing a flexible core 1 of solid material (see FIG. 2), and preferably a core 1 associated with a first strength element 8, which is located inside and in the center of the core 1, as shown in FIG. 1, Fig. 1A and FIG. 2. The core 1 contains a flexible solid thermoplastic material, and when it contains no other elements than the first strength element 8, preferably contains, in addition to the first strength element 8, only a flexible solid thermoplastic material (the first strength element 8 itself is ideally formed non-thermoplastic material, as described above). The core 1 is preferably in the form of a cable and/or rod with a circular cross section; or the shape of an elongated object with a circular cross section in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the core 1. It is important to note that whatever elements are included in the core 1, such as, for example, a metal wire for power supply, the core 1 has an outer surface layer formed from flexible rigid thermoplastic material.

(b) Stage 2: arrangement of at least one and up to several fiber optic wires 2 in a spiral around the outer side of the core (see Fig. 3). This step can be performed using a winding machine, such as a machine that rotates around a center point of one or more spools and/or bobbins, each of which carries the fiber optic wire wound around it. The flexible core 1 is continuously passed through the central axis of the winder, for example by unwinding from the supply reel and winding onto the take-up reel, preferably with guides holding the core 1 passed through the central winding point of the winder located along the central axis of the winder. It must be ensured that the fiber optic wires are unwound from the spools and/or spools in a direction perpendicular or at least more perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spools and/or spools, so that it is parallel to this axis so that rotation is not transmitted to the fiber optic wires. The fiber optic wires, and thus the spools and/or reels, are spaced at the same distance from each other (see Fig. 3A), and the fiber optic wires are wound and placed on the thermoplastic surface of the core 1 (see also Fig. 3A). For example, if there are four fiber optic wires, there are four spools and/or spools at a sixty degree angle to each other. If there are three fiber optic wires, then similarly there are three spools and/or spools at a one hundred and twenty degree angle to each other. If there are two fiber optic wires, then there are two spools and/or spools located at an angle of one hundred and eighty degrees to each other. When only one fiber optic wire is used to form the headline sonar cable of the present invention, then preferably a strand and/or thread and/or fiber that is not a fiber optic wire is also arranged on the core 1 in a helical manner in the same position and with using the same means and equipment as the second fiber optic wire, if it were used, resulting in a helical fiber optic wire and a helical strand that is not a fiber optic wire, which can also be a strand of thermoplastic material or, for example, polyester. Even more preferably, when only one fiber optic wire is used, then two strands and/or threads and/or fibers are arranged helically around the core 1, and these three elements, for example one fiber optic wire and two strands and/or threads, and/ or fibers that are not fiber optic wires are placed at an angle of one hundred and twenty degrees to each other and are wound around the core 1 using the same means and equipment that are used when winding three fiber optic wires around the core 1. In this case, these two strands and/or threads and/or fibers can be strands of thermoplastic material or, for example, polyester.

(c) Stage 3: optionally, but most preferably, providing additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires that form a helix around the core;

(d) Stage 4: positioning additional thermoplastic material 3 around the combination of core 1 and fiber optic wires 2 helically wrapped around core 1 to enclose the fiber optic wires between core 1 and thermoplastic material 3 (see Fig. 4), and curing the additional thermoplastic material 3 to completely enclose the helical fiber optic wires within a rigid, flexible material formed into a rod and/or cable, thus obtaining a main cable 10 (see also FIG. 5). Polyethylene and various forms of polyethylene are suitable for the thermoplastic material of core 1 and layer 3. This step can be done by placing after the aforementioned center winding point an extrusion die that extrudes a fluid thermoplastic material around the combination of: core 1 and everything connected to core 1, for example, any fiber optic wires helically wound around the core 1; as well as any strands and/or filaments and/or fibers helically wound around the core 1 (for example, when only one is used, or in some cases only two fiber optic wires are used), and pulling and/or otherwise passing the "cable" , formed by this combination, through the die while extruding (preferably under pressure) the thermoplastic material to form layer 3, preferably selecting the temperature of the molten thermoplastic material, as well as the extrusion pressure and extrusion time, which cause softening (but not liquefaction) of the surface of the thermoplastic outer part of the core 1, while at the same time applying sufficient pressure to partially push the fiber optic wires onto the outer thermoplastic surface of the core 1 so that they are fixed in the surface of the core 1, followed by curing of the thermoplastic material forming the layer 3 (while continuing to feed the core 1) , forming that how the main cable 10.

For further discussion of the main cable 10: FIG. 5 shows a side view of what is the production step of the main cable 10 of the most preferred embodiment of the headline sonar cable according to the present invention (e.g. the main cable that results from steps 1-4, especially the mandatory steps 1, 2 and 4, and preferably the optional step 3) and before enclosing the main cable inside the flow shield or strength element, and of course any selected heating and stretching steps), where the core-forming 1 thermoplastic material, as well as any thermoplastic material and/or core-forming elements 1, as well as the additional thermoplastic material forming layer 3 of the main cable, are not shown in the drawing, except for a peripheral contour of thermoplastic material forming layer 3 to make visible the helical fiber optic wires 2, which are completely enclosed in a hard, flexible thermoplastic material. Although in Fig. 5 shows three fiber optic wires, one is often preferred, although any number needed may be used. Accordingly, in FIG. 5 shows a main cable 10 containing an optical fiber wire 2 arranged in a helix and completely enclosed in a flexible solid material.

Having discussed the main cable 10 resulting from stages 1-4, we will continue to discuss the subsequent stages of production:

(e) Step 5: optional, and in the case where it is desired to heat and stretch the headline sonar cable after the strength element is added, the subsequent step forms a flow shield 4 (see Fig. 6) around the main cable 10 (preferably directly around an additional thermoplastic material forming a layer 3 located around the combination of the core 1 and fiber optic wires 2 spirally wound around the core);

(f) Step 6: forming the preferably braided layer 5 of the strength member sheath of polymeric material around the thermoplastic material forming layer 3 (see FIG. 1), or if the optional step of forming a flow shield 4 around layer 3 has been performed, then, a sheath layer of the strength element is formed around the flow protection screen by stretching all elements contained within the flow protection screen; while ensuring that the fiber optic wires remain intact, and thus forming the headline sonar cable of the present invention.

The preferred construction for the sheath layer of the strength member is a hollow braided construction, preferably having an equal number of S and Z strands forming a hollow braid, with each main braid strand preferably having a flattened shape. Each such braid strand preferably has a width that is at least twice its height, especially when it is in the formed layer of the hollow braided sheath of the strength member. Each such braid strand preferably also consists of a plurality of filaments. Preferably, each such braid strand comprises two strands, each not braided or parallel laid, but preferably of a twisted/laid design, especially long twist and/or loose twist, in accordance with industry standards for loose twist for HMPE and/or another selected fiber. It is important and preferred that each such yarn be formed sufficiently loose, e.g. sufficiently loosely twisted/laid down, that the weaving tension applied by the weaving device deforms each such yarn into a flattened shape having a greater width compared to its height in the final sheath layer of the hollow braided power element. Thus, the braid strands take on a flattened shape with an aspect ratio greater than two to one. In other words, since there are at least two filaments forming each strand of braid forming the sheath layer of the strength element, and since each such filament has the same height and width as the other such filaments forming one braid strand, and since each such filament has a greater width compared to its height after the weaving process, the final braiding strand, which is formed from at least two strands, must elongate and/or define a flattened shape having a greater width than its height, where the width is twice or more height.

Contrary to the state of the art and the industry trend, the headline sonar cable of the present invention can be used as it is in step 6 above, preferably after a protective coating has been applied, which is adhered to the strength member with an elastic adhesive layer. However, this is undesirable. Most preferably, and contrary to the state of the art and the industry trend, the headline sonar cable formed by the methods described in steps 1-6 above (and not having the adhesive layer 6 and outer cover 7) is further subjected to the heating steps of the headline sonar cable selected as follows. so that it is sufficient to preferably deform the thermoplastic layer 3 without changing the phase of the core 1 containing the thermoplastic material; and even more preferably, and also contrary to the state of the art and industry trend, also without changing the phase of the layer 3 containing the thermoplastic material and/or the headline sonar cable (e.g. so as to avoid changing the phase of said thermoplastic from solid to molten and/or liquid), wherein these steps are combined with the steps of stretching the cable by a predetermined amount to permanently elongate and permanently seal the sheath layer of the strength member and main cable 10, especially so as to reduce its diameter and the diameter and average thickness of the entire headline sonar cable (without adhesive layer 6 and outer cover 7), followed by cooling the headline sonar cable (without its adhesive layer 6 and outer cover 7), preferably while maintaining sufficient tension on the cable to keep it elongated and sealed, so that the combination of the outer part of the thermoplastic layer 3 is combined with a screen 4 protection from the flow has acquired a shape that matches and according to maintains the natural inner surface of the cavity wall of the hollow braided strength element, while maintaining a predetermined amount of elongation and compaction so as to constantly elongate and constantly seal, as well as constantly reduce the diameter of the cable. Contrary to the state of the art and the industry trend, as shown in our previous patent applications, the heat, tension and time values in one preferred embodiment are preferably chosen to cause the combination of thermoplastic layer 3 and flow shield 4 to deform so as to adapt to the natural shape of the wall of the inner cavity of the hollow braided strength element 5, while most preferably: (i) without displacing the fiber optic wires 2; (ii) preventing the fiber optic wires 2 from being displaced in the material of the core 1 after the heating and stretching steps compared to their position before the heating and stretching steps; and (iii) preventing the fiber optic wires from intertwining with the core 1 compared to their position relative to the core 1 prior to the heating and stretching steps.

The next step in the production of the headline sonar cable may be to cover the sheath layer of the strength member with a protective coating 7, which is preferably adhered to the sheath layer of the strength member with an elastic adhesive layer 6.

The headline sonar cable thus formed of the present invention provides much higher data signal quality and/or resolution than known headline sonar cables, allowing the use of equipment that is currently in development but cannot be used with known cables. headline sonar, and which allows fish species to be identified and their sizes to be distinguished, thereby avoiding the capture of non-target fish, as well as juveniles and small-sized fish, thus improving the health of fisheries, marine mammals and seabirds, as well as fishing communities that depend from them, while achieving the objectives of this disclosure.

Surprisingly and unexpectedly, by combining the steps of providing additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires helically wound around the core, i.e. a stronger fixation than that obtained by helically winding the fiber optic wires around the core 1, with the subsequent steps of arranging additional thermoplastic material 3 so as to completely enclose the helically wound fiber optic wires 2 within the thermoplastic material, where the thermoplastic core material 1 also forms the surface of the core 1 and is compatible and forms a tight and preferably inseparable bond with the thermoplastic material used to form the additional thermoplastic material layer 3, and preferably is the same material as the thermoplastic material of layer 3, followed by curing and/or cooling of layer 3, thus forming the main cable 10, followed by formation of a layer of layers of polymeric strength member, preferably HMPE fibers, around layer 3 (and optionally a flow shield), so that even without thermal stretching with temperatures sufficient for the thermoplastic of one or both core 1 and layer 3 to reach the molten phase, a high resolution sonar cable is formed.

The key step of providing additional fixation between the core 1 and the fiber optic wires helically wound around the core 1 can be done by any suitable method that prevents the fiber optic wire from sliding along the core 1, and especially by any suitable method that prevents the fiber optic wire from sliding along the core 1, and /or which retains the original helical shape of the fiber optic wires so that the helical shape of the fiber optic wires does not change during further processing steps including, but not limited to, the step of arranging additional thermoplastic material 3 around the fiber optic wires and core 1 to completely enclose the fiber optic wires inside thermoplastic material.

In other words, the fixation between the fiber optic wires and the core around which they are located is increased to provide greater resistance to slipping on the core and/or to helixing of the fiber wires than is provided by just having the fiber optic wires coiled around the core. Examples include:

1. placing a sticky substance, such as an adhesive, on the outer surface of the core before winding the fiber optic wires around the core in a helical fashion. The sticky substance could be disposed by passing the core through a bath of such a sticky substance that does not dry too quickly, or by spraying, rolling or brushing such a substance onto the core. This substance must be compatible with the molten phases of the thermoplastic selected for the thermoplastic core and for the additional thermoplastic material forming layer 3.

2. bonding the fiber optic wires to the core around which they are wound, for example by tying them in place with double-sided adhesive tape.

3. heating the fiber optic wires before wrapping them around the core so that the combination of their temperature and the tension on the fiber optic conductors as they are applied to the core causes them to extrude some of the material onto the surface of the core and form a recessed track, such as a groove on the surface of the core, within which is placed a at least a portion of the width of the helical fiber optic wires.

4. heating the core, or at least its surface, prior to the helical winding of the fiber optic wires around the core, such that the combination of heat and tension on the fiber optic wires as they are helically wound around the core causes the fiber optic wires to extrude some of the material onto the surface of the core and form a recessed track, such as a groove on the surface of the core, inside which is placed at least part of the width of each fiber optic wire.

5. Spraying or otherwise applying an adhesive to the fiber optic wires before wrapping them helically around the core so that they adhere to the core and resist movement along the length of the core.

6. Spraying or otherwise placing an adhesive on the combination of fiber optic wires and core after they are helically wound around the core so that the fiber optic wires become glued to the core and resist movement along it.

7. The presently preferred method of additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires wound helically around the core is to pass the core, which already has the fiber optic wires coiled around it, through a heating element that uses heat such as radiant heat, at a temperature and duration of exposure sufficient to excite the (preferably thermoplastic) surface of the core, followed by the combination of core and fiber optic wires reaching a lower temperature than the temperature inside the heating element, and especially the temperature at which the thermoplastic is in the solid phase, followed by the placement of additional thermoplastic material around the combination of the core and the fiber optic wires helically arranged around it.

After the step of providing additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires spiraled around it, the step of arranging additional thermoplastic material forming layer 3 around the combination of core 1 and the fiber optic wires spiraling around it is preferably carried out. Surprisingly and unexpectedly, it has been found that it is preferable to use a type of extrusion known as pressure extrusion to carry out this step. After the additional thermoplastic material forming layer 3 has been positioned to completely enclose the fiber optic wires within the thermoplastic layer 3 and the thermoplastic at least the surface of the core 1, the next step is to form a flow shield around the thermoplastic layer 3, with subsequent steps the productions described above to form the shell layer of the strength element, the elastic adhesive layer and the protective coating.

Ways to use

With reference to FIG. 11: To use the headline sonar cable of the present invention, it must be connected to an interrogator or other equipment such as sonar by exposing the fiber optic connectors. This can advantageously be done firstly by removing parts of the cover 7, the adhesive layer 6, the strength member 5 and the flow protection screen 4, so that the main cable 10 then protrudes outwards and/or protrudes from the surface 44 formed by the cut edges of the cover. , adhesive layer, strength element and screen for protection against flow; secondly, by heating the outer surface of the layer 3 of the protruding part of the main cable 10 (preferably its farthest end 51), which, for example, can be done by directing a stream of heated air from an air gun to a part of the fiber optic wire visible through a preferably translucent thermoplastic layer 3 forming the outer surface of the main cable 10 for a time sufficient to soften the thermoplastic material in direct contact with the selected part of the fiber optic wire; then removing the fiber optic wire from layer 3, which can be done by probing along it with pointed pliers or tweezers and then grasping the fiber optic wire at its distal end 61; followed by carefully tearing off the selected fiber optic wire from the softened thermoplastic layer 3 of the main cable 10; followed by suspending and heating the next area of the thermoplastic layer 3 of the main cable 10, which is outside the remaining parts of the selected fiber optic wire in the sheath; and then continuing to remove the selected fiber optic wire from the main cable 10 until it is exposed and removed from the main cable 10 long enough to be connected to another fiber optic wire that connects the fiber optic wire forming the cable headline sonar, with other fiber optic wires connecting to other equipment. When the headline sonar cable also includes a coaxial cable or power wire, it is also released from the main cable 10 as shown in FIG. 11 to make it available for connection with other equipment.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

The headline sonar cable of the present invention can also be used for connection and communication, and in the presence of a metal power wire 21 and supply power to sonar units located in other areas of the trawl in addition to the top line, and can, for example, serve as a sonar cable for units sonar mounted on the middle part of the trawl, bag or skein / codend of the trawl. The headline sonar cable can also be deployed from the trawler's main line reels and serve a dual purpose, such as a trawl line, as well as a headline sonar cable, and thus, for example, communicate with a headline sonar or other device in the fishing gear via the trawl line. , and not through a specialized top-line sonar cable.

Although the present invention has been described in terms of the preferred embodiment, it should be understood that such disclosure is purely illustrative and should not be interpreted as limiting. Therefore, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, various alterations, modifications and/or alternative applications of the present invention may be realized by those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing disclosure. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to cover all such alterations, modifications, or alternative applications that fall within the true spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims (29)

1. An overhead sonar cable having a power element (5) and a core (1), wherein the overhead sonar cable comprises a section of the main cable (10) containing a core (1), as well as at least one fiber optic wire (2), which: (i) is arranged in a spiral form and (ii) is completely enclosed in a rigid flexible material, and said at least one fiber optic wire is enclosed in a solid flexible material by positioning and/or terminating between: (a) a layer of hard flexible material containing the surface of the core (1), and (b) a layer of hard flexible material containing an additional layer (3) which is external to the surface of the core (1), moreover, the additional thermoplastic layer (3) contains the outer surface (17), moreover, the fiber optic wire contains an optical tube having a diameter (22, 22A), while the measurement of the diameter is obtained by measuring the distance along an imaginary straight line (33, 33A) passing within the cross section of the optical tube along its largest width, wherein the fiber optic wire comprises the outermost edge (15), characterized in that the solid flexible layer (3) further comprises a layer (13) having a thickness measured from the outermost edge (15) of the fiber optic wire to the outer surface (17) of the layer (3), which is at least four times the diameter of the optical tube (22, 22A) of the fiber optic wire and can be from four to sixty-six diameters of the optical tube (22, 22A) of the fiber optic wire. 2. The headline sonar cable of claim 1, wherein the layer of hard flexible material containing the surface of the core (1) and the layer of hard flexible material containing the layer (3) that is external to the surface of the core (1) is constantly connected to each other. 3. An overhead sonar cable according to claim 1, wherein a layer of hard flexible material containing the surface of the core (1) and a layer of hard flexible material containing a layer (3) that is external to the surface of the core (1) comprise identical substance and are permanently connected to each other. 4. The headline sonar cable of claim 1, wherein: (i) a layer of hard flexible material containing the surface of the core (1), (ii) a layer of hard flexible material containing a layer (3) that is external to the surface core (1), and (iii) the outermost layer (45) containing the fiber optic wire, are permanently connected to each other. 5. The headline sonar cable of claim 1, wherein: (i) a layer of hard flexible material containing the surface of the core (1), (ii) a layer of hard flexible material containing a layer (3) that is external to the surface core (1), and (iii) the outermost layer (45) containing at least one fiber optic wire, contain identical substance and are permanently connected to each other. 6. Cable sonar top picks according to any one of paragraphs. 2-5, further comprising a flow protection screen (4), wherein the combination of the flow protection screen (4) and the outer surface of the hard flexible layer (3) corresponds to the inner wall of the cavity of the force element (5), wherein the force element is a hollow braided power element. 7. An overhead sonar cable according to claim 6, in which the boundary between the layer (3) and the surface of the core (1) has a shape that does not correspond to the inner wall of the cavity of the power element (5). 8. An overhead sonar cable according to claim 7, wherein the boundary between the layer (3) and the surface of the core (1) is shaped without convex recesses when viewed from the outside of the core (1). 9. An overhead sonar cable according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a plurality of fiber optic wires (2), each fiber optic wire being completely enclosed in a hard flexible material forming a core surface (1) and a hard flexible material forming a layer (3), and no part of the outer side of the fiber optic wire directly contacts any other part of the outer side of the fiber optic wire at any point along said length of the main cable (10). 10. A method for manufacturing a top sonar cable, comprising the steps of: (i) arranging in a spiral manner at least one fiber optic wire (2) around a core (1) containing a thermoplastic material forming the surface of the core (1), wherein the fiber optic wire comprises an optical tube having a diameter of (22, 22A), wherein the measurement diameter is obtained by measuring the distance along an imaginary straight line (33, 33A) passing within the cross section of the optical tube along its largest width, and the fiber optic wire contains the outermost edge (15); (ii) then placing an additional thermoplastic material (3) around the combination of the core (1) and the fiber optic wire (2), which is spirally arranged around the core (1) to completely enclose the fiber optic wire inside the thermoplastic material, while the additional thermoplastic layer (3 ) contains the outer surface (17); (iii) then curing the thermoplastic materials in order to form the main cable (10); (iv) then forming a screen (4) to protect against flow around the main cable (10); (v) then forming a hollow braided strength element containing a synthetic material around the main cable, covered with a screen to protect against flow; followed by tensioning the resulting cable and heating sufficient to ensure permanent deformation of the layer (3) containing the thermoplastic material, without causing a violation of the structural integrity of the layer (3), as well as to enable the extension and compaction of the resulting cable and the strength element containing the mentioned received cable; (vi) then determining that the desired amount of elongation and compaction of the obtained cable and the strength element containing the specified obtained cable has been achieved, followed by cooling the obtained cable to a temperature at which the thermoplastic material-containing layer (3) cannot be permanently deformed, not causing violations of the structural integrity of the layer (3), thereby permanently lengthening and compacting the strength element, as well as the resulting cable, and ensuring the conformity of the layer (3) in combination with a screen to protect against flow of the inner wall of the cavity of the strength element, characterized in that it comprises the step of selecting the formation of a solid flexible layer (3) containing a layer (13) having a thickness measured from the outermost edge (15) of said at least one fiber optic wire to the outer surface (17) of the layer ( 3), which is at least four times the diameter of the optical tube (22, 22A) of the optical fiber wire and can be from four to sixty-six diameters of the optical tube (22, 22A) of the optical fiber wire. 11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising selecting a temperature for heating the thermoplastic layer (3), which allows the thermoplastic layer (3) to be deformed without causing a phase change of the layer (3) containing the thermoplastic material. 12. The method of claim. 10, further comprising selecting a temperature for heating the thermoplastic layer (3), which allows you to deform the thermoplastic layer (3), while maintaining the thermoplastic material (3) in the solid phase. 13. The method of claim. 10, further comprising stretching the cable at a sufficiently low temperature that does not cause melting of the thermoplastic material. 14. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 10-13, in which, after step (iv) cooling the cable, the method further comprises placing, in a fluid state, around the sheath layer of the strength element, a hardening elastic adhesive, followed by placing a protective coating around the sheath layer of the strength element, which is glued to the sheath layer of the strength element using elastic adhesive. 15. The method according to any one of paragraphs. 10-14, in which, after the step of placing at least one fiber optic wire (2) in a helical manner around the core (1), and before the step of placing additional thermoplastic material (3) around the combination of the core (1) and the fiber optic wire (2), which is helically located around the core (1) in such a way as to completely enclose the fiber optic wire in thermoplastic material, additionally provide additional fixation between the core and the fiber optic wires forming a spiral around the core.

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