AU625999B2 - System for deploying horizontal line array - Google Patents
System for deploying horizontal line arrayInfo
- Publication number
- AU625999B2 AU625999B2 AU58670/90A AU5867090A AU625999B2 AU 625999 B2 AU625999 B2 AU 625999B2 AU 58670/90 A AU58670/90 A AU 58670/90A AU 5867090 A AU5867090 A AU 5867090A AU 625999 B2 AU625999 B2 AU 625999B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- cable
- array
- container
- deploying
- horizontal line
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/004—Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device
- G10K11/006—Transducer mounting in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys
- G10K11/008—Arrays of transducers
Description
V
a;*Fo-~m~ir;r
AUSTRALIA
PATENTS ACT 195 6 5 9 9 9 Form COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(ORIGINAL)
FOR OFFICE USE Short Title: Int. Cl: Application Number: Lodged: Complete Specification-Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: .,Priority: Related Art: TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT Name of Applicant: HAZELTINE CORPORATION Address of Applicant: GREENLAWN, NEW YORK 11740
U.S.A.
Actual Inventor: Address for Service: GRIFFITH HACK CO., 601 St. Kilda Road, Melbourne, Victoria 3004, Australia.
Complete Specification for the invention entitled: SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING HORIZONTAL LINE ARRAY.
The following statement is a full description of this invention including the best method of performing it known to me:c I_
-I-
tt E4428.04 EAO:cjf SYSTEM FOR DEPLOYING HORIZONTAL LINE ARRAY o 0 7 8 0 0 0 9 o ~11 12 13 14 *0 15 16 17 18 19 21 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a system for rapidly deploying from a sonobuoy a line array of electro-acoustic transducers and for positioning the array horizontally at a desired depth below the water's surface.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The use of arrays of electro-acoustic transducers deployed from sonobuoys has a variety of applications in military and commercial fields. A commercial application consists of usinq such an array to receive reflected acoustic waves in oil exploration surveys. Submarine detection is the principle use in the military field. While individual sonobuoys having a single transducer or a vertical line array of transducers are useful for some applications, other applications require the use of an array of multiple transducers arranged in a horizontal line at a predetermined depth below the water's surface, sometimes extending over a substantial distance.
1 R- -nr v i; i i. i i 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 Typically, such horizontal array systems comprise a horizontal line array, consisting of a cable having a plurality of transducers mounted thereon at a selected interval, and vertical suspension cables, attached to the leading and trailing ends of the horizontal array cable and including selected motion isolation and drag inducing components. In the prior art, such systems have been deployed sequentially. That is, first the trailing end vertical suspension cable is paid out from the deploying sonobuoy, followed by the array cable, and finally the leading end vertical suspension cable.
The system then is allowed to stabilize, with the leading and trailing end suspension cables in a vertical attitude and the array in a horizontal attitude.
While the above described deployment method is satisfactory for some applications, other applications require that the transducer array be deployed very rapidly or at a shallow depth. But, the time required for deployment is a function of the length of the horizontal array and the length of the suspension cables, the latter of which also determines the depth at which the array will be deployed. For example, a deployment time of thirty minutes is desirable for some applications. However, due to the length of the array involved and the time required for 2 I -C ~f i- I 0 0 0 11 12 13 14 o o0 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 the array to reach the desired operating depth, the prior art sequential method of deployment has been unable to achieve the desired thirty-minute deployment time.
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved system for rapidly deploying a horizontal line array of electroacoustic transducers from a sonobuoy, as well as new sonobuoys employing such system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention there is provided a sonobuoy system for deploying an array of transducers at a predetermined depth below the water surface in predetermined time. The system has a cable having a plurality of transducers attached to it, and a containment means for containing said cable and capable of floating at or near the surface of the water. The system also has a cable contrcl means for causing the trailing end and leading end of the cable to be set at a predetermined depth below the water's surface. When the cable control means selectively releases the trailing end of said cable upon the sonobuoy system being deployed in the water, the cable control means permits the trailing end of the cable to descend to a predetermined depth. When the predetermined depth is reached, the cable is then 3 L 1n 0 1 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 held until the predetermined time has elapsed. After the elapse of the predetermined time, the leading end of the cable is selectively released and allowed to descend to the predetermined depth.
For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, reference is made to the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and its scope will be pointed out in the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 illustrates a sonobuoy, embodying the invention, in its packaged state, ready for deployment.
Fig. 2 illustrates the first phase of deployment of a horizontal line array from the sonobuoy of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 illustrates the beginning of the second phase of deployment.
Fig. 4 illustrates the position of the array at the end of the second phase of deployment.
Fig. 5 illustrates the third phase of the deployment.
Fig. 6 is a view of the invention in its fully deployed state, showing the transducer array in a horizontal position at the desired depth below the surface of the water.
-4- ;i 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Fig. 1 shows the a sonobuoy 10, typically cylindrical in form, which embodies the invention and is ready for deployment. The sonobuoy is usually launched from a plane or ship by dropping the sonohuoy into the water. If launched from a plane, the sonobuoy housing 22 would normally include means for suitably slowing its descent, such as rotc_ blades or a parachute, in a manner well known in the art.
The sonobuoy housing 22 includes a surface float 12 that is releasably connected to cable container 16, which houses the leading end array suspension cable. Cable container 16 is preferably cylindrically shaped with the diameter of the cylinder approximately equal to the diameter of the cylindrical portion of the surface float 12. Cable container 16 is also releasably attached to array container 19, which contains the array cable and its transducers, and has a diameter corresponding to the diameter of float 12 and cable container 16. Cable container 28, which houses the trailing end suspension cable, also preferably has a cylindrical shape of approximately the same diameter as the other elements and is releasably attached to array container 19.
Fig. 2 shows sonobuoy 10 shortly after it has been dropped into the water. Surface float 12 slides out of housing 22, inflates and remains at the 5 I C I 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 o i0 0 03 0 11 0 12 13 14 16 S. 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 surface of the water throughout the use of the system. Float 12 includes an antenna 35 and associated electronics, for transmitting information collected by the array of transducers after it is deployed.
Cable container 16 slides out of housing 22 and drops away from float 12 but remains attached to float 12 by a connecting member 14, which is preferably a compliant cable containing one or more electrical leads carry signals from the array to the electronics package in float 12. Cable container 16 contains leading end suspension cable 29, damper device 32 and array electronics package 34. The weight of descent housing 22 and cable container 28 causes array cable, having transducers 20 affixed thereto at a selected interval, to be paid out from array container 19. Array container 19 is constructed in separable halves which separate and fall away as shown. Eventually, cable container 28 slides out of housing 22 and the housing falls away as shown in Fig.
2.
Fig. 3 shows the beginning of the second phase of the deployment of the horizontal line array system. After housing 22 drops away, cable container 28, which is buoyant and contains trailing end suspension cable 25 and drag device 24, is free to float toward the water's surface but remains attached 6 -e I_ 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13 14 16 17 18 19 21 22 23 24 26 27 to array cable 18 via connecting member 26. The combination of floating container 28 and trailing end suspension cable 25 serves to keep the trailing end of the array cable 18 at a predetermined depth below the water's surface determined by the length of cable Since connecting member 26 connects the trailing end of array cable 18 to the combination of drag device 24 and the lower end of suspension cable 25 and is not required to provide electrical connection, nylon line or other flexible cable is suitable. Connected between connecting member 26 and the lower end of cable 25 is drag device 24, which may be a drogue.
Drag device 24 impedes the drift of the trailing end of array cable 18 relative to float 12, while float 12 is free to drift with the prevailing surface current.
This causes cable 18 to be stretched out in an angular configuration as shown in Fig 4.
Fig. 4 shows the final position of the line array 18/20 at the end of the second phase of deployment, when the array is deployed to maximum extension. The time required to complete this phase varies depending on the length of the array and suspension cables. At the end of this timed phase, leading end 27 of cable 18 is released from cable container 16 via a preset timing mechanism.
Fig. 5 shows the third phase of deployment. Array electronics container 34, which had 7
F~
t 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 13
I
14 16 17 18 o 0, 19 POO* 21 22 23 24 26 27 been releasably contained within cable container 16, is released and descends with leading end 27 of cable 18 attached to it. Container 34 remains connected to cable container 16 by means of leading end suspension cable 29, which may be a compliant cable for example.
In order to prevent container 34 from descending too rapidly, which may cause suspension cable 29 to tangle with array cable 18, leading end drag device 32 is attached along suspension cable 29 near container 34.
Drag device 32 thus slows the descent of container 34.
After a predetermined length of suspension cable 29 is released from cable container 16, the array 18/20 is free to assume its fully deployed state.
Fig. 6 illustrates the horizontal line array 18/20 in its fully deployed state. Array cable 18 is suspended from float 12 at the leading end by suspension cable 29 and from float 28 at the trailing end by suspension cable 25. Thus array 18/20 is positioned approximately parallel to the surface of the water and at a predetermined depth below the surface corresponding to the lengths of suspension cables 25 and 29. Array cable 18 is kept in a reasonably taut condition because: leading end float 12 is larger and therefore has more drag area than trailing end float 28, and float 12 drifts in higher current than trailing end drag device 24, which is located deeper where lower current speeds exists.
8 1 As shown in Fig. 6, it is assumed that the prevailing 2 general current flow is from right to left. The 3 horizontal line array deployment method and system 4 described herein has several distinct advantages over prior art methods and systems. First, it is capable 6 of deploying arrays in a shorter time than if a 7 conventional sequential approach is used. Second, it 8 is easier to package in sonobuoy housings of standard 9 shape and size, enabling standard launching methods and devices to be used. Third, the depth at which the 11 array is deployed is easily controlled and the array 12 may be deployed in shallower water than is possible 13 with the conventional sequential approach. Fourth, 14 the deployed array can remain on station and approximately parallel to the water's surface for an 16 extended time. This permits information to be derived o 17 from the horizontal array which is not obtainable from 18 a single transducer or from a vertical array of 19 transducers.
9
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US38348589A | 1989-07-24 | 1989-07-24 | |
US383485 | 1989-07-24 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
AU5867090A AU5867090A (en) | 1991-01-24 |
AU625999B2 true AU625999B2 (en) | 1992-07-23 |
Family
ID=23513381
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
AU58670/90A Ceased AU625999B2 (en) | 1989-07-24 | 1990-07-04 | System for deploying horizontal line array |
Country Status (5)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0410591A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH03122583A (en) |
AU (1) | AU625999B2 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2020202A1 (en) |
NZ (1) | NZ234388A (en) |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
CN109283513B (en) * | 2018-08-31 | 2021-02-26 | 杭州瑞声海洋仪器有限公司 | Static array arrangement structure and method for testing on towed linear array lake |
FR3103571B1 (en) * | 2019-11-27 | 2021-10-22 | Thales Sa | SONAR DEVICE |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3944964A (en) * | 1973-12-19 | 1976-03-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Air dropped linear acoustic detector |
US4571788A (en) * | 1983-11-21 | 1986-02-25 | Hazeltine Corporation | Double action pressure release |
Family Cites Families (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4004265A (en) * | 1974-08-02 | 1977-01-18 | Sanders Associates, Inc. | Self-propelled array system |
US3973236A (en) * | 1974-12-23 | 1976-08-03 | Lockheed Missiles & Space Company, Inc. | Horizontal hydrophone array |
-
1990
- 1990-06-29 CA CA 2020202 patent/CA2020202A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1990-07-03 EP EP19900307280 patent/EP0410591A3/en not_active Withdrawn
- 1990-07-04 AU AU58670/90A patent/AU625999B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1990-07-05 NZ NZ23438890A patent/NZ234388A/en unknown
- 1990-07-24 JP JP2196019A patent/JPH03122583A/en active Pending
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US3944964A (en) * | 1973-12-19 | 1976-03-16 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Air dropped linear acoustic detector |
US4571788A (en) * | 1983-11-21 | 1986-02-25 | Hazeltine Corporation | Double action pressure release |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
EP0410591A2 (en) | 1991-01-30 |
EP0410591A3 (en) | 1992-07-01 |
JPH03122583A (en) | 1991-05-24 |
AU5867090A (en) | 1991-01-24 |
NZ234388A (en) | 1992-03-26 |
CA2020202A1 (en) | 1991-01-25 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US4004265A (en) | Self-propelled array system | |
US4189703A (en) | System for deploying a sensor array from transiting vessel | |
USRE36643E (en) | Buoyed sensor array communications system | |
US3880103A (en) | Tethered mine hunting system | |
US3921120A (en) | Float actuated release mechanism | |
US4473896A (en) | Tactical Expendable Device | |
US5566908A (en) | Air-launchable gliding sonobuoy | |
US4208738A (en) | Deployable sonar array with interconnected transducers operated in the bending mode | |
US6400645B1 (en) | Sonobuoy apparatus | |
US3944964A (en) | Air dropped linear acoustic detector | |
US4323988A (en) | Sonobuoy system | |
US5056065A (en) | System for deploying horizontal line array | |
AU625999B2 (en) | System for deploying horizontal line array | |
US3377615A (en) | Compliant suspension system | |
US3724817A (en) | Long line loiter technique | |
US5175712A (en) | Underwater sound source with timed actuator | |
US4654832A (en) | Sonobuoy retaining and release apparatus | |
US6031377A (en) | Magnetic anomaly detection buoy for detecting submarines | |
US3646505A (en) | Automatically deployable sonobuoy | |
US5469407A (en) | Parachute array | |
US3671928A (en) | Automatically energizable sonobuoy | |
US5007029A (en) | Undersea relocation apparatus & method | |
US3460058A (en) | Radio sonobuoy | |
US5676576A (en) | Submarine deployed sea-state sensor | |
AU2021286381B2 (en) | Surface deployed communication buoy |