# US 10,479,452 B2 · Tow body arrangement for a towable device in a sonar system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,452 B2 - Document ID: US10479452B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/757,252 - Filed: 2016-09-02 - Published: 2018-10-11 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-09-04 - Assignees: Geospectrum Technologies Inc. - Applicants: GeoSpectrum Technologies Inc. - Inventors: Janis Nams; Dan Cunningham; Paul Yeatman; Bruce A. Armstrong - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479452B2 ## CPC - B63B 21/663: {Fairings} - G01V 1/006: {generating single signals by using more than one generator, e.g. beam steering or focusing arrays (G01V1/13, G01V1/3861 take precedence)} - G01V 1/3808: {Seismic data acquisition, e.g. survey design} - G01V 1/3826: {dynamic steering, e.g. by paravanes or birds} - G01V 1/3861: {control of source arrays, e.g. for far field control} - B63B 2211/02: Oceanography - G01V 2210/1293: Sea - B63B: SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; EQUIPMENT FOR SHIPPING (arrangements of vessel ventilation, heating, cooling, or air-conditioning B63J2/00; floating substructures as supports of dredgers or soil-shifting machines E02F9/06) - G01V: GEOPHYSICS; GRAVITATIONAL MEASUREMENTS; DETECTING MASSES OR OBJECTS; TAGS (means for indicating the location of accidentally buried, e.g. snow-buried, persons A63B29/02) ## Abstract A tow body arrangement for a towable device in a sonar system includes a bridle having a front for connecting to a first tow cable and back for connecting to a second tow cable. The tow body arrangement also includes a tow body rotatably connected to the bridle between the front and back of the bridle. The tow body is shaped to generate hydrodynamic forces tending to rotate the tow body perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A towable device for towing behind a watercraft comprising: a bridle having a front for connecting to a first tow cable and back for connecting to a second tow cable; a tow body rotatably coupled to the bridle at a single pivot connection between the front and back of the bridle, the tow body rotatable about the single pivot point relative to the bridle between a recovery position in line with the front of the bridle and the back of the bridle and an approximately vertical position in use. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body has an oblong shape and is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the tow body. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the bridle is winched in-line with the first and second tow cables. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the bridle is winched along with the first and second tow cables. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body comprises a sound projector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body comprises a downward lift surface for generating a downward hydrodynamic force when being towed to rotate the tow body into the approximately vertical position. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body is weighted to provide a rotational force to the tow body in order to cause the tow body to rotate into the approximately vertical position. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, further comprising an electronically controlled actuator for rotating the tow body into the approximately vertical position. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body is rotatably connected to a support frame mounted to the bridle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the bridle is flexible along its longitudinal axis. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the bridle comprises a pair of yokes joined by a pair of flexible arms. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The towable device of claim 11, wherein the flexible arms comprise a plurality of rigid members pivotally connected together. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body is releasably connected to the bridle. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein when towed in submersion, the tow body assumes a stable vertical equilibrium position due to a weight and buoyancy distribution of the tow body, distribution of hydrodynamic drag and lift forces acting on the body, and location of a tow point at the front of the bridle where a towing force is applied to the towable device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein in the absence of the hydrodynamic forces the tow body can freely rotate relative to the bridle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The towable device of claim 1, wherein the tow body is a rigid tow body. ### Claim 17 A towable device for towing behind a watercraft comprising: a bridle having a front for connecting to a first tow cable and back for connecting to a second tow cable; a rigid tow body rotatably coupled to the bridle between the front and back of the bridle, the rigid tow body rotatable relative to the bridle between a recovery position and an approximately vertical position in use; and further comprising an electronically controlled actuator for rotating the rigid tow body into the approximately vertical position. ### Claim 18 A towable device for towing behind a watercraft comprising: a bridle having a front for connecting to a first tow cable and back for connecting to a second tow cable; a tow body rotatably coupled to the bridle between the front and back of the bridle, the tow body rotatable relative to the bridle between a recovery position and an approximately vertical position in use; and an electronically controlled actuator for rotating the tow body into the approximately vertical position.