US 12,405,360 B1Granted

Rollable, large vertical aperture, acoustic planar towed array

AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy

InventorsDavid J Daily, Simon E Freeman, Lauren A Freeman, William A Visser, Jason R Morin

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A planar sensor array includes a center tube, a first group of tubes, and a second group of tubes. One or more of the first group of tubes is positively buoyant, and at least one of the second group of tubes is negatively buoyant. Adjacent tubes are joined together by hinges. Acoustic sensors are positioned within the tubes. First and second half-shells are connected to the most distal tube of each group. The first half-shell is positively buoyant, and the second half-shell is negatively buoyant. An actuator attached to said center tube, and fins are attached to the actuator. The actuator is adjustable to change the fins angle of attack. Environmental fluid flow over the fins induces a torque on the actuator and center tube and causes these components to rotate. Rotation of the center tube causes the first and second groups of tubes to wrap around the center tube.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A planar sensor array, comprising:

a center tube;
a first plurality of tubes connected to a first side of said center tube, wherein each tube of said first plurality of tubes is connected at each end to an adjacent tube by a hinge, and at least a most distal tube of said first plurality of tubes being positively buoyant;
a second plurality of tubes connected to a second side of said center tube, wherein each tube of said second plurality of tubes is connected at each end to an adjacent tube by a hinge, and at least a most distal tube of said second plurality of tubes being negatively buoyant;
a plurality of acoustic sensors positioned within said center tube, each tube of said first plurality of tubes, and each tube of said second plurality of tubes;
a first half-shell connected to the most distal tube of said first plurality of tubes, said first half-shell being positively buoyant;
a second half-shell connected to the most distal tube of said second plurality of tubes, said second half-shell being negatively buoyant;
an actuator attached to said center tube;
fins attached to said actuator, said actuator being adjustable to change said fins angle of attack whereby environmental fluid flow over said fins induces a torque on said actuator and said center tube and causes rotation thereof, and wherein rotation of said center tube causes said first plurality of tubes and said second plurality of tubes to wrap around said center tube.

5 more elements

A planar sensor array comprising:

a neutrally buoyant center tube;
a first plurality of positively buoyant tubes connected to a first side of said neutrally buoyant center tube, wherein each positively buoyant tube is hingedly connected beside an adjacent tube of said first plurality of positively buoyant tubes;
a second plurality of negatively buoyant tubes connected to a second side of said neutrally buoyant center tube, wherein each negatively buoyant tube is hingedly connected beside an adjacent tube of said second plurality of negatively buoyant tubes;
a plurality of acoustic sensors positioned inside and along the length of said neutrally buoyant center tube, said first plurality of tubes, and said second plurality of tubes;
a positively buoyant half-shell connected to the most distal tube of said positively buoyant tubes;
a negatively buoyant half-shell connected to the most distal tube of said negatively buoyant tubes;
a closure assembly having a first position holding said positively buoyant half-shell to said negatively buoyant half-shell and a second position releasing said positively buoyant half-shell from said negatively buoyant half-shell;
an actuator attached to said center tube;
fins attached to said actuator, said actuator being adjustable to change said fins angle of attack whereby environmental fluid flow over said fins induces a torque on said actuator and said center tube and causes rotation thereof, and wherein rotation of said center tube causes said first plurality of positively buoyant tubes and said second plurality of negatively buoyant tubes to wrap around said center tube;
and
a tow point attached to a forward end of said center tube, said tow point including a coupling assembly.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.