US 12,656,525 B1 · Towed array test rotator platform

Abstract

A towed array test rotator platform with a catwalk assembly, motor assembly, lower shaft assembly, and cage assembly is provided. The catwalk assembly includes a support base mounted with a guide rail system adjacent to a substantially-central void about which the motor-table assembly is selectively positioned. The lower shaft assembly connects to a drive shaft of the motor assembly and projects coaxially downward through the void into a water-filled tank. With the motor assembly disconnected from the lower shaft assembly and moved away from the void, the motor-table assembly elevates the cage transfer assembly to allow the addition or removal of shaft sections. The cage assembly connects to the lower shaft assembly and carries a towed array being calibrated. Rotational force from the motor through the drive shaft is transferred through the lower shaft assembly to the cage assembly.

Claims11

Dependent claims

A rotator platform for calibration of a towed array in a water-filled tank, said rotator platform comprising:

a catwalk assembly having a support base with a guide rail system with a substantially-central void formed in the support base, the support base having at least one sliding track positioned proximate to the substantially-central void;
a motor assembly having a motor table moveably carried by said guide rail system and configured to carry a power train including a motor mechanically fixed to a drive shaft;
and
a lower shaft assembly with at least one shaft section configured to mechanically mount coaxially at a starting end to said drive shaft and capable of projecting from said motor assembly through the substantially-central coid.

1 more element

A method of operating a rotator platform for calibration of a towed array in a water-filled tank, said method comprising the steps of:

mounting a support table moveably on at least one sliding track of a guide rail system of a catwalk assembly at a first position proximate to a substantially-central void in a support base of said catwalk assembly;
mounting a motor assembly moveably on the at least one sliding track of the guide rail system at a second position separate from the substantially-central void in the support base;
mechanically mounting a cage transfer shaft of a cage assembly coaxially to a terminating end of at least one shaft section of a lower shaft assembly;
and
receiving, using the support table, the at least one shaft section of the lower shaft assembly at a starting end of the at least one shaft section opposite the cage assembly.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Towed array test rotator platform

Life of this patent

Towed array test rotator platform

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims11