Vertical-axis transmitting sonar antenna that can be wound onto a winch

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to the undersea mechanics of ship-towed linear bodies which preferably are towed in a vertical position and which, at rest, are designed to be stored on the drum of a winch. The linear submersible body is capable of adopting a rectilinear configuration in a vertical position when it is towed at a total immersion depth and of adopting a curved configuration at rest, having a radius of curvature allowing it to be wound onto the drum of a winch. The device according to the invention includes a plurality of rigid segments that are articulated and can adopt relative to one another an orientation making it possible to form a rectilinear body or a curved body, of which the radius of curvature is adapted to the drum of the winch onto which it is wound. The segments are associated with couplers and configured so that a vertical rectilinear posture is naturally obtained when the device is totally submerged and towed by the ship, while the curved posture is obtained naturally by the winding of the device onto the winch. Embodiments of the invention apply to the production of linear and vertical transmitting acoustic antennas.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.