Compliant ocean wave mitigation device and method to allow underwater sound detection with oceanographic buoy moorings
AssigneeWoods Hole Oceanographic Institution
InventorsWalter Paul, Donald B. Peters
Life of this patent
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Abstract
This systems and methods described herein relate to a device which enables oceanographic surface buoy mooring systems to detect and monitor underwater noise at most sea state and weather conditions. In particular, the systems and methods described herein provide mooring systems that can support a hydrophone or other underwater listening devices connected to a surface buoy located at a deep sea position. As will be more fully described below, the mooring includes an expandable tether cable/hose that reduces noise generated underwater when the buoy moves in response to wave and weather.
Claims17
A system for listening to underwater sounds, comprising
- a surface buoy configured to be disposed at a surface location on a water body,
- a hydrophone connected to the surface buoy for recording underwater sounds,
- a stretchable hose having a characteristic stretch extension selected to accommodate a predicted vertical heave of the surface buoy, the stretchable hose being attached to the surface buoy, for connecting the hydrophone to the surface buoy, and
- an anchoring member connected to the hydrophone,
- wherein, in response to vertical heave of the surface buoy at the surface location on the water body, a length of the stretchable hose adjusts to thereby maintain the hydrophone at a predetermined depth in the water body.
A method of manufacturing a system for listening to underwater sounds, comprising:
- providing a stretchable hose, having
- a first end and a second end,
- an inner layer;
- at least one reinforcement ribbon having a plurality of cords embedded in a matrix, wrapped helically about the inner layer;
- and
- at least one conductor, wrapped helically about at least one of the inner layer and the at least one reinforcement ribbon, wherein the conductor connects the first end and the second end;
- attaching the first end of the stretchable hose to a surface buoy configured to be disposed at a surface location on a water body, and
- attaching the second end of the stretchable hose to a hydrophone.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.