Aft drogue module for towed sonar array
AssigneeHughes Aircraft Company
InventorsGeorge A. McGowan, David B. MacCulloch
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The aft drogue module (18) of the towed sonar array has a body (20) as its main length. The body (20) contains strength member (26) which is covered by an extruded tube (28) of rubberlike material which is covered by braid (30) and which, in turn, is covered by extruded abrasion-resistant cover sleeve (32). At its forward end, the strength member is expanded into the conical interior of coupling (22). The tail (56) is attached to the body and contains fill material (60) which damps and is sufficiently stiff to inhibit whipping during towing.
Claims19
A drogue module for a towed sonar array, said drogue module comprising:
- a coupling at the forward end of said drogue module, said coupling having an interior cone surface which is divergent towards the forward end of said module;
- a body connected to said coupling, said body having a diameter substantially equal to said coupling and said body including a tensile strength member extending into and engaged within said coupling, said strength member being expanded to said conical surface and filled with a plug to prevent pulling of said strength member out of said coupling;
- and
- an aft hose connected to said body, said aft hose having a damper therein for damping whipping of said drogue module as it is towed through water.
A drogue module for a towed sonar array, said drogue module comprising:
- a coupling at the forward end of said drogue module, said coupling having an interior cone surface which is divergent towards the forward end of said module;
- a body connected to said coupling, said body having a diameter substantially equal to said couplingtand said body including a tensile strength member extending throughout its length and extending into and engaged within said coupling, said strength member being expanded to said conical surface and filled with a plug to prevent pulling of said strength member out of said coupling, said body comprising an extruded tube of rubberlike material on said strength member together with an extruded cover sleeve of abrasion-resistant material thereover and an open weave sleeve position over said rubber tube and incorporated in said cover sleeve when said cover sleeve is extruded thereover;
- and
- an aft hose connected to said body, said aft hose havng a damper therein for damping whipping of said drogue module as it is towed through water.
A drogue module for a twoed sonar array, said drogue module comprising:
- a coupling at the forward end of said drogue module, said coupling having an interior cone surface which is divergent towards the forward end of said module;
- a body connected to said coupling, said body having a diameter substantially equal to said coupling and said body including a tensile strength member extending into through the length of said body and extending into and engaged within said coupling, said strength meember being expanded to said conical surface and filled with a plug to prevent pulling of said strength member out of said coupling;
- and
- an aft hose connected to said body, said strength member extending into said hose and secured therein said aft hose having a damper therein for damping whipping of said drogue module as it is towed through water.
A drogue module comprising:
- a coupling at the forward end of said drogue module for coupling to a towed sonar array;
- a body secured to said coupling, said body having substantially the same diameter as said coupling, said body comprising a longitudinal strength member extending throughout the length of said body, a tube of rubberlike material extruded over said strength member for the entire length of said body in intimate contact with said body and a cover sleeve of abrasion-resistant material extruded over said rubber tube for the entire length of said body;
- and
- a damping tail secured to the aft end of said body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.