Encapsulated hydrophone element for towed hydrophone array

A method of manufacturing a hydrophone assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing a hydrophone element having a hydrophone electrical conductor;
• coupling an insulated input electrical lead and an insulated output electrical lead to said hydrophone electrical conductor;
• surrounding said hydrophone element and said hydrophone electrical conductor with an electromagnetic shield, said input electrical lead and said output electrical lead extending from said electromagnetic shield;
• surrounding said hydrophone element, said hydrophone electrical conductor, a portion of said input electrical lead, a portion of said output electrical lead and said electromagnetic shield with a layer of encapsulating material to thereby form said hydrophone assembly, said material electrically insulating said electromagnetic shield from said hydrophone electrical conductor, said input electrical lead and said output electrical lead, said material further preventing fluids surrounding said hydrophone assembly from contacting said electromagnetic shield;
• and
• placing said hydrophone assembly in a cylindrical sleeve having a suspending material, therein, said suspending material adapted to resiliently secure said hydrophone assembly within said sleeve.

A towed array, comprising:

• a hydrophone module, said module comprising a cylindrical sleeve having a plurality of hydrophone assemblies and a suspending material therein, said suspending material adapted to resiliently secure said hydrophone assemblies within said sleeve, said sleeve further containing a fluid therein, said fluid giving said hydrophone module a preselected specific gravity, said hydrophone assemblies each comprising:
• a hydrophone element having a hydrophone electrical conductor;
• an insulated input electrical lead and an insulated output electrical lead coupled to said hydrophone electrical conductor;
• an electromagnetic shield surrounding said hydrophone element and said hydrophone electrical conductor, said input electrical lead and said output electrical lead extending from said electromagnetic shield;
• a layer of encapsulating material surrounding said hydrophone element, said hydrophone electrical conductor, a portion of said input electrical lead, a portion of said output electrical lead and said electromagnetic shield to thereby form one of said hydrophone assemblies, said material electrically insulating said electromagnetic shield from said hydrophone electrical conductor, said input electrical lead and said output electrical lead, said material further preventing said fluid from contacting said hydrophone assembly;
• and
• a gripping layer of fabric having a plurality of hooks joined thereto surrounding said encapsulating material, said gripping layer adapted to make contact and engage with said suspending material,
• said input electrical lead and said output electrical lead electrically coupled to other input electrical leads and output electrical leads to couple said hydrophone assemblies.