US 5,706,253 A · Acoustic receiver array assembly

Abstract

An acoustic receiver array assembly includes an underwater vehicle having a ase portion and an acoustic receiver portion. The base portion is provided with a rigid boundary wall defining a first largest diameter. The receiver portion is provided with a flexible boundary wall expandable from a generally cylindrical configuration of no more than the first diameter to an expanded configuration of a second diameter substantially larger than the first diameter, the receiver portion defining a chamber. Expansion means is disposed in the chamber and is operable to expand the receiver portion boundary wall to the second diameter. Acoustic receivers are mounted in the receiver portion and provide an acoustic receiver array which expands commensurately with the expansion of the receiver portion boundary wall.

Claims7

Dependent claims

An acoustic receiver array-assembly, said assembly comprising:

an underwater vehicle having a base portion and an acoustic receiver portion, said base portion having a rigid boundary wall of a configuration defining a first diameter, said receiver portion having a flexible boundary wall expandable from a generally cylindrical configuration of no more than said first diameter to an expanded configuration of a second diameter substantially larger than said first diameter, said receiver portion defining a chamber;
expansion means disposed in said chamber and operable to expand said receiver portion boundary wall to said second diameter;
and
acoustic receivers positioned in said receiver portion and providing an acoustic receiver array which expands commensurately with said expansion of said receiver portion boundary wall.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Acoustic receiver array assembly

Life of this patent

Acoustic receiver array assembly

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims7