Towed acoustic source array system for marine applications
AssigneeHydroacoustics Inc.
InventorJohn V. Bouyoucos
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Abstract
A marine towed array has a plurality of tow bodies of positive buoyancy each containing a marine acoustic source, such as a vibrator source. Each tow body uses a reel containing an electro-mechanical tow cable connecting the sources, whereby reeling and unreeling of the cable, controlled from a towing ship, changes the spacing of the tow bodies. One of the tow bodies at an end of the array is attachable to the towing ship.
Claims9
A towed array system for use under water which comprises a plurality of tow bodies, each of said bodies having an acoustic source unit, a power supply for activating said unit to emit acoustic signals under water, control surfaces for positioning said body under tow laterally and at prescribed depth, and floatation material sufficient to make said body positively buoyant, and an umbilical tow cables connecting a first of said bodies to a towing vessel and interconnecting said bodies in series and extending string from said vessel.
A marine towed array system comprising tow bodies having positive buoyancy, a plurality of marine acoustic sources, in said bodies of weight of about 7,000 to 8,000 pounds in air and size of about 2 cubic feet, each body having a reel containing an electro-mechanical tow cable interconnecting the bodies, whereby reeling and unreeling of the cable, controlled from a towing ship, changes the spacing of said bodies, and one of the bodies at an end of the array is attachable to the towing ship via said cable.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.