Acoustic sensor array
AssigneeInput/Output, Inc.
InventorsRichard E. Pearce, Jonathan W. Pearce
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An acoustic sensor array may include sensor sections positioned along a length of a strain member. One or more sensors may be disposed within a sensor section. One or more sensors may be encapsulated in a molding material using a reaction injection molding (RIM) process to form a sensor section. Buoyant sections may be formed between sensor sections on the strain member. Buoyant sections may be formed by encapsulating a portion of the strain member in a buoyant molding material using a RIM process. Buoyant sections and/or sensor sections may include hollow microspheres. A concentration of hollow microspheres may be adjusted to control a buoyancy of the array. The strain member, the sensor sections, and the buoyant sections may be joined to form the array.
Claims111
A method for constructing an acoustic sensor array, comprising:
- encapsulating at least one sensor in a molding material using reaction injection molding to form at least one sensor section;
- mounting at least the one sensor section on a length of a strain member;
- and
- encapsulating at least one portion of the strain member in a buoyant molding material to form at least one buoyant section adjacent to at least the one sensor section.
A method for constructing an acoustic sensor array, comprising:
- encapsulating at least one sensor in a molding material using reaction injection molding to form at least one sensor section;
- mounting at least the one sensor section on a length of a strain member;
- and
- encapsulating at least one portion of the strain member in a buoyant molding material to form at least one buoyant section adjacent to at least the one sensor section, wherein the buoyant molding material comprises hollow microspheres.
An acoustic sensor array, comprising:
- a strain member having a length;
- sensor sections being formed using reaction injection molding and positioned along the length of the strain member, wherein each sensor section comprises a sensor;
- buoyant sections positioned along the length of the strain member;
- and
- wherein the strain member, the sensor sections, and the buoyant sections are joined to form the array.
An acoustic sensor array, comprising:
- a strain member having a length;
- sensor sections being formed using reaction injection molding and positioned along the length of the strain member, wherein each sensor section comprises a sensor;
- buoyant sections positioned along the length of the strain member, wherein the buoyant sections comprise hollow microspheres;
- and
- wherein the strain member, the sensor sections, and buoyant sections are joined to form the array.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.