Array system for supercavitating hydrofoils
AssigneeThe United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
InventorsThomas J. Gieseke, Robert Kuklinski, Abraham N. Varghese, John R. Grant
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Abstract
A sonar system includes a forward looking array which is embedded in a cavitator for generating a gaseous cavity which minimizes hydrodynamic noise resulting from turbulent pressure fluctuations. A marine vessel incorporating the sonar system includes a hull, a hydrofoil suspended beneath the hull by a strut, and a cavitator for generating a laminar flow over the hydrofoil and for creating a cavity for eliminating turbulent flow contact. The cavitator is located at a leading edge area of the hydrofoil. The sonar array is embedded into the cavitator.
Claims16
A sonar array system for minimizing the effects of a hydrodynamically excited noise comprising:
- a first element capable of inducing cavitation when moved at a speed through water;
- a cavitator attached to a leading edge of said first element;
- and
- a plurality of sonar elements forming an array embedded within said cavitator.
A marine vessel comprising:
- a hull;
- a strut joined to said hull;
- a hydrofoil suspended beneath said hull by said strut;
- means for generating a laminar flow over said hydrofoil and for creating a cavity for eliminating turbulent flow contact located at a leading edge area of said hydrofoil;
- and
- a sonar array embedded into said laminar flow generating and cavity creating means.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.