Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Transponders – Sonobuoys and sonobuoy systems
Patent
1992-01-13
1993-03-23
Pihulic, Daniel T.
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Transponders
Sonobuoys and sonobuoy systems
367153, H04R 100, G10K 1100
Patent
active
051970368
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to sonar arrays and means to deploy them underwater.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A known type of sonobuoy incorporates acoustic sensors which are contained in a housing until such time as the sonobuoy is dropped into the water, at which time the sensors are released from the housing as an array to detect acoustic signals in the water. The sonobuoy incorporates a float from which the array is suspended by a line and which serves to pull the array out of the housing when it has descended to a depth determined by the length of the line. Fastening means may be provided to retain the array within the housing during descent, but which is released by the inertial force exerted by the housing when the line is fully extended. Once pulled out of the housing, the array may be deployed by gravity or spring means. However, deployment of the array in this way may not be sufficient to ensure fully effective deployment.
In other known types of sonobuoy, drive means is provided to positively deploy the sensor array.
For example, spring powered motors may be provided which are connected to pivoted arms carrying the sensors so that these arms are swung outwards from a tubular configuration to a star-shaped configuration when the motors are operated. However, the provision of such drive means complicates the design of the sonobuoy and increases its cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide improved means to deploy a sonar array effectively underwater.
This is achieved according to the invention by mounting the array on a plurality of arms that are pivotally connected together on a central support so that they can pivot downwards and outwards from an upwardly extending, non-deployed orientation, an outer housing being provided which contains the non-deployed arms and which is adapted to move axially to uncover the arms when the array is to be deployed, each arm being connected via a tie to the outer housing so that such axial movement of the housing then positively moves the arms to their radially deployed orientation.
Preferably, the central support is connected via a suspension line to a float so that the length of the line determines the depth at which the array is deployed, the inertia of the housing causing it to continue to descend and uncover the arms when downwards movement of the central support and arms is arrested by the suspension line. The housing then falls free and inertial forces pull the arms outwards through the ties.
Preferably, the arms are held together in their non-deployed orientation by fastening means which is released by the initial relative movement between the housing and arms. The fastening means may take the form of a spring ring released by a pin connected by a release cord to the housing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an axial section through a sonobuoy incorporating the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a section along the line 2--2 in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 shows the sonobuoy of FIG. 1 partially deployed, and
FIG. 4 shows the sonobuoy of FIG. 1 fully deployed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The illustrated sonobuoy comprises an outer tubular housing 1 which contains a folded sonar array comprising five telescopic arms 2 each pivotally connected at its lower end to the lower end of a central tubular support 3. A surface float assembly 4 is mounted within the housing 1 above the folded array and is connected to the array via a suspension line 5 which is coiled in the space between the five folded arms 2. A parachute 6 is mounted at the top of the housing in a container 7 which closes the housing.
When deployed from an aircraft, the sonobuoy is ejected and the parachute container 7 is opened automatically to release the parachute 6. Once the sonobuoy hits the sea and sinks, a water-sensitive switch (not shown) operates to cause the float 8 to be inflated with carbon dioxide gas from a co
REFERENCES:
patent: 3290642 (1966-12-01), Mason et al.
patent: 4656616 (1987-04-01), Bennett et al.
"A Buoy Supported Acoustical Data Acquisitiion System", IEEE Transactions On Geoscience Electronics, vol. GE-7, No. 4, Oct. 1969, By H. Waugh, Jr., pp. 226-234.
Dowty Maritime Limited
Pihulic Daniel T.
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