Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Underwater system
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-10-23
Lobo, Ian J. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Underwater system
C367S003000, C340S850000, C073S170330
Reexamination Certificate
active
06307810
ABSTRACT:
FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an acoustic warning assembly and, more particularly, to an acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle, such as a submarine.
A submarine, while being relatively protected when submerged, is exposed to attacks when surfaced. Such attacks are in many cases launched by helicopters equipped with missiles capable of penetrating the submarine's outer shell and severely damage and/or drawn the underwater vehicle.
However, while in air, a helicopter generates unique acoustic frequencies associated with its rotating main and tail rotor blades.
There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, an acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle, because such an assembly would enable submarines to detect above-surface helicopters while remained submerged and undetected thereby.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided an acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic warning assembly comprising (a) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals; (b) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, the carrier member being designed to carry the acoustosensitive member above-surface; and (c) a communication medium for communicating between the acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting the above-surface acoustic signals being collected by the acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of detecting a presence or absence of an airborne vehicle from a submerged underwater vehicle comprising the steps of (a) launching from the submerged underwater vehicle an acoustic warning assembly including an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals; (b) establishing a communication between the submerged underwater vehicle and the acoustic warning assembly for receiving the above-surface acoustic signals; and (c) analyzing the above-surface acoustic signals for detecting the presence or absence of the airborne vehicle.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of identifying an airborne vehicle from a submerged underwater vehicle comprising the steps of (a) launching from the submerged underwater vehicle an acoustic warning assembly including an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals; (b) establishing a communication between the submerged underwater vehicle and the acoustic warning assembly for receiving the above-surface acoustic signals; and (c) using an acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm capable of differentiating among types of airborne vehicles according to their acoustic signature, for analyzing the above-surface acoustic signals, for identifying the airborne vehicle.
According to still another aspect of the present invention there is provided an acoustic system for detecting a presence or absence of an airborne vehicle from a submerged underwater vehicle, the system comprising (a) an acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic warning assembly comprising (i) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals; (ii) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, the carrier member being designed to carry the acoustosensitive member above-surface; and (iii) a communication medium for communicating between the acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting the above-surface acoustic signals being collected by the acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle; and (b) an analyzer being installed in the underwater vehicle for receiving the above-surface acoustic signals via the communication medium and for analyzing the above-surface acoustic signals for detecting the presence or absence of the airborne vehicle.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided an acoustic system for identifying an airborne vehicle from a submerged underwater vehicle, the system comprising (a) an acoustic warning assembly capable of being launched from an underwater vehicle while being underwater, the acoustic warning assembly comprising (i) an acoustosensitive member for collecting above-surface acoustic signals; (ii) a carrier member being launchable from the underwater vehicle, the carrier member being designed to carry the acoustosensitive member above-surface; and (iii) a communication medium for communicating between the acoustosensitive member and the underwater vehicle, for transmitting the above-surface acoustic signals being collected by the acoustosensitive member to the underwater vehicle; and (b) an analyzer being installed in the underwater vehicle for receiving the above-surface acoustic signals via the communication medium and for analyzing the above-surface acoustic signals, the analyzer including an acoustic signal frequency identifying algorithm capable of differentiating among types of airborne vehicles according to their acoustic signature, for analyzing the above-surface acoustic signals, for identifying the airborne vehicle
According to further features in preferred embodiments of the invention described below, the communication medium includes at least one communication wire.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustic warning assembly further comprising a lifting body releasably engaged within the carrier member, the lifting body being connected to the underwater vehicle via a tether.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the at least one communication medium includes a deployable wire communicating between the acoustosensitive member and the lifting body, whereas the tether serves for communicating between the lifting body and the underwater vehicle.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustic warning assembly includes (i) a releasable protective cover engaged at a front end thereof, and (ii) a pressure sensitive mechanism for releasing the protective cover when the front end of the carrier member is above surface.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustic warning assembly includes a drag inducing mechanism for slowing its migration towards the water surface after launching.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustosensitive member includes a windshield for shielding the acoustosensitive member from wind.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustic warning assembly includes an ejecting mechanism engaged therein for ejecting the acoustosensitive member.
According to still further features in the described preferred embodiments the acoustic warning assembly includes a self destruction mechanism.
The present invention successfully addresses the shortcomings of the presently known configurations by providing new horizons for the survival of underwater vehicles in the aerial-marine battle zone.
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Botzer Shabtai
Grinstein Jacob
Nativ Itzhak
Pauker Shlomo
Shany Ofir
Friedman Mark M.
Lobo Ian J.
Rafael-Armament Development Authority LTD
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