Method and apparatus for a non-oil-filled towed array with a novel hydrophone design and uniform buoyancy technique
US6498769B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 4, 2000 |
| Grant date | Dec 24, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 4, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01V2001/207
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A structure and method for constructing a non-oil-filled towed array providing a single cable entry point for each channel irregardless of the number of hydrophones used to make up a hydrophone group or array is described. The method and apparatus enables uniform buoyancy of the hydrophone array and the primary cable around which the hydrophone array is wound. Uniform buoyancy is achieved through the addition of hollow micro-spheres into a Reaction Injection Molded (RIM) polyurethane material used to mold the hydrophones. Additional buoyancy may be desired adjacent heavier cable sections where connectors and telemetry modules are located. An embodiment enables precise adjustment of hydrophone cable buoyancy by providing precise adjustment of the concentration of hollow glass micro-spheres in areas where more or less buoyancy is desired.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.