CONTROLLED TOWED ARRAY DEPRESSOR

• US 20100242823A1
• Filed: 03/26/2009
• Published: 09/30/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corporation (Martin Marietta Corporation)
• Inventors: Kurpiewski, Thaddeus J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,479,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 114/245
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/66 Equipment specially adapted for towing underwater objects or vessels, e.g. fairings for tow-cables paravanes for dragging fishing nets A01K73/02; salvaging underwater vessels or objects B63C7/00; towed underwater vessels B63G8/42
• CPC Class Codes: B63G 8/42 Towed underwater vessels

Abstract

A depressor for towed hydrophone arrays is contemplated having a remotely controllable tow point to allow array depth to be modified without requiring manual reconfiguration. The tow cable is attached to the depressor in an adjustable manner also providing improved depth control precision.

Claims

1. A towed array depressor comprising:

a depressor body;

a coupling mechanism adapted to adjustably couple a tow cable to said depressor body; and

a motor for incrementally adjusting said coupling mechanism, said motor adapted to receive adjustment instructions remotely through said tow cable.

2. The towed array depressor of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism slidably couples said tow cable to said depressor body.

3. The towed array depressor of claim 2, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises:

a plurality of rails for slidably coupling said coupling mechanism to said depressor body; and

a cutout section for fixedly attaching said tow cable to said coupling mechanism.

4. The towed array depressor of claim 3, further comprising:

a worm screw coupled to said motor and adapted to impart a sliding motion to said coupling mechanism;

wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises one or more notched sections for engaging said worm screw.

5. The towed array depressor of claim 1, wherein said coupling mechanism rotationally couples said tow cable to said depressor body.

6. The towed array depressor of claim 5, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises:

a pulley reel coupled to said motor by a connecting rod; and

a pulley cable having a first section fixedly attached to said depressor body, a second section capable of being fixedly attached to said tow cable and a third section fixedly attached to said pulley reel.

7. The towed array depressor of claim 5, wherein said coupling mechanism further comprises:

a fin coupled to said motor, said fin having a cutout section for fixedly attaching said tow cable to said coupling mechanism;

wherein said fin is adapted to receive a rotational force imparted by said motor.

8. The towed array depressor of claim 1, wherein said motor is adapted to receive power remotely through said tow cable.

9. A towed array depressor comprising:

a depressor body;

an attachment mechanism having a tow cable attachment element for attaching a tow cable to the attachment mechanism, said attachment mechanism adapted to be adjustably attached to said depressor body to allow a location of the tow cable attachment element to be incrementally adjustable relative to a center of gravity of said depressor body.

10. The towed array depressor of claim 9, further comprising:

a motor for adjusting said attachment mechanism.

11. The towed array depressor of claim 10, wherein said motor is adapted to receive adjustment instructions remotely through said tow cable.

12. The towed array depressor of claim 10, wherein said motor is adapted to receive power remotely through said tow cable.

13. The towed array depressor of claim 10, wherein said attachment mechanism slidably attaches to said depressor body.

14. The towed array depressor of claim 13, wherein said attachment mechanism further comprises:

a plurality of rails for slidably attaching to said depressor body; and

a cutout section for fixedly attaching said tow cable to said attachment mechanism.

15. The towed array depressor of claim 14, further comprising:

a worm screw coupled to said motor and adapted to impart a sliding motion to said attachment mechanism;

wherein said attachment mechanism further comprises one or more notched sections for engaging said worm screw.

16. The towed array depressor of claim 10, wherein said attachment mechanism rotationally attaches to said depressor body.

17. The towed array depressor of claim 16, wherein said attachment mechanism further comprises:

a pulley reel coupled to said motor by a connecting rod; and

a pulley cable having a first section fixedly attached to said depressor body, a second section capable of being fixedly attached to said tow cable and a third section fixedly attached to said pulley reel.

18. The towed array depressor of claim 16, wherein said attachment mechanism further comprises:

a fin coupled to said motor, said fin having a cutout section for fixedly attaching said tow cable to said attachment mechanism;

wherein said fin is adapted to receive a rotational force imparted by said motor.

19. A towed array depressor comprising:

a body,

one or more winged sections coupled to said body;

a worm screw housed substantially within said body;

a motor substantially housed within said body and coupled to said worm screw; and

a sled mechanism having one or more rails for slidably coupling said sled mechanism to said body, one or more notched sections for receiving said rotational force of said worm screw and an attachment section for attaching a tow cable to said sled mechanism;

wherein said motor is adapted to be remotely powered and remotely controlled through said tow cable.

20. A towed array depressor comprising:

a depressor body;

a tow cable attachment mechanism adapted to slidably attach a tow cable to the body.