Retractable sensor array system
First Claim
1. A retractable sensor array system comprising:
- at least one sensor array sheet having at least one sensor element disposed on at least one surface of said at least one sheet; and
a sensor array positioning mechanism having a roller mechanism coupled to said at least one sensor array sheet, said at least one sensor array sheet rolling and unrolling on said roller mechanism for deploying and retracting said at least one sensor array sheet into the environment.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A retractable sensor array system is used to provide a large aperture sen array, such as a sonar array, that receives acoustic energy in a deployment medium. The retractable sensor array system includes one or more sensor array sheets having one or more sensors and a sensor array positioning mechanism for deploying and retracting the sensor array sheet from a platform, such as a ship, submarine, aircraft, space vehicle or medical device. The sensor array positioning mechanism preferably includes a motor that automatically and selectively deploys and retracts the one or more sensor array sheets by rolling and unrolling the sensor array sheets. The retractable sensor array system allows the one or more sensor array sheets to be deployed from various locations on a platform and also in various directions from the platform depending upon the desired usage, platform orientation, position and deployment medium conditions. Each sensor array sheet includes a sensor array sheet support member, that urges and supports the sheet in a deployed position.
78 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A retractable sensor array system comprising:
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at least one sensor array sheet having at least one sensor element disposed on at least one surface of said at least one sheet; and a sensor array positioning mechanism having a roller mechanism coupled to said at least one sensor array sheet, said at least one sensor array sheet rolling and unrolling on said roller mechanism for deploying and retracting said at least one sensor array sheet into the environment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification