Compliant ocean wave mitigation device and method to allow underwater sound detection with oceanographic buoy moorings

• US 8,279,714 B2
• Filed: 12/07/2009
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Original Assignee: Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
• Inventors: Paul, Walter, Peters, Donald B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Keith, Jack W
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hulka, James
• Application Number:
  US12/632,632
• Publication Number:
  US 20100246331A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,030 Days
• Field of Search: 367/12, 367/173
• US Class Current: 367/173
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/04 made of rubber or flexible plastics
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/08 with reinforcements embedded in the wall F16L11/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/083 three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/086 two layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/087 three or more layers
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 11/10 with reinforcements not embedded in the wall F16L11/11 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F16L 58/00 Protection of pipes or pipe fittings against corrosion or incrustation compound tubes F16L9/14
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 1/16 Receiving elements for seismic signals; Arrangements or adaptations of receiving elements
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/006 Transducer mounting in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys
• CPC Class Codes: H01B 7/045 attached to marine objects, e.g. buoys, diving equipment, aquatic probes, marine towline
• CPC Class Codes: H02G 3/0468 Corrugated
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

The systems and methods described herein relate to a device which enables oceanographic surface buoy mooring systems to detect and monitor underwater noise at most sea state and weather conditions. In particular, the systems and methods described herein provide mooring systems that can support a hydrophone or other underwater listening devices connected to a surface buoy located at a deep sea position. As will be more fully described below, the mooring includes an expandable tether cable/hose that reduces noise generated underwater when the buoy moves in response to wave and weather.

Claims

1. A sensor system for use in an underwater environment, the system comprising:

a surface buoy configured to be disposed at a surface location on a water body,

an underwater sensor connected to the surface buoy,

a stretchable hose having a characteristic stretch extension selected to accommodate a predicted vertical heave of the surface buoy, the stretchable hose being attached to the surface buoy, for connecting the sensor to the surface buoy, the stretchable hose comprising;

at least one conductor disposed in a sidewall of the hose, and

a hose coupling attached to one end of the stretchable hose, wherein the hose coupling is configured to allow the at least one conductor to pass from the sidewall of the stretchable hose through the hose coupling to an external interface without exposure to water, and

an anchoring member connected to the sensor,

wherein, in response to vertical heave of the surface buoy at the surface location on the water body, a length of the stretchable hose adjusts to thereby maintain the sensor at a predetermined depth in the water body.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose includes a high stretch cord rubber hose having one or more synthetic fiber cord reinforcement bands.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose is attached to a subsurface buoy, the subsurface buoy is attached to a conductor urethane chain, and the conductor urethane chain is attached to the sensor.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising release device connected between the sensor and the anchoring member for allowing the sensor to separate from the anchoring member.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is electrically connected to the surface buoy.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the at least one conductor disposed within the sidewall of the hose is coupled to the sensor and the surface buoy.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the at least one conductor is disposed within the stretchable hose in a stretch-neutral configuration.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a cage for housing the sensor.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the cage houses a storage unit for storing data obtained by the sensor.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose is formed from a material capable of stretching from about 40 percent to 200 percent of its maximum working load.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose is formed from a material capable of stretching from about 40 percent to about 200 percent of its original length.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose includes high stretching center section and a reinforced end section to allow for a gradual decrease in stretch from high strain under load in the center section.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose includes a plurality of reinforcement bands organized into one or more layers.

14. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose includes a plurality of layers of rubber and one or more layers of reinforcement bands.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose is pre-stretched to prevent at least a portion of the anchoring member from contacting a water body bottom surface.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose further comprises a second hose coupling attached to another end of the stretchable hose.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the stretchable hose further comprises a plurality of conductors disposed within the sidewall of the hose.

18. A method of manufacturing a sensor system for use in an underwater environment, comprising:

providing a stretchable hose, comprising;

a first end comprising a coupling and a second end;

a sidewall comprising;

an inner layer;

at least one reinforcement ribbon having a plurality of cords embedded in a matrix, wrapped helically about the inner layer; and

at least one conductor, wrapped helically about at least one of the inner layer and the at least one reinforcement ribbon, wherein the conductor connects the first end and the second end, and passing from the sidewall through the coupling to an external interface without exposure to water;

attaching the first end of the stretchable hose to a surface buoy configured to be disposed at a surface location on a water body; and

attaching the second end of the stretchable hose to a sensor.