Abstract A self-deploying and a self-aligning linear acoustic detector which can beir dropped. The detector includes a parachute for deployment and has a mast, set of sails and booms for deploying and aligning an array of the detector. A neutrally buoyant array cable includes a plurality of neutrally buoyant hydrophones attached along its length which can be deployed horizontally at a predetermined depth in water. The array is also provided with a drogue at one end thereof to facilitate deployment of the array and to prevent it from moving after its deployment. The array is also provided with an auxiliary buoy for establishing the operating depth of the drogue and of the array. Ballast weights are provided to keep the mast vertical and to carry the array cable to a predetermined depth and keep it in a horizontal position after its deployment.
A linear acoustic detector comprising: a parachute section; a main body detachatably connected to said parachute section; a mast-booms-sails arrangement removably stowed in said main body; a cable pod connected to said main body; an array cable removably stowed away in said cable pod; a plurality of hydrophones connected along the length of said array cable; and an auxiliary buoy detachably connected to said cable pod.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
A linear acoustic detector comprising: a parachute section; a main body detachatably connected to said parachute section; a mast-booms-sails arrangement removably stowed in said main body; a cable pod connected to said main body; an array cable removably stowed away in said cable pod; a plurality of hydrophones connected along the length of said array cable; and an auxiliary buoy detachably connected to said cable pod.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 1 wherein said main body further includes a ballast weight adapted to keep the mast of said mast-booms-sails combination generally vertical when in the open position thereof.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 2 wherein said main body includes a transmitter and a source of power housed therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 3 wherein said cable pod further includes a compass fixed therein for sensing said array cable direction in the deployed position thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 4 wherein said plurality of hydrophones and said array cable are neutrally buoyant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
34 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 5 wherein said cable pod further includes an array ballast weight detachably housed therein for maintaining said array cable in generally horizonal plane in the deployed position thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 6 wherein said cable pod further includes a drogue secured at one end thereof for reducing the movement of said cable array in the deployed position thereof.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 7 wherein said main body is buoyant.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The linear acoustic detector of claim 8 wherein said auxiliary buoy is buoyant.