US3990035A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Housing configuration for high resolution sonar
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1975-09-05
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A hydrodynamically streamlined, towable sonar apparatus is described charerized by a housing, including a central frame having a circular planar web portion from which extend a plurality of annular coaxial ribs which cooperate with similar ribs extending inwardly from top and bottom concavo-convex cover members to define annular chambers and to provide compressive load bearing support. Transducers are arrayed on the periphery of the frame and enclosed in a curved plastic fairing thereabout. Electronics are accommodated in the annular chambers.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmy F. Byers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 18:12
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/004; G10K11/006
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
229 words
A rigid, submersible housing for supporting and protecting, at substantial water depths, condition responsive instrumentation and associated electronic elements forming part of an instrument system, said housing comprising: a central frame member including a circular planar wall portion and a plurality of annular, coaxial rib portions extending from opposite sides of said planar wall portion and normal thereto; first and second cover members, each comprising a concavo-convex wall portion the convex side of which is directed outwardly away from said central frame member and the concave side of which is directed inwardly toward said central frame member, said first and second cover members each having a peripheral edge portion in engagement with a rim of the outermost of said annular rib portions of said central frame member; said first and second cover members being further characterized by annular, coaxial rib portions, corresponding in diameter with rib portions of said central frame member and extending inwardly from said concave side of the respective cover member into engagement with corresponding ones of said rib portions of said central frame member, whereby said rib portions of said central frame member and of said first and second cover members cooperate to define a plurality of coaxial, annular electronic instrumentation compartments within said housing and also to provide compressive load bearing support between said concavo-convex wall portions of said first and second cover members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
229 words
A rigid, submersible housing for supporting and protecting, at substantial water depths, condition responsive instrumentation and associated electronic elements forming part of an instrument system, said housing comprising: a central frame member including a circular planar wall portion and a plurality of annular, coaxial rib portions extending from opposite sides of said planar wall portion and normal thereto; first and second cover members, each comprising a concavo-convex wall portion the convex side of which is directed outwardly away from said central frame member and the concave side of which is directed inwardly toward said central frame member, said first and second cover members each having a peripheral edge portion in engagement with a rim of the outermost of said annular rib portions of said central frame member; said first and second cover members being further characterized by annular, coaxial rib portions, corresponding in diameter with rib portions of said central frame member and extending inwardly from said concave side of the respective cover member into engagement with corresponding ones of said rib portions of said central frame member, whereby said rib portions of said central frame member and of said first and second cover members cooperate to define a plurality of coaxial, annular electronic instrumentation compartments within said housing and also to provide compressive load bearing support between said concavo-convex wall portions of said first and second cover members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
44 words
A housing as defined in claim 1, and wherein: said central frame member comprises central post portions extending from said planar wall portion; and said cover members comprise central post portions extending inwardly into engagement with the post portions of said central frame member.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
47 words
A housing as defined in claim 1, and further comprising: annular sealing gasket means, disposed between said peripheral edge portion of each said cover members and the respective rims engaged thereby, for providing a watertight seal between each of said cover members and said central frame member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
A housing as defined in claim 1, and further comprising: releasable fastener means, interconnecting each of said cover members and said central frame member, for securing said cover members to said frame member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
47 words
A housing as defined in claim 2, and further comprising: annular sealing gasket means, disposed between said peripheral edge portion of each said cover members and the respective rims engaged thereby, for providing a watertight seal between each of said cover members and said central frame member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
A housing as defined in claim 5, and further comprising: releasable fastener means, interconnecting each of said cover members and said central frame member, for securing said cover members to said frame member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
A housing as defined in claim 6, and further comprising: towing attachment means, fixed to said central frame member at a peripheral location thereof, for towing of said housing through water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
A housing as defined in claim 6, and further comprising: fairing means, fixed to the periphery of said central frame member and providing a smoothly curved edge surface extending between said convex surfaces of said cover members, for providing said housing with a hydrodynamically favorable configuration.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
45 words
A housing as defined in claim 7, and further comprising: fairing means, fixed to the periphery of said central frame member and providing a smoothly curved edge extending between said convex surfaces of said cover members, for providing said housing with a hydrodynamically favorable configuration.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A housing as defined in claim 9, and wherein: said fairing means comprises a body of plastic material having a predetermined index of refraction that differs from that of water, whereby said fairing means is characterized by the abulity to operate as a lens.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
216 words
A high frequency, multiple beam sonar apparatus for towing underwater, said apparatus comprising in combination: a watertight housing comprising a circular, central frame having a planar web from each side of which extend a plurality of radially spaced, annular ribs, first and second circular covers fixed to opposite sides of said central frame and each presenting an outer convex surface and inwardly extending, radially spaced annular ribs in enegagement with corresponding ribs of said central frame, whereby said housing defines a plurality of coaxial, annular compartments; a plurality of electroacoustic transducer elements, disposed in predetermined array and fixed to the outer surfaces of the outermost of said annular coaxial ribs of said central frame, for projection and reception of acoustical energy; plastic fairing and acoustic window means, disposed over said transducer elements and substantially around the periphery of said central frame, for providing streamlining of said housing; electronic means, disposed in said annular compartments, for driving at least part of said transducer elements; electronic means, disposed in said annular compartments, for effecting processing of electrical signals resulting from impringement of acoustic energy on at least part of said transducer elements; and means, connected to said housing, for towing said apparatus through a water medium and for conducting electrical signals between said apparatus and a towing vehicle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
216 words
A high frequency, multiple beam sonar apparatus for towing underwater, said apparatus comprising in combination: a watertight housing comprising a circular, central frame having a planar web from each side of which extend a plurality of radially spaced, annular ribs, first and second circular covers fixed to opposite sides of said central frame and each presenting an outer convex surface and inwardly extending, radially spaced annular ribs in enegagement with corresponding ribs of said central frame, whereby said housing defines a plurality of coaxial, annular compartments; a plurality of electroacoustic transducer elements, disposed in predetermined array and fixed to the outer surfaces of the outermost of said annular coaxial ribs of said central frame, for projection and reception of acoustical energy; plastic fairing and acoustic window means, disposed over said transducer elements and substantially around the periphery of said central frame, for providing streamlining of said housing; electronic means, disposed in said annular compartments, for driving at least part of said transducer elements; electronic means, disposed in said annular compartments, for effecting processing of electrical signals resulting from impringement of acoustic energy on at least part of said transducer elements; and means, connected to said housing, for towing said apparatus through a water medium and for conducting electrical signals between said apparatus and a towing vehicle.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |