A positioning framework for a line array

Abstract

The application discloses a positioning framework of a line array, which comprises a strong rope and a framework main body, further comprises a framework end cover, a strong rope expansion piece and a fastener, the framework main body is of an integrated structure, the framework end cover is matched with the framework main body and encloses to form a cavity capable of accommodating a hydrophone, the framework end cover is provided with a plurality of light holes and tapered holes in the axial direction, the framework main body is provided with fixing holes and tapered holes corresponding to the light holes and the tapered holes of the framework end cover, and the strong rope expansion piece is arranged in the strong rope to form a tapered protrusion at a corresponding position of the strong rope. The positioning framework has the advantages of simple structure, convenient installation, high positioning precision, and improved assembly efficiency and working performance of the line array.

Description

Technical fields:

[0001] This invention relates to the field of underwater acoustic detection, specifically to a positioning frame for a towed linear array. Background technology:

[0002] A towed linear array sonar, also known as a towed linear array sonar, is a sensor array in which multiple hydrophones are placed horizontally at equal intervals to form a fixed array. It belongs to the field of underwater acoustic detection, specifically a flexible underwater acoustic signal receiving device. The outermost layer of the towed linear array is a polyurethane sheath, and the internal components include end connectors, a frame, a strong rope running through it, hydrophones, sensors, a signal acquisition / transmission module, a power module, and wires or optical fibers. To improve the detection capability of a towed linear array sonar, the number of array elements and the array length are often increased.

[0003] The positioning frame is a crucial component of a towed linear array. On one hand, it ensures the radial strength of the array; on the other hand, it positions the acoustic sensors within the frame, guaranteeing their relative positions within the array segments. The positioning frame is typically fixed to a high-strength rope at regular intervals, with a polyurethane sheath supporting its outer circumference. With the development of large-aperture, multi-element linear arrays, the arrays are becoming increasingly longer, leading to a greater number of positioning frames. The installation of these frames occupies an increasingly larger proportion of the array's setup time. Simultaneously, as the operating frequency of the linear array increases, the positioning requirements for the acoustic sensors also rise.

[0004] The existing skeleton uses positioning rings for positioning, such as Figure 5 As shown, the positioning frame for fixing the hydrophone 5 adopts a split front frame 13 and rear frame 14 structure. After passing through the strong rope 1, the hydrophone 5 is positioned inside. A positioning ring 12 is then sewn to the strong rope 1 to restrict the forward and backward movement of the positioning frame. With the development of multi-element linear arrays, the linear arrays are becoming longer, and the number of positioning frames is also increasing. This positioning method using sewn positioning rings greatly limits production efficiency. At the same time, as the operating frequency of the linear array increases, the positioning accuracy requirements for the hydrophone become increasingly higher. The sewing accuracy of the positioning rings, at 2-3 mm, can no longer meet the positioning requirements.

[0005] For example, Chinese patent application CN113885013A discloses a linear array skeleton, which is a two-part structure and is positioned by sewing it with a strong rope. However, this does not solve the problems of low installation efficiency and poor positioning accuracy. Similarly, Chinese patent application CN113775698A discloses a rope fixing structure, which uses V-shaped wedges and clamps to fix the rope head in one direction. This structure is complex and cannot solve the positioning problem of the skeleton and hydrophones that are continuously distributed in the middle part of the linear array rope. Summary of the Invention:

[0006] The technical problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a positioning frame for a linear array. The positioning frame has a simple structure, is easy to install, and has high positioning accuracy, thereby improving the assembly efficiency and working performance of the linear array.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is to provide a positioning frame for a towed array, including a strong rope and a frame body, as well as frame end caps, strong rope expansion members, and fasteners. The frame body is an integral structure. The frame end cap is adapted to the frame body and encloses a cavity for accommodating a hydrophone. The frame end cap has several light holes and conical holes along the axial direction. The frame body has fixing holes and conical holes corresponding to the light holes and conical holes of the frame end cap. The strong rope expansion member is placed inside the strong rope, thereby forming a conical protrusion at the corresponding part of the strong rope. When the frame end cap and the frame body are axially tightly connected by fasteners, the protrusion of the strong rope can be confined in the conical hole, achieving complete positioning of the frame. Axial positioning is achieved through the cooperation of the strong rope expansion member, the strong rope, and the conical holes of the frame. The frame is connected by screws to form a whole, which can withstand external pressure and fix the hydrophone in the center.

[0008] Preferably, the end caps and main body of the skeleton are injection molded from nylon material with good sound permeability. The end caps and main body of the skeleton are injection molded from nylon material with good sound permeability, and are resistant to oil corrosion and have high strength.

[0009] Preferably, the fastener is a screw, and the corresponding fixing hole is formed by the internal threaded hole of the nut embedded during the molding of the frame body. This ensures a secure connection and ease of use.

[0010] Preferably, positioning retaining rings are provided at both ends of the cavity formed by the frame end cap and the frame body. Both the frame end cap and the frame body have limiting retaining rings, which can fix the hydrophone inside the frame and play a limiting role.

[0011] Preferably, the high-strength rope expansion member has an olive-shaped structure that is small at both ends and large in the middle. Since the high-strength rope used in the tow rope array is made of multiple strands with the same outer diameter, by inserting the olive-shaped high-strength rope expansion member into the high-strength rope, a local conical protrusion can be formed. When the frame end cap and the frame body are tightly connected laterally by screws, the local protrusion of the high-strength rope can be restricted in the conical hole, thus achieving complete positioning of the frame.

[0012] Preferably, the main body of the skeleton has a sound-permeable hole in the middle, and the radial dimension of the middle part of the main body is smaller than the radial dimensions of its two ends. The main body of the skeleton is thin in the middle and has a sound-permeable hole, which minimizes the obstruction of the acoustic sensors inside the skeleton and realizes omnidirectional acquisition of acoustic signals.

[0013] Preferably, the frame end cap has two symmetrically arranged conical holes and two open holes, corresponding to two high-strength rope expansion components. The frame end cap has two conical holes for the high-strength rope to pass through and two open holes. The conical holes can tightly engage with the high-strength rope expansion components wrapped in the high-strength rope to restrict their movement, while the open holes allow for the installation of connecting screws. The frame body has two conical holes and two internal threaded holes formed by nuts. The conical holes can tightly engage with the high-strength rope expansion components wrapped in the high-strength rope to restrict their movement, and the internal threaded holes of the nuts can be screwed into by screws. Simultaneously, the high-strength rope expansion components can be inserted into the braided high-strength rope, forming localized protrusions. The high-strength rope expansion components can also be adjusted back and forth within the high-strength rope according to the frame's position.

[0014] Furthermore, the high-strength rope expansion component is made of water-swellable rubber. After expanding upon contact with water, the expansion component can be compressed more tightly, increasing friction and thus improving positioning.

[0015] Compared with existing technologies, this invention has the following advantages after adopting the above structure: Addressing the problems of low installation efficiency and poor positioning accuracy of existing skeletons, this invention proposes a positioning skeleton mounted on a towed linear array, which can greatly improve installation efficiency and positioning accuracy. Specifically…

[0016] 1. The positioning frame is positioned by a high-strength rope expansion component, eliminating the need for a positioning ring. This makes the positioning frame structure compact, saves installation space, and allows the array elements to be arranged at smaller intervals, thereby increasing the operating frequency range of the linear array.

[0017] 2. The positioning frame is positioned by two strong rope expansion components, which is convenient and quick, eliminating the need for sewing between the positioning ring and the strong rope in the original solution, shortening the installation time of the positioning frame and improving the array formation efficiency of the tow line array.

[0018] 3. By using the expansion joint of the strong rope, the strong rope and the conical hole of the positioning frame, the positioning frame is positioned more accurately on the strong rope, which can effectively prevent the positioning frame from moving back and forth, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the hydrophone and enhancing the working performance of the towed array. Attached image description:

[0019] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the positioning skeleton fixing according to the present invention.

[0020] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the skeleton end cap of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the skeleton body of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 4 This is a cross-sectional view of the positioning skeleton fixing of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 5A schematic diagram of the positioning skeleton fixation in the prior art.

[0024] The components include: 1. High-strength rope; 2. Frame end cap; 3. High-strength rope expansion component; 4. Frame body; 5. Hydrophone; 6. Screw; 7. Optical hole; 8. Tapered hole; 9. Limiting ring; 10. Nut; 11. Sound-permeable hole; 12. Limiting ring; 13. Front frame; 14. Rear frame. Detailed implementation method:

[0025] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments:

[0026] like Figure 1 As shown, the positioning frame of the towed array in this embodiment includes a strong rope 1, a frame end cap 2, a frame body 4, two strong rope expansion members 3 and two screws 6. Axial positioning is achieved through the cooperation of the strong rope expansion members 3, the strong rope 1 and the tapered hole 8 of the frame. The screws 6 are used to connect and form a whole, which can withstand external pressure and fix the hydrophone 5 in the center.

[0027] Specifically, such as Figure 2-4 As shown, the main body 4 of the skeleton is a one-piece structure. The end cap 2 and the main body 4 of the skeleton are injection molded from nylon material with good sound transmission, which is resistant to oil corrosion and has high strength. The end cap 2 and the main body 4 of the skeleton can be connected by screws 6 to form a whole and enclose a cavity that can accommodate the hydrophone 5. In order to better fix the hydrophone 5 inside the skeleton, both the end cap 2 and the main body 4 of the skeleton have limit rings 9, which are located at both ends of the cavity formed by the end cap 2 and the main body 4 of the skeleton.

[0028] To accommodate the installation of the strong rope 1 and connecting screw 6, the frame end cap 2 has two open holes 7 and two tapered holes 8 along its axial direction. The two open holes 7 are symmetrically arranged on the frame end cap 2, and similarly, the two tapered holes 8 are also symmetrically arranged on the frame end cap 2. The diameter of the tapered holes 8 gradually increases towards the frame body. Corresponding to the two open holes 7 and two tapered holes 8 on the frame end cap, the frame body 4 also has two fixing holes and two tapered holes 8. The fixing holes are formed by the internal threaded holes of the nuts 10 embedded during the molding of the frame body 4, so that they can be screwed into the screw 6. In addition, the tapered holes 8 on the frame end cap 2 and the frame body 4 face each other.

[0029] Since the strong ropes used in the towed array are made of multiple strands with the same outer diameter, by inserting the olive-shaped strong rope expansion member 3 into the strong rope 1, a conical protrusion can be formed locally. When the skeleton end cap 2 and the skeleton body 4 are tightly connected laterally by screws 6, the local protrusion of the strong rope 1 can be restricted in the conical hole 8, so as to achieve complete positioning of the skeleton.

[0030] In other words, during array formation, the powerful rope 1 is pre-threaded through the conical hole 8 and sequentially passed through the frame end cap 2 and the frame body 4 according to the actual number of array elements. The powerful rope 1 is tightened according to the pre-tension force, and the positions of the frame are distributed and marked according to the actual layout of the array segments. The powerful rope expansion member 3 is inserted into the center of the powerful rope 1, so that the braided threads of the powerful rope are completely covered, forming a conical protrusion. The position of the powerful rope expansion member 3 can be adjusted according to the position of the frame. The hydrophone 5 is inserted into the frame body 4, and the frame end cap 2 and the frame body 4 are slid together. The hydrophone 5 is fixed in the positioning frame by the limiting ring 9 until the end faces are aligned, and the protruding powerful rope is confined in the conical hole. The frame end cap 2 and the frame body 4 are connected as a whole using screws 6.

[0031] Furthermore, the main body 4 of the skeleton has a sound-permeable hole 11 in the middle, and the radial dimension of the middle part of the main body 4 is smaller than the radial dimension of its two ends. The main body 4 is thin in the middle and has a sound-permeable hole 11, which minimizes the obstruction of the acoustic sensors inside the skeleton and realizes the all-round acquisition of acoustic signals.

[0032] In addition, the high-strength rope expansion component is made of water-swellable rubber. After expanding upon contact with water, the expansion component can be compressed more tightly, increasing friction and thus improving positioning.

[0033] It should be noted that, as is common knowledge to those skilled in the art, a hydrophone is a transducer that converts acoustic signals into electrical signals, and is commonly used to receive acoustic signals in water. Hydrophones often use piezoelectric ceramics as the transducer material; the ceramic tube deforms under sound pressure, and through its piezoelectric effect, an electrical signal is generated. High-strength rope is made of aramid fiber material, possessing high strength, dimensional stability, and low shrinkage, and is widely used in submarine cables and fiber optic reinforced ropes, etc.

[0034] The positioning frame of this invention uses a high-strength rope expansion member for positioning, eliminating the need for a positioning ring. This results in a compact frame structure, saving installation space and allowing for smaller spacing between array elements, thus increasing the operating frequency range of the towed array. Furthermore, the positioning frame is positioned using two high-strength rope expansion members, which is convenient and quick, eliminating the sewing process between the positioning ring and the high-strength rope in the original design. This shortens the installation time of the positioning frame and improves the array formation efficiency of the towed array. Simultaneously, the cooperation between the high-strength rope expansion member, the high-strength rope, and the tapered hole of the positioning frame ensures more accurate positioning of the frame on the high-strength rope, achieving a positioning accuracy within 1mm. This effectively prevents the frame from shifting back and forth, thereby improving the positioning accuracy of the hydrophone and enhancing the working performance of the towed array.

Claims

1. A positioning skeleton for a towed line array comprising a strong cord and a skeleton body, characterized in that: It also includes a skeleton end cap, a high-strength rope expansion component, and fasteners. The skeleton body is an integral structure. The skeleton end cap is adapted to the skeleton body and surrounds it to form a cavity that can accommodate the hydrophone. The skeleton end cap has several light holes and conical holes along the axial direction. The skeleton body has fixing holes and conical holes corresponding to the light holes and conical holes of the skeleton end cap. The high-strength rope expansion component is placed inside the high-strength rope, so that the corresponding part of the high-strength rope forms a protrusion. When the skeleton end cap and the skeleton body are axially tightly connected by fasteners, the protrusion of the high-strength rope can be restricted in the conical hole, realizing the complete positioning of the skeleton.

2. The positioning skeleton of a towed line array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The end caps and main body of the skeleton are injection molded from nylon material with good sound permeability.

3. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The fasteners are screws, and the corresponding fixing holes are formed by the internal threaded holes of the nuts embedded during the molding of the skeleton body.

4. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: Positioning retaining rings are provided at both ends of the cavity formed by the skeleton end cap and the skeleton body.

5. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-strength rope expansion component has an olive-shaped structure that is small at both ends and large in the middle.

6. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The main body of the frame has a sound-permeable hole in the middle.

7. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The frame end cap is symmetrically provided with two conical holes and two light holes, and there are two corresponding high-strength rope expansion components.

8. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The radial dimension of the middle part of the main skeleton is smaller than the radial dimensions of its two ends.

9. The positioning frame of the drag array according to claim 1, characterized in that: The high-strength rope expansion component is made of water-swellable rubber.

Images