A multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing

Abstract

The present invention discloses a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing. By using multiple different types of corner reflectors to construct a towed body with a series structure of corner reflectors, the series structure of corner reflectors can use standard eight - cell triangular corner reflectors, and different shapes are matched according to the shapes of different segments of the towed body. The towed body is constructed using eight - cell square, eight - cell circular or triangular corner reflectors, or multi - cell corner reflectors can also be formed according to the outer shape of the towed body to match the towed body, meeting the echo signal intensity and echo bright spots. The present invention places foldable, assemblable, and modular corner reflectors inside an underwater towed body. By using the same assemblable underwater corner reflector, it can satisfy the reflection of different signal sources. At the same time, multiple shape fittings can be carried out in series or parallel ways to simulate the echo bright spot model of a specific target. Moreover, the corner reflector is foldable, with a simple structure and convenient to use.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention belongs to the technical fields of underwater acoustics and electromagnetics engineering, and particularly relates to a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing. Background Art

[0002] An underwater corner reflector, usually made of metal materials, can reflect the incident signal back in the incident direction due to its direction retroreflection characteristic. This characteristic was first applied to optical corner reflectors and electromagnetic wave corner reflectors to simulate echo signals for target profiling or as false targets. At present, the development of underwater corner reflectors is rapid, and various types of corner reflectors such as single-sided, multi-sided, combined, and special-shaped have emerged. Their goal is to improve the signal reflection ability and enhance applicability. The application range of underwater corner reflectors is relatively wide, such as for marking underwater obstacles, simulating underwater false targets, and enhancing the acoustic reflection signal of the hull itself.

[0003] However, a single corner reflector has problems such as insufficient target echo signal within a limited reflection area, and there is only one echo bright spot for a single corner reflector, which also has many deficiencies in underwater target simulation. By combining or connecting multiple corner reflectors in series, etc., the problem of echo signal intensity can be solved, and the number of echo bright spots can also be increased to better simulate targets such as underwater obstacles. However, simply connecting multiple existing corner reflectors in series is difficult to achieve during towing on the water surface or underwater due to insufficient fluid structure of the shape. In addition, due to structural limitations, most corner reflectors are made of metal materials. If taken as a whole unit, it is also inconvenient for transportation and storage due to problems such as volume and mass.

[0004] In summary, the problems existing in the prior art are as follows: The target echo intensity value of the corner reflector cannot meet the requirements; to meet the target echo intensity of the corner reflector, the reflection surface area is limited and the volume is relatively large. Also, due to its metal structure, its mass cannot be made very light. Moreover, during the actual application process of the corner reflector, the application environment is on the water surface or underwater, that is, towing operations are required. How to make the combination of corner reflectors meet the target echo intensity and be directly applicable to towing operations requires further improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present invention provides a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing, which can solve the problems existing in the prior art, achieve that the combination of corner reflectors meets the target echo intensity, and can be directly applied to towing operations.

[0006] To solve the above problems, the technical solutions provided by the present invention are as follows:

[0007] An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing, including a towing body, corner reflectors, insertion slots, connecting hooks, and preset structure slots; one end of the towing body is connected with a connecting hook, and a plurality of preset structure slots are arranged at intervals on the towing body. Each preset structure slot is provided with an insertion slot, and a corner reflector is fixed in the insertion slot. The corner reflector is composed of a combination of square, circular, or triangular corner reflectors, and the shapes of the square, circular, or triangular corner reflectors can be combined and determined by themselves;

[0008] By using multiple different types of corner reflectors to construct a series structure of corner reflectors, the series structure of corner reflectors forms an underwater standard octagonal triangular corner reflector, which can be matched with different shapes according to the shapes of different segments of the towing body to form an octagonal square or octagonal circular triangular corner reflector. It can also form a multi - cell corner reflector according to the outer shape of the towing body to match the towing body, meeting the echo signal intensity and echo bright spot.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the insertion slot is a dovetail groove structure for installing the reflecting surface of the corner reflector.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the towing body is in the shape of a fish body, and the position of the maximum cross - section of the towing body's torso , where L is the length of the towing body, so as to minimize the resistance received by the towing body.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, multiple types of devices are installed in the internal space of the towing body, and the multiple types of devices include sensors and sound - emitting devices.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, multiple towing bodies are connected in series to achieve the reflection of multi - corner reflectors, multi - point sources, and multi - angle all - round signal sources; the overall framework of the towing body is assembled modularly and can be folded to minimize the volume when not in use; for the corner reflectors, they can be folded or removed separately usually, and directly installed in the towing body during use to achieve the reflection of underwater incident signal sources.

[0013] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the corner reflector is composed of irregular - shaped reflecting surfaces. The shape of a single reflecting surface includes but is not limited to circular, square, and triangular. The towing body is designed in a framework manner using structural parts, and the reflecting surface of the corner reflector can be fixed by insertion.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, the embodiment of the present invention provides a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing, having the following beneficial effects:

[0015] (1). The present invention combines and connects multiple corner reflectors according to the shape of the towing body, making the underwater corner reflector more in line with hydrodynamic characteristics in its application environment. Different from the series connection mode between ropes, which may lose the characteristics of the corner reflector array due to hydrodynamic influence, the integrity of the towing body can ensure that the echo highlights of the array composed of multiple corner reflectors are on the same horizontal line, and it has more identity of underwater targets.

[0016] (2). The towing body adopted by the present invention has a modular structure. When underwater confrontation is required, the underwater corner reflector can be directly assembled inside to complete a towed corner reflector array. Its internal space can still be equipped with various types of equipment, such as sensors, sound-emitting devices, etc., and has a wider applicability.

[0017] (3). The towing body and the assembly frame of the corner reflector use a dovetail groove structure, so that installation and disassembly can be completed without the aid of special tools. Further, using the method provided by the present invention, when reflecting underwater target signals, it has the advantages of simple structure, low cost, no energy consumption, convenient use, and strong environmental adaptability. Description of the Drawings

[0018] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments or the prior art, the following will briefly introduce the drawings required to be used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the invention. For those of ordinary skill in the art, without creative efforts, other drawings can also be obtained based on these drawings.

[0019] Figure 1 It is a schematic diagram of the shape of a corner reflector of a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0020] Figure 2 It is another schematic diagram of the shape of a corner reflector of a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0021] Figure 3 It is yet another schematic diagram of the shape of a corner reflector of a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0022] Figure 4 It is a schematic diagram of the towing body of a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0023] Figure 5 It is a schematic diagram of the plug-in slot of a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0024] Figure 6Schematic diagrams of two corner reflectors of a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application.

[0025] Figure 7 Schematic diagrams of six corner reflectors of a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing provided by an embodiment of the present application. Detailed implementation manners

[0026] Next, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative efforts belong to the scope of protection of the present application. The "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", etc. used when describing the installation position or direction of the structure or components in this embodiment are based on the orientation of the given drawings. They are only for convenience of description to distinguish the relative positions of the components or directions, and do not represent the orientation when the multi - corner reflector array structure in this embodiment is in use.

[0027] An embodiment of the present invention provides a multi - corner reflector array structure suitable for towing, including a towing body, corner reflectors, plug - in slots, connection hooks, and preset structure slots. One end of the towing body is connected with a connection hook. A plurality of preset structure slots are arranged at intervals on the towing body. Each preset structure slot is provided with a plug - in slot, and a corner reflector is fixed in the plug - in slot. The corner reflector is composed of a combination of square, circular, or triangular corner reflectors, and the shapes of the square, circular, or triangular corner reflectors can be combined and determined by themselves. Figure 1 It is the triangular corner reflector 1 - 1, Figure 2 It is the circular corner reflector 1 - 2, Figure 3 It is the circular - square corner reflector 1 - 3, Figures 1 to 3 The shape of the single - layer metal corner reflector can be combined and determined by itself.

[0028] By using a plurality of different types of corner reflectors to construct a series structure of corner reflectors, the series structure of corner reflectors forms an underwater standard octagonal triangular corner reflector, which can be matched with different shapes according to the shapes of different segments of the towing body to form an octagonal square or octagonal circular triangular corner reflector. It can also form a multi - cell corner reflector according to the outer shape of the towing body to match the towing body, so as to meet the echo signal intensity and echo bright spot.

[0029] As Figure 4 shown, the towing body 2 is in the shape of a fish body, and the position X of the maximum cross - section 2 - 1 of the body of the towing body 2 L= 0.45L, where L is the length of the towed body 1, so as to minimize the resistance suffered by the towed body. A variety of devices are installed in the internal space of the towed body 2, and the variety of devices include sensors and sound-emitting devices. Thus, the optimal shape suitable for towing can be designed. At the same time, at X L = 0.45L, the largest corner reflector is placed, and at other positions of the towed body, other corner reflectors are placed according to the shape curve. Thus, multiple, multi-point, and high-intensity echo characteristics are achieved.

[0030] Such as Figure 5 As shown, the insertion slot 3 is a dovetail groove structure for installing the reflecting surface of the corner reflector. For the convenience of storage and transportation, the multi-faceted corner reflector should be designed as an assemblable structure, including a core frame and independent reflecting surfaces, so as to reduce the volume and usage mass. During use, the reflecting surface is inserted into the insertion slot 3 to complete the assembly of the corner reflector. The insertion of the reflecting surface can use a dovetail groove structure to ensure the stability of the insertion.

[0031] In this embodiment, multiple towed bodies can also be connected in series to achieve the reflection of multiple corner reflectors, multi-point sources, and multi-angle omnidirectional signal sources; the overall frame of the towed body is assembled modularly, and can be folded to minimize the volume when not in use; for the corner reflector, it can be folded or removed separately usually, and directly installed in the towed body during use to achieve the reflection of underwater incident signal sources.

[0032] The corner reflector is composed of reflecting surfaces with irregular shapes. The shape of a single reflecting surface includes but is not limited to circular, square, and triangular. The towed body is designed in a frame type with structural members, and the reflecting surface of the corner reflector can be fixed by insertion. Figure 6 Figure for the series connection schematic diagram of 2 corner reflectors 1. Figure 7 Figure for the series connection schematic diagram of 6 corner reflectors 1.

[0033] Above, a multi-faceted corner reflector array structure suitable for towing has the functions of foldable, assemblable, and modular corner reflectors, which is built into an underwater towed body, making it have good hydrodynamic characteristics. It uses the same assemblable underwater corner reflector, which can meet the reflection of different signal sources, and at the same time can perform multiple shape fittings in series or parallel to be used to simulate the echo highlight model of a specific target, and the corner reflector is foldable, with a simple structure and convenient to use.

[0034] Although the present invention has been disclosed above with preferred embodiments, the above preferred embodiments are not intended to limit the present invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the present invention is subject to the scope defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing, characterized in that: It comprises a towing body, a corner reflector, a plug-in slot, a connecting hook and a pre-set structure slot; one end of the towing body is connected with a connecting hook, a plurality of pre-set structure slots are arranged at intervals on the towing body, each pre-set structure slot is provided with a plug-in slot, a corner reflector is fixed in the plug-in slot, and the corner reflector is composed of a combination of square, circular or triangular corner reflectors, and the shapes of the square, circular or triangular corner reflectors can be combined and determined by oneself; A plurality of different types of corner reflectors are used to construct a corner reflector series structure, which forms an underwater standard eight-grid triangular corner reflector. Different shapes can be matched according to the shapes of different sections of the towed body to form an eight-grid square or eight-grid circular triangular corner reflector. Multi-grid corner reflectors can also be formed according to the shape of the towed body to match the towed body and meet the echo signal strength and echo bright spots.

2. The multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The insertion slot is a dovetail slot structure, which is used to install the reflecting surface of the corner reflector.

3. The multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing according to claim 1, characterized in that: The towing body is in the shape of a fish body, and the position of the maximum cross section of the towing body is , L is the length of the towing body, so as to achieve the minimum resistance experienced by the towing body.

4. The multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing according to claim 3, characterized in that: The inner space of the towing body is equipped with various types of equipment, including sensors and sound-generating equipment.

5. The multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing according to claim 1, characterized in that: A plurality of the towed bodies are connected in series to realize reflection of multi-angle reflectors, multi-point sources, and multi-angle omnidirectional signal sources; the overall frame of the towed body is assembled through modularization, and can be folded to minimize the volume when not in use; the corner reflectors can be folded or removed separately at ordinary times, and can be directly installed in the towed body when in use to realize reflection of underwater incident signal sources.

6. The multi-faceted reflector array structure suitable for towing according to claim 5, characterized in that: The corner reflector is composed of irregularly shaped reflective surfaces, and the shape of a single reflective surface includes but is not limited to circular, square, and triangular. The towing body adopts a frame-type design with structural parts, and the reflective surface of the corner reflector can be fixed by insertion.

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