Line array wrapping and deployment system

Abstract

A filled sensor line array system includes sensors attached to the outside of a cable pack wrapped around a central mandrel. In the system, multiple rows (layers) of sensors and cable packs may be enclosed by a canister. A cable retainer may be used to hold the cable end close to the sensor and keep the cable end out of the way of subsequent winding operations. The winding may be performed in situ, with the mandrel mounted on a rotatable chuck that rotates to sequentially wind individual cable packs around the mandrel, with sensors positioned outside the windings between winding operations. A positionable indexing tool may be coupled to the mandrel and moved along the mandrel to define a space along the mandrel for each cable pack wrap.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Related Applications This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63 / 284,296, filed November 30, 2021, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This application relates to the field of sensor line arrays and methods for filling and deploying such arrays. [Background technology]

[0003] Hydrophone line arrays intended for use in sonobuoys are difficult to pack into small form factors because the outer diameter (OD) of the hydrophones is often approximately 10 times the OD of the associated array cable. Conventional cable packing and wrapping methods cannot be used because they cannot efficiently accommodate both the small diameter cable and the associated large diameter hydrophones. Summary of the Invention

[0004] According to aspects of the present disclosure, a system is used to pack and deploy a sensor line array into a very small form factor (such as an A-size sonobuoy), and the system also allows for reliable array deployment without damaging or stressing the fragile array sensor and associated array cables.

[0005] According to another aspect, the system is an array filling scheme having sensors positioned around individual cable packs that are wrapped in situ using a collection of array filling tools described herein.

[0006] The system can be easily modified to accommodate arrays of different geometries, different sensor spacings, and different numbers of sensors per array.

[0007] The present invention is configured to allow for autonomous release in deep water via a wire combustion release or other similar release mechanism.

[0008] According to another aspect, a filled sensor line array system includes a central mandrel and sensors connected by cable packs, the cable packs being between successive sensors, the sensors and cable packs together comprising a sensor line array, the cable packs being wrapped around the central mandrel and the sensors being outside the cable packs.

[0009] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the cable packs are axially stacked as they are wrapped around the central mandrel.

[0010] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the filled array includes one or more cable retainers for holding the end of the cable pack closest to the sensor.

[0011] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the one or more cable retainers are one or more rings to which ends of the cables are coupled.

[0012] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the mandrel is part of a base, which also includes end weights at the ends of the mandrel.

[0013] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the sensor is positioned for easy deployment from the sonobuoy.

[0014] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the filled array is combined with a tool for wrapping the cable pack around a mandrel.

[0015] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the appliance includes an indexing tool.

[0016] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the indexing tool includes an annular disc and a hollow rod attached to a plate.

[0017] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the hollow rod is configured to fit around a central mandrel and be secured to the central mandrel in any one of a number of positions.

[0018] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the hollow rod is provided with a plurality of holes spaced along the axial direction of the rod.

[0019] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the central mandrel is provided with a hole.

[0020] According to the embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary of the Invention paragraphs, the hollow rod is maintained in position relative to the central mandrel by aligning one of the holes in the hollow rod with a hole in the central mandrel.

[0021] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the brace includes a wrap-around fastener.

[0022] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, a wrapping fixture includes a plate and a series of adjustable rods connected to the plate.

[0023] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the winding fixture is configured to couple the central mandrel to a rotatable chuck.

[0024] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the brace includes one or more retaining clips.

[0025] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the sensor retaining clip is configured to secure the sensor around the wrapped cable pack during wrapping.

[0026] According to another aspect, a method of loading a sensor line array with alternating cable packs and sensors into a filled sensor line array system includes, for each successive cable pack, iteratively wrapping the cable pack around a central mandrel and positioning a sensor adjacent to the outer side of the wrapped cable pack.

[0027] According to an embodiment described in any one or more paragraphs of the Summary of the Invention, the method further includes adjusting the indexing tool between successive iterations of winding the cable pack to provide a winding space on the central mandrel for winding a subsequent cable pack.

[0028] According to an embodiment described in any one or more paragraphs of the Summary of the Invention, the method further includes coupling an end of the cable pack adjacent to the sensor to one or more retaining rings of the filled sensor line array system.

[0029] According to an embodiment described in any one or more paragraphs of the Summary of the Invention, the method further includes coupling sensors of the sensor line array to one or more sensor clips on the exterior of the wrapped cable pack.

[0030] According to the embodiments described in any one or more of the paragraphs of the Summary of the Invention, the wrapping is accomplished by rotating the filled sensor line array system using a rotating chuck to which the filled sensor line array system is coupled.

[0031] According to yet another aspect, a system for loading and deploying a sensor line array includes sensors and a cable pack, the sensors arranged around the cable pack.

[0032] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, a sensor corresponds to each of the cable packs.

[0033] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the system includes one or more sensor retaining clips.

[0034] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, one or more sensor retaining clips hold the sensors in the array during assembly.

[0035] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the system further includes one or more cable retainers that secure ends of the cable pack.

[0036] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the one or more cable retainers include one or more cable retention rings.

[0037] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, one or more rings are made of flexible plastic or rubber.

[0038] According to the embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the cable is forced into one or more ring displacement type clips.

[0039] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary of the Invention paragraphs, the ring has a feature that allows an O-ring to be placed on the cable, which holds the cable against the clip.

[0040] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the ring is smooth.

[0041] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the cable is adhesively bonded to the ring.

[0042] According to the embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the top of each sensor's cable is attached to a retaining clip that lightly holds the sensor vertically and toward the outer shell when the inner cable pack is unwound upward.

[0043] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the system further includes a binder material that maintains the shape of the pack.

[0044] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the system further includes an outer shell or canister.

[0045] According to yet another aspect, an installation tool of the system described in any other paragraph(s) includes a base and an indexing tool mechanically coupled to the base.

[0046] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, a tool is attached to a rotary chuck for assembling a system described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs.

[0047] According to a further aspect, a method using a tool as described in any other paragraph(s) of the Summary is used to assemble a system as described in any other paragraph(s) of the Summary.

[0048] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the method further includes extending an indexing tool relative to the base to form individual cable packs.

[0049] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the method further includes extending the vertical bar.

[0050] According to an embodiment described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the method further includes providing an outer shell or canister.

[0051] According to embodiments described in any one or more of the Summary paragraphs, the method further includes using a sensor clip to hold the sensor in place while wrapping the pack.

[0052] To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the present disclosure comprises the features hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims. The following description and the annexed drawings set forth in detail certain illustrative embodiments of the invention. These embodiments, however, are indicative of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of the disclosure may be employed. Other objects, advantages, and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

[0053] The accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily to scale, depict various aspects of the present disclosure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0054] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a filled sensor line array system, according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an enlarged side view of a portion of the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] FIG. 1 is a diagram of a portion of a sensor line array before filling. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a partially filled system with some parts removed for illustrative purposes. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the partially filled system of FIG. 4 combined with an indexing tool. [Figure 6]1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a retaining ring that can be used as part of a filled-type sensor line array system. FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a retaining ring that can be used as part of a filled-type sensor line array system. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a retaining ring that can be used as part of a filled-type sensor line array system. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating a method of filling the system of FIG. 1. [Figure 10] 1 is a high-level flowchart of a method for filling a system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0055] A filled sensor line array system includes sensors attached to the outside of cable packs wrapped around a central mandrel. In the system, multiple rows (layers) of sensors and cable packs may be enclosed by a canister. A cable retainer may be used to hold the cable end near the sensor and keep the cable end out of the way of subsequent winding operations. The winding may be performed in situ, with the mandrel mounted on a rotatable chuck that rotates to sequentially wind individual cable packs around the mandrel, with sensors positioned outside the windings between winding operations. A positionable indexing tool may be coupled to the mandrel and moved along the mandrel to define a space along the mandrel for each cable pack wrap.

[0056] A system for loading and deploying sensor line arrays is described herein. A winding fixture is used to assemble the array onto a central mandrel / pedestal. The array is assembled in a first-in, last-out fashion. The first sensor installed is the last to be paid out. Once the sensors are installed in the system, the cables between the sensors (e.g., 6 meters (20 feet)) are wrapped around the central mandrel to create individual cable packs. In an embodiment, an array with 36 sensors is shown, but the system can be modified to accommodate any number of sensors.

[0057] The 36 individual cable packs are wound in situ using a filling tool / fixture. Deployment is done in reverse of the filling process so that it is first in, last out. Cable binders may be used to maintain the shape of the pack. Sensor cable retention clips keep sensors in place as other sensors are paid out. The outer canister may be a deep drawn sheet metal outer tube made of 20 gauge aluminum. The tube (canister) may be installed last.

[0058] The sensors are assembled around the cable pack and held in place by a tool during filling and by retaining clips (not shown) before deployment. A 100-degree flat head is attached to the outside of the end weight / pedestal structure. The array is held around the central cable pack by a sensor cable retaining clip during deployment. The top of each sensor's cable is attached to a retaining clip, which lightly holds the sensor vertically, toward the exterior shell, as the inner cable pack and associated sensor are paid out upward.

[0059] Sensor cable retention clips can be one of a variety of concepts. All concepts fasten to the armor shell with a 100-degree flat head. Each concept holds the cable in a different way: 1) The ring is made of flexible plastic or rubber, and the cable is pressed into a displacement-type clip mechanism. 2) The ring has a mechanism that allows a small O-ring to be placed on the cable, which holds the cable against the clip. 3) The ring is plain / smooth, and the cable is "glued" to the ring using a temporary adhesive (low-tack hot melt adhesive, "booger" glue, etc.).

[0060] The array packs are assembled from the bottom up (the first sensor installed is S36 and the last sensor installed is S1). A tool is attached to the rotary chuck and the cable is wrapped around the base. An indexing tool sets the size of each pack. A binder material is applied as the cable is wrapped to hold the pack in place. During filling, the sensors are folded over the vertical bar and sensor clips so that subsequent sensors and cables can be wrapped around them. Enough length of the sensor leads is left to allow the sensors to be folded over. As the pack is built, the vertical bar is extended and more sensor clips are added.

[0061] The first 12 sensors are wrapped and attached to sensor cable clips and held in place around the cable pack by VELCRO® (a hook-and-loop material). The vertical bar is extended to allow for the loading of S13-S24. A similar action is performed for S25-S36. After all sensors are loaded, the VELCRO® straps are removed and an outer diameter (OD) shell is placed over the pack and attached to the end weight / pedestal and sensor cable clips.

[0062] The system described herein offers advantages / superiors over conventional approaches. There are no known solutions for packing hydrophone arrays of this geometry, or other systems of this geometry, into a small form factor that can be reliably deployed without damaging the array. The proposed system offers a high degree of flexibility. The proposed system can efficiently pack and deploy arrays with cables and sensors of widely varying diameters and shapes. The binder material and application allows the cable pack to retain its shape until deployment. The disclosed system also allows for spacing variations within the array itself.

[0063] By designing the filling tool to create individual cable packs of different heights, arrays with various spacings can be accommodated. The system can be quickly and easily reconfigured for a given application. The system offers a high degree of deployment certainty. Due to the first-in, last-out filling method, cables are never installed in a way that causes them to become tangled or knotted.

[0064] Low tension cables are required to keep stresses on the fragile cables low, so deployed systems are wound with light tension and cable packs are sized with some volumetric inefficiency in mind.

[0065] 1 and 2 show a filled sensor line array system 10 including a sensor line array 20 filled within a canister 21. Fig. 3 shows a typical layout of a sensor line array 20 in which a series of sensors 22 are connected between them by cable packs (multiple cable lengths) 24. All of the sensors 22 in the sensor line array 20 may be strung together in a row by intervening cables 24, so that when deployed, the sensor line array 20 comprises a single long line of sensors spaced apart by intervening cable lengths.

[0066] The sensors 22 may be, for example, hydrophones. In an embodiment, the sensors 22 may each have an overall length of 7 cm (2.75 inches) and a diameter of 2 cm (0.78 inches), although various other sensor sizes are possible.

[0067] The cable pack 24 can be of considerable length. In an embodiment, the cable pack 24 is 2 mm (0.075 inches) thick cable, and the length of cable between adjacent sensors 22 is 6 meters (20 feet). Many other suitable cable dimensions are possible, allowing for any of a variety of suitable spacings (for example) of the sensors 22 when the sensor line array 20 is deployed.

[0068] 1 and 2, and with further reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, system 10 includes a base 30 including an end weight 32 and a mandrel 34 within a canister 21. Sensor line array 20 is installed within canister 21, cable pack 24 is wrapped around mandrel 34, and sensors 22 are arranged along the periphery of system 10, along the interior wall of canister 21, and on the outside of cable pack 24. Water soak holes 38 may be provided in the bottom of canister 21 to facilitate water entry into the interior of canister 21 as part of the process of deploying sensor line array 20 when the system is dropped into water.

[0069] In a single sensor line array 20, the sensor line 20 is loaded from one end to the opposite end, with the sensors 22 sequentially held in place while adjacent cable packs 24 are sequentially wrapped around the mandrel 34. The sensors 22 (and associated cable packs 24) are loaded in the order in which the sensors 22 are deployed from the canister 21, with the last-loaded sensor being deployed first. The sensor line 20 is loaded from the bottom of the canister 21, with the bottom row (layer) 42 loaded before the middle row (layer) 44, which is loaded before the top row (layer) 46. The cable packs 24 are wrapped around the mandrel 34 in successive axial layers 48, starting at the bottom of each of the rows 42-46.

[0070] Between the rows 42, 44, and 46 are corresponding retaining rings 52 and 54. The retaining rings 52 and 54 may each have cable retention clips that secure ends of the cable packs near the sensors 22, such as ends 56 and 58 (FIG. 2), during and after loading of the sensor line array 20 into the system 10.

[0071] With the mandrel 34 in place, the system 10 is configured to allow the sensor line array 20 to be wrapped around the mandrel 34. A wrapping fixture 62 and an array pack indexing tool 64 are tools 65 used in the wrapping process. The apparatus also includes a sensor clip, which is discussed further below.

[0072] A plate 66 of fixture 62 is coupled to base 30, such as by being bolted to end weight 32. A series of adjustable rods 68 are positioned circumferentially around plate 66, outboard of the locations of cable pack 24, sensor 22, and retaining rings 52 and 54 within system 10. Rods 68 can be used to secure winding fixture 62 during the winding process. The position of rods 68 can be adjusted during the winding process as sensor line 20 is wound upward from the bottom row 42 ( FIG. 1 ) to fabricate system 10. Set screws can be used to secure rods 68 in the desired position.

[0073] During the loading (assembly or winding) process, as successive cable packs 24 are wound around the mandrel 34, a tool 64 is used to guide the wound cable packs 24 onto one another in successive axial layers. The indexing tool 64 includes a hollow rod 82 having a series of holes 84 and an annular disk 86 at the bottom end of the hollow rod 82. The holes 84 may be evenly spaced axially along the hollow rod 82, with the spacing corresponding to the desired height for winding one of the cable packs 24 around the mandrel 34. The holes 84 extend through both walls of the hollow rod 82 along the diameter of the rod 82 and may be through-holes present at various heights along the rod 82. The mandrel 34 has one hole 88 near its top. A pin 92 may be used to pass through one of the holes 84 and the hole 88 to secure the indexing tool 64 (specifically, the annular disk 86) at the desired height along the mandrel 34.

[0074] One or more sensor clips, such as sensor clip 96, may be used to hold adjacent sensors 22 in place as cable packs 24 are sequentially wrapped around mandrel 34. Sensor clip 96 may have collars 98 that fit over an adjacent pair of adjustable rods 68, a curved bar 100 that resides between collars 98, and a sensor receiving member 102 for gripping a pair of sensors 22. Multiple sensor clips 96 may be used simultaneously, for example, to hold all of the sensors in a row (layer) of system 10 during assembly of the row (layer).

[0075] When loading the sensor line 20 for assembly into the system 10, the indexing tool 64 is positioned to provide the appropriate spacing for winding a single cable pack 24 around the mandrel 34, e.g., by placing the pin 92 in the next hole 84 along the hollow rod 82 below the hole 84 used for the previous winding. This allows each wound cable pack 24 to have its own unique winding space 108. The spaces 108 for successively wound cable packs 24 are stacked axially from the bottom to the top of the system 10, which prevents the windings of different cable packs 24 from overlapping. This facilitates smooth unwinding of the cable packs 24 when the sensor line 20 is deployed from the system 10.

[0076] FIGS. 6-8 show three possible configurations of retaining rings 52 and 54. In all configurations, the retaining rings have cable clips for retaining portions of cable pack 24, such as cable lengths near the end of sensor 22. In the first configuration, shown in FIG. 6, retaining ring 52a has hooks or displacement mechanisms 53a for holding cable segments. In the second configuration, shown in FIG. 7, retaining ring 52b has clips 53b that include recesses or detents that receive and secure cable segments, e.g., a small O-ring placed over the cable segments. In the third configuration, shown in FIG. 8, retaining ring 52c has clips 53c with arms that secure cable segments and / or allow the cables to be secured (glued) to the rings using a temporary adhesive, e.g., a low-tack hot melt adhesive.

[0077] The various portions of the system 10 may be made of suitable materials and constructed with suitable processes. For example, the base 30 and / or the indexing tool 64 may be made of a suitable metal, such as aluminum or stainless steel. The canister 21 may also be made of aluminum. The retaining rings 52 and 54 may be made of a flexible material, such as flexible plastic or rubber. The sensor clip 96 may be additively manufactured from plastic or the like.

[0078] Figure 9 shows a portion of a fill system 140 for installing a sensor line array 20 (Figure 3) as part of a filled sensor line array system 10 (Figure 1). Figure 10 is a high-level flowchart of a method 200 for installing a sensor line array 20. In step 202, a fixture 62 is coupled to a rotating chuck 142 of the system 140. In step 204, an indexing tool 64 is secured to the mandrel 34 in a position that leaves the next winding space 108 open.

[0079] Next, in step 206, the next cable pack 24 (FIG. 3) is wrapped around the mandrel 34 (FIG. 4) by rotating the chuck 142. The sensor 22 preceding the wrapped cable pack 24 may be secured with the sensor clip 96, if not already secured. The wrapping is performed to wrap most of the cable pack 24 around the mandrel 34, but still leave some cable to allow for positioning of the subsequent sensor 22 and cable end. In step 208, the subsequent sensor 22 (FIG. 1) is folded over and secured to the sensor clip 96. Approximately simultaneously (just before or after), in step 210, the cable end adjacent to the subsequent sensor is secured to the retaining ring 52 or 54 (FIG. 1). The wrapped cable pack 24 may be secured with a suitable restraint, for example, by wrapping a strap secured with a hook-and-loop material. The process then returns to step 204, where the indexing tool 64 is moved along the mandrel 34 to open the next winding space 108. This process may be repeated until one row is filled, and then until all rows are filled and the sensor line array 20 is fully loaded. The sensor clips 96 are repositioned as needed during the process and are removed as each row is fully loaded.

[0080] After the sensor array 20 is fully loaded, the system 10 can be uncoupled from the rotary chuck, and the indexing tool 64 and winding fixture 62 can be removed from the loaded system 10. Finally, the canister 21 (FIG. 1) can be placed and secured over the loaded array.

[0081] During deployment, the system 10 is released to fall downward through the water. This process is facilitated by the negative buoyancy characteristics of the system 10. The sensor line array 20 is then deployed in the reverse order that the sensors 22 and cable packs 24 were loaded. The last loaded sensors are deployed first. The end weights 32 bias one end of the sensor line array 20 downward, keeping the various sensors 22 separated and acting as an anchor to prevent the cable packs 24 from tangling with each other.

[0082] The system 10 has the advantage of loading the sensor line array 20 into a small space. Additionally, the use of the filling system 140 allows for in-situ loading of the system 10, making the loading process more efficient. Finally, the wrapping method helps to prevent the cable packs 24 from tangling with each other during wrapping and deployment.

[0083] While the present aspects have been illustrated and described with respect to one or more specific preferred embodiments, it will be apparent that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading and understanding this specification and the accompanying drawings. In particular, with respect to the various functions performed by the aforementioned elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms used to describe such elements (including references to "means") are intended, unless otherwise indicated, to correspond to any element that performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., is functionally equivalent), even if it is not structurally equivalent to a structure of the present disclosure that performs that function in one or more exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure shown herein. Furthermore, while particular features of the present disclosure may be described above with respect to only one or more of the several illustrated embodiments, such features may be combined with one or more other features of other embodiments, as may be desirable or advantageous in any given or particular application.

Claims

1. 1. A fill-type sensor line array system, comprising: axially opposed central mandrels; a plate below the central mandrel; a plurality of sensors connected by a plurality of cable packs, the plurality of cable packs being between consecutive sensors of the plurality of sensors, the plurality of sensors and the plurality of cable packs together forming a sensor line array; Equipped with the plurality of cable packs are wrapped around the central mandrel; the longitudinal directions of the plurality of sensors and the plurality of cable packs are aligned parallel to the axial direction, and the plurality of sensors are located outside the plurality of cable packs; Filled sensor line array system.

2. 10. The filled sensor line array system of claim 1, wherein the cable packs are axially stacked and aligned when wrapped around the central mandrel.

3. 10. The filled sensor line array system of claim 1, further comprising one or more cable retainers for holding the ends of the cable packs closest to the sensors.

4. 4. The filled sensor line array system of claim 3, wherein the one or more cable retainers are one or more rings to which the ends of the cables are coupled.

5. 10. The filled sensor line array system of claim 1, wherein the central mandrel is part of a pedestal, the pedestal also including termination weights at ends of the central mandrel.

6. 2. The filled sensor line array system of claim 1, wherein the sensor is a sonobuoy.

7. 10. The filled sensor line array system of claim 1 in combination with a fixture for wrapping the plurality of cable packs around the central mandrel.

8. The filled sensor line array system of claim 7 , wherein the equipment includes an indexing tool.

9. The filled sensor line array system of claim 8 , wherein the indexing tool includes an annular disk and a hollow rod attached to a plate.

10. 1. A fill-type sensor line array system, comprising: a central mandrel; sensors connected by cable packs, the cable packs being between successive sensors, the sensors and the cable packs together forming a sensor line array; Equipped with the cable pack is wrapped around the central mandrel; the sensor is external to the cable pack; the filled sensor line array system is combined with a fixture for wrapping the cable pack around the central mandrel; the appliance includes an indexing tool; the indexing tool includes an annular disc and a hollow rod attached to a plate; The filled sensor line array system, wherein the hollow rods are configured to fit around the central mandrel and be secured to the central mandrel at any of a plurality of positions.

11. The hollow rod has a plurality of holes spaced apart along the axial direction of the hollow rod, The central mandrel has a hole therein; the hollow rod is maintained in position relative to the central mandrel by aligning one of the holes in the hollow rod with the hole in the central mandrel; 11. The filled-type sensor line array system according to claim 10.

12. The filled sensor line array system of claim 7 , wherein the attachment includes a wraparound fixture.

13. the wrapping fixture includes the plate and a series of adjustable rods connected to the plate; the winding fixture is configured to couple the central mandrel to a rotatable chuck; 13. The filled-type sensor line array system according to claim 12.

14. The filled sensor line array system of any one of claims 7 to 13, wherein the attachment includes one or more retaining clips.

15. The filled sensor line array system of claim 14 , wherein the retaining clip is configured to secure the sensor around the cable pack during wrapping.

16. 1. A method of loading a sensor line array with alternating cable packs and sensors for a filled sensor line array system, comprising: For each successive cable pack, repeatedly winding the cable pack around a central mandrel, the central mandrel being axially oriented; and positioning the sensor adjacent to the outer side of the wound cable pack, the longitudinal directions of the sensor and the cable pack being axially oriented. The method comprising:

17. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising adjusting an indexing tool between successive repetitions of winding the cable pack to provide a winding space on the central mandrel for winding a subsequent cable pack.

18. 17. The method of claim 16, further comprising coupling an end of a cable pack adjacent the sensor to one or more retaining rings of the filled sensor line array system.

19. The method of claim 16 , further comprising coupling sensors of a sensor line array to one or more sensor clips on the exterior of the cable pack.

20. 20. The method of any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the wrapping is accomplished by rotating the filled-type sensor line array system using a rotating chuck to which the filled-type sensor line array system is coupled.

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