Flexible Acoustic Module for Underwater Antenna Assembly

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional underwater acoustic antennas, particularly cylindrical and flank antennas, are expensive to produce due to complex assembly requirements and different production technologies, leading to high costs and time-consuming assembly processes.

Innovation Solution

An acoustic module made from a polychloroprene-based rubber panel with integrated longitudinal and transverse tubular ducts, allowing for flexibility and ease of assembly, enabling the production of cylindrical and flank antennas with reduced costs and assembly time by allowing bending and curvature around multiple axes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If conventional rigid hydrophone columns are attached to a supporting cylinder, then structural stability is improved, but assembly time and production cost increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural stabilityVSAvoidassembly time

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The acoustic antenna is divided into multiple independent acoustic modules, each containing a subset of hydrophones arranged in a regular pattern. These modules can be manufactured separately and then assembled by simply placing them against the supporting cylinder, eliminating the need for complex attachment procedures while maintaining structural stability through the distributed arrangement of modules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The acoustic modules are designed with universal characteristics that allow them to be used in different configurations (cylindrical antennas, planar arrays, curved surfaces). Each module contains hydrophones arranged in a regular pattern that can adapt to various geometric requirements, enabling the same basic module design to serve multiple antenna types and applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If different production technologies are used for cylindrical and flank antennas, then specific performance requirements are met, but production cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveperformance requirement fulfillmentVSAvoidproduction cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent allows for variation in module parameters such as the number of hydrophones per module, the spacing between modules, and the curvature radius to accommodate different performance requirements. By changing these parameters rather than the fundamental module structure, the same basic design can be adapted to meet different reliability requirements while maintaining manufacturing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution reduces production costs and assembly time by enabling flexible assembly of acoustic modules that can be curved to fit various shapes, including cylindrical and flank configurations, while maintaining signal processing efficiency and resistance to hydrostatic pressure.

Implementation Method 1

the hardness of the rubber and the thickness of the panel being chosen so that the acoustic module has a first degree of freedom in bending around an axis extending in the length direction and a second degree of freedom in bending around an axis extending in the width direction

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Implementation Method 2

acoustic module for receiving underwater waves produced in the form of a panel integrating a plurality of tubular conduits receiving hydrophones

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic reception and conversion:

Data Source

PatentEP2795612B1Acoustic module and antenna incorporating said acoustic module

Publication Date: 2017.02.01 THALES SA

AI summary

The invention relates to an acoustic module (1) for an acoustic antenna for receiving waves under water, taking the form of a neoprene-based rubber panel (100) incorporating a plurality of tubular longitudinal ducts (2) extending along the length (L) of the rubber panel (100) and being spaced over the width (l) of the rubber panel (100), said longitudinal ducts (2) containing hydrophone columns spaced along the length (L), said rubber panel (100) furthermore incorporating at least one transverse duct (3) extending over the width (l) of said rubber panel (100), said longitudinal ducts (2) and transverse duct(s)(3) being filled with a fluid and said acoustic panel (1) being fitted with means (6) for sealing said ducts (2, 3) closed, the hardness of the rubber and the thickness of the panel (100) being chosen so that the acoustic module (1) has a first degree of freedom in flexion about an axis extending in the length (L) direction and a second degree of freedom in flexion about an axis extending over the width (l).