Rotatable Tow Body for Sonar Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing deep-water sonar systems are too large and heavy for smaller vessels, and their high power offers no advantages in littoral waters with shallower depths, making them undesirable for smaller ships.
Innovation Solution
A towable device with a rotatable sound projector that can change orientation from a horizontal to a vertical position, allowing for efficient deployment, recovery, and storage using a small and light handling system, featuring a bridle connected to tow cables and a pivotally mounted tow body that stabilizes in a vertical position during use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a high power acoustic projector is used for deep water sonar detection, then detection range is improved, but system weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound projector is mounted on a rotatable tow body that can dynamically change orientation between horizontal (for deep water detection) and vertical (for storage and littoral water operation). This dynamic reconfiguration allows a single system to serve multiple detection scenarios without requiring separate high-power projectors for each condition, thereby reducing overall system weight while maintaining deep water detection capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes its operational parameters by rotating the tow body to different orientations. When rotated to horizontal position, the projector operates in deep water mode with optimal beam pattern. When rotated to vertical position, the same projector can be used in littoral waters where high power is not needed. This parameter change (orientation) allows one projector to replace what would otherwise require multiple projectors of different power levels.
2Measurement precision
If a high power acoustic projector is used for deep water sonar detection, then detection range is improved, but handling system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotatable tow body with single pivot connection provides automatic dynamic positioning capability. The tow body naturally orients itself horizontally during towing operations, eliminating the need for complex active stabilization systems. This passive dynamic behavior simplifies the handling system while still achieving the required deep water detection orientation.
Solution Approach 2:
The same rotatable tow body structure serves multiple functions: it positions the projector for deep water detection, enables storage in a compact configuration, and allows operation in littoral waters. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized handling systems for each operational mode, thereby reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the sound projector is deployed separately from the receive array, then detection capability is improved, but system weight and size increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sound projector and receive array are integrated into a single towable device with a unified handling system. The rotatable tow body carries the projector while being towed by the same cable that deploys the receive array, eliminating the need for separate deployment systems. This merging reduces overall system weight while maintaining the detection capability benefits of separate projector and array deployment.
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
Enables a compact and lightweight active sonar system suitable for smaller vessels, providing favorable beam patterns without the need for large handling equipment, and allowing easy deployment and storage by aligning the sound projector co-axially with the receive array during storage and vertically during use.
Implementation Method 1
the tow body comprises a downward lift surface for generating a downward hydrodynamic force when being towed to rotate the tow body into the approximately vertical position
Implementation Method 2
the tow body is weighted to provide a rotational force to the tow body in order to cause the tow body to rotate into the approximately vertical position
Data Source
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AI summary
A tow body arrangement for a towable device in a sonar system includes a bridle having a front for connecting to a first tow cable and back for connecting to a second tow cable. The tow body arrangement also includes a tow body rotatably connected to the bridle between the front and back of the bridle. The tow body is shaped to generate hydrodynamic forces tending to rotate the tow body perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bridle.