Low Cost, Reliable Towed Sensors Handling Systems

The current generation of towed array handling systems suffers from additional problems including complexity, difficulty of service and repair, introduction of acoustic noise into the ocean environment, limitations in current control systems, and damage from the harsh marine environment in which these systems are required to operate. Furthermore, the"form factor"of the winch-based systems requires significant space and limits location options with the submarine. In the Phase I SBIR, N101-043"Low Cost, Reliable Towed Sensors Handling Systems"3 Phoenix (3Pi) proposed a novel approach to array handling systems based on a totally different design for retrieving, deploying, storing and managing submarine towed array systems. The Handling and Storage System (HSS) is based on the principles of a simple machine, the"block and tackle"system. This non-traditional system dramatically lowers the mechanical stresses on the towed array while providing great flexibility in control and drive systems. Additionally, this concept is very amenable to various installation locations on the submarine.