Abstract: In a sonar buoy suspended from a helicopter, the lower stabilizing ring of a buoy of this type is replaced by a set of fins which get folded against the body of the buoy during its descent into the water and get unfolded when they are raised again to form a stabilizing crown around the bottom of this body, thus enabling a buoy of this type to be stabilized both during descent and when being raised again.

Abstract: A system for reducing roll of vessels comprises at least one and preferably a pair of hydrofoil devices suspended from lines rigged on each side of the vessel, preferably from outrigger booms. The devices are asymmetrical foils which are arranged to provide a downwardly acting hydrodynamic force as the devices move with respect to the water. The center of the hydrodynamic force, the center of gravity of the device, and the suspension line attachment being in vertical alignment to provide a balanced foil. The devices function when the vessel is under way and when the vessel is stationary. The hydrodynamic force provides tension in the suspension lines which serves to damp the tendency of the vessel to roll while under way. The hydrodynamic force assures that the devices will not suddenly lose their damping effect or loose control and jerk or breach. When not under way, rolling is damped by differential resistance of the devices to upward movement through the water.

Abstract: In this system, which is of the type comprising at the end of a primary cable (3), a first fish (5) to which is connected a secondary cable (7) towed by a second fish, there are provided, in proximity to the first fish (5), apparatus (18) for measuring the angle between the direction of the relative current and the vertical plane passing through the secondary cable (7), and apparatus for measuring the angle of inclination of the secondary cable (7) to the horizontal, connected to apparatus for automatically steering the second fish so as to bring said angles to predetermined values.

Abstract: A float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed supports a plurality of seismic pulse transmitters (6) which are suspended on lines (7) beneath the float (1). At a distance from the front end of the float (1), on one sidewall thereof, a fastening device for a towing cable and a lead-in for control lines and lines for supplying operating medium to the pulse transmitters are provided. These lines and cables are gathered in a common line (3) which extends behind the tow ship. The line (3), at a distance away from the float (1), is connected to a line (4) which leads to a length-regulating device (12) inside the front section of the float. The float is also provided with at least one motor (10) with a drive shaft (9)leading to hoisting drums (8) for the lines (7) to the respective seismic pulse transmitters (6). Both the motors (10, 12) and the seismic pulse transmitters (6) are connected to the pneumatic supply line.

Abstract: A seismic streamer retrieval system utilizes an inflatable bag to lift the streamer to the water surface where it can easily be recovered. An acoustical signal or a pressure switch is used to activate said device so as to cause the inflatable bag to be ejected from said device and inflated to lift the streamer to the water surface. A small electric motor and drill bit are used to puncture a gas cylinder to release gas into the inflatable bag.

Abstract: A ship is provided with booms that may be extended outwardly from the ship. Arrays of geophysical devices of different genera are towed from the booms, in the water behind the ship. A UHF antenna is located on each boom. A line joining the two antennas defines a long reference base line for determining the absolute heading of the ship with respect to a meridian and to locate the absolute positions of selected towed geophysical devices with respect to two-dimensional space. The booms may be oriented along a line perpendicular to the ship's track, independently of the ship's heading for the purpose of maintaining the integrity of the geometric pattern of the arrays of the towed geophysical devices.

Abstract: A marine cable system including one or more elongated cable sections whose buoyancy may be independently controlled. Each section is associated with a pump and a variable volume, elongated bladder. In one embodiment, one reservoir containing buoyant fluid is included, and fluid from the reservoir is pumped between adjacent sections to inflate or deflate the associated bladders. In another embodiment, a rigid reservoir containing compressed gas is included in each section. The associated pump releases gas from the reservoir to inflate the bladder, or pumps gas from the bladder into the reservoir when desired. The pumps are operated in response to control signals from a remote control unit, such as one aboard a vessel towing the cable. One or more depth sensors may be attached in or near each section. Depth information from the sensors may be supplied to the control unit for use in generating the pump control signals. The buoyant fluid is entirely contained within the cable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for towing and steering a seismic subarray from onboard a tow vessel. The outboard reach of the seismic subarray, relative to the vessel, is controlled by an adjustable bridle connected to the seismic subarray, and turning of the subarray in coordination with turning of the vessel is done using both the bridle and a rudder located at the rear of the seismic subarray.

Abstract: The invention is a deployment system for a marine seismic source array. A plurality of sources are suspended at different depths from a float. The system is adapted for deploying the float and the sources into the water and retrieving them for reloading onto the vessel. When the float is positioned on the water surface the sources sink to preselected water depths. The sources are retracted to the underside of the float in the retrieval process.

Abstract: A float for use in seismic surveys of the sea bed supports a plurality of seismic pulse transmitters (6) which are suspended on lines (7) beneath the float (1). At a distance from the front end of the float (1), on one sidewall thereof, a fastening device for a towing cable and a lead-in for control lines and lines for supplying operating medium to the pulse transmitters are provided. These lines and cables are gathered in a common line (3) which extends behind the tow ship. The line (3), at a distance away from the float (1), is connected to a line (4) which leads to a length-regulating device (12) inside the front section of the float. The float is also provided with at least one motor (10) with a drive shaft (9) leading to hoisting drums (8) for the lines (7) to the respective seismic pulse transmitters (6). Both the motors (10, 12) and the seismic pulse transmitters (6) are connected to the pneumatic supply line.

Abstract: A cable leveling device is attached to a streamer cable by providing an adapter module secured between two seismic streamer cable sections with one of the cable strain members secured to the adapter. An overlying coaxial housing is mounted for rotation about the adapter module so as to rotate with respect to the module. The overlying housing carries leveling apparatus in the form of paravanes as well as depth sensing and other apparatus, with the top part of the overlying housing containing a hollow or foam-filled buoyant portion, and with the bottom portion of the housing containing batteries, electronics and sensing devices, such that the housing is maintained in a vertical orientation because of its buoyant top portion and weighted bottom portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cable leveling device for a seismic marine cable. The cable leveling device features a motor which controls diving planes by way of direct mechanical linkage. The motor is controlled by a stored program digital processor connected in a closed loop feedback circuit. Optical reflective sensors are employed in the feedback loop to monitor the position of the mechanical linkage to directly determine the angle of the diving planes. A telemetry unit is provided to telemeter data from the cable leveling device to shipboard via the marine cable.

Abstract: A submersible positioning device, such as a paravane coupled to a distant end of a towing cable may include a front cylindrical stabilizer having a wing diametrically disposed therein and having a predetermined angle of attack coupled to a towing bridle which in turn is coupled to the towing cable. A rear stabilizer may be coupled to the front stabilizer by a shaft, extending from the lower surface of the wing, and a plurality of struts coupled to the perimeter of the front stabilizer. A buoy coupled to the uppermost point of the front stabilizer may be pulled underwater while under tow, but returns the paravane to the surface for recovery purposes while not under a tow.

Abstract: An underwater diving plane towed by a boat and ridden by a diver includes a longitudinal diver support member which supports the diver in the prone position, a lateral wing support member with contoured wings attached at the ends thereof and evenly spaced from the center thereof, a pivotal attachment fitting for attaching the front end of the diver support member to the center of the lateral wing support member and one or more control arms that are rigidly attached to the lateral wing support member and that extend therefrom below the diver support member so as to be within easy reach of the diver carried thereon in the prone position, whereby the diver may rotate the lateral wing support member within the pivotal attachment fitting on its lateral axis with respect to the diver support member, thereby controlling the diving angle of the diving plane as it is towed through the water by a tow line attached to the pivotal fitting.

Abstract: A deep water tow system adapted for being towed by a tow cable behind a ship includes a buoyant tow vehicle for housing apparatus to be used underwater, a coupler for connecting the tow vehicle to the tow cable, and a weight in the form of a multi-link chain attached to the tow cable at a location some predetermined distance from the tow vehicle. The chain is of sufficient weight to pull the tow vehicle downwardly in water until the chain contacts the water floor. When pulled by a surface vessel, the chain is pulled over the water floor and the tow vehicle is maintained some fairly constant predetermined distance above the water floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a float which is provided with at least one hoist drum for a hoisting wire from a hoist. The float is provided with at least one suspension drum for a suspension wire to a suspension body. The hoisting drum and the suspension drum are rotationally coupled to each other and the wires are arranged in such a way on the drums that the suspension wires are reeled in when the hoisting wires are reeled off the hoisting drums and vice versa.

Abstract: Selected sections of a seismic streamer cable are provided with an acoustically-triggered compressed gas supply. The acoustic triggering devices associated with each compressed gas supply may be individually addressed by a coded signal. In the event that the streamer cable is severed, the gas supplies of the severed sections of the streamer are used to inflate the jackets of those severed sections so that they will float to the water surface for salvage.

Abstract: A paravane includes an elongated fuselage; a wing section of spaced wing bers attached to an intermediate portion of the fuselage; stabilizer fins for maintaining the paravane lined-up with the direction of tow; a depth control flap positioned adjacent the wing section and having a pivot axis extending closely adjacent to the towing point; and depth control means for controlling the position of the control flap. The wing members have a straight leading edge portion, a straight trailing edge portion and a curved intermediate portion wherein the wing members are arranged such that the chord lines extend at oblique angles with the longitudinal axis of the fuselage and such that the resultant hydrodynamic lift force vector acting on the wing section passes through the tow point.

Abstract: A supporting system for carrying apparatuses to be moved under water at a substantially constant submersion depth, when towed from a ship, including a platform made up of two elongate members interconnected through plates carrying the apparatuses, a depth regulating paddle foil or flap, automatically controlled by the variation of the hydrostatic pressure, and a float secured to the platform, through cross members, at a certain distance above the platform.

Abstract: A submerged device, carrying oceanography apparatuses, is adapted to be towed from a ship and provided with an automatic control of the submersion depth, which is made up of two hulls of positive buoyancy and interconnecting cross members with the device having a center of bouyancy substantially above the center of gravity, and at least one movable substantially airfoil shaped fin, which is actuated by the automatic control of the submersion depth which is sensitive to the depth of submersion of the device.

Abstract: A highly maneuverable water sled device is disclosed which includes a joystick for controlling a rudder and an elevator. The base of the water sled device is provided with upwardly extending, hollow side, front and rear walls which are individually fillable with water to vary the buoyancy of the device. A preferred embodiment of this invention further includes a hydrofoil assembly downwardly extending from a forward section of the device and a flotation mattress attached to an upper surface of the device to provide for user comfort and to further allow the buoyancy of the device to be controlled.

Abstract: A towed underwater vehicle that is laterally and vertically movable with respect to a towing vessel connected by a tow cable to the vehicle. Such movement of the vehicle is obtained by the interaction of a horizontally and vertically movable point of attachment of the tow cable to the vehicle, horizontal and vertical planing surfaces provided on the vehicle, and appropriate stabilization of the vehicle. Such stabilization is obtained by adding buoyant materials to upper portions of the vehicle, ballast to lower portions of the vehicle, use of adjustable ailerons or adjustable horizontal and vertical planing surfaces, or a combination of the preceding. When the point of attachment between the cable and the towed vehicle is changed, the forces exerted by the cable on the vehicle are changed so that the planing surfaces of the vehicle present an increased frontal area to water flowing past the vehicle. The increased frontal area struck by the water results in movement of the vehicle to minimize the frontal area.

Abstract: A control system for stabilizing a body suspended by a flexible line from a structure such as a ship, which is subject to uncontrolled oscillating movements, such as may be caused by wave motion, incorporates a winch (3) to which the line is attached, a pulley (4) over which the line (2) passes and from which the body is suspended, and a loop in the line between the winch and pulley, an accelerometer (28) being located adjacent the pulley, and the length of the loop being altered in controlled response to a stabilizing signal formed by combining signals derived from the accelerometer, and from the measured amplitude of oscillations of the loop length, and modified by a compensating signal to compensate for the effect of friction in the system.

Abstract: An otterboard and a method of manufacturing an otterboard are disclosed wherein the otterboard is comprised of a plate member, a shoe member and a sole plate. The shoe member is formed of a tough wear resistant material and attached to a bottom side of the plate member. The sole plate is made of a hardenable steel and has a bottom side with grooves formed therein for receiving inserts of a hard wear resistant material. The method of manufacturing the otterboard includes the step of electro-discharge machining the shoe member so that the sole plate may be connected to the shoe member.

Abstract: An apparatus to remotely control the depth in the water of a marine cable, such as a streamer of seismic geophones or hydrophones towed behind an exploration boat during seismic surveys of submerged formations, and maintain the cable at a desired depth. The depth at which the cable is maintained may be remotely adjusted for a range of selected depths. A new and improved attaching mechanism for attaching the depth control apparatus to the cable is provided.

Abstract: 11. In a torpedo guard, a cable, a series of explosive units strung on the able, and individual proximity fuses positioned on said cable for each of said explosive units, the proximity fuse for any given explosive unit being adapted to fire said given unit upon the approach of a torpedo within a predetermined distance from said given unit.

Abstract: The invention concerns a remote-controlled submersible drogue of the type used for carrying probes for marine research. The drogue is connected by a towrope or cable to a towing craft and comprises a lifting body which has a cross sectional shape which is dynamically stabilizing. In addition, the drogue includes a static stabilizer comprising a flat plate extending downwardly and rearwardly from the lifting body and the towrope is arranged to be attached at the tip of the front end of the drogue.

Abstract: A system using two or more lifting or depressing bodies positioned at intals along a cable used for towing a device displaced above, below, or to one side of the tow point and for providing radio frequency services for a submerged submarine. Each of the lifting bodies is symmetrical about the cable and provides hydrodynamic lift, depression, or side force, depending on whether the system is designed to lift, depress, or offset the towed device.

Abstract: An apparatus to control the depth in the water of a marine cable, such as a streamer of seismic geophones or hydrophones towed behind an exploration boat during seismic surveys of submerged formations, and maintain the cable at a desired depth. The apparatus includes structure to prevent damage from obstacles in the water and other imparing of performance. The apparatus includes other structure to improve performance characteristics in operation.

Abstract: Device for controlling the submersion depth of an element moving through a body of water comprising a pivotable wing having an upper and a lower wall articulated to each other at one end and interconnected at the other end through a deformable incurved wall, the wing housing spacing elements, between the upper and the lower wall, which are compressed or expanded in response to the hydrostatic pressure variation, resulting from a depth variation of the element, thereby producing a space variation between the two walls, and a system for converting said space variation to a rotation of the wing with respect to the submerged element, in a direction at which the movement of the element tends to an opposite variation of the hydrostatic pressure.

Abstract: 1. In a torpedo detecting device of the class disclosed, the combination of plurality of hose-like sections, means for coupling the sections end to end to form a single streamer, said streamer including means for receiving and retaining air supplied under pressure thereto and a flutter valve for controlling the admission of the air thereinto, said flutter valve comprising a pair of axially aligned tubular members disposed to provide a chamber, and having axially aligned openings at the opposite ends thereof, a cylinder disposed therein to be movable between the openings in said chamber and in response to a predetermined difference in pressure on opposite sides thereof to shut off the air supplied to the streamer when the pressure differential between the air supplied under pressure thereto and the air under pressure therein exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: Disclosed is a water-surface target towed by a mother ship which comprises a towed member running underwater with a ballast weight suspended therefrom, a target pole set up on the top of the towed member, and a stabilizing plate attached to a position above the waterline of the target pole at an angle of incidence. The water-surface target can be used even under bad conditions and towed at a high speed, e.g. 30 knots, due to the towed member being capable of continually maintaining stability underwater.

Abstract: A towable, swimmer-controlled, aquatic plane device includes an elongated wing element having sections symmetrical about a transverse center line and a fin element also having sections symmetrical about a transverse center line, the fin element being removably attached at its transverse center line to the wing element at its transverse center line with the fin element sections extending vertically above and below the wing element. Openings are provided in each fin element section adjacent its leading edge and adjacent the wing element for attaching a tow rope. Openings are provided in each fin element adjacent its trailing edge which form hand grip portions by which a swimmer can steer the device in any one or more of four directions, i.e., down for diving, up to plane on the surface of the water, or banking for turning left or right.

Abstract: A target ship includes a hull travelling at a predetermined depth below the water level, and a pair of poles between which a target is attached, the target being disposed above the water level.

Abstract: 13. A minesweeping system comprising a pair of floats, means for towing the loats of said pair in laterally spaced relationship, a hydrofoil shaped pressure plate, and suspension means for suspending said pressure plate from said pair of floats, said suspension means including shock absorber means for eliminating shock caused by wave action on said floats.

Abstract: 1. A towed decoy system adapted to be towed from a towing vessel, an electrically powered noisemaker, an electrical tow cable attached to said noisemaker, a depressor vane, a depresser cable connected to said depressor vane and to the towing vessel, and means interconnecting said depressor cable and said electrical tow cable at a point near said depressor vane, said interconnecting means comprising a pair of cable grips respectively attached at one end to adjacent sections of said electrical tow cable and at their other ends to a snatch block movably mounted on said depressor cable thereby providing slack in said electrical tow cable, whereby said noisemaker is towed at a depth not less than that of the point of attachment of said snatch block to said depressor cable.

Abstract: A marine seismic streamer section for a towed underwater streamer containing a buoyancy regulating fill liquid and the usual hydrophones, strain cables, signal wires and the like housed in a generally cylindrical tubular jacket sealed at its ends against loss of fill liquid and containing a depth sensor for producing electrical signals indicative of the depth of the streamer. The sensor is in a rigid housing whose interior is connected by a tube to a valved calibrating chamber having a valve member normally communicating the interior of the depth sensor housing to the fill liquid pressure conditions in the jacket. The chamber has an external access port normally closed by a plug, and the valve member is movable by a probe inserted through the port when the plug is removed and a source of gauged pressure connected to the access port to subject the interior of the depth sensor housing to the gauged pressure source.

Abstract: An arrangement for transporting in which a self-propelled surface vessel tows a submergible elongated cargo container by means of a semi-rigid boom extending from the stern of the vessel to the nose of the cargo container. The position of the boom is controlled from the stern of the vessel to hold the nose of the container at a level below the wake of the towing vessel.

Abstract: A neuston net apparatus for guiding a net to be towed at the surface of a body of water. Dynamic lift provided by buoyant aquaplanes having trailing edges that are colinear with the top of a frame having a straight rigid top member defining the opening of the net, combines with the drag of the net to maintain the top of the net opening at the water surface when the apparatus is being towed, and thereby enables quantitative data to be obtained. Paravanes combined with an unbalanced bridle yoke steer the apparatus obliquely to the direction in which the apparatus is being towed, so as to steer the apparatus away from the influence of the towing vessel. A weighted tow line attached to the bridle yoke maintains the bridle yoke beneath the opening of the net so as not to scare sea creatures away from the opening and further prevents the net from leaping out of the water at wave tops.

Abstract: The recovery of buoys by a helicopter or a ship is accomplished by sweeping a grapnel therefrom underwater until it engages a suitable receptacle attached to the buoy mooring cable. Once engaged, the buoy is then winched aboard the helicopter or ship.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling the lateral position of a marine seismic cable relative to water current which is effective through utilization of one or more cable paravanes having a thrust adjustable hydrofoil and/or stabilizer elements. The hydrofoil is constructed as a pivotally supportable frame having an elastomeric skin which is supported on the sides of the hydrofoil by movable support members, and a servo-controlled reversible motor is controlled to reciprocate the opposite side support members relative to the hydrofoil longitudinal center line. One or more hydrofoils may then be controlled as to angle of attack and camber from the towing ship by means of acoustic energy transmission and reception at the paravane.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle having a water-tight, disconnectably-sectioned, prere-resistant, rugged, hull for carrying electronic instrumentation and other apparatus, a stabilizing tail section for altitude control, a manually adjustable negative-lift wing, and an adjustable bridle for the towing thereof by any suitable tractor vehicle.

Abstract: A towed device comprising two fish, carrying measuring apparatus, which m remain vertically aligned during the measurements. The device includes a carrying cable fastened to a relay fish. The fish carrying the measuring apparatus are fastened to the cable and a plurality of fins are placed over the cable to improve the drag. A diving wing pulls the cable so that the device remains vertical. The device may be used for measuring gradients of physical magnitudes at sea and in particular the vertical gradient of the magnetic field.