Abstract: A device (10) for sensing an acoustic signal is described. The device includes a flexible portion (14) including a laser active region (13) whose emitted wavelength varies according to a mechanical force acting on the flexible portion (14) and a flexible support member (24) operable to flex or bend according to the acoustic signal. The flexible portion (14) is coupled with the support member (24) so as to cause the flexible portion to flex or bend in accordance with the support member (24) thereby changing the emitted wavelength of the laser active region (13) of the flexible portion (14).

Abstract: The apparatus has a sensor disposed on the first end of an elongate connector by means of fixed interface link. A recorder unit is disposed on the second end of the connector opposite the first end. The connector is bendable within a predefined curvature range. When the apparatus is deployed into the sea, it is adapted to free-fall through the body of water and to land on the seafloor such that the sensor is spaced apart from the recorder unit. The apparatus is additionally adapted to substantially vibrationally de-couple the sensor from the recorder unit. The length of the connector is dynamically variable within a predefined range so as to minimize vibration coupling between the recorder unit to the sensor. Physical separation of the sensor and the recorder unit, together with the mechanical characteristics of the connector, ensure that the sensor is substantially vibrationally de-coupled from the recorder unit.

Abstract: A device (10) for sensing an acoustic signal is described. The device includes a flexible portion (14) including a laser active region (13) whose emitted wavelength varies according to a mechanical force acting on the flexible portion (14) and a flexible support member (24) operable to flex or bend according to the acoustic signal. The flexible portion (14) is coupled with the support member (24) so as to cause the flexible portion to flex or bend in accordance with the support member (24) thereby changing the emitted wavelength of the laser active region (13) of the flexible portion (14).

Abstract: A method and a device for recomposing an URL having caused the generation of an error message. Said URL being scanned in order to detect among its characters a presence of one or more characters belonging to a list of predetermined characters. A substitution by an assigned substitute character being applied if said scanning issued in a matching with a character of said list. If no matching occurred the domain name and the TLD are compared with a further domain name or URL belonging to a dictionary. If a matching with the dictionary occurred, a substitution with the domain name or URL of the dictionary is carried out. If no match occurred, a spelling correction algorithm is applied. If the spelling corrections still did not result in a corrected URL, the latter is segmentwise divided and recomposed.

Abstract: A method for compensating the effect of gravity on seismic sensors such as geophones and a gravity effect-free seismic sensor are disclosed. The gravity effect-free seismic sensor of the present invention includes primary sensor (100) operatively responsive to seismic movements and hence generating a seismic signal by having a coil placed in a magnetic field in a first axis of sensitivity (105); an auxiliary sensor (210) operatively responsive to a gravity field for generating a tilt signal, thus provide current to the coil of the primary sensor (100) to induce a force on the coil that at least partially compensates for a weight of the coil, thus ameliorating or eliminating a gravity effect on the primary sensor (100).

Abstract: The invention relates to surface acoustic antennas for submarines. It consists, in a known antenna, in replacing certain pressure sensors with velocity sensors in order to obtain cardioid directivity with a zero oriented toward the hull of the submarine. It allows the use of baffles serving to attenuate the noise generated inside the submarine.

Abstract: A method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment modules is disclosed. A conveyor has a fixed end and a free end. The conveyor is deployed into a body of water until the free end reaches, or is proximate to, the seafloor. The conveyor is dragged through the water. The equipment modules are slidably attached to the conveyor. The equipment modules slide along the conveyor to the seafloor, where the equipment modules engage the seafloor and are secured at a fixed position.

Abstract: The apparatus has a sensor disposed on the first end of an elongate connector by means of fixed interface link. A recorder unit is disposed on the second end of the connector opposite the first end. The connector is bendable within a predefined curvature range. When the apparatus is deployed into the sea, it is adapted to free-fall through the body of water and to land on the seafloor such that the sensor is spaced apart from the recorder unit. The apparatus is additionally adapted to substantially vibrationally de-couple the sensor from the recorder unit. The length of the connector is dynamically variable within a predefined range so as to minimise vibration coupling between the recorder unit to the sensor. Physical separation of the sensor and the recorder unit, together with the mechanical characteristics of the connector, ensure that the sensor is substantially vibrationally de-coupled from the recorder unit.

Abstract: A method for compensating the effect of gravity on seismic sensors such as geophones and a gravity effect-free seismic sensor are disclosed. The gravity effect-free seismic sensor of the present invention includes primary sensor (100) operatively responsive to seismic movements and hence generating a seismic signal by having a coil placed in a magnetic field in a first axis of sensitivity (105); an auxiliary sensor (210) operatively responsive to a gravity field for generating a tilt signal, thus providing a current to the coil of the primary sensor (100) to induce a force on the coil that at least partially compensates for a weight of the coil, thus ameliorating or eliminating a gravity effect on the primary sensor (100).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for deploying and retrieving seafloor equipment including the steps of: providing a conveying means (200) with a fixed end and a free end (201); releasing said conveying means (200) into a body of water (210) from a vessel (220) until said free end (201) reaches, or is proximate to, a seafloor (230) of said body of water (210); dragging said conveying means (200) behind said vessel (220) at a controllable speed; slidably attaching said equipment (240) including a recovery module (241) and stopping means (242) to said conveying means (200), wherein said equipment, said recovery module and said stopping means are secured one to another by a connector (244); sliding said equipment (240) to the free end (201) of the conveying means (200), said equipment (240) being fixed in position on the seafloor (230) by said stopping means (242) once said stopping means reaches the seafloor; activating said recovery module (241) so as to allow said equipment (240) to ascend from

Abstract: The invention relates to surface acoustic antennas for submarines. It consists, in a known antenna, in replacing certain pressure sensors with velocity sensors in order to obtain cardioid directivity with a zero oriented toward the hull of the submarine. It allows the use of baffles serving to attenuate the noise generated inside the submarine.