System for the deployment and recovery of towed sensors

摘要

A Towed Body Recovery Drone facilitates the safe recovery of fragile towed sensors by surface craft. The TBRD comprises a buoyant sponson section sized to give the TBRD minimal buoyancy necessary to keep the sensor on the surface in a static condition. Structural elements and skids are arranged to protect the sensor from impact with rigid objects and allow the TBRD to be pulled aboard a surface craft by means of a ramp structure. A capture device manages the sensor's tow cable and restrains the sensor within the TBRD structure.

主权项

1. A system for deployment and recovery into water of a towed body from a watercraft comprising:
a framework that defines a towed body receiving region therein that is surrounded by said framework, said framework comprising an upper ribbed section and first and second side ribbed sections, said framework defining openings at a rear and bottom that lead to said towed body receiving region within said framework, said framework being sized so that said receiving region extends around the towed body when the towed body is within said towed body receiving region; at least one buoyant sponson section coupled to said framework adjacent to said upper ribbed section; at least one skid mounted to a lowermost position on each of said side ribbed sections; a capture device comprising a cable guide mounted on said framework adjacent to said upper ribbed section; and at least one drag member mounted to a rear of said framework, said at least one drag member being oriented to produce a downward-oriented drag force on said framework as said framework is pulled toward the watercraft.