专利摘要:
The invention relates to a compact omnidirectional antenna for hardened sonar. The antenna (40) comprises a plurality of elementary emission rings (21) formed around a longitudinal axis of the antenna (40) and a plurality of hydrophones (22) distributed around the longitudinal axis, the antenna (40) being intended to be soaked in water, the hydrophones (22) being distinct from the elementary transmission rings (21), the hydrophones (22) and the elementary transmission rings (21) being fixed in the antenna ( 40), according to the invention, the elementary transmission rings (21) and the hydrophones (22) are nested along the same height (H) measured along the longitudinal axis.
公开号:FR3015785A1
申请号:FR1303023
申请日:2013-12-20
公开日:2015-06-26
发明作者:Francois Seite;Didier Billon;Eric Sernit;Raphael Lardat;Yves Lagier;Daniel Andreis
申请人:Thales SA;
IPC主号:
专利说明:

[0001] The present invention relates to the general field of sonar detection in particular implemented in the anti-submarine fight. It relates more particularly to the field of airborne sonars called "sonars soaked" implemented from a helicopter.
[0002] In the context of anti-submarine activities, in order to be able to detect submarines submerged in a given area, the use of sonars, in particular active sonars, is generally used. In this context, the deployment of sonar from air platforms, aircraft or helicopters, is particularly effective because such platforms have a high mobility compared to submarines. Thus maritime patrol aircraft deploy sound buoys, consisting of sensors and sometimes acoustic transmitters and a VHF system acting as a communication relay to the aircraft. Similarly, helicopters can also be used to implement sonar transmitters and receivers connected by a cable to their platform, in other words to the helicopter. This is called "Soaked Sonars". Subsequently, the subset immersed and connected by the cable is called antenna. It includes transmitters and receivers sonars themselves and possibly electronic equipment associated with transmitters and receivers. It can also include environmental sensors. The launching from the platform, the immersion control 25 as well as the recovery on board of these antennas are carried out by means of a winch located inside the helicopter. In addition to an antenna deployment and retrieval function, the winch cable generally carries the sonar signals as well as the electrical energy required for the acoustic emission and the operation of the receivers. In addition, on board the helicopter, there is equipment necessary for the generation of acoustic signals and the processing of acoustic data received. The increased acoustic discretion of modern submarines necessitated an evolution of the detection techniques employed, towards high power sonars operating at low frequency. This evolution results in an increase in the dimensions and the mass of the different subsets forming the sonar. For example for the antenna, lowering its operating frequency tends to increase its dimensions. For example, antennas have been developed in which hydrophones are arranged on arms that are deployed during operation. Between the operating phases of the sonar, the arms are folded and the antenna, raised by the winch, takes place inside the helicopter. It is sometimes difficult to house all subsets of a sonar inside a helicopter. The antenna, generally cylindrical to be omnidirectional deposit and guideline in site, is hung by the cable that carries it. The largest vertical dimension of the sonar is constrained by the height of the antenna to which must be added the hooking of the cable at the top of the antenna and at least partly a winch pulley whose diameter is a function of the radius of curvature minimum that the cable can sustain. This dimension must be able to go up in the helicopter. Concerning the mass increase of sonar subassemblies, this one affects the duration of the missions that a carrier can carry out with his sonar.
[0003] The invention aims to reduce the bulk and mass of some subsets of a sonar tempered, including the mass and height of the antenna while maintaining similar acoustic performance. The invention also aims to reduce the complexity of certain subsets, including the antenna. More specifically, the invention makes it possible to dispense with articulated arms carrying the hydrophones. By avoiding such moving parts, the reliability of the sonar is improved. For this purpose, the invention relates to an omnidirectional antenna intended to equip a hardened sonar, the antenna comprising a plurality of elementary emission rings formed around a longitudinal axis of the antenna and several hydrophones distributed around the axis. longitudinal, the antenna being intended to be soaked in water, the hydrophones being distinct from the elementary emission rings, the hydrophones and the elementary emission rings being fixed in the antenna, characterized in that the elementary rings emission and the hydrophone rings are nested along the same height measured along the longitudinal axis. The range of a sonar antenna is related to the working frequency of the hydrophones. An antenna according to the invention can operate at a working frequency of less than 8 kHz. In other words, the elementary transmission rings and the hydrophones operate at a working frequency of less than 8 kHz. Advantageously, it is possible to go down to frequencies of less than 6 kHz or even less than 4 kHz. There are acoustic components commonly called "Tonpilz" to achieve both the emission and reception of sound waves. For frequencies below 8 kHz this type of component would be much too large and the antenna would be unsuitable for a tempered sonar, including boarded a helicopter. To work in low frequency, it is advantageous to distinguish the emission rings of the hydrophones. In the prior art low-frequency quenched sonar antennas, especially in cylindrical antennas, the emission rings occupy a volume distinct from that of the hydrophones. By volume we mean a space with convex contour. On the contrary, according to the invention the elementary transmission rings and hydrophones are nested, that is to say, that the volumes occupied by the emission rings and the volume occupied by the hydrophones have common parts. The distribution of hydrophones and emission rings may be regular or not. Nesting the elementary emission rings and the hydrophone rings allows the transmitters and the acoustic receivers to be distributed over a larger volume. It is understood that the invention is not limited to a sonar equipping a helicopter. The wearer equipped with a sonar tempered according to the invention can be of any kind. By reducing the mass of a sonar soaked, it is for example possible to equip a drone with a sonar according to the invention. The invention will be better understood and other advantages will appear on reading the detailed description of an embodiment given by way of example, a description illustrated by the attached drawing in which: FIG. 1 represents a helicopter equipped with a tempered sonar; Figures 2a, 2b and 2c show a first embodiment of an antenna belonging to the sonar of Figure 1; FIG. 3 represents a second embodiment of an antenna belonging to the sonar of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of an antenna belonging to the sonar of FIG. 1. For the sake of clarity, the same elements will bear the same references in the various figures. Figure 1 shows a helicopter hovering over the water. The helicopter 10 is equipped with a hardened active sonar 11. This type of sonar notably allows the detection and classification of underwater objects. The sonar 11 essentially comprises a winch 12 installed on board the helicopter 10, a cable 13 and an omnidirectional antenna 14, 20 shown immersed in FIG. 1. The antenna 14 is suspended from the cable 13 and the winch 12 allows unrolling. and winding the cable 13 according to the depth at which it is desired to immerse the antenna 14. The winch also allows the antenna 14 to be raised inside the helicopter 10. The sonar 11 also includes electronic equipment not shown and 25 on board the helicopter 10. The equipment makes it possible to operate the sonar, in particular for generating sound waves and for operating the waves received echoing the waves emitted. The equipment also makes it possible to feed the antenna 14 with electrical energy. The cable 13 has a dual function, first a mechanical support 30 of the antenna 14 and then an electrical connection between the electronic equipment on board the helicopter 10 and the antenna 14. In the electrical connection, includes power supply and data transmission to or from the antenna 14. As an alternative, it is possible to make an antenna 14 autonomous without electrical connection with the carrier, the cable then being only carrier.
[0004] The antenna 14 then has its own source of electrical energy, for example in the form of a battery. Data transmission means, for example by radio wave, can be implemented. FIGS. 2a, 2b and 2c show a first embodiment of the antenna 14. FIG. 2a represents an external schematic view of the active part of the antenna 14. FIG. 2b represents a schematic sectional view of the antenna 14 and Figure 2c shows in perspective the antenna 14. The antenna 14 is substantially cylindrical. It extends along a longitudinal axis 20. When the antenna 14 is suspended by its own weight to the cable 13, the latter also extends along the longitudinal axis 20. The active part of the antenna 14 is formed of transmitters and sound receivers. The emitters are formed of elementary sound wave emission rings 21 formed around the axis 20 and the receivers 15 are formed of hydrophones 22 distributed in rings formed around the axis 20. An embodiment of the rings elementary emission 21 is for example described in patent EP 0 799 097 B1. The hydrophones 22 are distributed around the axis 20 in a uniform manner. The hydrophones 22 are, for example, isolated in a polyurethane-based resin or immersed in an oil bath contained in a flexible envelope. According to the invention, the elementary transmission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22 are distributed along the same height H measured along the longitudinal axis 20. This distribution over the entire height H makes it possible for the hydrophones to improve the acoustic reception directivity in site. In the example shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c, the rings 21 and 22 are alternated. More precisely, the elementary transmission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22 have substantially the same dimensions, in diameter around the axis 20. The elementary transmission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22 are stacked alternately. on each other. Advantageously, the elementary transmission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22 form a tube 25 extending along the longitudinal axis 20 between two ends 26 and 27. The antenna 14 comprises two structures 28 and 29 closing the tube 25, each at one of the ends 26 and 27 of the tube 25. The inside of the tube 25 is then isolated from the medium in which the antenna 14 is immersed. To ensure a good sealing of the tube 25 on its outer surface and also to provide mechanical protection of the elementary transmission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22, the cylindrical outer surface of the tube 25 may be covered with an elastomeric material such as as for example a polyurethane material. The two structures 28 and 29 may be one-piece metal parts, for example made of a cast aluminum alloy. The upper structure 29 may comprise vertical fins to improve the hydrodynamics of the antenna 14 during its movements in the water, especially the descent and climb, when the winch 12 is in action. When the inside of the elementary transmission rings 21 is isolated from the medium in which the antenna 14 is immersed, the emission rings 21 operate according to a technology in which air is located inside the rings 21. technology is known in the Anglo-Saxon literature as the "Air Backed Ring" or ABR. When the tube 25 is closed at both ends, it forms a sealed enclosure within which electronic equipment can be disposed. For example, the antenna 14 comprises an electronic transmitter 31 connected to the elementary transmission rings 21 and an electronic receiver 32 connected to the hydrophones 22. The transmitter 31 and the receiver 32 are disposed inside the tube 25 Other components can be arranged inside the tube 25, for example a battery 33. It is also possible to place inside the tube 25 environment sensors 34. FIG. an antenna 40 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the hydrophones 22 are arranged concentrically on each of the elementary emission rings 21. An elementary emission ring 21 is located inside a ring of hydrophones 22. The elementary emission rings 21 and the hydrophone rings 22 are, as in the first embodiment, distributed along the height H.
[0005] It is possible to arrange the elementary transmission rings 21 in contact with each other. The elementary transmission rings 21 then occupy the entire height H. It is the same for the hydrophone rings 22. This gives an antenna 40 very compact in height. In this arrangement, the tube 25 may, as before, be sealed and the inside of the tube 25 may be used to dispose of electronic equipment. The elementary transmission rings 21 then operate according to the ABR technology. Alternatively, in this second embodiment, internal walls of the elementary transmission rings 21 are in contact with a fluid in the liquid state. This liquid can be enclosed inside the tube 25. The presence of liquid improves the acoustic performance of the antenna. In order to benefit from the advantages of the presence of a liquid without increasing the mass of the antenna, it is possible to let the water into which the antenna 14 is dive come into contact with the inner walls of the elementary transmission rings 21. For this purpose, the antenna 40 comprises openings 41 arranged between the elementary emission rings 21. These openings allow the water, in which the antenna 40 is quenched, to circulate along the internal walls 42 of the elementary rings. 21. Thus, when the antenna 14 is not immersed, the water bathing inside the antenna disappears and does not increase the mass of the antenna. When the inside of the elementary emission rings 21 is immersed in the medium in which the antenna 40 is immersed, the emission rings 21 operate according to a technology where water circulates freely around the emission ring. 21. This technology is known in the Anglo-Saxon literature as the "Free Flooded Ring" or FFR. To allow the presence of the openings 41, the antenna 40 comprises several uprights 44 connecting the two structures 28 and 29. The transmission rings 21 are fixed on the uprights 44.
[0006] In Figure 3, the openings 41 are radial. It is also possible to make these openings in the structures 28 and 29. By implementing the FFR technology, the internal space of the transmission rings 21 is no longer available to dispose of electronic equipment that can be placed in watertight compartments made in structures 28 and 29.
[0007] FFR technology can be implemented in the first embodiment shown in Figures 2a, 2b and 2c by providing one or more openings for communicating the inside of the tube 25 and the outside.
[0008] FIG. 4 represents a third embodiment of an antenna 50 according to the invention. There are the transmission rings 21 and the two structures 28 and 29. In this embodiment, the hydrophones 22 are not arranged in rings but on bars 51 attached to the transmission rings 21. The bars 51 can be parallel in the longitudinal axis 20. In this embodiment, it is possible to keep the amounts 44 distinct bars 51. Alternatively, the bars 51 can be used to connect the two structures 28 and 29 and replace the amounts 44. The bars 51 may be arranged inside or outside the transmission rings 21. In the various embodiments and in particular those using the FFR technology, it is possible to streamline the antenna to improve its behavior. hydrodynamique.20
权利要求:
Claims (12)
[0001]
REVENDICATIONS1. An omnidirectional antenna for equipping a hardened sonar (11), the antenna (14; 40, 50) comprising a plurality of elementary emission rings (21) formed about a longitudinal axis (20) of the antenna (14; 50) and a plurality of hydrophones (22) distributed about the longitudinal axis (20), the antenna (14, 40, 50) being intended to be soaked in water, the hydrophones (22) being distinct from the rings transmitting elements (21), the hydrophones (22) and the elementary transmission rings (21) being stationary in the antenna (14; 40; 50), characterized in that the elementary transmission rings (21) and the hydrophones (22) are nested along the same height (H) measured along the longitudinal axis (20).
[0002]
Antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the elementary transmission rings (21) and the hydrophones (22) operate at a working frequency of less than 8 kHz.
[0003]
Antenna according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the hydrophones (22) are arranged on bars (51) fixed to the transmission rings (21).
[0004]
4. Antenna according to any one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that hydrophones (22) are distributed in rings formed around the longitudinal axis (20).
[0005]
5. Antenna according to claim 4, characterized in that the elementary transmission rings (21) and the hydrophone rings (22) are alternated over the height (H).
[0006]
6. Antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the hydrophones (22) are superimposed on the elementary emission rings (21).
[0007]
Antenna according to one of Claims 4 to 6, characterized in that the elementary emission rings (21) and the hydrophone rings (22) form a tube (25) extending along the longitudinal axis ( 20) between two ends (26, 27), in that the antenna (14, 40, 50) comprises two structures (28, 29) closing the tube (25), each at one end (26, 27). ) of the tube (25).
[0008]
8. Antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that internal walls of the elementary emission rings (21) are in contact with a fluid in the liquid state.
[0009]
9. Antenna according to claim 8, characterized in that it comprises openings (41) allowing the water in which the antenna (40) is soaked to flow along the inner walls of the elementary transmission rings (21). ).
[0010]
10. Antenna according to claim 7, characterized in that the openings (41) are arranged between the emission rings (21).
[0011]
11. tempered sonar (11) comprising a cable (13) and an antenna (14) according to one of the preceding claims, the antenna (14; 40, 50) being suspended from the cable (13).
[0012]
12. tempered sonar (11) according to claim 11, characterized in that it further comprises a winch (12) for winding and unrolling the cable (13) .25
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法律状态:
2015-11-23| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 3 |
2016-11-28| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 4 |
2017-11-27| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 5 |
2019-11-28| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 7 |
2020-11-25| PLFP| Fee payment|Year of fee payment: 8 |
优先权:
申请号 | 申请日 | 专利标题
FR1303023A|FR3015785B1|2013-12-20|2013-12-20|COMPACT OMNIDIRECTIONAL ANTENNA FOR SONAR TEMP|FR1303023A| FR3015785B1|2013-12-20|2013-12-20|COMPACT OMNIDIRECTIONAL ANTENNA FOR SONAR TEMP|
AU2014369782A| AU2014369782B2|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
KR1020167019803A| KR102232745B1|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
SG11201605064VA| SG11201605064VA|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
SG10201805295QA| SG10201805295QA|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
CA2934561A| CA2934561C|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
EP14825337.0A| EP3084755B1|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for a dipping sonar|
JP2016541608A| JP6545686B2|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Small omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
US15/106,169| US10379207B2|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
PCT/EP2014/079002| WO2015092066A1|2013-12-20|2014-12-22|Compact omnidirectional antenna for dipping sonar|
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