Patent ID: 6097668
Filing Date: 2000-08-01
Classification: B63B

Abstract:
A sonobuoy system for deployment in ice-covered regions comprising:an elongated, weighted probe having one end portion shaped for penetration through ice and a storage compartment adjacent to the other end portion;a buoyant, signal converting unit separably connected to said probe adjacent to said storage compartment;a buoyant, signal transmitting unit separably coupled to said converting unit and to said one end;acoustic signal detecting means; anda separable protective container to house said signal detecting means, both of said container and said detecting means being releasably positioned within said storage compartment, said protective container separates from said signal detecting means subsequent to extraction from said storage compartment;whereupon deployment, the operational sequence of said system is that said probe penetrates through the ice layer; said converting and transmitting units separate and remain afloat, and said detecting means is released and deployed under the ice layer.