Patent ID: 7775174

Claim:
A method of using a sensor that is carried by a vehicle that is submerged in water and connected to a towing vehicle by a length of a tow line that extends from the towing vehicle to the submerged vehicle, the method comprising simultaneously: operating the sensor that is carried by the submerged vehicle; operating the towing vehicle, comprising operating a propulsion system of the towing vehicle, so that the towing vehicle tows at least the tow line; operating the submerged vehicle, comprising operating a propulsion system of the submerged vehicle, so that the propulsion system of the submerged vehicle is at least partially propelling the submerged vehicle, whereby the submerged vehicle is at least partially self-propelled; and coordinating the operating of the towing vehicle and the operating of the submerged vehicle so that each of the towing vehicle, the submerged vehicle and the entirety of the length of the tow line, which extends from the towing vehicle to the submerged vehicle, travels at substantially the same speed in substantially the same forward direction so that simultaneously the entirety of the length of the tow line is under tension, and the length of the tow line is curved in a manner that inhibits the length of the tow line from transferring oscillatory motion between opposite ends of the length of the tow line, comprising the length of the tow line defining a concave shape that is forwardly oriented, and the length of the tow line having an upper section, a lower section, and a farthest rearward point that is positioned between the upper section and the lower section, wherein the farthest rearward point of the length of the tow line is positioned at and defines a farthest rearward point of the concave shape, the upper section extends to the towing vehicle from the farthest rearward point, comprising the upper section extending upwardly and forwardly from the farthest rearward point toward the towing vehicle, and the upper section curving forwardly from the farthest rearward point toward the towing vehicle, so that the upper section defines an upper of the concave shape, and the lower section extends to the submerged vehicle from the farthest rearward point, comprising the lower section extending downwardly and forwardly from the farthest rearward point toward the submerged vehicle, and the lower section curving forwardly from the farthest rearward point toward the submerged vehicle, so that the lower section defines a lower portion of the concave shape.