NanoSonic has developed a cost effective, high performance Morph-on-Demand Towed Array Outer Hosewall that can temporarily and repeatedly change its shape to significantly reduce turn induced strum vibrations. Our approach may result in significant reductions in cross-flow angles up to 30 degrees to enable unsurpassed long range target detection. The low density (0.94 g/cc), rugged, Shape Memory-Metal Rubber (SM-MR) outer hosewall was designed to house a TB-29A acoustic module for use with an OA-9070B SSN handling system. Our high performance matrix resins and longitudinal reinforcement materials are synthesized in house for simplified extrusion processing, Systematic synthetic engineering has resulted in a shape memory polymer (SMP) hybrid polyurethane resistant to Exxon Isopar L and mechanically stable over -40C to 40C, with ~Shore A80, and > 100% elongation. NanoSonic shall continue to work with our defense prime partner to optimize beamforming and noise reduction. NanoSonic will deliver a nominal 1-3 0x9D by 30m Thinline SM-MR MOD hose to increase the TRL to 7-8 during Phase II, and for strum reduction verification at Carderock in Phase III. TRL 9 shall be reached upon completion of a NAVSEA Engineering Change Proposal (ECP) and incorporation of the SM-MR MOD hose into TB-29A sonar arrays.
Benefit: NanoSonics advanced multifunctional nanostructured, lightweight and rugged Shape Memory-Metal Rubber is offered as an advanced smart morphing hose for passive submarine towed arrays. The smart hose based on an electrically conductive, although unfilled, fiber reinforced nanocomposite would sense-and-respond to strum inducing turns, thereby suppressing or eliminating Strouhal vortex shedding while improving self-noise performance. The rugged thick hose would permit higher internal fill pressures in excess of 30 psi, while the low density nature of the hose would allow for repeated shape change under water as needed, as well as neutral buoyancy required for horizontal towing. Additional applications for SM-MR include advanced airfoils and hydrofoils for unmanned morphing vehicles, artificial muscles, and highly flexible EMI shielding protective skins. NanoSonic would work with Carderock and our defense prime partner to verify strum reduction via the morph-on-demand hose, and with our commercial partners to bring this product to the Navy.
Keywords: shape memory polymers, morphing, towed array hose, fiber reinforced modified urethane, extrudable, Metal Rubber, Low density, strum vibrations