The U.S. Navy is seeking innovative methods to reduce the susceptibility to physical damage, deformation (creep), and water permeability to extend the useful life of acoustic hoses. Nearly all hoses and modules associated with towed array systems are vulnerable to cuts, slices, and punctures from fishhooks secured to discarded monofilament longlines that often span for miles and contain thousands of sharp fishhooks. Other forms of physical damage originate from marine life (e.g., shark bites), as well as normal wear and tear from axial twisting and longitudinal vibrations while the array is deployed. If an acoustic hose wall is breached for any reason, seawater intrusion will degrade or destroy the internal ceramic hydrophones responsible for detecting faint sounds, which will in turn dramatically alter the ships mission profile. METSS is proposing a materials-based approach to extend the useful life of acoustic hoses, starting with low-risk strategies to augment or replace the current acoustic hose jacket materials, as well as the reinforcement fabrics and strands, which will integrate within existing manufacturing processes. All laboratory results will be validated using statistical design of experiments, among other numerical methods.
Benefit: Towed array acoustic hoses associated with U.S. Navy ships and submarines are mission critical subcomponents. Presuming technology transition into the Fleet, METSS solution will enhance the ability of naval combatants to passively listen for enemy threats, as well as allied military and commercial seafaring vessels. Having developed and integrated abrasion- and cut-resistant additives in rubber-based hoses, modules, and fuel bladders, METSS anticipates that improved acoustic hoses used for oceanographic research, as well as oil and gas exploration would benefit from technologies that offer greater resistance to cuts, abrasion, heat, tear strength, and tensile creep, among other improved mechanical and physical properties. METSS technology has practical application in any industry where rugged, flexible, chemically resistant hoses are used, such as transportation, industrial plants, and automotive.
Keywords: Towed Array, Towed Array, Towed Array Sensor, Mechanical Creep, Water permeability, cut-resistance, Hose Deformation
