US 11,694,668 B2
Sonobuoy volumetric array deployment module
Curtis B. Carlsten, Seekonk, RI (US); Frederick B. Koehler, Tucson, AZ (US); Jason E. Gaudette, Portsmouth, RI (US); and Peter M. Willey, Rumford, RI (US)
Assigned to Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed by Raytheon Company, Waltham, MA (US)
Filed on May 27, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/884,637.
Prior Publication US 2021/0375250 A1, Dec. 2, 2021
Int. Cl. G10K 11/00 (2006.01); H04B 11/00 (2006.01); B63B 22/00 (2006.01)
CPC G10K 11/006 (2013.01) [H04B 11/00 (2013.01); B63B 22/003 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A deployment module for a sensor array having a plurality of sensors and a cable connecting the plurality of sensors, the deployment module comprising:
a deployment body formed of a shape memory alloy that is expandable to hold the cable and retain a shape of the sensor array after deployment; and
a support shell configured to support the sensor array and the expandable deployment body in a stowage state before deployment, the support shell having spaced walls configured to retain the cable separately from the plurality of sensors;
wherein the spaced walls are formed in a helical pattern and define discrete slots that each accommodate a segment of the cable corresponding to one of the plurality of sensors.