US 11,733,411 B1
Clamshell mechanism for towed array bootable bulkhead
Thomas E Hansen, Newport, RI (US); Charles K Boyle, North Kingstown, RI (US); and Alia W Kroger, Middletown, RI (US)
Assigned to The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
Filed by The United States Government of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy, Newport, RI (US)
Filed on Jul. 21, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/381,226.
Int. Cl. G01V 1/20 (2006.01); G01V 1/38 (2006.01)
CPC G01V 1/202 (2013.01) [G01V 1/38 (2013.01); G01V 2210/1293 (2013.01)] 13 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A bulkhead connector for an acoustic array, said bulkhead connector comprising:
a forward bulkhead assembly with a forward bulkhead device containing a first electrical connector having first end connections for wires and optical fibers of the acoustic array with said forward bulkhead assembly having a clamshell-style ring with a locking feature, said ring split with two half circular pieces on opposite sides of said forward bulkhead device and a locking ring as part of said locking feature; and
an aft bulkhead assembly with an aft bulkhead device containing a second electrical connector having second end connections for the wires and optical fibers of the acoustic array;
wherein said locking ring is capable of connecting said forward bulkhead assembly with said aft bulkhead assembly.