Sonobuoys & Outdoor Intrusion Detectors

Background

Sonobuoys

The word sonobuoy is a  portmanteau of sonar and buoy according to Wiki.  The first U.S. sonobuoy was the CRT-1 used in W.W.II.  Like the Mk 24 "Fido" Mine (Wiki) it could only hear cavitating propellers.

Submarines Diving

In most movies about submarines there is the diving practice where the captain says "Dive . . . Dive . . .  Dive" and you hear a Klaxon horn (Wiki) sound.  A big thing is made of timing how long it takes to dive to some depth.  This comes about because aircraft specify how they turn by how long it takes to fly a full circle. For medium size airplanes this might be two minutes.  Note the rate of turning is specified by the time for a circle, not bank angle or the diameter of the circle.  So if an aircraft flies over a submarine and makes a tight circle to come back to attack it a second time the submarine has maybe 2 minutes to dive to safety.

This emergency dive process will go faster if the submarine is full speed ahead since there are some similarities between aircraft and submarines in the sense of how they respond to the elevator.  At full speed ahead the propeller(s) will cavitate (Wiki) which makes a lot more noise than normal running.  This extra noise was needed in order for the CRT-1 Sonobuoy and the Mk 24 "Fido" Mine (homing Torpedo) to work.

Types of Sonobuoys

ADAR: Advanced Deplorable Acoustic Receiver
ADLFP: Advanced  Deplorable Low Frequency Projector
ALFEA: Active Low Frequency Electro-Acoustic
BARRA: means Listening in an indigenous Australian language - The Barra Sonobuoy System, Barra Sonobuoy Design, horizontal array
BT: Bathythermograph
CAMBS: Command Activated Multi-Beam Sonobuoy
CASS: Command Activated Sonobuoy System
CFS: Command Function Select (set function with 2-way radio when buoy is in water)
CO: Calibrated Omni type acoustic sensor (5 - 20 kHz)
CSO: Constant Shallow Omni type acoustic sensor (30 - 5000 Hz)
DICASS Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System
DIFAR: DIrectional Frequency Analysis & Recording type acoustic sensor (5 - 2400 Hz)
EER: Extended Echo Ranging - uses small explosion as sound source see patent 2402391
EFS: Electronic Function Selector (RF Chan, Life, Depth, Sensor type, AGC)
HIDAR: High Dynamic Range DIFAR
LOFAR: LOw Frequency Analysis & Recording - low cost, the waterfall display good for classifying a contact
RDRH: Rotating Directional Receiving Hydrophone
REFS: optical Remote Electronic Function Select (either while in launch tube (easy) or in water (requires laser))
RO: Range Only

Sonobuoys (Wiki) have been around since about May 1941 when P. M. S. Blackett, head of the British Admiralty committee for antisubmarine measures, proposed the idea.  In June 1942, the AN/CRT-1 became the first operational sonobuoy which was launched from a ship in a convoy, and on July 25, 1942, the first successful launch of a sonobuoy from an aircraft was made from a U.S. Army B-18 bomber (Wiki). (from: Not Ready for Retirement: The Sonobuoy Approaches Age 65 by Holler, Roger, Horbach, Arthur, McEachern, James).

  They have nomenclature SSQ-nn.  They are a part of anti-submarine warfare (Wiki).

"All sonobuoys currently in inventory are normally launched from standard A-size tubes via pneumatic, free fall, or a Cartridge Actuated Device (CAD).  Shipboard personnel may also launch them by hand or Over the Side (OTS). All are powered by either salt water activated magnesium or silver chloride, lithium chemistry, or thermal batteries and are designed to scuttle at some point after usable or selected life expires."  from Approved Navy Training System Plan, for the Consolidated Sonobuoys.  N88-NTSP-A-50-8910B/A SEPTEMBER 1998

There's a problem with airborne sonobuoy receivers being used with MAD.   MAD works best when the plane is flying at about 500 feet.  This is also true for the periscope detecting RADAR.  BUT . . . .
The sonobuoy receiver will have relativity short rang when the plane is at 500 feet.  Much higher would allow better sonobuoy coverage.  Not sure what's an optimum altitude for dropping sonobuoys.   The new Navy P-8 (Wiki) no longer uses MAD and flies much higher, both for more sonobuoy area coverage and for better fuel consumption than it gets when flying low.  The P-8 has the AN/APY-10 RADAR (Wiki) but as far as I can tell it does not work as well at high altitudes because the ocean surface scatter gets poorer at higher altitudes.  The poorest result is looking straight down on the water.

CNU-239/E Shipping Tube 

This may be the standard shipping container for A size sonobuoys.  It's 45" long and an octagon 6-3/4" across the flats.  One end unscrews and when shipping the cap is tapped to the main body.  The weight depends on what model in inside.

Transport Canada SU 0850 makes provision for shipping experimental sonobuoys in this container. But there are limitations: (a) all the dangerous goods are contained within the aluminum body of the experimental sonobuoy described by drawings no. 200896, 200898, 200702, 200671, 200836 and 200837 deposited by Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, a division of Ultra Electronics Canada Defense Inc. on Transport Canada's Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate file A 4069-0850; (b) the sonobuoy contains a single UN0454 Igniter having a net explosive quantity equal to or less than 0.15 g; (c) the sonobuoy contains a maximum of 2 cylinders of UN1013, Carbon dioxide, each having a capacity equal to or less than 0.120 L; (d) the sonobuoy contains a quantity equal to or less than 40 "C" size lithium batteries that meet the requirement of paragraph (1) of Special Provision 34 of Schedule 2 of the Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulations; (e) the sonobuoy is packaged in the military performance specification plastic shipping container type CNU-239/E specified in the drawing 012-159-0009-00 deposited by Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems, a division of Ultra Electronics Canada Defence Inc. on Transport Canada's Transport Dangerous Goods Directorate file A 4069-0850;

A Size

Modern sonobuoys have an outside diameter of 4-7/8" (fit 4-15/16" launch tube commonly called 5 inch) and are 1 yard long (36").  The max weight is 39 pounds. 
This is a convenient size for one man to handle on a P-3 aircraft (Wiki).  The larger sizes are not easy to handle.  There are smaller sizes based on getting some integer number of them inside the A size outline.  3 each is called "F" and 2 each is called "G".  The other sizes are pretty much not used in volume.

Operational Life

Sometimes the service life can also be programmed prior to launch for 1, 3 or 8 hours.  After that time the sonobuoy will sink to the bottom.  This can be made to happen by exploding a resistor (acting as a squib) applied to the float bag.

Radio Transmitter

A VHF vertical whip antenna is used.  One feature of this type of antenna is that there's a null directly above the buoy so when an aircraft directly overflys the buoy there's a characteristic signal drop out.  This allows confirming the buoy location.  The 1 Watt transmitter is FM modulated and covers an audio bandwidth of 10 Hz to 20 kHz (about the same as a Hi-Fi system or entertainment FM radio).  Note that there is no provision to hear the 37 k Hz ping made by Cockpit Voice Recorders or Flight Data Recorders.  The FAA and Navy need to coordinate this.

Sonobuoy Receivers & Radio Channels

See the VHF part of the Frequency Assignment table for some common ways the spectrum is used.  For example, FM broadcast band is 88 to 108 MHz, 108 to 136 MHz is reserved for aircraft communications and navigation.  136 to 174 is called the High VHF band (the common "Scanner" band), the old analog TV channel 7 was 174 to 180 MHz.

In the book US Naval Weapons, Norman Friedman, 1983 (Ref 19) it's mentioned that during W.W.II the CRT-1 operated in the frequency range of 67 to 72 MHz and that post war sonobuoys operated in the 162.25 to 173.5 MHz range. 

Generation Zero

The CRT-1 Sonobuoys started out working in the VHF low band.  First with six channels between 62.9 and 66.9 then another six channels were added in the 67.6 to 71.7 MHz range.  That's a total of twelve channels.  This was during W.W. II.

Note:  The eBay listing for a sonobuoy receiver "R-156/ARR-16B Sonobuoy Receiver 62-72 MCs." is in error by leaving off the "1" in front of the frequency.
R-156/ARR-16B covers 162 - 172 MHz.  It turns out the eBay listing was correct.  Note that the new VHF high band is pretty much 100 MHz higher than the prior VHF low band.

1st Generation

It appears that the first generation sonobuoys only had 16 channels spaced 0.75 kHz apart between 162.25 and 173.50.  This was probably done using a single crystal in tube type electronics circuit.

2nd Generation

At some point (When?)  the channel spacing was cut in half.  At that time to maintain channel number comparability with the old system, the new channels were added in between the old channels as shown in the table. (chan 1) 162.25 to 173.50 with spacing of 0.375 MHz.
The R-1170 ARR-52A sonobuoy receiver has 31 crystal controlled channels.
This is the time frame of NAVAIR 28-SSQ-500-1 (1976).

Sonobuoys

Sonobuoy SSQ-	Channels
41, 41A, 41B, 38, 50, 53, 57, 62	1-31
36	12, 14, 16
71	3, 5, 7
47A, 47B	1 to 12

3rd Generation

At some point (1980?) the total number of channels was increased to 99 by adding channels starting at 136.000 MHz (chan 32) and going to 161.125 (chan 99) with the same 0.375 MHz channel spacing.  Is there a channel 00? No only 1 to 99.
So the band plan in frequency order is,  the new lower frequency channels from 136.000 to 161.125, skipping 161.500 (now Chan 100) and 161.875 (now Chan 101), then the 2nd generation channels from 162.250 (chan 1) to 173.125 MHz (Chan 31).

In Channel number order:
Chan 1: 162.250 to Chan 31: 173.125; Chan 32: 136.000 to Chan 99: 161.125.

USQ-46 (USQ, below)

The USQ-46 receiver has 3000 channels with a 6.25 kHz channel spacing.   
If the received frequency is below 162.000 MHz then the Freq_MHz = 145.525 + <chan#> * 0.00625,
if the frequency is equal or greater than 162.000 then Freq_MHz = 162.000 + <chan#> * 0.00625.
So there's a strong sonobuoy flavor to how the USQ-46 does channel assignment.
If you know about this, tell me.

The difference in channel spacing = 375 kHz / 6.25 kHz = 60 exactly.
USQ-46 Channel 1 = 145.53125 or 162.00625

Black Box

This is a beacon transmitter that just transmits a narrow pulse in the sonobuoy RF frequency range.  But, the signal requires a receiver with about a 150 kHz channel bandwidth.
Since the only information it sends is it's center frequency, probably one of a small list of possible frequencies and one of two possible duty cycles the process gain is extremely high. 

During the Vietnam era there were airplanes circling over areas where ground based sensors were placed to relay the VHF sensor signals to a ground station (Wiki).  This page was made because of the similarity of ground based intrusion sensors and sonobuoys.  They both work the same way and both have the same reception requirements.

My guess is that today there is a satellite system doing the same thing.  This system would receive in the 136 to 173 MHz range and use digital IF processing, similar to what's done in the HP 4395A combined spectrum network and impedance analyzer.  If that was the case then it would be straight forward to have the ability for this receiver to receive not only sonobuoy signals but also the waveform used by the Black Box.

This makes sense in that the system would have world wide coverage without the need to have planes circling 24/7 like in Igloo White.

The WiNRADiO MS-8118/WSB Sonobuoy Telemetry Multichannel Receiving System (WiNRADiO) covers 136.000-173.500 MHz (custom frequency ranges available) with an IF bandwidth of 30 kHz @ -6 dB.
They also have a WiNRADiO AX-61S Sonobuoy Telemetry Antenna that covers 135 to 175 MHz.
The G315i receiver can be ordered with an optional hardware wide band demodulator that's the same as in the sonobuoy receiver: WR-G315i Receiver Options or for the WR-G315e Receiver Options .
Note the black box beacon transmitter may be associated with the SEAL Delivery Vehicle (Wiki: SDV).
That would be perfect for receiving the Black Box signal (thanks to Chip Veres) for letting me know about the MS-8118.  But this raises a new question, what else generates such a wideband signal?

The transmission frequencies of some black box units are: 164.5375 & 164.5875 MHz.  Note neither of these is on channel 4 (164.50 MHz) and they differ by 50 kHz, not likely an accident.

Distributed Sensor Networks, Second Edition: Image and Sensor Signal Processing (Chapman & Hall/CRC Computer and Information Science Series)

Iyengar, S. Sitharama- book on order 14 Nov 2015 has info on Igloo White and may have some insights into the satellite system?

Sonobuoy Frequency Table

Chan	Freq	Chan	Freq	Chan	Freq
1	162.25	6	166.00	11	169.75
17	162.625	22	166.375	27	170.125
2	163.00	7	166.75	12	170.50
18	163.375	23	167.125	28	170.875
3	163.75	8	167.50	13	171.25
19	164.125	24	167.875	29	171.625
4	164.50	9	168.25	14	172.00
20	164.875	25	168.625	30	172.375
5	165.25	10	169.0	15	172.75
21	165.625	26	169.375	31	173.125
				16	173.50

Channel 15 (172.75 MHz)  is used as an emergency search and rescue frequency.

Command Function Select (CFS)

The aircraft can transmit to the sonobuoy to change the commands while it's floating in the water which is much better than the old way of making the command decisions prior to launch.
The UHF frequencies used for this are: 282.900, 291.300, 291.400, 291.500 MHz
Receivers

Directional Frequency Analysis & Recording type acoustic sensor (DIFAR)

These buoys use directional hydrophones (Wiki) covering 5 or 10 Hz to 2400 Hz combined with a magnetic bearing sensor and transmit this information.
They can be used to passively listen, to listen for reflected pings or the shock wave from a small explosion.
Whale researchers use them (Tools > DIFAR Sonobuoys).

Because the lower frequency limit is below Hi-Fi audio, and the upper frequency of 24 kHz is above the 10 kHz upper end, consumer grade tape recorders (Wiki) could not be used so instrumentation type recorders were used like the

With the advent of Digital Audio Tape (Wiki: DAT) recorders the DIFAR signal could be recorded on a DAT tape.
The following is a frequency spectrum of the DIFAR signal with a voice channel added for use with a DAT tape recorder.

Analog circuitry, like using the LM1496 Balanced Modulator-Demodulator can be used to manipulate these signals.
general
Note seismic sensors (geophones) respond to frequencies below 10 Hz so there's an overlap with DIFAR and other hydrophone frequencies.

DIFAR Patents

3093808 Air-dropped miniature sonobuoy, Gimber George A, Scarcelli Albert F, Tatnall George J, Secretary of the Navy , Jun 11, 1963, 367/4, 441/33, 441/25, 343/709, 455/99 - Prior art sonobuoys were 3' long, 5" diameter and weighed 16 to 20 pounds limiting aircraft time on station and had a max depth of about 50'.  This one is 15" long, about 3" dia and weighs about 5 pounds with a max depth of 300'.  also see 3047259 Speed brake retarding mechanism for an air-dropped store, George J Tatnall, Albert F Scarcelli, Navy, 1962-07-31, -

3116471 Radio sonobuoy system, Jesse J Coop, Dec 31, 1963, 367/3, 367/5, 367/113, 367/101, 367/126, 367/115, 318/638 -  In the present invention a multi-beam directional hydrophone is utilized in a radio sonobuoy system whereby an immediate quadrant location and an accurate distance measurement of a reflecting object from the multi-beam directional sonobuoy can be obtained from a single pressure pulse generated in the water area of interest.  - DIFAR

3444508 Directional sonar system, Ernest A Granfors, Don L Loveless, Charles F Boyle, Harry W Kompanek, Sparton, 1969-05-13, - DIFAR sonobuoy

3727177 Short schuler attitude/heading reference system, F Fuller, D Walters, Navy, 1973-04-10, - orthogonal flux gate magnetometers mounted on a compound pendulum
3818523 Steven L. Stillman
3987404 Underwater Direction Finding System is the patent that defines how a directional (the DI in DIFAR) sonobuoy can be made.

3987404 Underwater Direction Finding System, Sanders, (filed: Nov 3 1967) Issued: Oct 19, 1976, 367/3; 367/125; 367/126 - "An underwater direction finding system includes a pair of directional hydrophones and a compass in a novel arrangement which associates the signals from all three elements with a single subcarrier.  Subsequent demodulation of the subcarrier signals in an airplane or ship then provides directional information directly referrenced to the earth's magnetic coordinates." Calls: US2754493 Indicator for Sound Direction Finder Feb 4, 1955 1956 LIPPEL US2837730 Deflection Method for CRT Aug 4, 1952 Jun 3, 1958 IAUAEM US2867788 Object Locating Systems (sub hunting) Feb 27, 1943 Jan 6, 1959 HARRY US3022462 Frequency Modulation Detector System (see below) Jan 19, 1953 Feb 20, 1962 FREQUENCY MODULATION DETECTOR SYSTEM US3148351 Directional Hydrophone System (see below) Jun 12, 1961 Sep 8, 1964 FILTER US3160850 Underwater Locating Apparatus (Glomar Explorer?) Dec 27, 1960 Dec 8, 1964 DUDLEY US3176262 Directional Sonar Systems (dipping SONAR) Apr 6, 1960 Mar 30, 1965 EHRLICH ETAL, DIRECTIONAL SONAR SYSTEMS Raytheon Referenced by: US4872146 May 23, 1988 Oct 3, 1989 Canadian Patents & Development Limited Method and apparatus for simulating phase coherent signal reflections in media containing randomly distributed targets US4879694 Mar 4, 1988 Nov 7, 1989 Rockwell International Corporation Difar demultiplexer circuit US5253223 Apr 27, 1992 Oct 12, 1993 Den Norske Stats Oljeselskap A.S. Seismic device US5265066 Apr 27, 1992 Nov 23, 1993 Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s Seismic cable US5442590 Apr 27, 1992 Aug 15, 1995 Den norske stats oljeselskap a.s Seismic cable device US6108270 Jul 6, 1999 Aug 22, 2000 Torpedo seeker head having directional detection independent of frequency US6622647 Jun 26, 2001 Sep 23, 2003 Active noise cancellation for a torpedo seeker head US8059485 Jun 4, 2008 Nov 15, 2011 NEC Corporation Communication system, information collecting method and base station apparatus

3461421 Advanced Direction Finding Sonobuoy System, (Collins Radio), Aug 12, 1969, 367/124; 367/3; 367/6; 367/125; 367/126; 367/128 - 4 hydrophones & magnetometer for buoy azimuth

Calls:
2898589 Hemispherical Acoustic Phase Compensator, F.R. Abbott, Aug 4, 1959,
3022462 Frequency Modulation Detector System, Philco, Feb 20, 1962, - sonobuoy to aircraft

sonobuoy includes mag bearing and hydrophone.
Calls:
2476301
2631270

3148351 Directional Hydrophone System, Bartlett Labs, Sep 8, 1964, 367/125; 367/3; 367/124

Calls:
2903673
2946980
2977570
3000078
3027627
3030606

3239799 Sonar Directional Beam Focusing System, GE, Mar 8, 1966,

Referenced by:

			ignee	Title
US4078222	Nov 20, 1969	Mar 7, 1978	The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy	Direction determining apparatus
US4371957	Dec 12, 1969	Feb 1, 1983	Her Majesty the Queen in right of Canada, as represented by the Minister of National Defence	Antisubmarine warfare system
US4604733	Jan 3, 1984	Aug 5, 1986	Westinghouse Electric Corp.	Apparatus for determining range and bearing
US4653033	Oct 4, 1984	Mar 24, 1987	Thomson-CSF	Goniotelemetry system
US4691305	Sep 5, 1985	Sep 1, 1987	The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air force	Automatic attenuator for sonobuoys
US4872146	May 23, 1988	Oct 3, 1989	Canadian Patents & Development Limited	Method and apparatus for simulating phase coherent signal reflections in media containing randomly distributed targets
US4914734	Jul 21, 1989	Apr 3, 1990	The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force	Intensity area correlation addition to terrain radiometric area correlation
US5859915	Apr 30, 1997	Jan 12, 1999	American Technology Corporation	Lighted enhanced bullhorn
US5885129	Mar 25, 1997	Mar 23, 1999	American Technology Corporation	Directable sound and light toy
US7088830	Mar 18, 2002	Aug 8, 2006	American Technology Corporation	Parametric ring emitter
US7109789	Jan 21, 2003	Sep 19, 2006	American Technology Corporation	Modulator—amplifier
US7224219	Sep 18, 2006	May 29, 2007	American Technology Corporation	Modulator-amplifier
US7564981	Oct 21, 2004	Jul 21, 2009	American Technology Corporation	Method of adjusting linear parameters of a parametric ultrasonic signal to reduce non-linearities in decoupled audio output waves and system including same

4017822 Bearing determining apparatus including single channel multiplexing, William T. Rusch, Navy, App: 1969-11-24, SECRET, Pub: 1977-04-12, - DIFAR system

4114137 Directional sonobuoy, Russell I. Mason, John R. Dale, Secretary Of The Navy, Filed: Dec 19, 1974, Pub: Sep 12, 1978, 367/171, 441/1, 441/28 -

Earth's Field Magnetic Detectors

Also see my Flux Gate patents web page.

2252059 Method and a device for determining the magnitudes of magnetic fields, Gustav Barth, Priority Dec 24, 1936, Pub Aug 12, 1941 - rod fluxgate
2560132 Unbalanced magnetometer, Schmitt Otto H, Jul 10, 1951, 324/255, 340/870.33 - second harmonic
2488341 Detection system, Thaddeus Slonczewski, Bell Telephone Labor Inc, Nov 15, 1949, 324/246, 340/870.33, 324/254, 324/253 - moving parts

Calls:
2485931 Magnetic field strength indicator - no moving parts
2468968 Magnetic field strength indicator
2027393 Cathode ray device
2047609 Magnetic field direction and intensity finder
2053154 Direct-current indicator
2438964 Magnetic field detector - second harmonic magnetometer

Magnetic buoy

2397137 Magnetic controlling device, Glennon James B, Maltby Wilson R, Sellman Albert H, filed Jun 25, 1941, pub Mar 26, 1946, 340/850, 324/259, 340/551, 102/417

2644243 Control compass, George E Breeze, Russell I Mason, Us Navy, Filed: Nov 20, 1944, Pub: Jul 7, 1953, 361/280, 33/363.00Q -  for use in sonobuoy, eliminates vertical component of Earth's mag field for more accurate mag bearing (for: DIFAR)    

3526002 Magnebuoy, Ramond C Waddel, Filing date Mar 31, 1960, Publication dateAug 25, 1970 (maybe withheld secret), 340/852

Reserve Batteries

First generation sonobuoys and radiosondes used Zinc Carbon batteries, like were used to power contemporary tube radios.  But within a year or less both sonobuoys and radiosondes switched to water activated reserve batteries.

It's interesting that the radiosonde design treats the battery as a non furnished item to be installed by the end user.  They were packaged in sealed tin cans (Wiki) that were vacuum sealed (like coffee) and will last for many decades.  But the sonobuoy design has the battery built into the unit and is not at all user serviceable.  The sealing I've seen on sonobuoys is not good enough to keep atmospheric moisture from getting to the battery and that means some of the sonobuoys will no work at all or will have a life shorter than expected because of battery degradation.

The reserve batteries used in proximity fuzed artillery shells have the electrolyte sealed in glass ampules and so have a shelf life of many many decades.

Reserve batteries have the electrolyte and anode separated.  This allows them to be stored for more than a decade and still retain their full capacity when activated.  Example applications are hearing
aid batteries, artillery shells and sonobuoys, weather balloons, torpedoes.  Also see Proximity Fuze Reserve Battery glass bulbs (Christmas tree lights)

Salt water activated magnesium

Because of the green particles that can be seen on the black plastic I suspect the chemistry is one of the following in the SSQ-53B:

• Magnesium/Cuprous Chloride
• Magnesium/Cuprous Iodide-Sulfer
• Magnesium/CuprousThiocyanate-Sulfer

Reserve Battery Patents

A reserve battery is one where the electrolyte is stored seperated from the electrodes.  They can sit for decades and when activated (heat, water, gas, mechanical force) are then a battery.
Wiki: Water-activated battery

2474716 Salt-water battery, John T Beechlyn, Submarine Signal Co, Filed: Sep 18, 1944 (5 year delay), Pub: Jun 28, 1949, 429/82, 429/94, 429/119 - light buoy.  Iron and Magnesium
2491640 Deferred action battery, Ivan C Blake, Lawrence H Harriss, John B Mullen, Burgess Battery, App: 1945-06-20, W.W.II, Pub: 1949-12-20, 429/119; 429/152 - continuous immersion on water OK, for light or radio
2590584 Sea Water Battery, Bel Tel Labs, Mar 25 1952, 429/119; 429/152; 429/231.6 - silver chloride on silver & magnesium electrodes in salt water.
2640090 Battery, Leo E Pucher, William A Cunningham, Willard Storage Battery, 1953-05-26, - water activated reserve battery
2669596 Reserve Battery Enclosure, Navy, Feb 16 1954, 429/8; 116/1; 429/119 -
2684395 Electric battery, Melvin F Chubb, Eagle Picher, 1954-07-20, - for balloon use "The invention is disclosed in relation to battery cells comprising a magnesium metal cuprous chloride couple, with water as the electrolyte."
2699461 Defered Action Battery, Burgess, Jan 11 1955, 429/119; 429/152; 429/162 -
2715652 Electric Battery for Airborne Equipment, Eagle-Picher Co, Aub 16 1955, 429/118; 429/152; 429/162 : -40 to 160 def F operation
3148090 Salt water battery, Saslow Seymour, Espey Mfg & Electronics, 1964-09-08, - polystyrene sheets & seperators - much easier to make and lasts 50% longer
3178316 Reserve Battery, Servel Inc, Apr 13, 1965, 429/119; 429/130; 429/210 -
3343988 Saltwater battery, Jr Lloyd Lowndes Friend, Espey Mfg & Electronics, 1967-09-26, -

A typical specification for a nominal 60-hour sonobuoy battery of the magnesium-silver chloride type will call for a voltage of 15.0+/-0.5 volts when discharged continuously for its full life into a resistive load of 60 ohms (nominal discharge current of 0.250 ampere) under variations in saltwater temperature from 0 C. to --30 C. and under variations in the saline content of the water from 1.5 to 3.0 percent.
A typical magnesium-silver chloride battery specification will call for the output voltage to reach a minimum maintained level of 14.5 volts in 120 seconds after activation under the load conditions described above.

For a nominal 60-hour battery of the magnesium-cuprous chloride type, a typical specification will call for a voltage of 14.6+/-1.0 volts when discharged continuously into a resistive load of 66 ohms (nominal discharge current of 0.212 ampere) under variations in saltwater temperature from 0° C. to -30° C. and under variations in the saline content of the water from 1.5 to 3.6 percent.
A typical magnesium-cuprous chloride battery specification will call for the output voltage to reach a level of 11.0 volts in 60 seconds and a minimum maintained level of 13.6 volts in 180 seconds under the load conditions described above.

3462309 Magnesium anode primary cell, Burton J Wilson, Navy, 1969-08-19, - "... low voltage power sources for operation of sea based devices such as sonar buoys and light beacons. "
3767933 Power Supply having a Plurality of Power Sources that are Sequentially Placed on the Load One at a Time, Oct 23 1973 307/48; 307/66 -
3966497 Seawater Battery, ESB Inc, Jun 29 1976, 429/119 -
4601961 Bilaminar Seawater Battery, Navy, Jul 22, 1986, 429/119; 429/127 -

Calls:
5395707 Environmentally safe water-activated battery, ACR Elec, Mar 7 1995, 429/119; 429/128; 429/130 -

Salt water activated silver chloride

2564495 Deferred action primary battery, John B Mullen, Burgess Battery Co, Filed: Feb 27, 1947, Pub: Aug 14, 1951, 429/119, 429/152 - plain water activation, for radio B+  
2637756 Deferred action battery, Joseph J Coleman, Milton E Wilke, Burgess Battery Co, May 5, 1953, 429/119 -    
2655551 Magnesium-cuprous chloride reserve battery, Sec of Army, Filed: Jul 31, 1950, Pub: Oct 13, 1953, 429/119, 429/152 - "Deferred action batteries of the magnesium water-cuprous chloride type have attained considerable importance as "meterological' or 'one shot' batteries due to their high capacity per unit of weight and volume, their excellent Operatting characteristics even at low temperatures and their ease of activation with water."
2699461 Deferred action battery, Milton E Wilke, Burgess Battery Co, Jan 11, 1955, 429/119, 429/152, 429/162 - water activated 

The following water activated batteries are probably all for uses relating to weather balloons or Radiosonde battery use.
BA-259 Water Activated Battery, NSN: 6135-00-635-6370, Eagle-Picher Ind. Colorado Springs: A: 1.5 & 6  Volts, B: 115 Volts
BA-292.AM Water Activated Battery, NSN: 6223-00-032-2387, Wisco Div, ESB Inc, Raleigh NC - for flashlight bulb on balloon
BA-380/AMQ-9, NSN: 6135-753-2276, Ray-O-Vac division, Mfg Co. Wonewoc, Wisconsin - for AMQ-9

Light, Emergency Sea Rescue Marker

A water activated battery powers a GE 131 flashlight lamp (1.3 Volts, 1.3 Watts, i.e. draws 1 Amp)

Box Stk. No. 6230-299-5653 Type J-2, with Water Activated Battery. Spec. MIL-L-7396A(ASG) Application: Life Rafts One Each    Item No. 4 Contract No. AF 30(635)-23525 Fulton Mfg. Corp. Mfg/Contr., Wauseon, Ohio A-1 A8-  8/61 Reinspection Date.......... 8/64

Plastic Housing Light Sea Rescue Marker Type J-2   MIL-L-7368A(ASC) Specification Part No. N-45A Fulton Mfg. Corp. U.S. ---------------------------------------------- Caution: Do Not Remove Plug for Inspection.

Photos

Fig 1  Box

Fig 2 The Aluminum tube is to protect the plastic light housing from being broken and is supposed to be in place when deployed.

Fig 3 There are loose crystals in the left end. There is a small opening that shows up as a light circle about where the rubber plug is located.

Related Marker Lights:

SDU-30
SDU-5/E
A-7 AAF Flashlight Floating Identification (on One Man Life Raft web page)

Table of Sonobuoys

Naval Consolidated Sonobuoys @FAS -

	Function	Start	End	Links
AN/CRT-1	5 vacuum tubes single channel FM transmitter between 67 & 72 Mhz. See Roswell Connection below where this was used with "disk microphones" on Project Mogul CANADIAN LANCASTER - AN/CRT-1 SONOBUOY SYSTEM - drawing of aircraft equipment & buoy Chapter 16 - SOFAR, HARBOR DEFENSE, AND OTHER SONAR SYSTEMS Naval History - RADAR - MAD and CRT-1 CRT-1A: 67.7 to 71.7 MHz CRT-1B: 62.9 to 66.9 MHz	Jun 1942
AN/CRT-4	RDRH Mechanical rotation of hydrophone (Ref 6)  also see SSQ-53 DIFAR patents,	Feb 1943
AN/CRT-1A	6 channels	1944
AN/CRT-1B	separate web page (Differences to -1 and -1A? Let me know)
AN/SSQ-1 1951 Ref 6	upgraded CRT-4 15 kHz to 17 kHz rotating directional, Magnavox, B-size (6-7/8" dia x 5' long).  60 lbs. The US bought the SSQ-20 (UK T-1946)  while the bugs were worked out of the SSQ-1.	SSQ-20 until 1954
SSQ-2 1956 Ref 6	Magnavox & Bell Labs. Jerry Proc SSQ-2B - 4 blade "rotochute"		15 Feb 1955
1950 start of: LOFAR Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS, Wiki)
SSQ-20		1951
SSQ-2B	Julie explosive	1956
AN/SSQ-15 1961 Ref 6	Julie RO B-size, Tx 26 kHz to 38 kHz CW,
SSQ-23 1957 Ref 6	Julie  100 to 3000 Hz	1956	19 Nov 1964
SSQ-28	Jezebel-LOFAR Photos from John M	1960	19 Nov 1964
SSQ-36	BT  Moved to the Bathythermographs\SSQ-36 web page. The BT sonobuoy is an expendable thermal gradient measurement sonobuoy that operates on one of three or one of 99 Radio Frequency (RF) channels. It consists of a thermistor (Wiki) temperature probe that descends through the bottom of the sonobuoy canister producing a continuous reading of temperature versus depth. The thermistor temperature probe will descend to 1000, 2000, or 2625 feet, depending upon the sonobuoy selected. 2017 Oct 11 - Navy places order for 166,500 anti-submarine warfare (ASW) sonobuoys - many types including -36, -53, -62, -101, 110, -125, Mk-84 2019 Dec 20 - 600 AN/SSQ-36/53/62 Sonobuoys to Denmark
SSQ-38	30 day omni-directional LOFAR (replaced SSQ-28) 10 to 6,000 Hz 31 chan	1964	1 June 1961
SSQ-41 1965 Ref 6 SSQ53A/Ref24&25	single hydrophone, Rx: 10-20,000 Hz replaced both SSQ-23 & SSQ-28 ARR-52 receiver (or ARR-75 with AN/UYS-1, i.e. modern displays) Made in large numbers for the Navy.	1964
SSQ-47 late 1960s Ref 6	(replaced SSQ-15 Julie explosive system) Tx (once every 10 seconds): 13 kHz to19 kHz active ping omni directional range only replaced by SSQ-50	1968
SSQ-48	replaced by SSQ-41B		26 Feb 1981
SSQ-50 1970s Ref 6	CASS Command Activated Sonobuoy System, A-size, Pings only on UHF radio command. Tx: 6.5 to 9.5 kHz. replace the SSQ-47 in 31 Second Generation Channel frequency plan.
SSQ-53 1965 Ref 6	31 RF Channels 10 Hz - 2.4 kHz 90 feet fixed depth		Sep 1967
SSQ-53A 1979 (YouTube)	90 or 1000' depth 1 or 8 hours YouTube: FixitFrank: SS-Q53A Hydrophone Sonobuoy Teardown Part 1 - Jun 22, 2021, 2:14:40
SSQ-53B	DIFAR fitted with microprocessor controlled EFS capabilities, with three depth selections [100, 400 or 1000 feet], three operating time selections of 1, 3 or 8 hours, 99 vhf channels. Operation Before inserting the launch tube into the aircraft chute the sonobuoy is programmed for operational life, channel number and depth by using the SET button.  If done incorrectly pulling the TEST plug for a few seconds will allow reprogramming.  Power for this comes from a couple of coin cell batteries.  The correct programming can be confirmed by pressing and holding the VERIFY button for a couple of seconds. When forced from the aircraft chute by means of compressed air the lid is blown off the launch tube deploying the parachute on the metal sonobuoy housing.  The plastic launch tube stays in the chute. When the metal sonobuoy (Fig 53-8)  impacts the water is starts to sink and water activates the reserve battery.  As soon as the battery has power (probably within a few seconds) the squib retaining the large spring allows an arm to puncture a compressed gas bottle inflating the buoy/antenna (Fig 53-17).  At the same time, depending on the programmed depth one or both rods (Fig 53-21) are driven down to set the amount of cable that will unspool controlling depth of the sensor.  A very short time later the three main components of the sonobuoy are separated as the metal outer housing is blown clear and sinks. With power the radio transmitter begins to send it's signal. The duration may be determined by a simple electric timer that shuts off the transmitter after the programmed time, or . . .  there may be some provision to do more? Although very old I believe this unit would still work. Fig 53-1 Launch Tube 5-3/8" diz x 39-5/8" long dated 5/87 - it's 12/11 now so this is just under 25 years old. The shipping container probably was left on the ground. If you know the deployment sequence let me know what it is. Fig 53-2 Top: Channel (01 to 99), Duration (1, 3 or 8 hrs), Depth (90, 400 or 1000) Ft., Verify What was a transparent membrane has aged and is falling apart.  When intact would provide a moisture barrier so the discussant could keep the inside dry. Fig 53-3 Sonobuoy Launch Container LAU/126A NOO 83-86-C-0007 .OT 036 Fig 53-4 LAU/126A Launch Container Cap Fig 53-5 Cap Off by removing 4 black plastic clips It's not clear how the sonobuoy was programmed and in what order loaded into the aircraft launch chute. Fig 53-6 Inside the Launch Tube, marked: Caution: - Disengage before launch Caution: Spring Loaded Fig 53-7 SSQ-53B Ready to launch (string holding spring snare) The metal SSQ-53B housing is 4-3/4" O.D. The label just to the right of the depth scale says: WARNING Remove Plug Prior to Test EFS Battery may be damaged if pins 1 and 2  are shorted or voltage is applied across pins 1 and 2. Voltage applied to pin 3 may cause high velocity ejection of top plate. Reinstall plug before use. Fig 53-8 With parachute deployed The gray plastic cap was preyed off instead of submerging in water and dissolving the two metal links? Fig 53-9 There are three functional parts.  The right is the antenna-buoy cover and receiver/transmitter, the center is cable spools and the bottom (left) is the sensor. Fig 53-10 Three Major Components: Left: Radio, Antenna, Battery Center: cable Right: Sensor Fig 53-11 Sensor, marked: Sparton Corporation 120-0127-002 Clock Number: 0358     Date 06/03/87 {bar code] SIN: -67.1 db    COS: -68.4 db      OMNI: -72.1 db the latter three parameters are related to the DIFAR aspect of the sensor. The black cylinder hanging out the bottom is probably the omni hydrophone. Note:  There's a single green/white wire (cable) going to/coming from the sensor. I expect it's a small coax cable, but it remains to be seen. Fig 53-12  Radio Buoy Fig 53-13 With cap pulled off and buoy opened, but not inflated. There appears to be small wire antenna with a resistor at the top. Fig 53-14  Test Socket & Memory Battery Test Socket cap held by O-Ring, need big pliers to pull/twist it out. There was a jumper plug  in the socket, more later. Memory Battery and PCBs There's a big spring that can puncture what's probably a good size CO2 cylinder in order to inflate the buoy/antenna.  There's what looks like a fusible link holding the spring in tension that could trigger the gas. Also at the bottom of the PCB chamber there are a couple of lever arms that have a resistor wrapped around their ends.  If the resistor was exploded (over powered) then it would release these arms to do something (maybe control the depth through the cable spools? The two coin cells are in the white plastic holder.  They provide about 6 Volts and are still good. On the left board there are three red wires (Battery +), a bare stub where I wiggled off the battery + wire, and a yellow wire (to socket pin 3).  The bare wire at the top (just under the coin cells) that's soldered to a lug on the central metal plate is ground (same as the cast metal frame where the battery- wire connects.). Fig 53-16 Battery Fig 53-17 Main Battery held to cylinder with double sided foam tape. 1 lb 11 oz. 4-1/4" hi x 3-1/8" w x 2-9/16" d (11 x 8 x 6 cm) There is a hole on two sides just under the top cover to allow water to enter. This is a water activated reserve battery. 1986 Mfg date. Fig 53-18 In the other photos you can see green deposits on the inside of the radio/buoy black plastic.  I think that's because this reserve battery contains Copper in a form that allows it to escape.  This may be a limiting factor for the shelf life.  The Copper deposits are probably the result of the failure of the moisture proof membrane that covers the programming push button switches.   Once the moisture in the air gets to the reserve battery it's going to become a carrier for the copper and also will lower the battery capacity. Idea:  Rather than depend on the moisture proof membrane (and Desiccant (Wiki)) to keep the reserve battery fresh, it should be in a compartment that's sealed until the metal housing is separated from the launch tube.. 2021 July 29 -  That idea will not work.  The battery must allow sea water to enter the instant the sonobuoy is in the ocean.  It will sink below the surface for some distance as the battery activates then when it does activate it will trigger the float.  A better idea might be to use peel off plastic like is used on Zinc-Air batteries to keep them fresh.  Maybe a way can be found so that happens when the parachute opens? The two coin cells are still good condition after almost 25 years since this was manufactured.   4262069 Lead chloride battery plate, John L. Devitt, Douglas E. Johnson, Robert S. Willard, Sparton Corporation, Apr 14, 1981 - Cites: 3468710 Sea water battery, Jerome Goodman, Philip I Krasnow, Nuclear Research Associates, Sep 23, 1969 - Cites: 2692215 Alkaline dry cell, Ruben Samuel, Oct 19, 1954 - 3005864 Sea water battery, Duncan T Sharpe, Bell Telephone Lab, Filed: Mar 29 (16 year delay), 1945, Pub: Oct 24, 1961 - maybe the Mk 18 torpedo (Wiki) Fig 53-19  High Pressure Gas bottle to inflate buoy/antenna There are three PCBs: Blue: modulator & RF exciter Green:  I/O panel Tan: RF Power Amp Fig 53-20 Test Socket Message Socket Pin Ohms to Gnd Ohms to Bat+ Plug 1 1M8 1M8 1-7 2 876k 1M4 3Note1 >1M 0.2 3-4 4 0.2 405k 3-4 5 1M 1M 6 1M 1M 7 0.1 405k 1-7 Note 1: pin 3 is connected to one side of the squib that can cut the lanyard holding the arm that will puncture the high pressure gas for deploying the buoy/antenna. Pins 7 & 4 are connected to the ground bulkhead (0.0 Ohms). Pin 3 is connected to the red battery wire (0.0 Ohms) The jumper plug connects: 1 to 7 3 to 4 With the jumper plug removed: Red test lead to red battery wire (black lead to ground) = 1M00 Ohms Black test lead to red battery wire (red lead to ground) = 401k Ohms Pin 1 is connected to the negative (black wire) leading from the two stacked coin cells). The jumper plug connects pin 1 to pin 7.  Pin 7 is connected to the micro controller.  So these two pins relate to zeroing the programming. If you have information on how the test socket is used please let me know. Fig 53-32 Test Socket Schematic See Fig 55-29 & Fig 53-31 for photo of Fuse 1 (LE  1A) A few of possible reasons for placing a fuse directly across the reserve battery.  One or more of them might be the reason. For Now I'll just remove the fuse. 1) Shorting the main power supply protects the squibs from being fired by static     or electromagnetic fields (like high power transmitters on board ships). 2) The reserve battery may activate better with a heavily loaded.  Note:  The      BA-4386 Magnesium battery needs to see a heavy load in order to fully activate. 3) When the fuse blows the battery is delivering at least 1 amp and that surge current      would next go to blowing the squibs.  This might be more reliable than ramping up      the squib voltage. Pins 5 & 6 each connect to one of the pins on the micro controller.  The Test plug (cable) probably has a jumper between pins 1 & 7 to connect the EFS (coin cell) battery thus powering the micro controller, and when it's powered up the test socket pins 5 & 6 can be used.  But for what?  Data In/Out, firmware programming, verification check sum, something to do with the hard wired option jumper to the upper right of the LCD housing? let me know.  Fig 53-21 Buttons (now working) maybe because of cycling the plug. Pressing and holding Verify for a couple of seconds will show the function settings. To change the settings the plug must be removed for a few seconds. Pressing SET starts the channel number counting 0 to 9 to 0. Pressing SET fixes the tens digit and the units start counting pressing set fixes the channel number and the life bars start cycling.  Pressing SET sets the life and then the depth bars start cycling, pressing SET fixes the depth.  Now pressing Verify for a few seconds will display the function settings. They were set for: 1 hr, chan 63 & 1000' Now set for 3 hrs, chan 54 and 400'. Fig 53-22 EFS LCD (plug shown installed) Fig 53-23 Depth Selection The two levers are either in the position shown or they are pushed toward the center to select how much cable is deployed.  The selection is made by the two blue plastic actuators using a push (or pull) of the rod with the spring.  Note this rod is smooth and would not support a rotary motion.  Also the two levers in the bottom of the radio compartment work in an up or down fashion, not in a rotary fashion.  See Fig 53-9 and a close up from it Fig 53-22 below.. Fig 53-24 Close up photo of depth selection blue plastic parts. Fig 53-25 Cutting Squib Wires Three red wires have been cut deactivating the three squibs so DC power can be applied. Test Socket Resistance readings after cutting the wires: Pin Ohm to Gnd Ohms to Bat + Plug 1 1M9 OL 1-7 2 860K OL 3 >1M 1.9 3-4 4 0.6 >1M 3-4 5 1M0 1M3 6 1M0 1M6 7 0.5 1.9 1-7 Gnd to Batt+ (w/0 Plug) = 1M0 Gnd to Batt+ (w Plug) =  0.7 There is still a dead short across the battery terminals! pin3 is yellow wire to Battery + terminal (and red wires) pin 4 is the metal frame (battery -) the black battery wire with the internal tooth lug. This is confusing. The hi pres gas squib is 36.2 Ohms. One of the depth squibs is 18.5 Ohms (red to violet) not to ground. The other depth squib is 18.3 Ohms (red to blue) not to ground. These may be 1/8 Watt 18 Ohm resistors. Rated power would be at 1.5 Volts, 10X power at 4.7V, 100X power at 15 Volts, so if the battery is about 15 volts the resistors would fail mechanically. Note the plug must be installed for the programming to work, so operation without the plug is not an option.   The plug has a jumper between pins 3 and 4 that is part of the path shorting the battery + and - terminals. The coax feeding the antenna reads 42.7 Ohms.(resistor is Yel-Org-Blk-Red) Fig 53-26 Green Cable 10K0 Ohms either polarity. This joint is located on the black plastic bottom plate of the Transmitter section. White to White, Green to Green. See: Fig 53-10 and Fig 53-12. How to take apart the transmitter?  It may be possible to push everything out the bottom, but that would break the two push button switches.  Probably the best way is to saw from top to bottom at two places 180 degrees apart. Fig 53-27 The switch buttons are mechanical working through a rubber boot and can be pulled out of the plastic housing. After letting the top sit overnight after applying some Kroil to the joint between the plastic housing and the metal plate with O-ring seal the assembly pressed out the bottom easily.  It was necessary to un-solder the antenna cable and the green wire to isolate the top section. Fig 53-28 RF Amplifier Tan PCB from top section The antenna was connected at the top of this board where the notch is. Gnd to the left and center to the right of the notch. This is probably the Tx power amplifier and antenna matching/filtering board. Fig 53-29  Command and Control Board Green PCB from top section. This is the digital board. I doubt the micro controller is doing anything with the sensor data, so it's probably running at a very slow clock frequency to conserve power. So there's no need for a crystal for it. There are three 2N6724 2 Watt NPN Darlington transistors just to the left of the push buttons used for firing the three squibs.  The collectors go to the squibs and all three emitters are connected to the bulkhead ground plate. Top: RF Amp board depth squib Center: Synth board depth squib Bottom: CO2 Maybe the transistor that blows the antenna squib is on the RF amp board? or maybe it's just the battery? Above the upper right corner of the black plastic LCD housing there is a row of 6 holes and a jumper is installed in the right most of these.   What option is this selecting?  Let me know. Fig 53-30  Synthesizer and Modulator Board Blue PCB from top section. This board interfaces with the sensor package. The crystal at the lower left is marked: 10.2985 MHz.  This is a non standard value, see my Crystals web page. Maybe related to the DIFAR spectrum. This board seems to be mostly analog in nature. On the bulkhead plate at the bottom there are the two depth programming levers. As shown the squibs (resistors) are intact and the lever is held in the down position. The two rods are spring loaded and trying to lift up.  When the squibs are broken the depth programming rods are forced up by their spring. At the bottom right the green/white sensor cable can bee seen coming through a hole and its connection to two pads. All three squibs measure 500K Ohms to Bat+ and open to Ground.  So they are not causing the dead battery short. The date codes on the ICs are 1984, 1985 & 1987. 6 Jan 2012 - New Idea about the direct battery short. The short may be part of a Safe And Arm system that would prevent the buoy from becoming active prior to an actual launch.  This may be a common system used not only on sonobuoys but also things like countermeasures equipment like flares and chaff dispensers. If that's the case then something about the pneumatic launch would disable the short. Fig 53-31  Fuse on digital PCB This appears to be the cause of the dead short across the reserve battery terminals. Power Up (with sensor disconnected, antenna attached) For about 15 seconds the current is in the 30 ma range then jumps up to150 to 200 ma when the transmitter turns on. After battery power the Verify button does not work. The battery voltage appears on the green/white cable. On reconnecting the green cable between the floating buoy and the sensor. Buoy The resistance between the two wires and ground is: left: 1M and right 10k. The resistance between the two wires and Batt+  is: left: 0.2  and right  1M Sensor The resistance between either wire and the sensor metal is an open circuit. So as of 12 Jan 2012 it's still not clear how to be sure the polarity is correct to reconnect the sensor. Thanks to Ugo in Italy there are two conductors in the cable, one supplies power to the sensor package (which has input filter caps) and the other is the audio signal to be modulated onto the transmitter.  Seawater forms a ground return between the floating transmitter and the sensor.  This is confirmed by the book The Ears of Air ASW. pg 241 (Ref 2)		1984
SSQ-53D	Dwarf "G" size version of the B	1991
SSQ-53D	DIFAR only sensor, 90, 400 or 1000 feet, no CFS -53D(2) 5 Hz - 2.4 kHz 1/2, 1, 2, 4 or 8 hours -53D(3) sea state 6 ---------------- Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-53D DIFAR sonobuoy incorporates the Electronic Function Select (EFS) capability which provides the operator with the capability of electronically selecting one of the available 99 RF channels, sonobuoy life of one-half, one, two, four, or eight hours, and hydrophone depth of 90, 400, or 1000 feet. The AN/SSQ-53D also has improved suspension, wider sonic response curve, and electronic upgrades compared to previous DIFAR sonobuoys.	2003
SSQ-53E	Digital version Additional hydrophone @ 45' for CSO CFS 100, 200, 400 or 1000 feet AGC 91.44 cm long ----------------------- Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-53E DIFAR sonobuoy incorporates Command Function Select (CFS). Through CFS, a suitably equipped ASW aircraft can transmit Ultra High Frequency (UHF) radio commands to the sonobuoy. These commands select Very High Frequency (VHF) operation (on/off), hydrophone reception (Constant Shallow Omni (CSO)/Normal, Automatic Gain Control (AGC) operation (on/off), and change RF channel frequency. The CSO is an omnidirectional hydrophone positioned at a depth setting of 45 feet. It is less sensitive than the normal DIFAR hydrophone, but is useful against an evasive submarine. AGC selection provides the operator additional flexibility when operating in a noisy environment. The ability to select VHF operation and change RF channels enhances operations in the littoral environment. Also, the AN/SSQ-53E includes an additional 200 feet EFS depth setting.
SSQ-53F	DIFAR, CSO made by combining the 305 cm long SSQ-53E & SSQ-57 NSN 5845-01-475-9870 adds CO hydrophone with directional units (replaces SSQ-57) CFS Rx - single channel UHF Tx - 96 selectable frequencies (136 - 173.5 MHz), 1W 90, 200, 400, 1000 Ft. "In order to process the DIFAR 53F, a demodulator strips the NEMA GPS stream off a 30 kHz carrier on each audio channels before transmitting it through a 232 serial interface to the STB (SDR System Test Bed), which has a component that reads this serial stream and parses the associated NEMA GPS messages for use by the system." TM2011-140_i.pdf	2000
SSQ-57A 1970s Ref 6	Calibrated-LOFAR -57 Rx: 10 to 10,000 Hz, -57A Rx: 10 to 20,000 Hz. See separate web page	1972
SSQ-57B	Ref 32: The LOFAR sonobuoy is an expendable, omnidirectional passive sonar unit. It consists of an omnidirectional hydrophone that descends through the bottom of the sonobuoy canister to a pre-selected depth. The LOFAR operates from one of 31 RF channels preset during manufacturing. There is a selectable operating life of one, three, or eight hours and selectable operating depth of 90 or 400 feet.
SSQ-62 late 1970s Ref 6	DICASS Directional Command Activated Sonobuoy System FM sweeps (FM-CW allows determining range (Wiki) a 4-hour life and 50 seconds of ping time, provides an instant range and bearing to the contact for each command and active ping. 99 channel Third generation frequency plan.	1976
SSQ-62B	Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-62B DICASS may be command activated to change depth, to activate sonar transmissions and to scuttle the sonobuoy. The AN/SSQ-62B DICASS operates on one of four preset sonar channels and one of 31 preset RF channels. These channels are preset by the manufacturer and cannot be changed. Upon deployment, the AN/SSQ-62B DICASS will initially deploy to a depth of 90 feet. Upon receipt of a command signal, the transducer will deploy to a depth of 400 or 1500 feet.
SSQ-62C	Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-62C DICASS also operates on one of 86 preset sonar channels. The channels are preset prior to flight to one of 86 preset RF channels that correspond with the preset sonar channel. Upon deployment, the AN/SSQ-62C DICASS will initially deploy to a depth of 90 feet. Upon receipt of a command signal, the transducer will deploy to a depth of 400 feet or 1500/2500 feet. The 1500 or 2500 foot depth option must be selected through the EFS during preflight.	1993
SSQ-62D	Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-62D DICASS has been improved with the replacement of the lithium chemistry battery with a thermal battery. Additionally, the sonobuoy includes the EFS option of selectable depth families. During preflight, either a shallow or deep family of depth option shall be selected. If the shallow family is selected, depth settings of 50, 150, or 300 feet are available. If the deep family is selected, depth settings of 90, 400, and 1500 are available. These depth options provide sufficient flexibility for both littoral and open ocean ASW operations.
SSQ-62E	Command Function Select Electronic Function Select 96 chan 136.000 - 173.500 MHz CW Out: 6.5, 7.5, 8.5 or 9.5 kHz -------------------------- Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-62E DICASS includes the following improvements and modifications to the AN/SSQ-62D DICASS design. It incorporates CFS, allowing a suitably equipped ASW aircraft to transmit UHF radio commands to the sonobuoy. These commands select VHF operation (on/off), change RF channel frequency and associated sonar channel frequency, change sonar frequency independently, and change depth setting. These features all provide enhancements for both deep water and littoral ASW environments. Additionally, the AN/SSQ-62E DICASS will include all four available sonar channel frequencies into a single sonobuoy which provides significant logistics savings.			Sonobuoy Tech Systems
SSQ-77 1970s Ref 6	VLAD
SSQ-77A 1981 Ref 6	VLAD (Vertical Line Array DIFAR)	1981
SSQ-77B	" more hydrophones, 2 depths, 2 beams Ref 32: The VLAD sonobuoy is an expendable, omnidirectional passive sonar unit. The VLAD uses a multi-element omnidirectional hydrophone array and a beamforming filter assembly to enhance acoustic sensitivity. The VLAD has a selectable configuration incorporated into the EFS. This allows the operator to select either bottom bounce or convergence zone sound reception. The EFS will also allow selection of one of 99 RF channels, two operating depths of 500 and 1000 feet, and selectable life settings of one, four, or eight hours. In all other respects, the VLAD is comparable to the DIFAR.	1989
SSQ-77C	" adds RF command function selection
SSQ-86	DLC Ref 32: The DLC sonobuoy is an expendable, acoustic communication device designed to transmit a preprogrammed message to a submerged submarine. It consists of an omnidirectional acoustic transducer that descends through the bottom of the sonobuoy canister to a shallow transmission depth of 75 feet. After completing shallow depth transmissions, the transducer automatically descends to the deep transmission depth of 350 feet. The messages are encoded through the EFS prior to launch. The acoustic transmission frequencies are classified. The message transmission includes an address group, an addressee group, and two word groups. The sonobuoy does not have an RF transmitter.
SSQ-101 early 1990s Ref 6 Ref 49	ADAR Advanced Deployable Acoustic Receiver SSQ-101 NSN: 5845-01-453-8699 Ref 32: The ADAR sonobuoy is an expendable unit capable of receiving UHF downlink commands and sending real-time beamformed acoustic data via a VHF digital uplink to the monitoring unit. The ADAR will be a free-floating acoustic data receiver that will operate in conjunction with an acoustic source. The buoy will also scuttle automatically upon detection of a low voltage state or completion of its six hour life.	FY97
SSQ-101B Q101B.pdf	NSN: 5845-01-629-8534
SSQ-110	Ref 32: The AN/SSQ-110 EER sonobuoy operates on one of 31 selectable RF channels and is composed of two sections. The upper section is called the control buoy and is similar to the upper electronics package of the AN/SSQ-62 DICASS sonobuoy. The lower section consists of two explosive payloads of Class A explosive weighing 4.2 pounds each. The arming and firing mechanism is hydrostatically armed and detonated.
SSQ-110A	EER MIL-S-29593, 30 July 1997 Ref 32: The EER sonobuoy is an expendable sonobuoy that is a commandable, air-dropped, high source level acoustic source. The SSQ-110A EER includes the following improvements and modifications to the AN/SSQ-110 EER design. The AN/SSQ-110A EER includes the EFS feature. EFS allows the selection of one of 99 RF channels. Additionally, the sonobuoy adds a classified depth setting for a total number of two depth settings. Upon deployment, the AN/SSQ-110A EER can be sent to its deeper depth setting via UHF radio commands.		30 July 1997
SSQ-120	(Wiki) Transportable Radio Direction-Finding system, ...has HF, VHF, and UHF antennas and direction-finding logic.  FBOdaily March 22, 1999
SSQ-125	advanced EER ADLFP sound source used with: ADAR sonobuoys like SSQ-53F, SSQ-77C and SSQ-101
SSQ-536	BT
SSQ-801	BARRA
SSQ-906	LOFAR Omni
SSQ-926	ALFEA, GPS 5452262 Radio telemetry buoy for long-range communication, James D. Hagerty, Navy, 1995-09-19, - 3 to 6 MHz Rx/Tx, GPS Rx, 162 to 173 Tx.
SSQ-937	BT
SSQ-954	DIFAR
SSQ-955	HIDAR
SSQ-963D	CAMBS			Janes
SSQ-981	BARRA

SUS: Signal Underwater Sound (see SUS Mk 84 web page)

Sonobuoy Aircraft Systems

Receivers

R-2/ARR-3 see the CRT-1 Sonobuoy page.
CIA-46186 (RBF-1)

ARR-52 sonobuoy Aircraft Receiver

The ARR-52 was a 16 channel receiver and the ARR-52A is a 32 channel receiver.  (See: RxControl: ARR52A)

R-1170/ARR-52A

The internal modules have markings like:

Module 1	p/o R1170/ARR-52A	16 Tuning caps for crystal oscillators
Module 2	R-962 A/ARR-52
Module3	R-962 A/ARR-52
Module4	R-962 A/ARR-52
Module5	R-962 A/ARR-52

This suggests the ARR-52 (no letter) was made up of modules which were all marked R-962 A/ARR-52.
The R-962/ARR-52 has NSN: 5845-00-835-6218 and is 11.687x7.437x2.187", runs on 18 VDC, 16 channels (?) between 162.0 - 174.0, F9
The R-1170/ARR-52A has NSN 5845-00-999-6284 (4 March 1966)

Fig 1 Front Test Points: AGC, Disc & AFC.	Fig 2 Back antenna and system connectors.	Fig 3 Inside Top View
Fig 4 Inside Bottom View	Fig 5 Module 1 has 16 crystals on each side (32 total)	Fig 6 Module 2 Function???? (blank back side)
Fig 7 Module 3 Guess 5 MHz second IF (blank back side)	Fig 8 Module 4 Guess 26 MHz first IF	Fig 9 Module 4 Guess 26 MHz first IF
Fig 10 Module 5 Guess power supply & audio amp DE-9P-C7  on DB-15 connector	Fig 11 Module 5 Guess power supply & audio amp	Fig 12 Chassis with 26 Mhz filter between Module 1 and Module 4. 5 MHz filter between Module 4 (cap to Module 1) and Module 3.
Fig 13 Module

CQ magazine October 1974, Conversion to 2 meters?
Some info from Radio Nerds:

ARR-52,A	R-962/1170 Sonobuoy Receiver  162.5-173.5 MC  AM-FM-Video 
 AM-2375,76/	ARR-52 RF Amps.
 ARM-53		ARR-52 Test Set
 AT-933/	ARR-52 Antenna (2 used)
 C-3109,10*/	R-962/ Control Boxes, 4 & 2 Signal Channels, 16 RF Channels
 C-4505,06*/	R-1170/ Control Boxes, 4 & 2 Signal Channels, 31 RF Channels NSN: 5845-00-999-6285
 C-4506         NSN: 5845-00-999-6286
 MT-2258/	ARR-52 4-Receiver Rack Case
 MT-2259/	ARR-52 Shockmount for MT-2258/
 PP-2479/	ARR-52 PS 115 VAC & 28 VDC in, -6, +18, +135 VDC out
 RD-53/ARH	ARR-52 Bathythermograph Recorder  U/W AM-1569/ARR-26 & IP-347/
 SB-1084,85/	Signal Level Meters, 4 & 2 Channels

ARR-52 Patents

Channel select rotary solenoid - about 1-18" diameter.
2496880 Magnetically operated device, George H Leland, 1950-02-07, - first application was for air dropped bomb fuzes - "Ledex" is the brand name, Channel select rotary solenoid
2501950 Commutating switch mechanism, George H Leland, 1950-03-28, - Channel select rotary solenoid
2790153 Polarized electrical plug and socket connector having a plurality of contacts, Samuel L Arson, Cannon Electric Co, 1957-04-23- the original DB connector series? the prior patents used a rectangular array of contacts and something other than the contacts to prevent installing 180 degrees from the correct orientation, such as male and female threads on the screws.

General Sonobuoy Receiver Patents

3778728 Phaselocked-fm detector apparatus, R Nupp, EDMAC ASS, 1973-12-11, -
3845402 Sonobuoy receiver system, floating coupler, R Nupp, EDMAC ASS, 1974-10-29, -

ARR-75

Other Sonobuoy Aircraft Systems

An Aircraft Control Panel for ASA-20 Julie explosive echo ranging device & AQA-1 Sonobuoy Indicator/Tracker,
YouTube: Sonobuoy Indicator Group AN/AQA-1 Operation ~ 1961 US Navy; Lockheed P-2 Neptune (17:34) - works with SSQ-15 Range-only (RO) Echo-ranging, SSQ-20 Directional Listening (DL) or SSQ-2B Non-directional Listening (eXplosive echo Ranging: XR) sonobuoys.

ASA-20 Control Drift - Compute - Reset PDI (Pulse Doppler Indicator): BDHI (Bearing Distance Heading Indicator): Marker 1 to 6, GTP: Marker 1 to 6  Insert ASA-20 or AQA-1                                                        ASA-20 or AQA-1                                                   A-B: 1 to 6 Computer Ellipse                    A: Off to 6                   Data Release                B: Off to 6

ASA-31 Julie Control Panel

Julie Control

ASA-20 Sonobuoy Recorder "Jezebel".

The AQA-5 is a 4 channel paper chart recorder.
Youtube video: AN/AQA-5 Acoustic Charts Recorder 1:16 - monitors 4 sonobuoys in parallel
P-3 Orion Aircraft - Walk Around -

BDHI: Bearing Distance Heading Indicator
PDI: Pulse Doppler Illuminator
3582871 Ellipictal Computer System, Morris Snyder (Navy), Jun 1, 1971, 367/3; 367/107; 701/300; 708/801 - determines sub position using sonobuoys

AN/ARR-502 Multichannel Sonobuoy Receiver (data sheet, data sheet)

AQA-7(V)1/2 Directional Acoustic-Frequency Analysis and Recording System (DIFAR)

ASQ-114 digital computer has a memory loaded with a large number of sound profiles of submarines and radar- and radio signals for comparing ESM measurements

Forward Looking Infra Red (FLIR) replaced the Low Light Level TeleVision system (LLLTV)

ASR-3 Sonobuoy Reference System (SRS) - used multiple antennas to determine bearing to sonobuoy
Digital magnetic Tape System (DMTS) -

Integrated Acoustic Communication System (IACS) - sub coms

Litton LTN-72 navigation system used with the INS and Doppler navigation systems

ALR-66 (Wiki) ESM systems (Wiki) using the Adaptive Controlled Phased Array System (ACPA) (ESM is closely related to RWR)

Deinterleaver Technology for Future ESM systems, Dec 1992 NSWC - each pulse received from a single emitter can be agile in frequency, pulse width, pulse amplitude, pulse repetition interval, but not direction.  So using the Pulse Descriptor Word from the ESM sensor a future deinterleaver can sort out each emitter and differentiate between friendly and hostile emitters.  ESM systems mentioned:
Racal SADIE
IBM Associative Comparator
Anaren ESM Processor
ALQ-32 Inner Processor

Instantaneous Frequency Measurement (IFM) receivers are part of the ESM sensor.  But this type of receiver can have problems with two signals at the same time or with a CW signal anywhere in it's frequency range. The proposed configuration is to use narrow band receivers (many channels) and for each channel two paths, one for angle of arrival and the other for characterization of the received signal.

Bathythermograph moved to Bathythermographs

Outdoor Intrusion Detectors based on Sonobuoy Technology

15 April 2023: The AN/TSQ-108(*) Radar Sonar Surveillance Center "van's" are basically a P-3 Orion without wings or torpedoes..( FAS, USNI)
SRQ-17 (Wiki, Ref 48)

Link between Vietnam Intrusion Detectors and Navy

6 Sep 2019 Discovered the next 3 patents while looking for information on the RR-97/AL chaff brick.  The inventors of Navy Sonobuoy containers also invented seismic and acoustic intrusion detectors.  This is the link that was obvious 7 years ago in 2012, but now is confirmed.

3891865 Intrusion detector, Salvatore R Picard, Robert F Starry, US Navy, 1975-06-24,  327/37; 340/539.1; 340/522; 340/566; 340/539.14 - "A low-current detection device responsive to both audio and seismic input signals received over predetermined periods of time at preselected amplitude levels." Seismic & Audio inputs. Optional night operation.  3 tones (United Aircraft H2102 tone generator) in the range of 19 kHz to 32 kHz depending on code select plug.

Citations

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US3139539A *1962-03-30  1964-06-30  Gen Electric  Control circuit producing output signal so long as input pulses occur within certain time interval

US3517316A *1966-03-22  1970-06-23  Res Instr & Controls Inc  Surveillance equipment and system

US3552520A *1968-02-27  1971-01-05  Us Navy  Detecting and transmitting system with interval timing means

US3569923A *1967-10-30  1971-03-09  Us Navy  Adaptive acoustic detector apparatus

US3585581A *1969-07-22  1971-06-15  Honeywell Inc  Seismic sensor apparatus

US3613061A *1968-08-29  1971-10-12  Bryant D Lund  Pressure-responsive, timed, electronic control apparatus and method

US3691549A *1970-12-02  1972-09-12  Sylvania Electric Prod  Signal processor
US3714622A *1969-12-12  1973-01-30  Us Navy  Adaptive agc system
Cited by

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US4604738A *1982-02-22  1986-08-05  Honeywell Inc.  Method and apparatus for classification of a moving terrestrial vehicle as light or heavy, compensates for different distances from vehicle to sensor by comparing the energy in the acoustic and seismic signals.

Citations

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US3585581A *1969-07-22  1971-06-15  Honeywell Inc  Seismic sensor apparatus

US3824532A *1971-09-27  1974-07-16  Us Air Force  Seismic signal intrusion detection classification system

US3891865A *1973-11-14  1975-06-24  Us Navy  Intrusion detector

US3903512A *1974-03-07  1975-09-02  GTE Sylvania Inc  Signal processor

US3984804A *1971-11-29  1976-10-05  Navy  Acoustic and seismic troop movement detector

US3995223A *1970-02-19  1976-11-30  Navy  Seismic-acoustic detection device

US4081785A *1974-02-13  1978-03-28  Air Force  Dual class amphibious target discriminator

US4090180A *1976-03-16  1978-05-16  Elliott Brothers (London) Limited  Vibration-responsive intruder alarm system

US4158832A *1961-06-19  1979-06-19  Army  Seismic apparatus for discrimination between track-type vehicles and wheel-type vehicles

US4271491A *1978-11-20 1981-06-02  Simpson Ronald R  Intruder alarm system

US4337528A *1972-12-13  1982-06-29  Air Force  Moving vehicle seismic target detector
Cited by

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US4953144A *1989-09-11  1990-08-28  Shell Oil Company  Third-party detection around pipelines

US5007032A *1990-06-08  1991-04-09  Honeywell Inc.  Acoustic alert sensor

EP0535570A1 *1991-10-01  1993-04-07  Rockwell International Corporation  Transient detection processing, especially underwater acoustic signal recognition

US5229765A *1991-05-08  1993-07-20  Halliburton Logging Services, Inc.  SP noise cancellation technique

US5737433A *1996-01-16  1998-04-07  Gardner; William A.  Sound environment control apparatus

US6385130B1 *2000-09-11  2002-05-07  Navy  Dual channel switch with frequency band limiting

EP1222445A1 *1999-10-06  2002-07-17  George W. Herndon  Seismic weigh-in-motion system

DE4212072C2 *1992-04-10  2002-09-26  Stn Atlas Elektronik Gmbh  A method of detecting and classifying sound sources, in particular of vehicles

WO2005034062A1 *2003-10-02  2005-04-14  Robert Bosch Gmbh  Method for the evaluation and temporal stabilization of classification results

US20070062289A1 *2005-09-07  2007-03-22  Luna Innovations Incorporated  Method and apparatus for acoustically weighing moving loads

EP1835308A12006-03-16  2007-09-19  SmartTrig AB  Detection unit and a method of using the same

WO2009019706A2 *2007-08-09  2009-02-12  Elta Systems Ltd  Method and apparatus for detecting pedestrians

US20100157729A1 *2008-12-19  2010-06-24  Bae Systems Information And Electronic Systems Integration Inc.  Seismic Method For Vehicle Detection And Vehicle Weight Classification

US20110199861A1 *2007-03-12  2011-08-18  Elta Systems Ltd.  Method and system for detecting motorized objects

US8331195B1 *2008-10-20  2012-12-11  Army  Computer implemented sensor data analysis

US20150168545A1 *2013-12-13  2015-06-18  Agency For Defense Development  Distance estimation device and method using the difference of wave speed between waves

US8331195B1 *2008-10-20  2012-12-11  Army  Computer implemented sensor data analysis - Igloo White (Wiki)

3995223 Seismic-acoustic detection device, George A. Gimber, Edward J. Cotilla, Salvatore R. Picard, Robert F. Starry, US Navy, Priority: 1970-02-19, Pub: 1976-11-3, 327/25; 367/93; 181/122 - "an acoustic sensor, a seismic sensor and an acoustic signal transmitter." Inventors are with Navy and have sonobuoy related patents. The illustrations in this patent are almost identical to patent 5054006 below.

Citations

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US3543172A *1968-09-19  1970-11-24  Anderson Jacobson Inc  Digital frequency discriminator

US3641443A *1969-12-11  1972-02-08  Westinghouse Electric Corp  Frequency compensated pulse time discriminator

US3705417A *1971-12-16   1972-12-05  Tel Tone Corp  Pulse ratio detector

Cited by

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US4107616A *1976-01-22  1978-08-15  M. L. Engineering (Plymouth) Limited  Signal monitoring circuit

US4230992A *1979-05-04 1980-10-28  Minnesota Mining And Manufacturing Company  Remote control system for traffic signal control system

FR2521307A1 *1982-02-11  1983-08-12  Krupp Gmbh  Passive method for acquiring data relating to a target that is a mobile preferably acoustic source

DE3306155A1 *1982-02-22  1983-09-01  Honeywell Inc  Device for weight-dependent classification of vehicles

FR2592200A1 *1985-12-24  1987-06-26  Maisonnette Miche  lElectronic device for detecting any untimely triggering of an alarm

US4811308A *1986-10-29  1989-03-07  Michel Howard E  Seismo-acoustic detection, identification, and tracking of stealth aircraft

US5007032A *1990-06-08  1991-04-09  Honeywell Inc.  Acoustic alert sensor

WO1991006874A1 *1989-11-02  1991-05-16  Rheinmetall Gmbh  Process for determining the direction and range of noise-generating targets

US5054006A *1970-02-19  1991-10-01  The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy  Seismic-acoustic detection device

WO1997019368A1 *1995-11-17  1997-05-29  Stn Atlas Elektronik Gmbh  Method and device for detecting pedestrians

ES2170603A1 *1998-06-19  2002-08-01  Tzn Forschung & Entwicklung  Surface mine defense

US8331195B1 *2008-10-20  2012-12-11  Army  Computer implemented sensor data analysis

5054006 Seismic-acoustic detection device, George A. Gimber, Edward J. Cotilla, Salvatore R. Picard, Robert F. Starry, US Navy, App: 1970-02-19 (21 Year Delay) Pub: 1991-10-01, 367/136 - The illustrations in this patent are almost identical to patent 3995223 above.

Citations

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US2646559A *1949-06-09  1953-07-21  Nutzler Paul Gustav Adolf  Approach detection by high frequency radiation

US3094929A *1960-07-29  1963-06-25  Singer Inc H R B  Detonating system

US3125953A *1964-03-24  Amplifier

US3147467A *1961-09-07  1964-09-01  American District Telegraph Co  Vibration detection vault alarm system

US3375376A *1964-02-20  1968-03-26  Navy Usa  Anti-intruder device using vibration responsive member between light and photocell

US3474405A *1968-05-17  1969-10-21  Us Navy  Method and apparatus for detecting the presence of enemy personnel in subterranean chambers

US3543261A *1968-06-14  1970-11-24  Us Air Force  Upper threshold circuit

US3569923A *1967-10-30  1971-03-09  Us Navy  Adaptive acoustic detector apparatus

US3995223A *1970-02-19  1976-11-30  Navy  Seismic-acoustic detection device

Cited by

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US5373486A *1993-02-03  1994-12-13  DOE Seismic event classification system - "...provide a method and apparatus for classifying seismic signals to verify nuclear test ban treaties."

EP1835308A1 2006-03-16  2007-09-19  SmartTrig AB  Detection unit and a method of using the same

US8331195B1 *2008-10-20  2012-12-11  Army  Computer implemented sensor data analysis - Igloo White (Wiki)

US9851461B1 *2012-04-04  2017-12-26  Navy  Modular processing system for geo-acoustic sensing - Igloo White (Wiki)

Construction

Since the sonobuoy has a cylindrical ( 4-4/7" O.D.) shape it makes sense to have the electronics in the form of cylindrical modules that can be stacked end to end. These modules are about 2-3/4" O.D. and have a circular connector around the outer edge.  For use as an outdoor intrusion detector the hydrophone is replaced with a geophone (Wiki), or other sensor like used to listen for the RF generated from spark ignition engines.

April 2023:  After getting an ADSID  I not longer think the GSQ-160 (and others) use of the TCnnn cylindrical modules came from or are related to sonobuoys.  This is because these modules are very heavy and sonobuoys require light weight construction both because of the need to maximize the number of sonobuoys that can be carried on a plane and to allow a small flotation device to keep the electronics package on the surface.

ARFBUOY Acoubuoy This is an 18 pound steel cylinder 4-3/4"x22". It's designed to be air dropped  with a drag chute and get hung up in the trees.  There is a central tape whip and four ground plane tape whips each 17" long. which is a quarter wave at about 190 MHz.
The central gold colored thing is the microphone.  Note all the holes in the front to let sound in and protect the microphone from tree limbs.
	Battery This is a battery type I don't recognize.  If you know about it please let me know what it is.	Sound Observer (Locator) Remote Microphone. It's identical to the mike in the Acoubuoy. This is the same mike that's in the photo at left with the question mark.  The 5 socket connector is marked: 7004 Deutsh DBA36-10-5SN-10-6032 The contacts are numbered 1, 2, 3, 4 (but no 5). There's a knurled and slotted screw head on the back that can be unscrewed about 1 turn, maybe to normalizing the pressure inside to match atmospheric. See RT-1185 for a similar application. Maybe one of the applications was to locate enemy small arms or big guns?

3226670 Apparatus for determining characteristics of the ocean bottom, Joseph D Richard, 1965-12-28, - uses explosive gas to generate accoustic pulse and condenser microphone (2965877 Capacitive-type line hydrophone, Navy, 1960-12-20) to sense the reflected waveform.
3555502 Aerial drop telemetering sensor, Paul D Davis Jr, Edwin B Neitzel, Texas Instruments, 1971-01-12, - "...seismic exploration by means of an air-droppable telemetering sensor..."
3360772 Geophone, Massa Frank, Dynamics Corp of America, 1967-12-26, - piezo sensor, transmitter & antenna all in one small unit - interesting cites & cited by.
3704764 Air deliverable seismic system, Harold B Henderson, Texas Instruments, Filed: 1969-12-23, Pub: 1972-12-05 - a motor rotates a cylinder until a pendulum is plumb, then feet extend and the antenna is raised.  Note TI and Vietnam time frame.  What is this? Let me know.  Has the feel of  "Metalhead" the dog robot in Black Mirror (YouTube).

Does not call other patents but is cited by:
5434828 Stabilizer for geophone, Roger M. Logan, Ion Geophysical Corp, 1995-07-18 - adds bumps so it will not roll around when on the bottom under water.
6531965 Modular open system architecture for unattended ground sensors, Stephen G. Kaiser, Mark D. Hischke, Shannon Mary Nelson, Stuart J. Collar, Dana Lynn Bourbonnais, Northrop Grumman Systems Corp, 2003-03-11 - the sensor modules look like those on the GSQ-154 & GSQ0160. "unattended ground sensor" (Wiki) mentioned many times.
History of the U.S. Army Research Laboratory - page with mention of UGS.
6823262 Method for conducting seismic surveys utilizing an aircraft deployed seismic source, Phillip Andrew Bahorich, Michael Stephen Bahorich, Apache Corp, 2004-11-23 - plane drops iron bomb w/o explosives, just it's weight hitting the ground makes the signal.
6831699 Deployable monitoring device having self-righting housing and associated method, Yu-Wen Chang, William Grainger, Michael Johnson, William Traeger, Pablo De Los Rios, William Osterholm, Chang Ind Inc, 2004-12-14  - egg shaped device with TV camera.
20060010998 Autonomous reconnaissance sonde, and method for deployment thereof, Roke Manor Research Ltd, 2008-05-20 - based on TV camera in Clay pigeon (Wiki).
WO2016139503 - sounds like a seismic sensor glues itself to the ground

3806908 Perimeter intrusion detection system, L Bound, A Hunting, Texas Instruments, 1974-04-23, -
3859598 Aerial drop penetration device, Jack W Mcelwain, Jr Alvis D Stephenson, Texas Instruments, 1975-01-07, - a two part probe, the top stays above ground and the electronnics and seismometer go deep, sonobuoys are too expensive, see 3226670, braking action for both soil and water applications, Cites sonobuoy related patents,

Mines for Noise

The Turd, Gravel Mines (Wiki), and the BLU-43 Dragontooth (Wiki) were used as part of Operation Igloo White (Wiki).
More about land mines at Blasting Machines/M21 Training Land Mine -

USQ-42 Receiver

R-1617A/USQ-46 Receiver

Description

Operation

When powered there is no indication on the front panel that the receiver is working.  Pressing the test buttons to the right of the display will light up each row of digits if the DIM control is clockwise.  If a handset is connected and the SQUELCH is turned down you can hear hissing in the speaker.

GSQ-171 Directional Infrared Intrusion Detector

An eBay ad showed the GSQ-171 beside the USQ-46 receiver.  It has what appear to be Vietnamese markings.

What is this: Contact me

Fig 1

Fig 2

TS-2963 Test Set (Transmitter)

PP-6446A/USQ-46 Power Supply (Receiver, Test Set)

The following two units use "modular cylindrical building blocks).

Patents

Wave Buoy

Wave rider buoys were used for station keeping the Glomar Explorer.

2402143 Parachute pack, Gilbert H Arenstein, 1946-06-18, - buoyant radio transmitter parachuted from plane.- cited by 21 patents.
2497852 Transmitter buoy, Gilbert H Arenstein, 1950-02-21, - CW radio beacon, maybe to mark a wreck.

2839920 Sea state wave meter, Thomas G Macanespie, Glenn L Martin Co, 1958-06-24, - designed to sense many parameters, for radio transmission

3110178 Disposable accelerometer wave buoy, Marks Wilbur, Robert G Tuckerman, Willis S Campbell, sNavy, 1963-11-12, - accelerometer has aluminum cylinder and permanent magnet damper as part of a variable capacitor that senses acceleration.  For signal processing see: Pierson and Marks, "Power Spectrum Analysis of Ocean Wave Records,' Trans. Amer. Geophys. Union, v. 33, 1952. 100 kc FM modulation on a 132 Mc carrier.

Sonobuoy

1154272 Marine Mine, Emil Senger, Raimund Sauter, Sep 21, 1915, 102/408 -  a plug dissolves after a predetermined time scuttling the mine
1308003 Apparatus for detecting and indicating the presence of submarine boats, G.E. Elia (Italy), June 24, 1919, - raises a flag when sub entangles net
1426337 Signaling apparatus for detecting submarines, Sperry Elmer A, Filed: Jul 9, 1917, Pub: Aug 15, 1922, 455/97, 441/11, 343/709, 174/138.00R, 294/111, 313/553, 114/240.00R, 313/243, 102/402, 174/77.00R, 455/99, 174/153.00R, 343/896, 200/83.00R - when net is entangled by a sub the buoy sends a radio signal
2629083 Expendable radiosonic buoy, Barkson Joseph A, Mason Russell I, Mcnary James C, Filing: Sep 21, 1944, Pub: Feb 17, 1953, 367/3, 343/709, 455/99, 441/33, 441/23, 343/705, 343/901 - CRT-1
1471547 Production of submarine signals and the location of submarine objects, Chilowsky Constantin, Langevin Paul, May 19, 1917 (W.W.I) Oct 23, 1923
                367/87, 367/174, 89/41.8, 89/41.7, 310/337 - uses the term "ultra-sonorous" 50 kHz to 200 kHz
1426337 Signaling apparatus for detecting submarines, Sperry Elmer A,  Jul 9, 1917, Aug 15, 1922, - triggered by net 455/97, 441/11, 343/709, 174/138.00R, 294/111, 313/553, 114/240.00R, 313/243, 102/402, 174/77.00R, 455/99, 174/153.00R, 343/896, 200/83.00R
2310017 Emergency transmitter, Hartman B Canon, Joseph L Swallow, Gard Well Co, Wells-Gardner, App: 1941-05-05, W.W.II, Pub: 1943-02-02, - beacon Tx, no sensors
2311079 Transducer, Jr Josephus O Parr, 1943-02-16, - seismometer
2361177 Method and apparatus for the detection of submarines by airplanes, Constantin Chilowsky, Apr 25, 1941, Oct 24, 1944, - fluxgate probe towed by cable from plane flying in a circle
                 367/120, 102/419, 244/137.1, 367/130, 102/427, 434/6
                1829474 Method and device for establishing communication between aircraft in full flight and the ground, Chilowsky Constantin, 1931-10-27, -
2397844 Signaling apparatus, Wallace W DeWhurst (RCA) Apr 2, 1946, 367/3, 138/89, 114/198, 455/99, D10/107, 441/11, 73/322.5 - sonobuoy

2402391 Submarine detection, De Witt R Goddard, Rca Corp, Filed: Aug 30, 1943, Pub: Jun 18, 1946, 367/115, 124/51.1, 89/1.51, 367/112, 221/279 - time from explosive detonation until pulse returned is range.

2420676 Submarine signaling apparatus, Robert E Peterson, Jan 23, 1943 (W.W.II) May 20, 1947, 114/23, 367/150, 114/21.1, 116/27, 181/402, 114/21.3 - uses the term "superaudible frequencies"  

2422337 Submarine Detecting Buoy, C. Chilowsky, Jun 17 1947, 367/4; 441/11; 441/25; 441/26; 441/28; 455/99 - acoustic listen ing to Sonorous and ultrasonorous vibrations is suing from the ship or its propeller

Calls:
1249486 Sunken Ship Locating Device, Dec 11, 1917, 441/25; 242/156; 441/26 -
1195317 Observation-buoy and Fire Control for Floating Mines, Aug 22 1916,
1426337 Signaling Apparatus for Detecting Submarines, Aug 15 1922,

455/97; 102/402; 114/240.00R; 174/77.00R; 174/138.00R; 174/153.00R; 200/83.00R; 294/111; 313/243; 313/553; 343/709; 343/896; 441/11; 455/99 -
- sub hits net closing circuit keying a transmitter that uses a code wheel to identify it's serial number.

1427560 Means for Detecting Submarines, Aug 29, 1922, - another net type
1430162 Apparatus for Detecting and Indicating the Presence of Submaring Boats, Sep 26, 1922
1466284 Detecting System, (Western Electric) Aug 28, 1923, 367/122; 340/384.1 - multiple zone vibration detection
1610779 Signalling Apparatus, (GE) Dec 14 1926, -
1749444 Signal System, - police
2320610 Apparatus for Detecting and Indicating the Presence of Submarine Boats - net type

2438926 Magnetostrictive supersonic transducer, Mott Edward E, Bell Telephone Labs Inc, Apr 6, 1948, 367/168, 381/190, 335/215, 310/26
                2417830 Compressional wave signaling device
2444069 System for receiving sounds in the presence of disturbing noises, Leon J Sivian, Bell Labs, App:1945-03-02, Pub: 1948-06-29, - null out own ship's propeller noise to allow hearing distant sub noises.
2447069 Signaling buoy, Jr Philo Holcomb, App: 1940-02-05, Top Secret, Pub: 1948-08-17, - Sentinel buoys with cable to shore.
2448713 Radio listening buoy, Hansell Clarence W, Rca Corp, Dec 2, 1944, Sep 7, 1948, 367/3, 343/709, 441/13, 455/99, 343/702 - listen for subs
2465696 Method and Means for Surveying Geological Formations, LeCoy C Paslay, Mar 29 1949, 367/23; 114/245; 346/33.00C; 367/16; 367/20; 367/155 -

Calls:
1378960 Method and Apparatus for Detecting Under Water Vibrations, J.W. Horton (WE), May 24 1921, 367/130 - submarine specific
1584613 Wave Detector, D.F. Comstock et al, May 11 1929, 367/130; 361/280; 361/283.1; 361/285; 367/129; 367/154 - sub detection directional array of sensors
2212988 Apparatus for Transmitting and Recording Shot Moments, D.K. Kirt (Gulf Oil R&D), Aug 27 1940, 367/77; 367/55 - seismograph prospecting
2241428 Apparatus for Underwater Seismic Surveying, D. Silverman (Standard Oil), May 1941,
2283200 Method and Apparatus for Subsurface Mining, J.W. Flode, 1942  - seismograph prospecting
2324378 submarine Prospecting, J.W. Flude, 1943 - seismograph prospecting
2440903 Underwater Transducer, F. Massa (Brush Dev Co), May 4 1948, 367/160; 381/163; 381/190 - piezoelectric or magnetostrictive transducers in towable rubber hose.

2511689 Submarine signaling apparatus, John T Beechlyn, Raytheon, 1950-06-13, - various designs of magnetostriction using multiple elements

2521136 Hydrophone, A. Thuras, (USA) Sep 5, 1950, 310/26, 381/190, 367/168, 381/163
2586828 Radio buoy, Royal V Keeran, 1952-02-26, - has sea anchor to prevent drift

2593432 Automatically operated radio buoy, Freas Raymond L, Apr 22, 1952, 455/96, 455/99, 244/149, 455/91, 343/705, 455/98, 441/11, 455/97, 343/709, 367/4, 343/902 Falls straight down from aircraft over water.  Rights itself, an explosive extends the telescoping antenna, sends distress signal, after timer scuttles. 2637862 Buoyant chamber scuttling device, Raymond L Freas, 1953-05-12, -

2629083 Expendable radiosonic buoy, Barkson Joseph A, Mason Russell I, Mcnary James C, Filed: Sep 21, 1944, Pub: Feb 17, 1953, 367/3, 343/709, 455/99, 441/33, 441/23, 343/705, 343/901 -

2641751 Hydrophone Casing, (Navy),  367/173, Jun 1953 -

Calls:
806730 Device for locating and recovering sunken articles, Dec 5, 1905
1252877 Means for indicating the position of self-propelled vessels, Jan 8, 1918 - buoy released from practice torpedo at end of its run
1292755 Submarine detector or telltale, Jan 28, 1919 - net with alarm
1427560 Means for detecting submarine boats, Sperry Elmer A, Aug 29, 1922 - net with alarm
2261513 Mechanical boat lifter and indicator, Nov 4, 1941 -
2361177 Method and apparatus for the detection of submarines by airplanes, Oct 24, 1944 - fly in circle with long cable attached to hydrophone
2396960 Means for locating lost aircraft Mar 19, 1946 - 

2644243 Control Compass, (Navy), 361/280; 33/363.00Q, Jul 1953 -

Calls:
1639000 Wave modulation, Western Electric Co, Aug 16, 1927 -
2036833 Tuning condenser arrangement
2116103 Compass for automatic pilots, May 3, 1938 -
2277027 Telemetric system, West Instr Co Inc, Mar 24, 1942 - servo compass repeater
2319212 Photoelectric control device, May 18, 1943 - used to read compass rose
2346839  Baking utensil?
2363500 Gyro magnetic compass system, Sperry Gyroscope Co Inc, Nov 28, 1944 - 

2749436 Sonobuoy, R.H. Rines et al, Jun 5 1956, 455/99; 342/6; 367/3; 455/91; 455/107; 455/116; 455/129 -

Calls:
2063944 Means for Locating Crashed Airplanes, Jan 22, 1957, 116/210; 244/1.00R; 244/137.1 - based on sonobuoy technology
2063945 Diaphragm and Method
2063946 Sound Communication System
2063947 Compensator
2539594 System and Method of Communication
2361177 Method and Apparatus for the Detection of Submarines by Airplanes, C. Cilowsky, Oct 24 1944, - flying in circle lowers cable with hydrophone
2397844 Signaling Apparatus, W.W. Dewhurst (RCA), Apr 2, 1946, 367/3; 73/322.5; 114/198; 138/89; 441/11; 455/99; D10/107 - sub Tx buoy
2422337
2448713 Radio Listening Buoy, (RCA), Sep 7, 1948,  367/3; 343/702; 343/709; 441/13; 455/99 - very early sonobuoy
2448787 Apparatus for Detecting and Locating Enemy Vesels, (Ferrel Ind), Sep 7, 1948, - above surface microphone(the wrong place)

2758203 Sonobuoy, Harris Wilbur T, Harris Transducer Corp, Aug 7, 1956, 455/99, 342/5, 367/4 - shock absorber in cable to reduce noise & hydrophone electronics in descending pod, not in floating part
2760180 Long range explosive sonobuoy, George Sipkin, Filed: Oct 6, 1949, Pub: Aug 21, 1956, 367/2, 102/390, 367/133, 367/127 - EER type Underwater Sound Source
2790186 Sono-buoy stabilizer, Lawrence T Carapellotti, Navy, 1957-04-30, - To obtain stability of a sono-buoy when floated in water, it is necessary to place the center of gravity of the buoy well below the center of buoyancy. . . . .the static center of gravity is not materially altered, but wherein the dynamic center of gravity is placed well below the center of buoyancy." without adding weight.  This is done be allowing water to enter the cavity left when the cable spool drops down.
2817909 Training Device for Operators of Underwater Detection Appratus, B.M. Taylor, et al, Dec 31 1957, 434/9; 434/10

Calls:
1731127 Signal Control System (railroad), Oct 8 1929
1859423 Sound Recording - multiple needles for echos
2039405 Remote Metering System (AT&T) -
2066156 signaling Means, Apr 25 1929, - relative motion
2206156 Conveyer?
2206036 Distance Measuring Apparatus and System, J. Herson,  Jly 2 1940, - optical aircraft altitude blind landing
2329612 Apparatus for Training Aircraft Pilots, G.E. Hill et al, Sep 14 1943, - includes real time position output
2332523 Ground Track Tracer and Landing Recorder, E. Norden et al, Oct 26 1943, - servo controled pen recorders
2358793 Navigation Instruction Device, C.J. Crane, Sep 26 1944, - scaled movement of student over floor
2373560 Sound Recording Method and Apparatus, J.M. Hanert (Hammond Inst Co), Apr 10 1945 - adding vibrato
2375004 Training Apparatus, May 1 1945 - sound and recoil of a real gun
2444477 Automatic Miniature Radio Range (A-N), 1948 - used with pen recorder
2452038 Photoelectric Radio Compass Trainer Control, 1948 - based on scale map
2459150 Interception Trainer 1949 - call "Link" patents: 1825462, 2099857

2828475 Remote Control or Measurement Indicating Means, (Sec of Navy),  Mar 19 1958 - Sonobuoy that adds direction to sound in addition to just omni directional listening

Calls:
1571006 Signaling system, Western Electric Co, Priority: Sep 8, 1920 (16 year delay) Pub: Jan 26, 1926 - motor based secret signaling
1592940 Secret signaling, Western Electric Co, Priority: Sep 9, 1920 (16 year delay) Pub: Jul 20, 1926 - motor based secret signaling
1718497 Telemetric system, Gen Electric, Jun 25, 1929 - servo remote indicating
1732741 Duplex radio transmission system, Westinghouse Electric & Mfg Co, Oct 22, 1929 - combined audio & coded signals from a single source
1913512 Meteorological indicator, Jun 13, 1933 - radio transmitter hung below tethered - early radiosonde
1928969 Well survey instrument, Union Oil Co, Oct 3, 1933 - probe in pipe sends attitude info to surface
2089987 Means for operating a repeating device, Pioneer Instr Co Inc, Aug 17, 1937 -
2103847 Signaling, RCA - HF radio multiplex, Dec 28, 1937
2151747 Receiving system, Westinghouse, Mar 28, 1939 - simultaneously receives AM and FM signals
2177493 Fire detecting apparatus, works by photocell seeing movement of light
2316317 Frequency-responsive network, Hazeltine, Apr 13, 1943 - FM receiver for narrow band modulation ( 1 kHz)
2334704 Automatic pilot, Nov 23, 1943, uses magnetic sensors to control frequency generator (very similar to how DIFAR encodes direction)
2357975 Frequency modulation system, Rca, Sep 12, 1944 - receiver suitable for both AM and FM reception
2361177 Method and apparatus for the detection of submarines by airplanes, Constantin Chilowsky, Oct 24, 1944 - see MAD patents
2448787 Apparatus for detecting and locating enemy vessels, Ferrel Ind, Sep 7, 1948 - rotating hydrophone and radio transmitter (DIFAR)

calls:
1610779 Signaling apparatus, Gen Electric, Dec 14, 1926 - an underwater device that sends a signal when it receives a signal.  aimed at ship positioning, but could also be used for sub detection?  A number of patents reference this on.

3309649 Sonobuoy with Depth Selection Capabilities, Sanders Assoc, Mar 14 1967, 367/4; 441/33 - spherical shape
3328750 Entrapped air flotation device, George A Gimber, Roy L Shipman, Navy, June 27, 1967, - instead of using a CO2 cartridge
3355544 Small diameter high tensile strength coaxial electrical cable, Vivian G Costley James E Cottrell, Navy, 1967-11-28, - "...diameter of no greater than approximately 70 mils and a tensile strength in excess of approximately 150 p.s. i. for suspending a hydrophone assembly of a sonobuoy...", "This invention relates to low noise electrical cables and more particularly to a new and improved coaxial conductor of such construction as to have a small diameter, reasonably low attenuation for a 400 kc. electrical signal, watertight under high hydrostatic pressures and yet being capable of supporting high tensile loads. "...predetermined depth many thousands of feet below the water's surface." 
3377615 Compliant suspension system, Sparton Corp, Apr 9, 1968
3384867 Underwater transponder assembly including flotation unit, Robert M Bridges, Bendix Corp, 1968-05-21, - underwater unit uses glass balls to keep upright, even at great depths.
3460058 Radio Sonobuoy, Ronald H Taplin, ITT, Aug 5, 1969, 367/4 - operates below thermocline, uses rotochute, hydrophone at 12,000' down.
3480907 Neutrally buoyant hydrophone streamer, Joel D King, Texas Instruments, 1969-11-25, - used in towed linear array
3500209 Stabilized radio rescue beacon, Gordon William Fletcher, Kenneth William Lee-Kemp, 1970-03-10, - paddles in the water to keep whip antenna in the up position
3517378 Underwater long-distance sound-detection system, Barrett Robert E, Us Navy, Filed: Nov 6, 1959, (11 year dealy), Pub: Jun 23, 1970, 367/2, 367/134 - EER explosive
3526002 Magnebuoy, Ramond C Waddel, 1970-08-25, - Proton Precession (kerosene) (Wiki)
3564489 Radio command buoy system, Samuel Pure, James R Howard, Navy, 1971-02-16, - 291.4 MHz, 200 Hz to 200 kHz bandwidth, Seven Tones: 5.2, 6.2, 7.5, 8.7, 10.1, 11.8 & 13.8 kHz.
3622962 Free fall oceanographic beacon, Clifford L Winget, Thomas B Aldrich, Navy, 1971-11-23, - See Crypto\SOSUS\K129\2025_Update
3646505 Automatically deployable sonobuoy, Woodrow P Kirby, Naval Air Systems Cmd, 1972-02-29, - Rotochute, directional hydrophone (41), maybe the SSQ-2?
3671928 Automatically energizable Sonobuoy, Aquatronics, Jun 20 1972, 367/4; 441/11; 441/33 - some similarity to acoubuoy.
3701319 Underwater sound signal for explosive echo ranging, Carl A Axelson, John R Hinves, Elton Y Mcgann, Robert M Johnson, 1972-10-31, - float, det cord, weight - line charge explodes.
3720909 Directional Hydrophone System, Spartan Corp, Mar 13 1973, 367/173 - seismic sensors in sonobuoy

Calls:
3451040 Spring Suspension for a Low-frequency Geophone, W.R. Johnson, )MarkProd Inc), Jun 17 1969, 367/183 -

Calls:
2751573
3344397

2390328 Directional Seismograph Pickup, R.J. Roberts (Std Oil), Dec 4, 1945, 367/185; 340/870.35 -
2856594 Seismic Detector, K.W. McLoad (Vector Mfg), Oct 14 1958, 367/154; 73/652 - underwater
3325778 Seismic Sonobuoy, S.S. Ballard (Sanders Assoc), Jun 13, 1967, 367/21; 330/51; 330/124.00R; 330/278; 367/66; 455/99 -

3377615		April 1968	Lutes
3281765		October 1966	Taplin
2435587	Compressional wave signaling device	February 1948	Harry
3372368		March 1968	Dale et al.
3539979		November 1970	Crall

3724374 Underwater sound source, Smith D, Somerville J, Yaccarino J, Us Navy, Apr 3, 1973, 181/116, 367/3, 367/145, 102/417 - used with sonobuoys, multiple charges triggered by radio from the aircraft
3786403 Underwater Acoustical Detection, Navy, Jan 1, 1974, 367/4; 441/25; 441/26 - (Search-In-DEpth Concept of Acoustic Ranging = SIDECAR),

Calls:
app 549209 Apr 19 1966 A.S. Will et al
app 452460 Apr 18 1965 Urick et al
app 502713 Oct 22 1965 Urick

2422337	June 1947	Chilowsky	Submarine detecting buoy
3222634	December 1965	Foster	Underwater locating device
3275976	September 1966	Farmer	Bottom release mechanism for a sonobuoy

Calibrators & Test Sets 3875548 Calibrator plug-in-module for sonobuoy, Robert S Acks, Navy, 1975-04-01, - inserted between the hydrophone and sonobuoy (how?). 4057778 Built-in test equipment for sonobuoy, Albert M. Bates, Anthony J. Madera, Navy, 1977-11-08, - for DIFAR Includes block diagram of DIFAR sonobuy shown at left. 4092627 Calibration circuit for expendable sonobuoys, Donald Murdock, Thomas E. Stixrud, Navy, 1978-05-30, - a 10 Ohm resistor between the hydrophone and ground is driven from a high value resistor to supply a 10 Hz test signal for one minute every 17 minutes. 4393483 Test set for a directional command active sonobuoy system (DICASS), David C. Hammond, Stephen M. Elchenko, John M. Tralies, Peter W. Verburgt, Leon R. Robinson, Navy, 1983-07-12, - flight  line test set for aircraft, not the sonobuoy. 5978646 Method and apparatus for simulating a LOFARgram in a multipath sonar system, Henry Weinberg, Navy, 1999-11-02, - Cites 28 prior art patents,

3921120 Float Actuated Release Mechanism, Sparton Corp., Nov 18 1975, 367/4; 116/209; 441/33 -

Calls:

2778332	January 1957	Talbot	Means for locating crashed airplanes
3093808	June 1963	Tatnall et al.	Air-dropped miniature sonobuoy
3140886	July 1964	Cotilla et al.	Coupling device
3220028	November 1965	Maes	Radio-sono-buoys
3309649	March 1967	Ballard et al.	Sonobuoy with depth selection capabilities
3646505	February 1972	Kirby	Automatically deployable sonobuoy
3701175	October 1972	Widenhofer	Hydrophone damper assembly

3943870 Pinging controlled anti-torpedo device, LeRoy C. Paslay, Navy, App: 1950-10-24, Korea & Vietnam, Pub: 1976-03-16, anti-torpedo filtered by speed of torpedo and triggered by distance from own ship.  Improvement on 2979015.
3944964 Air Dripped Linear Acoustic Detector, (Navy), Mar 16, 1976,  367/4 -
3982222 Deep hydrophone string, Robert J. Urick, Navy, App:1965-10-22, Pub: 1976-09-21, - "...long range detection, surveillance and communication by means of sonobuoys operating in the deep sea and is more particularly concerned with a deep hydrophone string operatively connected with a specialized sonobuoy for this purpose. "
3991475 Depth selecting spool device, Navy, Nov 16, 1976, 116/209; 367/4; 441/24 -

calls:

3093808	June 1963	Tatnall et al.	Air-dropped miniature sonobuoy
3262090	July 1966	Farmer	Sonobuoy depth selection mechanism
3921120	November 1975	Widenhofer	Float actuated release mechanism

4004265 Thomas E. Woodruff,
4096598 Selected Depth Mooring System, R.J. Mason, 441/25, Jun 1978 -

Calls:
3631550 Mooring Devices, (EMI), 441/25, Jan 4, 1972 -

4026188 Modular buoy system, Thomas E. Woodruff, Roger I. Saunders, Lockheed Sanders Inc, 1977-05-31 -

Patent Citations (11)

Publication number  Priority date  Publication date  Assignee  Title

US2913198A *1955-10-04  1959-11-17  Leona A Bonbrake  Sonobuoy dispenser

US3010396A *1957-12-31  1961-11-28  Western Co Of North America  Selective firing apparatus

US3095814A *1960-06-30  1963-07-02  Tor W Jansen  Dispensing apparatus

US3116689A *1959-07-07  1964-01-07  Halliburton Co  Well perforating apparatus and switch

US3142959A *1959-09-11  1964-08-04  Phillips Petroleum Co  Range control of self propelled missile

US3246707A *1964-02-17  1966-04-19  Schlumberger Well Surv Corp  Selective firing system

US3266372A *1964-08-27  1966-08-16  Harold J Mack  Shipping and launching container

US3368480A *1966-04-15  1968-02-13  Navy Usa  Folding cone sonobuoy delivery system

US3451306A *1967-01-26  1969-06-24  Susquehanna Corp  Safe and arm ejection system

US3768408A *1971-09-30  1973-10-30  Gearhart Owen Industries  Selective firing apparatus

US3787012A *1973-02-05  1974-01-22  Mc Donnell Douglas Corp  Internal ejector mechanism for stacked sequentially releasable separable

4092627 Calibration circuit for expendable sonobuoys, Donald Murdock, Thomas E. Stixrud, Navy, 1978-05-30, - a dual 555 timer (Wiki) circuit generates a signal that's applied to a 10 Ohm resistor between the hydrophone and ground to make a test signal.  15VDC supply, R5 & 10 Ohms.  17 minutes off and 1 minute one using a 10 Hz test signal.  The value of R5 is not mentioned so the amplitude of the signal in series with the hydrophone can only be guessed.  If R5 was 1 Meg then the current would be 15V/1M = 15 uA.  15 uA * 10 Ohm = 150 uV.
4093934 Free-falling sonobuoy, Robert J. Urick, Robert L. Parris, Navy, App: 1965-04-28, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1978-06-06, -
4114137 Directional Sonobuoy, (Navy), 367/171; 441/1; 441/28, Sep 12 1978

Calls:
  768568 Sound transmitter and receiver, Submarine Signal Co, Aug 23, 1904 - stereo hydrophone with 2 long pole earphones
1345717 Acoustic device, Western Electric, Jul 6, 1920 - carbon button microphone mounted in a tear drop shape for use underwater.
3382481 Cantilever mounted hydrophone, Texas Instruments, May 7, 1968 - marine seismometer insensitive to cable strumming (5 Hz and above).
3803540 Inflatable underwater platform, Nat Defence, Apr 9, 1974 - water pumped into tubes to from a structure for sonobuoy (to make hydrophone array) many patents reference this one
3864771 Deployable load buoyancy support container or shelter system, Textron, Feb 11, 1975 - telescoping sonobuoy construction

4143349 Cable depth selector and coil shunt penetrator, (Bunker Ramo Corporation), Mar 6, 1979, 367/4, 441/1, 439/391 -
4161716 Very low frequency sonobuoy (VLF sonobuoy), Thomas E. Stixrud, Navy, 1979-07-17, - all about decoupling from sources of noise.

Patent Citations (4)

Patent         Priority       Pub            Assignee                         Title

US3204708  1962-07-24  1965-09-07  Inst Francais Du Petrole   Method and apparatus for submarine well drilling, using a flexible tubing as drill string

US3295489  1964-06-20  1967-01-03  Bossa Eduardo                Plastic compound catenary for anchorage and pipeline and/or cable support in any sea zone and depth

US3711821  1970-11-23  1973-01-16  Us Navy                           Sonobuoy suspension system

US3992737  1975-12-11  1976-11-23  Motorola, Inc.                    Suspension system for underwater equipment

4186370 Stabilized sonobuoy suspension, Raytheon, Jan 29, 1980, 367/4; 367/130; 441/11; 441/33 -
4189786 Radio Buoy Assembly, R.E. Adler, Feb 19 1980, 367/4; 367/5; 367/133 -
4246671 Buoy anchoring system, Richard C. Swenson, Navy, 1981-01-27, -
4247143 Payload release mechanism, Stephen G. Putman, Navy, 1981-01-27, -
4323988 Sonobuoy system, Albert S. Will, Earl A. Schuchard, John P. Buckley, Armand Cioccio, John C. Hetzler, Jr., Sylvan Wolf, Donald E. Jefferson, Jim B. McQuitty, Robert A. Urick, Secretary Of The Navy, Apr 6, 1982 (TOP SECRET), 367/4, 367/173, 367/153 - A deep water explosive echo ranging system capable of detecting high performance  submarines by using favorable acoustic paths available at deep depths.
4357688 Low cost sonobuoy, Navy, Nov 2, 1982, 367/4; 367/173 -
4358834 Self-deploying Buoy System, Navy, Nov 9, 1982, 367/4; 367/173 -

4546459 Method and apparatus for a phased array transducer, John C. Congdon, 1985-10-08, - DIFAR directional hydrophone
4590590 Sonobuoy Multiple Depth Deployment Apparatus, Magnavox, May 20 1986, 367/4; 441/25; 441/33 -
4689773 Extendible sonobuoy apparatus, John C. Congdon, Thomas A. Richter, Joseph J. Slachta, Magnavox Government and Industrial Electronics,
4709359 End weighted reed sound transducer, Rayford A. Loftin, Magnavox Electronic Systems, Undersea Sensor Systems, 1987-11-24, - 4 hydrophones for DIFAR
4727520 (RE33014) Cable Deployment Unit, Sparton of Canada, Feb 23, 1988, 367/4; 367/3; 441/25 - hot wire (35) melts line allowing spring to activate stop setting hydrophone depth.
4901288 Compact cylindrical sonobuoy, Sparton Corp, Feb 13 1990, 367/4 -
4924445 Sonobuoy Cable Pack, Royal Navy, May 8, 1990, 367/4; 114/326; 367/3; 441/8 -
4927057 Automatic Infiltrator for Inflatable Articles, Inflation Tech, May 22, 1990, 222/5; 222/23; 222/41; 222/52; 222/63; 222/93; 222/94; 441/93 -
4493664 Sonobuoy float inflation and depth selection initiators, John R. Dale, Secretary Of The Navy, Jan 15, 1985, 441/7, 441/26, 222/5, 441/30, 367/4, 441/33 -
4560228 Electrical connector for sonobuoy launch system, Roland Bender, Navy, Dec 24, 1985, - pogo pins and metal contacts
4691305 Automatic attenuator for sonobuoys, John H. Kuck, AF, 1987-09-01, - for use in  Missile Impact Location System (Wili: SMILS) "The attenuator for the sonobuoy device is divided into a high gain, narrow band channel for detection of ping signals and a low gain, wide band channel for detection of impact signals.
4777627 Extendible sonobuoy apparatus, John C. Congdon, undersea sensor systems, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1988-10-11, -
5073136 Collapsible sonobuoy floatation device, Paul H. DeWitt, James J. Majewski, Thomas A. Richter, undersea sensor systems, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1991-12-17, - cylindrical bellows,
5076468 Squib Inflator Adapter, Halkey-Roberts Corp, Dec 31, 1991, 222/5; 222/91; 441/93 -
5119341 Method for extending GPS to underwater applications, James W. Youngberg, AF, 1992-06-02, - GPS to Sonobuoy (fro P-3), acoustic signal to underwater vehicle.
5197036 Sonar Array Mounting for Sonobuoy, Mar 23, 1993, 367/4; 367/153 -
5426617 Long baseline tracking system, Reginald J. Cyr, Secretary Of The Navy, Jun 20, 1995, 367/6 - uses multiple underwater transponders
6400645 Sonobuoy Apparatus, (Navy), Jun 4, 2002, 367/4; 367/3; 367/153 - opens sort of like an 8-sided umbrella

Magnavox

3299375 Elastic stretchable coaxial cable having constant capacitance using woven or helically wound conductors, Charles S Thompson, Magnavox, 1967-01-17, - for sonobuoy hydrophones
3336892 Cable dispensing and locking means, Gerald J Barry, Thomas B Harker, Magnavox, 1967-08-22, - for sonobuoy hydrophones

Cites:
3035285 Explosively anchored buoy, Jr Walter G Squires, 1962-05-22, - for marking applications where buoy is under water until a timer runs out then it surfaces.
3054123 Buoy with explosive anchor, Adolph F Moeller, Navy, 1962-09-18, - "Navy dan buoy": "A temporary marker buoy used during minesweeping operations to indicate the boundaries of swept paths, swept areas, known hazards, and other locations or reference points."
2722018 Float marker, Walter V Mueller, 1955-11-01, -
3036542 Embedment anchor, Russell S Robinson, Pneumo Dynamics, 1962-05-29
2993461Embedment anchor

3603921 Sound transducer, Robert H Dreisbach, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1971-09-07, - 4 lobe hydrophone for sonobuoy
3656151 Digital function generation network, William E Richeson Jr, Mike B Feher (N4FS), Magnavox, 1972-04-11, 341/147; 341/153 -

"In the early days of DIFAR there was no real grayscale on the chart paper which indicated signal strength. Essentially you either had nothing or a real dark line. My logarithmic converter remedied that in that it allowed smooth transitions as signal strength varied. Of course now there would be so many better ways of doing it. However, at the time it worked and everyone was pleased. 73 – Mike"  See AQA-7 below.

4007316 Deferred action battery having an improved depolarizer, Ralph F. Koontz, Magnavox Co, 1977-02-08, 429/118; 429/220; 429/229 - sea water activated
4086560 Secret depth sounder, Thomas F. Johnston, Aaron Z. Robinson, Navy, App: 1959-04-03, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1978-04-25, - uses recorded ambient noise as the signal transmitter and a correlator processes the received signal.
4192913 Deferred action battery having an improved depolarizer, Ralph F. Koontz, Lloyd E. Klein, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1980-03-11, 429/119; 429/220 - 
4261853 Deferred action battery having an improved depolarizer, Ralph F. Koontz, Lloyd E. Klein, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1981-04-14, 252/182.1; 429/118; 429/119; 429/220 -
4268912 Directional hydrophone suitable for flush mounting, John C. Congdon, Magnavox, 1981-05-19, 367/163; 310/337; 310/365; 310/366; 367/164; 367/174 - for use on submarine
4494024 One shot spring activated motor, Gerald W. Braun, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1985-01-15, 310/75A; 200/61.08; 310/273 - a squib (resistor) severs a cord releasing a CW or CCW spring to drive a shaft (for setting depth of hydrophone).  Note some torpedo gyroscopes use a very similar squib released spring motor.
4546459 Method and apparatus for a phased array transducer, John C. Congdon, Magnavox, 1985-10-08, 367/155; 367/157; 367/159; 367/165 - DIFAR beam forming
4590590 Sonobuoy multiple depth deployment apparatus, James R. Toone, Robert L. Barker, Magnavox, 1983-11-29, 367/4; 441/25; 441/33 - See Fig: 53-21, 53-23, 53-24,
4611293 Method and apparatus for automatic calibration of magnetic compass, Ronald R. Hatch, Richard G. Keegan, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1986-09-09, 702/92; 324/245; 33/355R; 33/356 - 360 deg turn compensates for both soft and hard iron. 3-phase Earth Induction compass (aircraft application?)  [Hatch holds many GPS related patents)]
4654832 Sonobuoy retaining and release apparatus, Robert L. Barker, Magnavox, 1983-11-29, 367/4; 441/33 - Sonobuoy parachute, see figs: 53-6, 53-7, 53-8
4660040 Target range sensing apparatus, Norman Grandos, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1987-04-21, 342/128; 342/193; 342/68 - "Target range sensing apparatus" - maybe a bomb fuze using FM-CW, or a sonobuoy range detector?
4689773 Extendible sonobuoy apparatus, John C. Congdon, Thomas A. Richter, Joseph J. Slachta, Magnavox, 1982-12-02, 367/3; 367/159; 367/165; 367/169; 367/173 - DIFAR sonobuoy "The components typically include an electronics canister, acoustic wave phase controls and one or more active electroacoustic transducers. The components are attached to a plurality of flexible support cables. The cables are attached at their respective upper ends to the bottom of the canister and are attached at their lower ends to the bottom of the tube. The cables are collapsed during the pre-deployed state and tautly extended during the deployed state. Axial guide strips are affixed to the inner surface of the tube. The canister and transducer have recesses engaging the strips in a sliding fit to prevent rotation about the tube longitudinal axis during deployment. The electro acoustic transducer may be mounted to the tube at a predetermined axial location on the tube. "
4700100 Flexural disk resonant cavity transducer, John C. Congdon, Thomas A. Whitmore, Magnavox, 1987-10-13, 310/332; 310/324; 310/326; 310/337; 367/155 - improves the frequency response of Helmholtz cavity in the 1 to 2 kHz range.
4709359 End weighted reed sound transducer, Rayford A. Loftin, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1987-11-24, 367/155; 367/161 - four vanes
4797841 Method and apparatus for automatic calibration of magnetic compass, Ronald R. Hatch, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1989-01-10, 702/92; 324/245; 33/355R; 33/356 - 3-phase Induction compass
4777627 Extendible sonobuoy apparatus, John C. Congdon, Magnavox, 1985-06-26, 367/3; 367/159; 367/173; 367/4; 441/1 -
EP0098017A2 End weighted reed sound transducer, Rayford A. Loftin, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1985-08-28, - four bars
4970703 Switched capacitor waveform processing circuit, Peruvamba R. Hariharan, Robert W. Downing, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1990-11-13, 367/138; 367/122 - sonar beam forming or sonobuoy?
5018116 Inter-element mounting for stacked piezoelectric transducers, John C. Congdon, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1991-05-21, 367/165; 310/334 -
5046031 Method and apparatus for automatic flux-gate compass calibration, Richard E. Wanous, Magnavox Govt & Ind, 1991-09-03, 702/92; 33/356; 324/245; 73/1.76 - compensates for loading & unloading the vehicle (not sonobuoy, but shows a lot of understanding in fluxgate magnetometers as used on DIFAR sonobuoy).
5073136 Collapsible sonobuoy flotation device, Paul H. DeWitt, James J. Majewski, Thomas A. Richter, Magnavox Electronic Systems, 1990-03-29, 441/7; 441/11; 441/21; 441/30; 441/32 - Pagoda/ Accordion shape can be pressed flat for stowage.  
5286462 Gas generator system for underwater buoyancy, Jonathan E. Olson, Magnavox, 1994-02-15, - water + Lithium Hydroxide = Hydrogen

SONAR

Around August 2021 I realized that the displays used for Sonobuoys and passive SONAR are identical.  During W.W.II it looks like they did NOT have frequency and/or bearing waterfall displays which are the norm today.  So I'm trying to find when and who the waterfall display was introduced.  There are a number of Audio Analysis patents on the SSQ-53A web page.  They typically show human voice or bird calls as the thing being analyzed and often use the term "complex waves" which I think is code for underwater sounds.  Also see Ref  68.

From the web page: SQS Series Sonars:

model	Freq kHz	Pulse mS	Range k yards	Scan RPS
SQS-1	20 - 28	12/36	1.5/4/6	90
SQS-4 Mod 1	8		5.5
SQS-4 Mod 2	10		4.5
SQS-4 Mod 3	12		4.5
SQS-4 Mod 4	14	6/30/80	4.5
SQS-7	12	3/10/60	2.5/5/10
SQS-10	20	6/30/80	1/3/6	150
SQS-23	4.5/5/5.5	.005/.03/.12	1/2.5/5/10	150

Were the SQS-nn SONAR sets all after the searchlight type.  What was the nomenclature for the searchlight type?

2391678 Sound detecting and indicating system, Schuck Oscar Hugo, Leon G S Wood, Navy, App: 1944-08-14, W.W.II, Pub: 1954-12-21, - A single ring of 36 magnetostrictive elements.  This is the "OMNI" system which is much faster than the Prior Art searchlight system.
2405134 Distance measuring system, Walter J Brown, John E Shomer, Brush Development Co, App: 1942-08-03, W.W.II, Pub: 1946-08-06, - FM CW special shape of variable cap plates.
2431854 Apparatus for suppressing reverberation, Leon G S Wood, Navy, App: 1944-08-03, W.W.II, Pub: 1947-12-02, - uses narrow band filter to only listen to the Doppler shifted frequency associated with the target thus eliminating other returns.
2438580 Compensator for doppler effect, Schuck Oscar Hugo, Navy, App: 1943-11-06, W.W.II, Pub: 1948-03-30, - he worked for Hunt at the Harvard Underwater Sound Lab. For searchlight type SONAR to cancel the Doppler of the own ship motion.
2473974 Underwater sound detecting and indicating system, Schuck Oscar Hugo, App: 1944-05-18, W.W.II, Pub: 1949-06-21, - Omni ping, motorized searchlight receiver.
2515154 Transducer, Charles H Lanphier, Sangamo Electric, App: 1946-07-15, W.W.II, Pub: 1950-07-11, -
2695371 Control transformer and generator, Herbert O Barnes, Sangamo Electric, 1954-11-23, - an electrical commutator for a fixed SONAR array and synchronous drive for a CRT tube. SQS-4
2697822 Sound detecting and indicating system, Schuck Oscar Hugo, Leon G S Wood, App: 1944-08-14, W.W.II, Pub: 1954-12-21, - has the look and feel of patent 2391678, SQS-4
2709796 Automatic target training, Isaac P Rodman, Nolle Alfred Wilson, Allen A Chernosky, Leon G S Wood, Navy, App: 1945-03-30, W.W.II, Pub: 1955-05-31, - for searchlight SONAR. Cites 2666192 by Hunt et al.  also see 2987698 for range gating.
2762447 Cavity radiometer, Walter G Cady, Navy, 1956-09-11, - o improve the art ofunder water radiation-pressure-measuring apparatus
 2791756 Target doppler indicator, Leon G S Wood, Paul B Sebring, Navy, App: 1946-06-11, W.W.II, Pub: 1957-05-07, - for active SONAR.  Mentions: "The recorder may be any of several known types of which an example is manufactured by the Sangamo Electric Company, Springfield, Illinois, and described in a publication of that manufacturer entitled "Instructions for Type CAN-55070 Range Recorder.” see Sangamo patent 1350485.
2987698 Indicating a selected target echo in an echo wave train obtained by echo ranging, Isaac P Rodman, Nolle Alfred Wilson, Allen A Chernosky, Leon G S Wood, Navy, App: 1945-03-30, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1961-06-06, - range gating, Sangamo Electric Co electro-chemical chart paper, trace gets much darker when return signal appears - maybe the start of waterfall displays.
2991445 Echo ranging system, Haynes James Burney, Charles H Lanphier, Sangamo Electric, 1961-07-04, - spiral sweep PPI (Wiki) type CRT display of range and bearing. SQS-4
3016513 Fm echo-ranging system, Karl S Van Dyke, App: 1943-05-26, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1962-01-09, -
3497868 Echo ranging system, Charles H Lanphier, Sangamo Electric, App: 1957-06-17, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1970-02-24, - A cylindrical stack of four fixed rings of 48 transducers (7.5 degrees).  Prior Art SONAR systems worked on the searchlight principle where it took about 4 minutes to make a 360 degree scan.  An improved Prior Art system was the "OMNI" where the transmitted ping was in all directions but only a segment of the transducers were used for receive as described in patent 2515154.  Mentions SQS-4 MOD 4 NAVSHIPS 92283 (A).
3613069 Sonar system, Cary Boyd B Jr, Fenlon Francis H, Gen Dynamics Corp, Oct 12, 1971, 367/92, 367/104, 367/107, 367/101 - combines two Tx frequencies (Mixer Transducer & Pump Transducer- higher SPL), 12, 48 & 60 kHz.    
4194246 Noisemaker beacon, Ralph P. Crist, US Navy, 1958-05-12, -
4197591 Facsimile recording of sonic values of the ocean bottom, Julius Hagemann, App: 1958-08-04, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1980-04-08, -
4320474 Saturation limited parametric sonar source, John M. Huckabay, Reuben H. Wallace, Secretary Of The Navy, Mar 16, 1982, 367/138, 367/92 - phased array?  
4777627 Extendible sonobuoy apparatus, John C. Congdon, Magnavox, 1988-10-11, - DIFAR
4939699 Sonar system, Francis J. Murphree, Henry L. Warner, Edward G. McLeroy, Navy, App: 1966-12-08, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1990-07-03, - "A sonar system having a sonar transmitter which is programmed to broadcast two sets of several increasing frequency signals, with the frequency gap between each set thereof sufficient to cause them to distinguish between deep and shallow water targets, respectively. A heterodyne receiver receives target echoes of said sets of several frequency signals and converts them to two sets of identical frequency signals which are then readout as a single continuous target display signal."
4939702 Barrier sonar, Francis J. Murphree, Secretary Of Navy, Filed: Jul 19, 1968(12 year delay) Pub: Jul 3, 1990, 367/138, 367/87, 367/93 -
4998224 System for providing improved reverberation limited sonar performance, Mar 5, 1991
5138587 Harbor Approach- Defense Embedded System, (Navy), 367/136, Aug 1992
5144487 Expendable moving echo radiator, (Navy),  367/1; 367/137; 367/165, Sep 1992 - countermeasures equip
5235558 Choke point bistatic sonar, Harvey C. Woodsum, Joseph J. Stapleton, Gte Government Systems Corp, Aug 10, 1993, 367/92, 367/104, 367/15, 367/908 -
5808580 Radar/sonar system concept for extended range-doppler coverage,
6018493 Sonar Suspension Apparatus, Dowty Maritime Sys, Jan 25, 2000,  367/16; 367/20; 367/153; 367/155; 367/165; 441/33 -
6707760 Projectile sonar, Andrew C. Coon, Howard Allen Lazoff, Richard Phillip Taschler, Raytheon, 2004-03-16, - a surface ship fires special shells (explode at set depth) and using sonar processes the returned sub echo.

Dr. Breed & Hughes

5134369 Three axis magnetometer sensor field alignment and registration, Allen K. Lo, Wilbur W. Eaton, Jr.Ben R. Breed, Raytheon (Hughes), 1992-07-28, -
5239474 Dipole moment detection and localization, Wilbur W. Eaton, Jr.Ben R. Breed, Raytheon (Hughes), 1993-08-24, - based on Anderson Localization (Wiki) 
5617099 Adaptive filtering of matched-filter data, Ronald W. Warren, Ben R. Breed, Raytheon (Hughes), 1997-04-01, -

 

 

Launching

Photo from Wiki Sonobuoy page

From Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet (2005):
The P3C Orion. . .  tail-mounted ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) and 48 external (fuselage) sonolbuoy chutes and four in-flight reloadable (internal) chutes; a total of 84 buoys normally are carried.

Note The silver cylinder on the top of each sonobuoy. It's a gas generator that's electrically triggered. Cartridge-Actuated Device = CAD MIL-C-83124 An alternative to using compressed gas from a tank. See patents directly below. Fig 1 from patent 3905291:

2707904 Sonobuoy Dispensers, Breeze Corp, May 10, 1955, 89/1.51; 367/3 - revolver,
3093808 Air-dropped miniature sonobuoy, George J Tatnall, Albert F Scarcelli, George A Gimber, US Navy, 1963-06-11, -
3228281 Tactical navigation display system, Pliny G Holt, Navy, 1966-01-11, - mission from aircraft carrier, sonobuoy triangle pattern & return to carrier at new position. looks like aircraft instrument.
3266372 Shipping and launching container, Harold J Mack, Albert F Scarcelli, US Navy, 1966-08-16
3451306 Safe and Arm Ejection System, Susquehanna Corp, Jun 24 1969, 89/1.1; 89/1.51; 102/259; 102/357 -
3905291 Cartridge-Actuated Device and Launching Assembly using same, G.T. Corbin, Sep 16 1975, 102/430; 42/96 -
4026188 Modular Buoy System, Sandars Assoc, May 31 1977, 89/1.51; 102/351; 102/352; 102/354; 102/406 -
4263835 Sonobuoy Launcher System, Navy, Apr 28, 1981, 89/1.51; 89/1.3; 89/1.806; 89/1.818 - bouys loaded from outside
4397433 Revolving-cylinder jettison device for transporting and releasing buoys on and from Aircraft, , Aug 9 1983, 244/137.4; 89/1.51; 89/1.801; 244/118.1 -
5052270 Multi-sonobuoy launch container with constant force spring, Navy, Oct 1 1991, 89/1.51; 244/137.4 -
7278416 Pneumatic projectile launcher and sonobuoy launcher adaptor, Lockheed-Martin, Oct 9, 2007, 124/72; 89/1.51 -

Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) (Wiki)

The Earth's magnetic field varies between 25,000 and 70,000 Gamma (aka: nanoTesla) (Wiki) depending on the location.
These were originally called Magnetic Airborne Detectors (Ref 3) and was developed by the NDRC (Wiki, Executive Order 8807 June 28, 1941) and was paired with the use of sonobuoys.

Maximum range 1 to 2 thousand feet. I'm guessing the range includes the depth of the sub, so the deeper the sub the more likely MAD will miss it.

When I lived in Mountain View it was a very common sight to see a P-3 Orion (Wiki) landing or taking off from Moffett Field Naval Air Station (Wiki).  They had a "stinger" on the tail that held the magnetic anomaly detector.  Here's a Youtube video of the MX-1361/ASQ-8 MAD
It appears to have 3 coils, each about 4" in diameter by 2" thick made by TI mounted in 3 orthogonal directions (X, Y & Z)

The ASA-65 is the motion compensator for the ASQ-81 MAD system.  That's to say that any motion of the P-3 will cause the X, Y & Z components of the Earth's magnetic filed to change.  To back that out three coils can be placed over the magnetic sensors and those coils driven from the output of the ASA-65.

When testing a MAD a small portable "Gamma Slinger" is used that generates a known (1045' c.g.s units) rotating magnetic field.

1045 Gauss converts to 104,500,000 nanotesla.  Since the Earth's field is about 50,000 nanotesla the Gamma Slinger is about 2000 times as strong as the Earth's filed.
It's probably made using a modern permanent magnet rotated on a shaft by a clock work where the shaft and clockwork are all non magnetic.  This test device could be used on the flight line to check out the MAD system.

It can easily be detected at over 20 feet using the ASQ-81.

The AN/ASQ-208 is a digital processing type MAD system.

The ASQ-1, ASQ-1A, ASQ-3 and ASQ-3A  was used in conjunction with the CRT-1 sonobuoy in W.W.II.
Ref pg 302, Chapter 16, SOFAR, Harbor Defense, and other SONAR Systems, Naval Sonar, NAVPERS 10884, 1953 (another source: NavalSonar.pdf)

The ASQ-3A was used as the basis of an magnetic survey of the world.
Ref: Airborne Geomagnetic Surveys by the United States Hydrographic Office, Henry P. Stockard, USN Hydrographic Office, NAVIGATION, Journal of The Institute of Navigation, Vol. 4, No. 8, 1955, pp. 320-323. modified to use the Vector Airborne Magnetometer type 2A (VAM-2A)

NOL vector airborne magnetometer type 2A (VAM-2A)

The Pave Mace system that used the Black Crow MAD sensor was optimized to pickup the magnetic filed from ignition system in Vietnamese vehicles.  (link to external web page with photo of it).  The plate to the side of the dome with 3 rows of holes along the top and 3 more rows of holes on the bottom has the feel of a slot antenna for VHF or UHF signals, so more of a radio system than a MAD system.  If you have any definitive information let me know.
It's not clear if this is a magnetic system or a VHF/UHF radio system.
Jerry Proc: AN/ASQ-81 Magnetic Anomaly Detector - helium magnetometer

ASQ-8

The system weighs 150 pounds, occupies 7,700 Cu. In., is made up of 6 boxes, uses 44 vacuum tubes and requires 700 Watts of power (115VAC 400~ 3phase & 28VDC).  The ASQ-10 weighs 32 lbs., has a volume of 1,200 Cu. In., uses 16 Vacuum tubes and needs only 117 Watts of power. (from NAVPERS 10317-A)

MX-1361 Three Channel (X, Y, Z) Magnetic Sensor

YouTube: Magnetic anomaly detector - 3 orthogonal coils made by Texas Instruments p/n: 29604 - This is not the anomaly detector but rather the aircraft magnetic orientation sensor used to drive the X-Y movement of the DT-37 magnetometer.  See References below.

C820 Control Panel

Label on back:  C-820/ASQ-8, NOas 53-340, 439:CGO
Sticker on front panel: RCAF Inspection Due 0439?, 23/68, 7690-21-801-0255, RCAF S69
Labels above grommets: P1301 and P1302 and the cables have been cut off.
Changes 05 and 06 are scratched.

Side panel label: RCAF Instection Due, Batteries Installed 7 Dec 67, 7690-21-801-0255, RCAF S69.

There were internal batteries.  What voltages?

Fig 1 Front	Fig 2 Back
Fig 3 Inside top to right.	Fig 4 Inside Maybe precision wire wound resistors at right side.

17H-4 Gamma Slinger

Wiring:  A & B = AC input (Voltage TBD), C= ground.

Fig 1

Fig 2  North pole near nut.

Fig 3 Motor: Hurst, Princeton, M.D. about 60mm diameter

Black Crow ASD-5

Wiki and other sources call this a MAD device used to detect trucks along the Ho Chi Minh trail (Wiki) in Vietnam, but I suspect that's a cover story since MAD sensors need to be on a boom or stinger at the tail far away from moving metal in the plane.  But it's aplausible cover story since MAD detects ferrous metal that trucks are made from.

The ASD-5 was a system designed to detect spark ignition systems. Since there are filters to specifically eliminate impulse noise (Wiki)  I expect there are filters that pass impulse noise and reject other sounds.  Typical spark plug wires may be on the order of 1 or 2 feet long (0.3 to 0.6 meters) so frequencies around 1,000 MHz may be emitter.  A test with a spectrum analyzer on a Chi Com truck would give a more accurate estimate.  It would not detect a diesel engine.

My guess is that it also could detect the Hark-1 hand held transmitters used by ground observers along the Ho Chi Minh trail. Because the antenna array is on the left side of the C-130 the body of the plane could be used to shield the antenna from some RADARs that caused interference.

See: Ref 69

References

Aviation Electronics Technician 3 & 2, Bureau of Naval Personnel, Navy Training Course, NAVPERS 10317-A,
Ch. 14 Magnetic airborne detection equipment.
Ch. 15 Airborne Sonar and Sonobuoys. - SSQ-2B sonobuoy contains an X-band or S-Band RADAR beacon receiver that effects the output frequency in the 162 to 174 Mc range.  This  is used as an aid in locating the sonobuoy.  I'm guessing to make them show up on the search RADAR is bright dots.
The data on the ASQ-10 in the below table is my best guess based on comments in NAVPERS 10317-A (page 401).

System Components /ASQ-8 Description /ASQ-10 /ASQ-81 AM-294 Electronic Control Amplifier AM-1967 AM-4535 PP-447 Power Supply O-90 O-90A Driver Magnetometer CN-19 Magnetic Compensator AM-295 Amplifier Detector DT-37 Detecting Head (stinger) DT-37B RD-47 RD-47A Recorder RD-47 RD-47A RO-32 SA-181 SA-181A Switch Box na C-820 Detecting Set Control C-2548 MX-1361 Coil Assembly MX-1361

TR-218 The Influence of the Natural Enviornment on MAD Operations 1969 - The ASQ-10 will be followed by the ASQ-81 on the P-3 Orion.  The ASQ-81 uses an optical pump type magnetometer (Wiki) rather than the flux-gate type magnetometer used on the ASQ-8 and ASQ-10.

YouTube - Andrew Ochadlick: Optically Pumped Magnetometer Sensitivity and Helium-4 Energy Levels 2015 - Part1 (theory), Part 2 (ASQ-81 details), Part 3 (Uncertainty Principal) - very technical/physics. - Google Search "Princeton Lorentz Violation"

The War against Trucks, Aerial Interdiction in Southern Laos 1968 - 1972, Nalty,  (WarAgainstTrucks.pdf)

Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) Patents

Also see the MAD patents on the Flux Gate Patents web page.

	GB130050 Improvements in Means for the Detection and Location of Metallic Bodies, particularly applicable to Detecting Submarines, Vannevar Bush (Wiki), 1919-07-31, - 3-axis magnetic detector that can be manually turned on shaft.
	2361177 Method and apparatus for the detection of submarines by airplanes. Constantin Chilowsky, Filed: 25 Apr 1941, Pub :24 Oct 1944, 367/120, 102/419, 244/137.1, 367/130, 102/427, 434/6 - Referenced by 35 patents - not MAD but rather audio
	2406870 Apparatus for responding to magnetic fields, Vacquier Victor V,  Gulf Research Development Co, filed: Jul 21, 1941, Pub: Sep 3, 1946, 324/253, 102/417, 33/361, 318/647, 324/326, 324/345, 324/255, 340/870.33, 102/427 This is THE MAD patent and is referenced by a very large number of others.

The following detectors are towed on a cable from a plane flying at 300 feet above the water:
2379447 Antisubmarine device, Lindsey Henry A D, Jul 3, 1945, 102/417, 102/212, 340/551, 324/247, 324/67, 307/652, 324/258, 340/552
2404806 Submarine detector, Lindsey Henry A D, Jul 30, 1946, 340/850, 102/402, 324/247, 324/331
2415808 Detection of large magentic bodies, Oliver E Buckley, Bell Labs, App: 1941-07-31, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1947-02-18, - "The invention is particularly applicable to the detection and location of submerged submarine or other vessels having hulls of magnetic material but it is applicable as well to the detection and location of other magnetic bodies, Such as large magnetic Ore deposits."
2424772 System for detecting magnetic masses, Frank Rieber, Interval Instr Inc, Jul 29, 1947, 324/247, 324/331, 322/1, 324/257, 322/59, 340/870.32
2485847 Combination magnetometer and gradiometer, Otto H Schmitt, Navy, App: 1944-09-23, (Secret?), Pub: 1949-10-25, 324/244; 340/870.33; 324/255 - two sensors in each wingtip, sum and difference outputs.

Cites 6 including:
2238072 Method and means for locating concealed bodies, Dale H Nelson, William D Buckingham, Western Union Telegraph Co, 1941-04-15, 324/67; 102/406; 324/326; 324/243; 324/345; 405/173 - "...for locating and determining the depth to which a cable, or other body capable of afiecting, distorting and/or producing magnetic lines of force, is buried in the ground or otherwise concealed, and more particularly to locating and determining the depth to which submarine cables and the like are buried in the bed of the ocean or other body of water."

2549845 Ship's magnetic submarine detector, James C Mouzon, Edward S Lamar, Bardeen John, 1951-04-24, - big coils on surface ship to detect subs.
2549857 Cable-suspended aerodynamic body, Schonstedt Erick O, Apr 24, 1951, 324/260, 324/262, 114/24, 244/3, 74/5.00R, 324/331, 324/246, 33/397, 33/366.11
2555209 Method and apparatus for measuring the values of magnetic fields, Gary Muffly, Vacquier Victor V, Gulf Research Development Co, Filed: Nov 1, 1943, Pub: May 29, 1951, 324/246, 324/345, 324/253, - aligns MAD sensors with Earth's magnetic filed
2632884 Orienting mechanism for magnetic detector devices, Murphy Paul M, Mar 24, 1953, 324/253, 318/647, 324/246, 324/331
2696602 Compensated magnetometer, Richard Evans Chauncey, Dec 7, 1954, 324/253, 324/345 - uses term "magnetic anomalies"
3039559 Sound producing device, William M Ellsworth, Pneumo Dynamics Corp, 1962-06-19, - a couple of CO2 like pressure cartridges holding Hydrogen and Oxygen fill a rubber balloon which then is exploded producing water vapor which causes a strong implosion or cavitation.
3258687 Wide range linear fluxgate magnetometer, J.P. Heppner & H.R. Boroson, NASA, Jun 28 1966, - range 1 gamma to 10E-5 Gauss. 
3412371 Detection system, Arnold A Shostak, Navy, 1968-11-19, - magnetic micro pulsations
3530375 Aircraft magnetometer system with means to compensate said system for disturbing magnetic field generated by the aircraft, Fransiscus A Passier, Navy, 1970-09-22, -
3644825 Magnetic detection system for detecting movement of an object utilizing signals derived from two orthogonal pickup coils, Paul D Davis Jr, Thomas E Mccullough, Texas Instruments Inc, 1972-02-22 - Cited by 133 patents.  - two coils allows determining direction of movement, like trucks along road - Outdoor Intrusion Detectors
3697869 System for generating compensating signals for magnetic effects of aircraft on mad system, Myron M Greenberg, Steven A Macintyre, Navy, 1972-10-10, -
------------------ Helium Magnetometer (Wiki) -------------
3577068 Optically pumped magnetic gradiometer, Richard C La Force, Atlantic Richfield, 1971-05-04, -
4546317 Free nuclear precession gradiometer system, George F. Hinton, Navy, 1985-10-08, -
4766385 Underwater buried mine classifier, Donald G. Polvani, Westinghouse (Northrop Grumman), 1988-08-23, -
5182514 Automatic compensator for an airborne magnetic anomaly detector, Joseph A. Rice, Jr.,  TI, App: 1974-11-19, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1993-01-26, - mentions it's for the AN/ASQ-81.

SONAR Countermeasures

Also see Torpedo Countermeasures (some are the same but some are different)

You see this in movies like The Hunt for Red October or Crimson Tide.  A small can is ejected from the sub and a stream of bubbles comes out of it.

2710458 Underwater acoustic decoy, Donald G Reed, App: 1945-06-14, W.W.II, Pub: 1955-06-14, - torpedo that sounds like a sub for training SONAR operators.
2901997 Sound generator, Arthur H Brooks, Sep 1, 1959 (14 year delay), 116/27, 116/137.00R, 102/418, 367/1 -  
2981927 Underwater sound transmitter See below
3180295 Submarine simulator, Niederer Otto Christopher, Navy, 1965-04-27, - a special torpedo with mag tape loop,
3194207 Underwater sound sources, Dunne Brian B, Gen Dynamics Corp, Jul 13, 1965, 116/27, 367/142 - electric motor driven noise maker + flotation device, cylindrical shape (torpedo tube or smaller?)  3771115 Simulated submarine target apparatus, McLinden Hugh,    - a viscous, gelatinous  material having metalic particles suspended in it, is ejected by the sub to form a hollow bag-like structure which is filled with water.
3408621 Submarine tracking apparatus, Franklin A Dobson, Philco Ford (Space Systems Loral), App: 1961-02-14, cold war, Pub: 1968-10-29. - noise maker magnetically attached to sub. "NATO Designed Magnetic Noisemakers to Track Soviet Submarines. The Plan Failed." Book: Hunter Killers, by Iain Ballantyne (Ref 59)
3612211 Method of producing locally occurring infrasound, William T Clark, 1971-10-12, - maybe similar to the Holosonics (Wiki) system that uses ultrasonics to generate an audio sound.
3786405 System for low-frequency transmission of radiant energy, M Chramiec, W Konrad, Raytheon, 1974-01-15, - underwater sound generation
3872421 Standing wave acoustic parametric source, Peter H Rogers, Buren Arnie Lee Van, Navy, 1975-03-18, - underwater sound generation
3891961 Sonar countermeasure, Rudolph M Haisfield, Navy, App: 1961-02-27, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1975-06-24, - phase shift with <1 Hz frequency difference. for submarines
3964013 Cavitating parametric underwater acoustic source, William L. Konrad, Navy, 1976-06-15, - bubbles provide for non-linear mixing
4183008 Noise making device, Ralph P. Crist, Navy, App: 1958-05-12, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1980-01-08, -
4194246 Noisemaker beacon, Ralph P. Crist, Secretary Of The Navy, Mar 18, 1980 (32 years delay=TOP SECRET), 367/1, 441/22, 441/12 - 10 to 100 kHz output
4214313 Multiple sonar masking and jamming countermeasure system, Keith E. Geren, Warren A. Sauer, Donald A. Young, Navy, Pub: 1961-04-27, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1980-07-22, - noise jamming for passive sonar over 5 to 70 kHz range and maybe (Wiki: Range gate pull-off, or Radar jamming and deception)
5117731 Tactical acoustic decoy, Mark A. Mendenhall, Secretary Of The Navy, Jun 2, 1992, 89/1.816, 102/348, 367/1, 102/501 - mounts on ship and jamms infrared, sonar & microwave.
5268875 Acoustic decoy, John D. Charlton, Navy, App: 1967-05-11, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1993-12-07, - contionous loop tape with multiple tracks with staggered heads.
6252822 Countermeasure device with air bag hover system and pressure compensated acoustic projectors, Robert J. Obara, Secretary Of The Navy, Jun 26, 2001, 367/1 - uses compressed air for both depth control and noise making   

Maybe called sonar counter counter measures was a type of sonar that was difficult for an enemy to hear.  Maybe done using a pseudorandom sequence of frequencies called direct sequence spread spectrum when done with radio frequency signals.
5301166 Remote control command system, John D. Charlton, Navy, App: 1967-06-29, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1994-04-05, - applies to either radio or sonic signaling.

Sound Ranging

One meaning of Sound Ranging (Wiki) is to locate explosions (like a gun firing) beginning in W.W.I.  Based on measuring the differences in the time of arrival of the gunshot sound at multiple microphones. It's the nature of a gunshot that the sound only lasts for a fraction of a second.  There is not enough time to turn a bearing dial back and forth to determine the bearing so this equipment needs to work without a human in the loop.

Another meaning of Sound Ranging is to get the bearing on a source of sound.  This was done by the Navy using binaural headphones.  Based on human hearing being able to determine the direction of a sound.  This we the first form of passive SONAR.  The sound of a ship or submarine is continuous so there's time for a human to use their hearing to determine the bearing to the source of the sound.

		1874196 Sound ranging system, Horatio W Lamson, General Radio, 1932-08-30, - A pair of microphones (1 & 2) pick up sound. A pair of delay lines ("lag" or "retardation" lines15 & 16) are tapped by movable coils (11 & 12) which when adjusted by the operator wearing binaural headphones (75 & 76) displays the bearing to the sound. Since this is a time delay system it is also frequency independent.  Very similar to the Fenwick time delay beam steering antenna patent.
		1901342 Sound ranging system, Horatio W Lamson, General Radio,1933-03-14, - like 1874196 except has six microphones and delay lines.

Hydrophones

A hydrophone (Wiki) is the common sensor for sonobuoys and can be deployed at various depths.  A sonobuoy might have many depth settings that can be set prior to ejecting it from an aircraft.  This is important because of what's called the thermocline (Wiki) which is where the temperature of the water changes rapidly.  This changes the speed of sound (Wiki).  This causes the sound to change direction just as light will be bent by a change in refractive index (Wiki).  And just like light there's conditions where the bending acts like a mirror and all the sound (or light) is reflected off the layer instead of just changing angles.  So if the hydrophone is on the wrong side of the thermocline it may not hear a sub that's on the other side.  The key parameter is how the water temperature changes with depth which is measured by a Bathythermograph.

Arthur J. Mundy coined the term "hydrophone in the following patent:
793896 Submarine signal, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, 1905-07-04, - "The invention relates to that portion of a submarine signaling system which includes the means for taking the sound-signals conducted by the water from a submerged signaling apparatus from the water and transmitting them, preferably electrically, to a telephone receiver on a vessel. This portion of the apparatus as a whole I have named a 'hydrophone.” The part of the hydrophone which is immersed in the water and receives sound impulses from it and transmits them I term the "hydrophone-transmitter,” or, for short, the 'transmitter.” The part which receives the impulses from the transmitter and delivers the sound to the hearer I call the 'hydrophone-receiver," or for short, the "receiver."

See the  SSQ-53A\Audio Analysis web page for the analysis of the sounds from hydrophones.

YouTube: PeriscopeFilm: Sounds in the Silent Deep Hydrophones Underwater Sound Documentary, Moody Institute of Science, Educational Film Division, "Sounds in the Silent Deep", 27:13, @4:33 underwater Disk microphone, @5:35 Hydrophone, 5:56 SONAR, @9:50 URI study marine animal sounds (Vibralyzer, I can not read patent number, Kay Electric Co. may be the same as Ohmega Lab), The Analysis of Bird Songs by means of a Vibralyzer; Kay 3090-A Vibralyzer - see SSQ-53A\Audio Analysis

1345717 Acoustic device, George B Thomas, Western Electric, 1920-07-06, - omni-directional
1393471 Submarine signaling, Raymond L Wegel, Western Electric, 1921-10-11, - directional
1681963 Magnetophone, Robert L Williams, Submarine Signal Co, 1928-08-28, - - used directly with earphones
1803257 = RE20680 Piezoelectric device, Charles B. Sawyer, Brush Development Co, 1938-03-29, -
2222056 Piezoelectric device, Alfred L W Williams, Brush Development Co, 1940-11-19, - lollypop shape
2353089 Transducer, Harry B Shapiro, Brush Development Co, App: 1942-03-26, W.W.II, Pub: 1944-07-04, -
2405472 Diaphragm, Tuttle William Norris, General Radio, App: 1934-06-12, Top Secret, Pub: 1946-08-06, -
2434900 Sonic translating device, Jr Robert Black, Frank F Romanow, Bell Labs, App: 1943-07-14, SECRET, Pub: 1948-01-27, -
2576155 Submarine compressional wave receptive apparatus, Horace M Trent, 1951-11-27, - piezoelectric transducer in rubber dome filled with Castor Oil.
2589403 Transducer construction and method, Franz N D Kurie, Navy, App: 1943-12-14, Pub: 1952-03-18, - bonding Rochelle salt to metal with min. capacitane and good mechanical coupling.
2594948 Electromechanical transducer unit, Thomas E Lynch, Brush Development Co, 1952-04-29, - crystal encased in petroleum jelly for use in photograph pickup
2602836 Instantaneous (audio) frequency analyzer, Harry R Foster, Elmo E Crump, Ohmega Lab, 1952-07-08, 324/76.29; 704/276; 324/76.19; 324/76.68; 324/76.44 - Vibralyzer?
2615078 Frequency analyzer system, Harry R Foster, Elmo E Crump, Ohmega Lab,1952-10-21, 324/76.19; 101/DIG.37; 346/33R; 704/205; 360/137; 324/76.13 - Vibralyzer? Sonogram (Wiki: Spectrogram)
2774035 Magnetostrictive frequency analysers, Martin R Richmond, Blitz Daniel, Raytheon, 1956-12-11, - maybe for ground based radar
3803546 Broad band hydrophone, R Leon, Navy, 1974-04-09, - 4 elements, 30 to 1000 Hz, 
3903497 Opto-acoustic hydrophone, Morton Stimler, Zaka I Slawsky, Navy, 1975-09-02

A hydrophone (Wiki) is an underwater sound sensor.  On purpose I did not call it some type of microphone because that would imply it can only respond to sound within the frequency band which human ears can hear.  So, I think, sensor (Wiki) or transducer (Wiki) are better terms to use.  The key reason for that is most SONAR (Wiki) involves ultrasonic frequencies.

An early piezo electric material used for  hydrophones was Rochelle Salt (Wiki) which can be made from ingredients from the grocery store using instructions from YouTube.  Since it's water based, getting water on the crystal will dissolve it, so maybe not idea for an underwater application. Barium Titanate (Wiki) is another piezoelectric (Wiki) material used for hydrophones.  Although know in the W.W.II time frame, Titanium was not readily available in war time, so Magnetostriction (Wiki) was used for hydrophones early in W.W.II, like used on the CRT-1 sonobuoy.
See my Magnetics web page for an example of Terfenol-D material.

Got this hydrophone from Fair Radio.  It consists of a bladder just under five feet long and about three inches in diameter filled with mineral oil (or something similar).  Inside there are eight cylindrical  Rochelle Salt Crystal doublets, each about three inches long with about a three inch gap between sensors (series or parallel connection?). 

In the Combat Information Center magazine for July 1944 (Vol. 1 No. 5) there's an article on harbor defense that mentions both a sonobuoy with vertical hydrophone array (radio has 12 mile range and hydrophone has 1,000 yard range) as well as multiple hydrophones laid on the bottom and connected to multi-conductor cable.

At the cable end of the hydrophone is a matching transformer with 25 Ohm output impedance.  Frequency response of 1Hz to 20 kHz (i.e. young human hearing range).
The internal construction seems to be steel cylinders spot welded to two steel rods that tie them toghther.  The crystals are glued into the cylinders and wired in parallel.
If buried in the ground as is the mineral oil will leak out leaving air voids.  If repackaged in a PVC pipe the sound would travel up and down the pipe wall which doesn't happen with the current rubber bladder.  So maybe some type of flexable hose would be a good replacement? 

The idea is to bury it and have excellent low frequency (below 20 Hz) response.  The Infra sound sensors use garden hose with a pin hole leak.

Official Description:

Hydrophone, U. S. Navy Harbor Detection, Sonic, NT-51038F; P/O type JR-1 Harbor Detection Equipment. Sensitive listening, frequency range 1 - 20 thousand cycles per second; with 8 Rochelle Salt Crystal Doublets each approx. 3" x 2" x 1", in metal frame w/matching transformer to 25 ohm line, in Castor (?) Oil, encased by heavy rubber jacket 56" long x 2 1/2" in diameter; with 9 foot rubber covered cable 1/2" O.D. w/2 flexible copper wires insulated, plus 2 steel strain wires; to be used down to 400ft. depth while withstanding high pressure explosion waves.  Mfg by Brush Development Company.

How can the transformer work over that frequency range? 

3 Feb 2012 - When the 999 average spectrum plot finishes I'll have a look at the impedance.

Fig HP1	Fig HP2 Transformer
White Red Black Green Blue Case Ground White  - Opn Opn  Opn  Opn Red - -  Opn  Opn  Sht Black - - - Sht Opn  Green - - - -  Opn Blue - - - - - The Red and Blue terminals are physically in line. The Black and Green terminals are physically in line. The White wire is not an electrical connection but rather is where a couple of steel cables attach for supporting the weight of the hydrophone. It's not clear what this is.
HP 4395A Plot 1 Hz to 20 kHz RBW: 1 Hz, True RMS detection, 16 averages:	HP 4395A Plot 1Hz to 20 kHz RBW: 1 Hz, True RMS detection, 999 averages (54.6 hours):
HP 4395A Z transform Impedance Real & Imaginary	HP 4395A Z transform Hydrophone Impedance Smith Chart with Marker List (It's a 50 Ohm device!)

Hydrophone Patents

The Submarine Signal Company (Wiki) developed the first hydrophones.  They received a block of patents all with the same application and publication dates.
The idea was to ring a bell under water and hear that sound with an underwater microphone.
Note in Telephone technology by 1889 the Carbon Mike had replaced Bell's dynamic mike and the Long Pole receiver was the cat's meow.

768567 Fig 1 Underwater Bell

768567 Fig 2 Telephone transmitter and receiver

Here's the block of 7 patents all granted on the same date with sequential numbers:
768567 Submarine signaling, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768568 Sound transmitter and receiver, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768569 Telephone-transmitter, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768570 Sound transmitter and receiver, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768571 Sound transmitter and receiver, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768572 Sound transmitter and receiver, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
768573 Submarine sound-direction finder, Arthur J Mundy, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1902-04-23, Pub: 1904-08-23, -
------------------------ end of Submarine Signal Co block of hydrophone patents -----------------------

	1378960 Method of and apparatus for detecting under-water vibrations, Warren Horton Joseph, Western Electric 1921-05-24, -
	1381640 Detecting underwater vibrations, Warren Horton Joseph, Western Electric, 1921-06-14, - Carbon microphones 7 & 8 or 7 & 9 are fed to the telephone receivers 11 and 16 and can be used to get a rough bearing to the source of sound.
	1624412 Submarine signaling, Joseph W Horton, Western Electric, Filed: 1919-10-31, W.W.I TOP SECRET, Pub: 1927-04-12, - Fig 1: Carbon mike Fig 2: Dynamic mike Fig 3: Dynamic mike (to be used with an amplifier)
	1576459 Electric retardation line, George W Pierce, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1921-12-24, Pub: 1926-03-09, - "The present invention relates to electric retardation lines, and more particularly to a retardation line for introducing definite time retardation of electric currents in a manner such that currents of a complex character will be retarded in a rational and predeterminable way, with out essential distortion, over a significant range of frequencies. The present invention results in a considerable extension over previous retardation lines the range of frequencies for which the retardation time is independent of frequency."  - This is a very important point.  "The present invention, however, is not limited to the application of the retardation line herein disclosed, to an electric compensator, ..." I wonder if coax transmission lines were know then?  Ans:  Yes (Wiki) The Fenwick 1977 antenna patent is based on Time Delay Beam Steering where the lobes are frequency independent.  Yet there are still many "phased array" antenna systems where the main lobe modes with any change in frequency, probably because they are much lower in cost to make.
	1682712 Electric compensator, George W Pierce, Submarine Signal Co, App: 1919-06-25, Pub: 1928-08-28, - Although there is a "steering wheel" used to point the SONAR beam, it is just an electrical switch, there is no mechanical connection to a moving SONAR array. For the switching scheme shown in Fig 2 to work the array needs to be self similar, like a cylinder where the elements are straight lines. This is analogous to the motor driven Geionometer used on the receive only Wullenweber antenna array (Wiki).  Since it dates from early in W.W.II the sound based patents shown here predated it.
	1893741 Arrangement for directional transmission and reception with a plurality of oscillators, Hecht Heinrich, ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, Priority: 1928-01-14, Pub: 1933-01-10, - Fig 4 placement on the bottom of the sea (or on the bottom of a harbor).
	1969005 Apparatus for the directional transmission and reception of wave energy, Hecht Heinrich, ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, 1934-08-07, -
	1997974 Apparatus for the directional transmission or reception of wave energy, Rudolph Wilhelm, ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, 1934-10-23, -
	1995708 Electrical compensator for the directional transmission or reception of wave energy, Fischer Fritz Alexander, ELAC Electroacustic GmbH, App: 1929-11-21, Pub: 1935-03-26, -
	2473974 Underwater sound detecting and indicating system, Schuck Oscar Hugo, Navy, App: 1944-05-18, W.W.II, Pub: 1949-06-21, - Hugo has a number of SONAR patents. Omni-directional 14 kHz transmit but rotating directional receive beam.  Spiral scan on CRT.
	2582994 Underwater microphone, James M Kendall, Geophysical Research Corp, Priority: 1943-06-04, W.W.II, Pub: 1952-01-22, - seismic surveys or research
	2592738 Electronically controlled low impedance phase shifting device, Stanley R Rich, Navy, App: 1945-09-19, Pub: 1952-04-15, - The U.S. BQR-2 & BQS-4 SONAR domes are a based on the 1929 German compensator. The use of "phase shift" networks is a problem in that the pattern is a function of frequency.  Much better to use time delay which can be frequency independent.
	2597005 Method of calibrating microphones, James M Kendall, Geophysical Research Corp, Priority: 1943-06-04, W.W. II, Pub: 1952-05-20, - also see patent 2582994 Underwater microphone,
	2684449 Commutator tube, Stanley R Rich, Jr Edwin E Turner, Raytheon, App: 1946-03-19, Pub: 1954-07-20, - for use with the SONAR system of patent 2786193 below.
	2703396 Underwater echo range and bearing apparatus, Stanley R Rich, Navy, App: 1944-11-11, TOP SECRET, Pub: 1955-03-01, - The key benefit it reduced time to make a 360 degree search. Fig 1. TVG = Time Varied Gain.  Scope shows spiral pattern. Also see: SSQ-53A Audio Analysis Patents 2418846 where the Tx and Rx elements rotate at different speeds. Fig 3 thin Nickel laminations with coil. BQR-2 and/or BQS-4 SONAR?
	2786193 Underwater sound system, Stanley R Rich, Raytheon, App: 1948-03-10, Pub: 1957-03-19, - no mechanical moving parts.  Uses commutator tube patent 2684449 above.

2138036 Compressional wave sender or receiver, Kunze Willy, Submarine Signal Co, 1938-11-29, - Quartz crystal, Rochelle-salt,   cited by34 patents
2616223 Device for converting electrical energy into mechanical oscillation energy, Jonker Gerard Heinrich, 1952-11-04, - cited by 23 patents.
2631271 Tubular hydrophone, A.L. Thuras (New London, CT),  Sec of Navy, Mar 10, 1953, 367/168 -  CRT-1 
2973739 Underwater transducer, Nelson N Estes, 1961-03-07, - for actuating thereby acoustically sensitive mines or the like submerged therein.
3255431 Hydrophone, Glenn N Howatt, Gulton Ind, 1966-06-07, - piezoelectric - looks like a lolly-pop
3266011 Hydrophone, Massa Frank, Dynamics Corp of America, 1966-08-09, - low cost for sonobuoy
3659255 Hydrophone calibrator, Winfield James Trott, 1972-04-25, - 1 Hz to 5 kHz,  a pair of piezo electric cylinders in a pressure vessel. uses static pressure change for calibration.
4965778 Helical magnetostrictive core line hydrophone, David E. Parker, Markay Malootian, Secretary Of The Navy, Oct 23, 1990 (21 year delay), 367/168 -   

Brush Development Co. Patents

Their early work with Piezoelectric devices (Wiki) was for microphones and speakers used in air.  But this was long after the Germans, see SSQ-53A Ref 18.

1906758 Crystal and method of producing the same, Kjellgren Bengt, Brush Dev Co, May 2, 1933, 117/69, 117/68, 117/926, 252/1, 562/580 - Rochelle salt - but the methods seem the same as used today for silicon or any other crystal.
2105010 Piezoelectric device, Baldwin Sawyer Charles, Brush Dev Co, Jan 11, 1938, 381/190, 310/331, 367/164, 601/2, 367/161, 381/173 - Rochelle salt disk or plate or stacks or grids of them, mike or speaker
2126437 Apparatus for generating electrical waves - tubes
2269403 Piezoelectric unit - loudspeaker for use in air (for similar loudspeaker see: LS-685/U Crystal Loudspeaker)
2413462 Transducer, Massa Frank, Brush Dev Co, Filed: Jul 30, 1942, Pub: Dec 31, 1946, 367/157, 310/340, 381/190, 310/337, 310/362, 367/163 - early hydrophone (no projector function)  
2440903 Underwater transducer, Massa Frank, Brush Dev Co, Filed: Jan 6, 1944, Pub: May 4, 1948, 367/160, 381/190, 381/163 - "piezoelectric and magnetostrictive transducer devices adapted to function underwater either as a microphone or as a loudspeaker."  38 patents reference this one     
3418624 Coaxially mounted line hydrophone, Frank Massa, Dynamics Corp of America, 1968-12-24, - 
3489994 Line hydrophone, Frank Massa, Dynamics Corp of America, 1970-01-13, - 

Seismometer

The geophones used in Vietnam era outdoor intrusion detectors are functionally seismometers.  Hydrophones with good low frequency response can also be used as seismometers.  The MERMAID (Mobile Earthquake Recording in Marine Areas by Independent Divers - Earth Scope Oceans) devices drift at a depth of about 1500 feet to a mile and when they "hear" a P-wave (Wiki) they surface, get GPS coordinates and use the Iridium satellite telephone system to phone in the event.  The hydrophone output has a 0.1 Hz high pass filter and is sampled at a 40 Hz rate.  Note P-waves are very useful for studying the interior structure of the Earth.  They are the first (Primary) wave from an earthquake to reach a given location and so are the basis of earthquake alarms (Seismometer)

Son-Of-MERMAID (A tale about MERMAIDs) is also an ocean hydrophone that works more like a sonobuoy.  That's to say there's a float with GPS that knows where it is and a 1,000 meter cable supports a hydrophone.  An on board recorder captures events that appear to be P-wave events.

Note that this system does not detect S-waves (Wiki) and so is lacking a lot of earthquake data, but it is a way to get some data that covers 3/4 of the Earth (i.e. the oceans where there is currently no data at all on earthquakes). 

Hazeltine Hydrophone and Retainer Assembly A22267-1

Found this on eBay but the photos and description were not at all clear.  It's a linear array of 6 hydrophones.

Let me know if  you have any information on this hydrophone assembly.

Box label (Fig 1): Hydrophone and Retainer Assembly 1 ea. NOAS 58-548C Hazeltine Corp Mfg/Contr A22267-1 A-IA-8X-6/60 Sub-Item 5 Sensitivity Minus _____ db	6 EL SH HYD (6 ELement Small Hydrophone HYDrophone?) Cable can: 4" dia x 5-3/8" high This is smaller than an A Size sonobuoy (4-7/8"). Maybe fits inside an A-Size? Hydro Cup: 2" OD x 5" high Cup holds 5 hydrophones + cup-end hydrophone for 6 total.
Fig 1 OEM Box	Fig 2 unknown total cable length. No depth option, always the same.	Fig 3 latch mechanism (not clear how it works)

Looking for Hazeltine patent that might cover this, no luck, but maybe related ideas like lines of hydrophones.
5132940 Current source preamplifier for hydrophone beamforming,  James A. Culbert, Hazeltine Corp, 1992-07-21 - listening buoys
2891232 Hydrophone for directional listening buoy, Heinrich O Benecke, 1959-06-16 -
2898589 Hemispherical acoustic phase compensator, Abbott Frank Riley, 1959-08-04 - makes use of a miniature replica
3037185 Sonar apparatus and components, Gerhard H Dewitz, Cgs Lab Inc, 1962-05-29 - "In one embodiment of this invention, which will be described presently, a scanning system is provided which does not depend upon mechanically moving parts for controlling the direction of the transmitted beam or the direction of greatest sensitivity of the receiving apparatus, and which permits continuous high speed scanning over any desired area." i.e. beamforming
3064235 Audible broadband sonar monitor, Keith E Geren, 1962-11-13 - a broadband ( kHz to 100 kHz) hydrophone driven receiver with special signal processing for hearing "single ping" sonar at an unknown frequency
3116471 Radio sonobuoy system, Jesse J Coop, 1963-12-31 - directional sound receiving beam coupled with magnetic compass do give directional information DIFAR
3281769 Transducer apparatus, Theodor F Hueter, Honeywell Inc, 1966-10-25 - probably for underwater locator beacon since "for use at extreme depths."
3559160 Spatial surveying and target detection system, Bradshaw Burnham, US Secretary of Navy, Filed: 1963-11-07, Pub: 1971-01-26 "10,000 hydrophones", tubes SOSUS?
3903407 Method for correlating frequency-modulated signals, Bradshaw Burnham, US Secretary of Navy, Filed: 1963-12-11, Pub: 1975-09-02 - photo-optical, SOSUS?
3905320 Low frequency homing system, William J Mueller, US Secretary of Navy, 1975-09-16 - homing system for torpedoes "The low frequency homing system of this invention utilizes lines of hydrophones or transducers spaced along the port and starboard sides, and along the top and bottom sides of a torpedo."
2409632 Guiding means for self-propelled torpedoes, Robert W King, AT&T Corp, 1946-10-22 - active ultrasonic SONAR
4423494 Beam steerable sonar array, Kenneth W. Groves, John D. Lea, Sperry Corp, 1983-12-27 -
6088299 Vertical hydrophone array, Louis W. Erath, Phillip Sam Bull, Syntron Inc, 2000-07-11 -  seismic exploration cable includes time delay elements: "traveling wave antenna"