Sonobuoy Based Outdoor Intrusion Detectors

Brooke Clarke 2011 - 2020

ID-1721 Indicator WANTED TO BUY

During the Vietnam era the "electronic battlefield" (book: Military Communications: A Test for Technology) was developed and it included various outdoor intrusion alarms (my name for these devices). Some, like the PSR-1 Seismic Intrusion Detector, used wire between the sensors and the main unit and others used a radio transmitter in the sensor and the main unit was a radio receiver.

The frequency spectrum has allocations for different users (see Frequency Allocations). One band is used by aircraft for communication and navigation (108 to 136 MHz). A number of Vietnam era outdoor intrusion sensors used this band.

Another band is used for sonobuoy operations by the Navy (162.25 to 173.50 MHz with 31 channels with 375 kHz spacing). This page is about these outdoor intrusion sensors.

Department of Defense Training Film MF11-5514
Bugging the Battlefield pt1-2 1969 Defense Department Electronic Eavesdropping Vietnam War
Bugging the Battlefield pt2-2 1969 Defense Department Electronic Eavesdropping Vietnam War

Electronic Eavesdropping, Vietnam War: "Bugging the Battlefield" 1969 Defense Department (30:28) - combined part 1 & 2

Submarines & the Noises they Make

The early work on SOund Navigation And Ranging (Wiki: SONAR), which was named after RAdio Navigation And Ranging (Wiki: RADAR), was done utilizing audio frequencies were an operator would listen on headphones (for those systems that used stereo) or a loudspeaker. The first sonobuoys also used audio with a human operator listening to the sound. This is called passive SONAR (code name Jezebel). There are no pings and whoever is doing the listening is not giving away their presence or position. When it works it's the preferred method and is by far the most common. In the 1950s the SOund SUrveillance System (Wiki: SOSUS, my page) which makes use of LOw Frequency Analysis and Recording (LOFAR) rather than the use of human audible sound was put into service. This worked on snorkeling diesel electric subs (Wiki) and on nuclear powered subs like the Soviet Hotel (Wiki), Echo (Wiki) & November (Wiki) class subs (HEN).

Active SONAR comes in two flavors, the most commonly known is the active ping like in any movie involving submarines. A ping is sent out and the time measured until it returns. The early pings were audible to humans, later ultrasonic pings were used and later still the frequency of the ping changed it into a chirp. If the propagation speed is known the distance to the target can be calculated and with the later types the radial speed of the target can be determined. The less well known active SONAR method (code name Julie) involves setting off an explosion of a couple of pounds of TNT using either the Mk-15 (Mod-12) or Mk-61 Signal Underwater Sound (SUS). The explosion generates a spike in the underwater pressure which is similar to a ping at all possible frequencies, it's the most useful type of ping, but can only be used occasionally because it requires a small bomb for each pulse.

Modern diesel electric subs are very quiet when running on battery power underwater and going slow. The explosive type active SONAR is good at detecting these subs.

The word sono-buoy is based on sound and a floating object. See the CRT-1 web page for some history on acoustic sonic buoys.

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 are nomenclatured 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 doe 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.

Hydrophone

A hydrophone (Wiki) is the common sensor for sonobuoys and is typically deployed at 20 meters (65 feet: shallow) or 120 meters ( 328 feet: deep). A sonobuoy might have 50 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.

Service Life

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.

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 kHz ping made by Cockpit Voice Recorders or Flight Data Recorders. The FAA and Navy need to coordinate this.

Sonobuoy 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.

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.
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.

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.

3rd Generation

At some point (When?) the total number of channels was increased to 100 (or 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?
So the band plan in frequency order is, the new lower frequency channels from 136.000 to 161.125, skipping 161.500 and 161.875 (Why?), then the 2nd generation channels from 162.250 to 173.500 MHz.

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.

Black Box

This is a beacon transmitter that just transmits a narrow pulse in the sonobuoy 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?

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

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, consumer grade tape recorders could not be used so instrumentation type recorders were used.

With the advent of Digital Audio Tape (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.
Frequency
Spectrum of the DIFAR signal with a voice channel added for
use with a DAT tape recorder

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

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

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

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

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

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

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
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.
2669596 Reserve Battery Enclosure, Navy, Feb 16 1954, 429/8; 116/1; 429/119 -
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
3178316 Reserve Battery, Servel Inc, Apr 13, 1965, 429/119; 429/130; 429/210 -
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 -
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 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

Light,
Emergency Sea Rescue Marker Stk. No. 6230-299-5653
Type J-2, with Water Activated Battery. Spec.
MIL-L-7396A(ASG) Applicationi: 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

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.

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.

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)

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

upgraded
CRT-4

not UK SSQ-20

SSQ-2

15 Feb 1955

jproc
SS-383

1950 start of: Sound Surveillance System (SOSUS)

SSQ-20

1951

SSQ-2B

Julie explosive

1956

AN/SSQ-15

Julie RO B-size

SSQ-23

Julie

1956

19 Nov 1964

SSQ-28

Jezebel-LOFAR

1960

19 Nov 1964

SSQ-36

BT
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.

Fig 36-01 Tubes

SSQ-36,
CNU-239/E Shipping, Launching & Housing
Tubes

Ship: 7" x 45"

Launch: 5-3/8" x 39-1/4"

Housing: 4-3/4" x 35-7/8"

Fig 36-02 Launch Tube Cap - twist and lift.

Fig 36-03 Housing (what drops through air and lands in ocean

SSQ-36
Housing (with plexiglass cap in place)

SSQ-38

30day omni-directional LOFAR
(replaced SSQ-28)
10 to 6,000 Hz
31 chan

1964

1 June 1961

SSQ-41

single hydrophone

1964

SSQ-47

(replaced Julie explosive system)
active ping omni directional range only
replaced by SSQ-50

1968

SSQ-48

replacedd by SSQ-41B

26 Feb 1981

SSQ-50

CASS

SSQ-53

31 RF Channels
10 Hz - 2.4 kHz
90 feet fixed depth

Sep
1967

SSQ-53A

90 or 1000' depth
1 or 8 hours

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

SSQ-53B Sonobuoy in Launch Container next
to shipping tube

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

SSQ-53B
Sonobuoy Settings Channel, Duration Launch
Container

What was a transparent membrane has aged and is falling apart. When intact would
provide a moisture barrier so the decissant 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

SSQ-53B Sonobuoy Launch Container
LAU/126A Cap removed

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

SSQ-53B
Sonobuoy Launch Container LAU/126A after Cap
removed

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.

SSQ-53B Sonobuoy Ready to Launch (string
holding spring snare)

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

SSQ-53B
Major Components: 10 Radio, Antenna, Battery,
2) cable, 3) 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

SQQ-53B Sonobuoy Radio buoy top
component

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.

SSQ-53B
w/buoy pulled out by not inflated

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
SSQ-53B Reserve water activated battery
Water Hole

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..

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

SSQ-53B Sonobuoy buoy/antenna high
pressure gas inflation components

There are three PCBs:
Blue: modulator & RF exciter
Green: I/O panel
Tan: RF Power Amp

Fig 53-20 Test Socket Message
SSQ-53B Test Socket Message

Socket Pin	Ohms to Gnd	Ohms to Bat+	Plug
1	1M8	1M8	1-7
2	876k	1M4
3^Note1	>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 bulckhead (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 plutg removed:
Red test lead to red battery wire (black lead to ground) = 1M00 Ohms
Black tet 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)
SSQ-53B Test Scoket Schematic diagram

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 are from being
    fired by static or electromagnetic fields (like high power transmitters on board ships).
2) The reserve battery may like activate better when 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 cyclying the plug.
SSQ-53B EFS labels

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)
SSQ-53B EFS LCD Verify

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.

SSQ-53B 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.

SSQ-53B Cutting Squib Wires to allow
power up

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 progrmming 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 0_ring seal the assembly pressed out the
bottom easily. It was necessary to unsolder 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?

Above the upper right corner of the black plastic LCD housing thre 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 connectionto two pads.

All three squibs measure 500K Ohms to Bat+ and open to Ground. So they are not causing the dead battery short.

The data 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.

SSQ-53B
1 Amp Fuse Across (shorting) 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 resistnace 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.

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

2003

SSQ-53E

Digital version
Additional hydrophone @ 45' for CSO
CFS
100, 200, 400 or 1000 feet
AGC
91.44 cm long

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.

2000

SSQ-57A

Calibrated-LOFAR
10 to 10,000 Hz
See separate web page

1972

SSQ-62

DICASS
FM sweeps

1976

SSQ-62C

99 channels

1993

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

Sonobuoy Tech Systems

SSQ-77A

VLAD

1981

SSQ-77B

" more hydrophones, 2 depths, 2 beams

1989

SSQ-77C

" adds RF command function selection

SSQ-86

DLC

SSQ-101

ADAR

FY97

SSQ-110

EER

30 July 1997

SSQ-125

advanced EER ADLFP sound source
used with: ADAR sonobuoys like SSQ-53F, SSQ-77C and SSQ-101

SSQ-536

SSQ-801

BARRA

SSQ-906

LOFAR Omni

SSQ-926

ALFEA, GPS

SSQ-937

SSQ-954

DIFAR

SSQ-955

HIDAR

SSQ-963D

CAMBS

Janes

SSQ-981

BARRA

SUS: Signal Underwater Sound

This is typically dropped from a friendly sub hunter aircraft in order to send one of a small number of predetermined messages to a submerged sub. It uses audio tones around 3 kHz.
Like the CRT-1 Sonobuoy, ST-1 Bathythermograph and the T346/SRT SOS buoy is 3" in diameter so could be used from the Submerged Signal Ejector on a sub.

YouTube: Submarine Communications: "Signal, Underwater Sound (SUS) Mark 84" US Navy Training Film -

Description
Mk-84 Mod 0
Got this on eBay with a fake nose cone that's been removed. It's just the tail shell, but has markings:
DOD Code: SA-06
FSN: 1360-052-1480
Date Pkgd: (blank)
Contr. No.
N00019-67-C-0322
Mfrg. 94117
Ser. No. (blank)
Wt. 6.5 Lbs. Nom.

NONEXPLOSIVE
SUS MK84 MOD 0

There are 4 tapped holes for attaching the transducer/electronics package. Adjacent to these holes are 4 holes 3/8" dia (total area: 0.44 sq in) that are the inlets for the water activated battery that's inside this tail section. The center hole at the back is 7/8" ID (total area: 0.61 sq in, i.e. much larger than the inlet hold area. Why?).

Fig 1

Fig 2
Fig 3

(MK-84 MOD 1 SUS uses 3.3 and 3.5 kHz audio to generate 5 codes as messages to a sub.)

Air to sub communications.

Code	Morse	3.3 kHz	3.5 kHz	Meaning?
1	M	-	-
2	A	.	-
3	I	.	.
4	N	-	.
5		off	cont

If there are standard meanings for these let me know what they are.

VLAD: Vertical Line Array Detector - long range ( 7 km (4+ miles)

Patents

2989024 Submarine signal device, Sebastian J Tralongo, Vitro Corp of America, 1959-03-19 - colored dye pack
3148618 Underwater signaling apparatus, Joseph D Richard, 1962-03-20 - used to determine optimum depth for SONAR
3724374 Underwater sound source, Navy, 1962-04-27 - used with active sonobuoy, not as signal to friendly sub
4047148 Piston type underwater sound generator, Julius Hagemann, Navy, App: 1956-02-29 SECRET Pub: 1977-09-06, 367/143; 181/119; 116/27-

Also see the Vaisala RD93 GPS Dropsonde which is another 3" diameter device launched from the same tube on an aircraft like the P-3.

ARR-52 sonobuoy Aircraft Receiver

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
 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.

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
ASA-31
Julie Sonobuoy 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 (Wiki: BT)

In addition to being called a BT the term MBT (Mechanical BathyThermograph) is also used.
This is a device that measures the water temperature as a function of depth. For example the SSQ-36 might first be dropped and the temperature profile recorded. Then the ideal depth for the hydrophone determined and programmed into the sonobuoy. Then the sonobuoys would be dropped.

The speed of sound in water depends on temperature so it slows down as the depth moves from the warm surface to deeper depths, but at some point the pressure caused by depth will cause it to speed up again. The Thermocline (Wiki) can be detected using a Bathythermograph and that is the principle reason it's used related to submarines.

Bathythermograph (ocean measurements) References
1. Data Analysis Methods in Physical Oceanography, 2001
2. Scripps Institution of Oceanography: Probing the Oceans, 1936 to 1976, (1978 pub date)
3. Bathythermograph Data Analyzer, 5 June 1954 - AD043424 - takes up a 10' x 20' room.
4. An Ocean in Common: American Naval Officers, Scientists, and the Ocean Environment (see Ref 4 below)
5. Prediction of Sound Ranges from Bathythermograph Observations, (free online) 1944 confidential, 1967 declassified - how to prepare a message to another sub hunting ship about sonar conditions. i.e. how subs can hide just below the thermocline and the maximum range that sonar can detect them.
On depth and temperature biases in bathythermograph data: Development of a new correction scheme based on analysis of a global ocean database, May 2010 (free online) - Niskin Bottles used for checking BTs since their depth is well known and if processed quickly the temperature of the water is also well known.
6. U.S. Naval Oceanographic Office Pub No. 607, Instruction Manual for Obtaining Oceanographic Data 1975 - Chapt. C "Measuring Water Temperature and Depth with a Bathythermograph" is all about this BT.
One of the things mentioned is the Nicopress swaged sleeve (Wiki) used to form a loop on stainless steel cable. Home Depot calls these Everbilt Cable Ferrules
7. Lockheed-Martin Oceanographic Instruments - XBT/XSV datasheet.pdf, SSXBT/SSXSV datasheet.pdf,
8. Expendable Bathythermograph, Evaluation, DTIC_ADA045064.pdf - 78 pages, Dec 1964. The unit from Francis Associates looks very much like the XBT-T4. Courtland B Converse worked for Francis Associates at one time and worked for a number of companies that have patents related to BTs. Fig 2 shows 3-conductor cable.

Fig 13 Setup on Ship
Niskin Bottle as reference.

The F.A. BT sink rate is a constant to a first order approximation.
This allows making a roll chart plot where the long axis is time (= depth).
They mention that the changing mass, because of un-spooling the cable,
will slow the sink rate as it goes down (is a second order effect).

The probe and it's shipping container have provision for 3 electrical terminals,
even if only 2 of them seem to be used on the XBT-T4.

USNS James M. Gilliss (T-AGOR-4) (Wiki)
A Biblography of Reports, Articles, and Data References Resulting from
Scientific Operations abord the Navy Pool (T-AGOR) Ships: 1963 Through 1969.

Glass Slides

The early slides were rubbed with Skunk Oil which was blackened using a flame. Later slides were coated with a thin film of metal. This was probably done using the same technique of metal deposition (Wiki) later used in the semiconductor industry. This may also be the method used for making reticles (Wiki) for Gun Sights like the Mk 20 Mod 4. These later prepared slides may have had a graph marked on them to make reading much easier.

Fig 4

A standard 1" x 3" Microscope Slide (Wiki) is shown installed.
It is too long.
The correct size might be 1" x 1.7"

Prepared Slide image from Ripley's
WHEN SONAR WASN’T ENOUGH: THE BATHYTHERMOGRAPH

Marked: Bathythermograph Shallow
From left to right calibrated 30 to 90 deg F.
From Top to bottom depth 0 to 180 (feet, meters)

There will be a plot of temperature v. depth as the Bathythermograph is
lowered to depth and another plot as it is pulled back up.

Dittmore & Freimuth BT

There may be another version that looks identical but has a depth range of 0 - 300 (450?) Feet instead of the 0 - 900 Feet range of this example.

Found this on eBay and recognized it from the patent drawings.
Auction title: WWII USN MECHANICAL BATHYTHERMOGRAPH Dittmore & Freimuth SUBMARINE SONAR vintage

This company lost a hydrophone contract with the Navy because of poor delivery and other issues, see: B-153795, JUL. 17, 1964
This seems to be a company that bids on government contracts for a variety of products rather than a company that has a product line of standard products.
They do hold a number of patents.
Another Dittmore-Freimuth Bathythermograph is marked: FSN 655-739-4360. This unit has a much shorter tail section.
The glass slides may be NSN: 6655-00-676-7987. Another eBay auction shows a wooden box to hold slides marked: Smoked Cards for Submarine Bathythermograph Type CTB 40131.

Photos

Fig 1 Loading sleeve closed.

What appears as a coil of Copper wire at the tail is actually a hollow tube filled with Xylene which acts like the liquid in a clinical thermometer, i.e. expanding when warmed and contracting when cooled. That liquid drives a Bourdon Tube (Wiki) which in turn moves an arm with a stylus in a left or right motion.

Fig 2 Loading sleeve open (moved to front/left).

The microscope slide is connected to the pressure sensor consisting of a spring and bellows mechanism in the front which pushes and pulls the microscope slide front to rear.

Note there is a hole on the opposite side of the Bathythermograph to allow a wooden dowel to be used to push out the scribed glass slide.

2515034 Bathythermograph, William M Ewing (Wiki) Allyn C Vine (Wiki), Us Navy, Filed: May 27, 1944, Pub: Jul 11, 1950, 374/136, 73/300 - rapid response to temp & pressure (recording inside unit) that allows ship to be moving at 20 knots, rather than be stationary.

The nose is a weight to get fast decent.
The front contains the pressure sensor including an evacuated bellows that moves the glass slide front to back.
The middle contains the smoked glass slide used to record the data.
The rear contains the temperature sensor consisting of 40 to 60 feet to copper tube filled with Xylene (Wiki) with a melting point of -47.4 C (-53.3F). It moves the stylus side to side.

Fig 3
Markings visible after outer weight is removed.

Bathythermograph
OC-ED/S
0 - 900 Ft.
Ser. No. 15923
Mfr. 97188

Sippican

Makes surface launched Expendable eXpendable BathyThermographs as well as models for use on submarines SSXBT.

XBT-T4

This unit is a derivative of the Francis Associates BT mentioned in BT Reference 8. It has the same shape. It is paired with a launch tube (the other BT's tested in the reference used other methods). The temperature precision of the Francis Associates BT was the best of those tested but it had an offset.

NSN: 6655-00-932-1353

These contain a Thermistor which has a non-linear negative temperature coefficient. patent 3341757 & RE27103 are designed to address the problem of converting to a linear temperature output and compensating for the resistance of the very long fine Copper wire's resistance at different ocean temperatures.

Bathythermograph Reference 6 Covers the XBT in chapter C starting with paragraph C10 on page C-9. This is for the first generation where there is a roll chart plot of temperature v. time.

Another problem is the rate of decent in the ocean. This will not be constant because of the un-spooling of the Copper wire from the probe causes its weight to decrease with depth. So assuming a constant decent rate will introduce an error.

While the label says "Patent No. 3,221,556" that first patent is for a single wire system that uses the sea as the return electrical path. More likely is that patent 3339407 applies that provides for two wires.

This model is part of a common set of eXpendable BathyThermographs which also includes

Model
Max Depth (m)

T-4
460

T-6
460

T-7
760

Deep Blue 760

The T-6, T-7 and Deep Blue (DB) models.
These do not contain a pressure sensor so depth is determined by the time since release and a known rate of decent.

patent number on the label: 3221556

Fig 1 In launch tube as received. The rotational location
of the clip is important since it sets the location of the three electrical terminals behind the label.

Fig 2 Bottom cap pulled off and pin pulled.
Fig 3 Hole in nose allows water to flow inside
to get rapid response on temperature sensor.

Fig 4 Using Flashlight to see wire spool down launch tube.
Fig 5 Note space to the right of tail in launch tube for wire spool.
You can see wire spool in hole just behind metal nose with a
flashlight and your eye, not easy to photograph.

Fig 6 Three Terminals (note Index mark)
16.65 k Ohms at room temp.
The cream colored material is some type of wax. Probing near the outside edge finds a metal plate but if probe is too near the
center there's no contact, so the location of the tips black lines
is about a good place to probe.

Now in the refrigerator overnight to see the difference.

Fig 7 Thermistor (Wiki) recessed in nose hole.
Small thermistor size means fast response time.
There is no electrical connection between either thermistor lead and the metallic nose.
Fig 8

Lockheed Martin Sippican, Inc.
T4
[bar code]
SN 397657 DOM Made in Mexico, 06 / 26/ 06
NSN 6655-00-932-1353
Patent No. 3,221,556
XBT
Expendable Bathythermograph

XBT-T4 Resistance

In order to make some resistance measurements I first checked my refrigerator and freezer and found they were slightly warmer than the desired 40F (4C) and 0F (-14C) readings.
Temperatures measured using Fluke 87V DMM with 80T-150U & Type-K thermocouple.
After some adjusting of the controls and waiting a day for the temperature to stabilize I'm now getting:

Desired
Measured
Thermistor
Resistance
Ohms

Freezer
0F
0F (-18C)
51.30 k

Refrigerator
40F
43F (6C)
22.87 k

Room
na
68F (20C)
17.49 k

1^st Generation

I think this outdoor intrusion sensor was made by modifying a sonobuoy. The Automatic Radio Frequency Buoy (ARFBUOY) may be this unit or something very similar.
See Popular Mechanics March 1976 "War watch in the Sinai" references the "electronic battlefield" aka the "McNamara Line" (Wiki). Mentions sensors:

MAGID - Magnetic Intrusion Detector can discriminate between T-48 and T-60 tank or between 2-1/2 Ton and 5 Ton truck.
Noiseless Button Bomblet (NBB) - a transmitter triggered my the slightest movement
T-4 - senses RF from vehicle ignition systems.
MINISID III - combines a geophone with another sensor (an IR beam breaker for example) and does not transmit an alarm until both sensors are being triggered.

See the web page: http://1stwave553rdreconwing.com/AboutUs.html
and/or search on keywords: John T. Correll, Igloo White (Wiki), the McNamara Line (Wiki),
AF Magazine Nov 2004 - Igloo White the quotes below are from this article.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Igloo_White#Sensors_and_Weapons
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McNamara_Line

The barrier would consist of a 20,000 air dropped listening devices combined with 240,000,000 Gravel mine and 300,000,000 Button mines and 19,200 Sadeye cluster bombs at a cost of around one billion dollars a year, not including 1.6 billion dollars for research and development, and the construction of a 600 million dollar command center in Thailand.

Spikebuoy - seismic sensor

"The Spikebuoy (66 inches long, 40 pounds) planted itself in the ground like a lawn dart. Only the antenna, which looked like the stalks of weeds, was left showing above ground."
3995223 Seismic-acoustic detection device, George A. Gimber, Edward J. Cotilla, Salvatore R. Picard, Robert F. Starry, Secretary Of The Navy, Nov 30, 1976 (7 year delay), 327/25, 181/122, 367/93 -
5054006 Seismic-acoustic detection device, George A. Gimber, Edward J. Cotilla, Salvatore R. Picard, Robert F. Starry, Secretary Of The Navy, Oct 1, 1991 (21 year delay), 367/136 -

ADSID

(Air-Delivered Seismic Intrusion Detector) sensed earth motion to detect people and vehicles. It resembled the Spikebuoy, except it was smaller and lighter (31 inches long, 25 pounds). It was the most widely used sensor in the program.

Acoubuoy - microphone

"The Acoubuoy (36 inches long, 26 pounds) floated down by camouflaged parachute and caught in the trees, where it hung to listen."

Arfbuoy - repeater

Photos courtesy of Dennis Starks

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?

3704764 Air deliverable seismic system, Harold B Henderson, Texas Instruments Inc, 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

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

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

TS-2963 Test Set (Transmitter)

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

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

2422337 Submarine Detecting Buoy, C. Chilowsky, Jun 17 1947, 367/4; 441/11; 441/25; 441/26; 441/28; 455/99 -

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

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

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.

2521136

Hydrophone,

A. Thuras, (USA) Sep 5, 1950, 310/26, 381/190, 367/168, 381/163

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.

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

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
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.

3022448 Modular sub-assembly, Feb 1962

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'.
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
3132322

Radiosonic buoys,

Guy Maes, Electronique Appliquee, Feb 9, 1959, May 5, 1964, 367/4, 340/870.28, 343/710, 441/23, 455/127.1, 455/99, 441/11, 340/870.1, 343/880
3140886 Coupling Device, E.J. Cotilla, George A. Gimber, Navy, July 14, 1964, - for separating the float from the hydrophone,
3213409 Condition selector apparatus, Paul C Bailey, George A Gimber, Navy, Aug 19, 1963, -
3281765 Minature Sonobuoy and Cable (ITT), Oct 25, 1966 - small dia (0.030") cable which acts as a spring, Ni-Cad batt charged prior to use.

Calls:
2422337
2641751 Hydrophne Casing, Bernier Jr Hector F, Mason Russell I, Ripken John F, Us Navy, Filed: May 11, 1944, Pub: Jun 9, 1953, 367/173 - about playing out the line supporting hte hydrophone below the buoy.
3093808 Air Dropped Miniature Sonobuoy, (Navy), Jun 11, 1963, 367/4; 343/709; 441/25; 441/33; 455/99 -

3290642 Directional Sonobuoy, (Navy), Dec 6, 1966, 367/4; 367/120; 367/129; 441/33 - weight driven rotating sensors

3309649 Sonobuoy with Depth Selection Capabilities, Sanders Assoc, Mar 14 1967, 367/4; 441/33 -
3328750 Entrapped air flotation device, George A Gimber, Roy L Shipman, Navy, June 27, 1967, - instead of using a CO2 cartridge

3377615

Compliant suspension system,

Sparton Corp, Apr 9, 1968
3460058 Radio Sonobuoy, (ITT), Aug 5, 1969, 367/4 - operates below thermocline
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

3671928 Automatically energizable Sonobuoy, Aquatronics, Jun 20 1972, 367/4; 441/11; 441/33 - some similarity to acoubuoy.
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	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
3222634	December 1965	Foster
3275976	September 1966	Farmer

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

Calls:

2778332	January 1957	Talbot
3093808	June 1963	Tatnall et al.
3140886	July 1964	Cotilla et al.
3220028	November 1965	Maes
3309649	March 1967	Ballard et al.
3646505	February 1972	Kirby
3701175	October 1972	Widenhofer

3944964 Air Dripped Linear Acoustic Detector, (Navy), Mar 16, 1976, 367/4 -
3991475 Depth selecting spool device, Navy, Nov 16, 1976, 116/209; 367/4; 441/24 -

calls:

3093808	June 1963	Tatnall et al.
3262090	July 1966	Farmer
3921120	November 1975	Widenhofer

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

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 -
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 -
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 (16 year delay), 367/4, 367/173, 367/153 - A deep water explosive echo ranging system capable of detecting high perfance 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 -

4493664 Sonobuoy Float Inflation and Depth Selection Initiators, Navy, Jan 15, 1985, 441/7; 222/5; 367/4; 441/26; 441/30; 441/33 -
4530269 Remotely Initiated Speration Latch Assembly, Burroughs Corp, Jul 23 1985, 89/1.14; 102/293; 102/378; 220/261; 367/4; 367/173; 403/2 - electrical match for seperation

4590590 Sonobuoy Multiple Depth Deployment Apparatus, Magnavox, May 20 1986, 367/4; 441/25; 441/33 -
4727520 Cable Deployment Unit, Sparton of Canada, Feb 23, 1988, 367/4; 367/3; 441/25 -
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
5076468 Squib Inflator Adapter, Halkey-Roberts Corp, Dec 31, 1991, 222/5; 222/91; 441/93 -
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

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 -
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
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.

SONAR

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, -
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

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 -

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.

P#C Orion External Sonobuoys being installed

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:

3905291
Cartridge-Actuated Device and Launching Assembly using
same, G.T. Corbin, Sep 16 1975, 102/430; 42/96

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, -
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 -

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

Hydrophone, U.
S. Navy Harbor Detection, Sonic, NT-51038F; P/O type
JR-1 Harbor Detection Equipment.

Fig HP2 Transformer

Hydrophone,
U. S. Navy Harbor Detection, Sonic, NT-51038F; P/O
type JR-1 Harbor Detection Equipment - 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:
8 Crystal
Hydrophone spectrum 1 Hz to 20 kHz into 50 Ohm HP 4395A

HP 4395A Plot 1Hz to 20 kHz RBW: 1 Hz, True RMS detection, 999 averages (54.6 hours):
HP 4395A
Plot 0 to 20 kHz RBW: 1 Hz, True RMS detection, 999
averages (54.6 hours)

HP 4395A
Plot 0 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 Real & Imaginary

HP 4395A Z transform Hydrophone Impedance Smith Chart with Marker List
HP 4395A Z
transform Hydrophone Impedance Smith Chart with Marker
List

2631271 Tubular hydrophone, A.L. Thuras (New London, CT), Sec of Navy, Mar 10, 1953, 367/168 - CRT-1
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.

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

CRT-1 Sonobuoy
Magnetics - Magnetostriction, Sound Bug
Helmholtz coil -
Helmholtz Resonator & Tuning Forks
Torpedoes, Mines, Depth Charges
Submarines
GEO_ID - TRC-3, PEWS, USQ-42, Turd
GSQ154 - All GSQ-154
GSQ160 - Frequency Disconnect -GSQ-160, USQ-46, TS-2963, PP-6446 - TCw - cylindrical module pinouts.
GSS26 - AN/GSS-26 minimal info
Intrusion Alarm Patents
USQ_Rx - Igloo White, USQ-42, USQ-46 details,
PSR-1 - now on it's own page (July 2007)
Modular Outdoor Intrusion Sensors (REMBASS?)
Astronomy - UFOs - Richard Muller Physics Lecture 11 - Waves 1

Ref 1. Naval Institute Guide to the Ships and Aircraft of the U.S. Fleet, 18th Edition (2005) by Norman Polmar
Ref 2. The Ears of Air ASW: A history of U.S. Navy Sonobuoys (2008) - Holler, Horbach & McEachem
Ref 3.Scientists Against Time, James Phinney Baxter, 3rd ed, 1946 - 1952 (Wiki)
Ref 4. An Ocean in Common: American Naval Officers, Scientists, and the Ocean Environment, Gary E. Weir, 2001, ISBN: 1-58544-114-7
Ref 5. Design and Construction of Crystal Transducers, NDRC Summary Report Vol 12, 1946 (407 pages) - University of California Division of War Research [UCDWR]
Ref 6. The Evolution of the Sonobuoy from World War II to the Cold War, Holler, Jan 2014.
Ref 7. Sonobuoy History from a UK Perspective: RAE Farnborough's Role in Airborne Anti-Submarine Warfare, Clive Radley, 2016 -Chapter 4: The first operational Sonobuoy, the AN/CRT-1, used by the USA and the UK in World War 2.
Ref 8. Submarine (Tom Clancy's Military Reference), 2003 - mentions 3" signal/decoy ejector (pg 69), Submarine Launched Oneway Transmitter (SLOT) also uses the 3" launch tube (pg 70)
Ref 9. History of Communications-Electronics in the United States Navy, L. S. Howeth, 1963 - U.S. Early Radio History - Ch 26: Dev of Underwater Sound and Detection Equipment, pg 297
Ref 10. Principles of Underwater Sound by Robert J. Urick
Ref 11. Wiring Vietnam: The Electronic Wall, Anthony J. Tambini,2007 - some mention of sonobuoys (Exhibits at: Patuxent River Naval Air Museum & USS Hornet Museum).
Ref 12. History of Ultra Electronics Maritime Systems Inc. - The History of Sonobuoys - "from October 1942 to the war’s end in 1945, the U.S. Navy had ordered 150,000 sonobuoys and 7,500 sonobuoy receivers". An NDRC document actually states 160,000 so reality is 150/160k.
Ref 13. Batcats: The United States Air Force 553rd Reconnaissance Wing in Southeast Asia by Sikora & Westin, 2003 -
Ref 14. EC-47: Acoubuoy, Spikebuoy, Muscle Shoals and Igloo White.pdf by Chris Jeppeson 1999 -
Ref 15. Photo 10-26-45 Acme news: Arthur Gremer, design engineer; Francis Burger, supervising engineer; George Rogers, chief engineer; Mark Grant, design engineer. Announced to public around October 1945.

Hickory Aviation Museum - P3-C interactive tour - Grab circle behind pilot's seat and look up to see this periscope sextant mounted in ceiling of P-3.
The Cutting Edge ASWS-3 Viking 1980 VS-24 (23:50 training video)

Sub Killers Part 11960 Walter Cronkite S2F Tracker - USS Randolf exercise

Sub Killers Part 2 S2F -
Sippican's expendable probes - temperature, sound velocity, conductivity, etc.
Sonar Training Record Series D16: training sonobuoy audio from records
Expendable Radio Sonobuoy Training Records, 15P3: training sonobuoy audio from records
USS Pampanito Operating Equipment: sounds
Net and Boom Defenses - Ordnance Pamphlet 636A June 1944
Welcome to USS PAMPANITO (SS-383) - SS-383 Sonobuoy web pages - Manual for Expendable Radio Sono-Buoy Training (phonograph) Records -
Chapter 16 SOFAR, Harbor Defense, and other SONAR Systems - Fig 16-9 shows the above hydrophone. - JM-4 sonobuoy schematic dia -
Naval SONAR -
WiNRADiO AX-61S Sonobuoy Telemetry Antenna- 135 to 175 MHz.
Harvard Underwater Sound Laboratory. Records of the Underwater Sound Laboratory : an inventory
OEG REPORT No. 51, ANTISUBMARINE WARFARE IN WORLD WAR II, Charles M. Sternhell and Alan M. Thorndike 1946 - links to contents do NOT work
Scientists create the loudest possible (underwater) sound - SLAC: In brief: Record-shattering underwater sound - cavitation puts an upper limit on how loud sound in water an be.
University of Bergen - Sonobuoys - to use SSQ-57 LOFAR for scientific use with modified ICOM 8500 receiver

Fig 4	A standard 1" x 3" Microscope Slide (Wiki) is shown installed. It is too long. The correct size might be 1" x 1.7"
Prepared Slide image from Ripley's WHEN SONAR WASN’T ENOUGH: THE BATHYTHERMOGRAPH	Marked: Bathythermograph Shallow From left to right calibrated 30 to 90 deg F. From Top to bottom depth 0 to 180 (feet, meters) There will be a plot of temperature v. depth as the Bathythermograph is lowered to depth and another plot as it is pulled back up.

Fig 1 In launch tube as received. The rotational location of the clip is important since it sets the location of the three electrical terminals behind the label.	Fig 2 Bottom cap pulled off and pin pulled.	Fig 3 Hole in nose allows water to flow inside to get rapid response on temperature sensor.
Fig 4 Using Flashlight to see wire spool down launch tube.	Fig 5 Note space to the right of tail in launch tube for wire spool. You can see wire spool in hole just behind metal nose with a flashlight and your eye, not easy to photograph.	Fig 6 Three Terminals (note Index mark) 16.65 k Ohms at room temp. The cream colored material is some type of wax. Probing near the outside edge finds a metal plate but if probe is too near the center there's no contact, so the location of the tips black lines is about a good place to probe. Now in the refrigerator overnight to see the difference.
Fig 7 `T`hermistor (Wiki) recessed in nose hole. Small thermistor size means fast response time. There is no electrical connection between either thermistor lead and the metallic nose.	Fig 8 Lockheed Martin Sippican, Inc. T4 [bar code] SN 397657 DOM Made in Mexico, 06 / 26/ 06 NSN 6655-00-932-1353 Patent No. 3,221,556 XBT Expendable Bathythermograph

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)

	2710458 Underwater acoustic decoy, Reed Donald G, Sec of Navy, Filed: Jun 14, 1945 (10.0 year delay), Pub: Jun 14, 1955, 434/6, 114/20.1, 367/1, 434/25 - passive SONAR training device Fig 1: either 3x32" or 4x43", most likley 3x32" Fig 9: either 3x24 or 4x32" This may or may not be launched from a sub.
	2981927 Underwater sound transmitter, Vaughn G Mckenney, Sec of Navy, Filed: Apr 4, 1946 (15 year delay), Pub: Apr 25, 1961, 367/1, 455/18, 114/20.1, 360/6 - returns SONAR pings at same frequency but offset in time (very similar to RADAR countermeasures). Fig 1 shows a length/diameter ratio of 11.5, so if 3" dia then length is 34", if dia is 4" then length is 46". Since a yard or meter shows up as a practical length then I'd assume this is a 3 x 34" device. Mentions: 2793589 Buoyancy control device, Atchley Raymond D, Filed: May 3, 1944, (13 year delay), Pub: May 28, 1957, 102/414 -
	5003515 Submarine emergency communication transmitter, Albert S. Will, Frank C. McLean, Sylvan Wolf, Samuel H. Kauffman, John C. Hetzler, Jr., Charles A. Lewis, George E. Maxim, Secretary Of The Navy, Filed: May 28, 1964, (27 year delay) Pub: Mar 26, 1991, 367/131, 367/145 - Image flipped so that it's oriented as if in the water. There are 7 drop bombs which are released by explosive bolts and they explode after 20 seconds so that their depth will be controlled (probably within the sound channel (see Roswell Connection above). If the sink rate was the same as the Mk IX depth charge (15 fps) then after 20 seconds it would be down to 300 feet which is too shallow to get into the SOFAR Channel (Wiki). I suspect the time delay is really much longer to that the drop bombs get into the SOFAR Channel. The timing of the drop bomb release translated into one of a number of coded messages. The length/diameter ratio is very small so will not help to determine its dimensions.
	5044281 Submarine flare with vertical attitude determination, Peter Ramsay, Brian W. Whiffen, Gerald M. Bushnell, Victor Nanut, Robert C. Czigledy, Robert J. Swinton, Maxwell J. Coxhead, Timothy R. Clarke, Australia, Sep 3, 1991, 102/340, 102/224, 102/351, 102/357, 102/354 - The length/diameter ratio is 12.67, so: 3" x 38" or 4" x 57", seems to indicate it's 3 x 38".

Fig 1 Loading sleeve closed.	What appears as a coil of Copper wire at the tail is actually a hollow tube filled with Xylene which acts like the liquid in a clinical thermometer, i.e. expanding when warmed and contracting when cooled. That liquid drives a Bourdon Tube (Wiki) which in turn moves an arm with a stylus in a left or right motion.
Fig 2 Loading sleeve open (moved to front/left).	The microscope slide is connected to the pressure sensor consisting of a spring and bellows mechanism in the front which pushes and pulls the microscope slide front to rear. Note there is a hole on the opposite side of the Bathythermograph to allow a wooden dowel to be used to push out the scribed glass slide.
	2515034 Bathythermograph, William M Ewing (Wiki) Allyn C Vine (Wiki), Us Navy, Filed: May 27, 1944, Pub: Jul 11, 1950, 374/136, 73/300 - rapid response to temp & pressure (recording inside unit) that allows ship to be moving at 20 knots, rather than be stationary. The nose is a weight to get fast decent. The front contains the pressure sensor including an evacuated bellows that moves the glass slide front to back. The middle contains the smoked glass slide used to record the data. The rear contains the temperature sensor consisting of 40 to 60 feet to copper tube filled with Xylene (Wiki) with a melting point of -47.4 C (-53.3F). It moves the stylus side to side.
Fig 3	Markings visible after outer weight is removed. Bathythermograph OC-ED/S 0 - 900 Ft. Ser. No. 15923 Mfr. 97188

3221556 Bathythermograph system, Campbell Walter Graham, Jr William Van Alan Clark, Courtland B Converse, (SIPPICAN OCEAN SYSTEMS Inc), 1965-12-07 - probe has diode in parallel with resistor, single wire w/sea return - marked on T4, XBT NSN: 6655-00-932-1353 - Main Sippican BT system

3339407 Oceanography probe, Walter G Campbell, W Van Alan Clark, Courtland B Converse, Sippican Ocean Systems, 1965-04-22, - bomb shaped drop probe with 2 wires
	Through hole (5a) and blocked hole (5) versions.

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

Sonobuoy Based Outdoor Intrusion Detectors

Background

Submarines & the Noises they Make

Sonobuoys

Submarines Diving

Types of Sonobuoys

CNU-239/E Shipping Tube

A Size

Hydrophone

Service Life

Radio Transmitter

Sonobuoy Radio Channels

1st Generation

2nd Generation

3rd Generation

USQ-46 (USQ, below)

Black Box

Command Function Select (CFS)

Directional Frequency Analysis & Recording type acoustic sensor (DIFAR)

DIFAR Patents

Earth's Field Magnetic Detectors

Reserve Batteries

Salt water activated magnesium

Reserve Battery Patents

Salt water activated silver chloride

Light, Emergency Sea Rescue Marker

Photos

Table of Sonobuoys

Operation

Battery

SUS: Signal Underwater Sound

Patents

Sonobuoy Aircraft Systems

ARR-52 sonobuoy Aircraft Receiver

R-1170/ARR-52A

ARR-52 Patents

Other Sonobuoy Aircraft Systems

Bathythermograph (Wiki: BT)

Glass Slides

Dittmore & Freimuth BT

Sippican

XBT-T4

XBT-T4 Resistance

SSXBT Model ST-1 Bathythermograph

Bathythermograph Patents

Niskin Bottle (Wiki) aka: Nansen Bottle

Outdoor Intrusion Detectors based on Sonobuoy Technology

Link between Vietnam Intrusion Detectors and Navy

Construction

1st Generation

Spikebuoy - seismic sensor

ADSID

Acoubuoy - microphone

Arfbuoy - repeater

ARFBUOY Acoubuoy

USQ-42 Receiver

R-1617A/USQ-46 Receiver

Description

Operation

GSQ-171

TS-2963 Test Set (Transmitter)

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

GSQ-154

GSQ-160

Patents

Sonobuoy

Patent Citations (11)

Magnavox

SONAR

Launching

Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) (Wiki)

ASQ-8

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

C820 Control Panel

17H-4 Gamma Slinger

References

Magnetic Anomaly Detector (MAD) Patents

SONAR Countermeasures

Hydrophone

Brush Development Co. Patents

1^st Generation