An underwater acoustic source system and control method for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission

Abstract

This invention discloses an underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission, comprising a pulse power supply module, a control module, and a load module. The pulse power supply module includes an energy storage unit for power supply and a switch for controlling power supply. The load module includes an electromagnetic induction transducer load and a plasma discharge transducer load forming a single discharge loop with the energy storage unit. The control module includes a circuit adjustment network connected to the load module and a power supply unit. When the energy storage unit is powered, the circuit adjustment network is used to adjust the impedance and / or energy distribution between the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load. This invention also provides an underwater acoustic source control method. The system provided by this invention can effectively reduce transient impacts and electromagnetic interference, improve system reliability and emission performance, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing simple series schemes in engineering applications.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of underwater target detection technology, and particularly relates to an underwater sound source system and control method for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission. Background Technology

[0002] In the field of deep-sea geological exploration, with the deepening of marine resource development and geological research, the demand for detailed detection of deep-sea strata is constantly increasing. Plasma sources and electromagnetic sources are typical representatives of low-frequency active sound sources, and the main frequency of the high-power pulse signals they generate is generally in the range of hundreds to thousands of hertz. Electric spark sources generate a plasma channel by producing a high-voltage arc discharge in water, which rapidly expands and collapses to produce a broadband acoustic pulse rich in high-frequency components, making it very suitable for high-resolution imaging of shallow seabed geological structures. However, electric spark sources have strict requirements for the power supply system; the narrow peak value and large current pulse generated during operation can cause significant impacts on power electronic devices, affecting the system's stability and lifespan. Simultaneously, electrode corrosion and wear can lead to poor consistency of the generated seismic wavelets. In contrast, the working principle of an electromagnetic source is to pass a large current pulse through a flat coil. The strong magnetic field generated by the coil induces eddy currents in a nearby metal plate. The mutual repulsion between the two magnetic fields causes the metal plate to vibrate violently, thereby radiating sound waves. It generates clean acoustic pulses with energy concentrated in the low and very low frequency bands, possessing strong ground penetration capabilities and making it suitable for obtaining structural information from deeper strata. Its main drawback is its relatively narrow frequency band; large electromagnetic sources lack high-frequency components, while small electromagnetic sources lack low-frequency components, thus making it difficult to reconcile ground resolution and penetration depth.

[0003] High-resolution seismic exploration requires both low-frequency components (to ensure sufficient penetration depth and signal stability) and high-frequency components (to improve vertical resolution). A single seismic source often struggles to achieve both. In practical marine seismic exploration, some research vessels and survey projects have experimented with combining multiple acoustic sources to accommodate different frequencies and energy characteristics. For example, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Nearshore Marine Geology Program uses various acoustic sources, such as chirps, plasma sources, electromagnetic sources, and even air guns, depending on the target, to image seabed sediment structures. Plasma sources are low-frequency and high-energy, offering deeper penetration, while electromagnetic sources are high-frequency and offer higher resolution; combining them can reveal geological structural details at different scales. At the same water depth, plasma sources typically have better penetration than electromagnetic sources, while electromagnetic sources provide finer shallow-layer resolution. Therefore, in some shallow seismic profiling surveys, researchers deploy plasma and electromagnetic sources simultaneously, alternating their excitation or working in tandem to obtain broadband, high signal-to-noise ratio seismic data.

[0004] Patent document CN1632615A discloses an intelligent control composite coherent electric spark source device, including a high-voltage power supply, an energy storage capacitor bank connected in parallel with it, and a controllable charging and discharging unit and a transmitting array unit electrically connected thereto. It also includes a detection unit, a control input unit, and a status display unit powered by a low-voltage power supply module, all controlled by a central control unit containing software programs. The device is characterized by having a low-energy energy storage capacitor bank and a high-energy energy storage capacitor bank, each connected to the output terminal of the charging and discharging control module via a charging and discharging switch and a transmitting cable, and then connected to the transmitting array unit via the transmitting cable. The transmitting array unit is a combined transmitting array, with a wavelet receiving hydrophone located at its center. The central control unit transmits commands to the high-voltage power supply module, the charging and discharging control module, and the detection unit via optical fiber.

[0005] Patent document CN112180432A discloses a high-efficiency electric spark seismic source system based on corona discharge, comprising several discharge modules. Each discharge module includes several energy storage capacitors and discharge electrodes. The energy storage capacitors discharge via the electrodes, which discharge sequentially according to their discharge energy, from highest to lowest. The delay time of each electrode's discharge is primarily determined by its respective bubble period, and the electrode spacing is determined by the maximum bubble radius. The first bubble pulse generated by corona discharge in water has stronger energy than the initial pulse. By combining electrodes with different discharge energies, the first bubble pulses are superimposed, and the stronger bubble pulses are used for seismic exploration, thereby improving the efficiency of the seismic source. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an underwater acoustic source system and control method for single-pulse dual-load coordinated transmission. This system can effectively reduce transient impacts and electromagnetic interference, improve system reliability and transmission performance, thereby overcoming the limitations of existing simple series schemes in engineering applications.

[0007] To achieve the first objective of this invention, the following technical solution is provided: an underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated transmission, comprising a pulse power supply module, a control module, and a load module;

[0008] The pulse power module includes an energy storage unit for power supply and a switch for controlling power supply.

[0009] The load module includes an electromagnetic induction transducer load and a plasma discharge transducer load that form a single discharge circuit with the energy storage unit.

[0010] The control module includes a circuit adjustment network connecting the electromagnetic induction transducer and the plasma discharge transducer in the single discharge circuit, and a power supply unit for controlling the opening and closing of the switch.

[0011] The circuit adjustment network is used to adjust the impedance and / or energy distribution between the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load when the energy storage unit is powered.

[0012] This invention forms a single discharge circuit by electrically connecting the pulse power supply and the plasma discharge transducer in series. After a single charge is completed, a single pulse discharge is triggered by the main switch, so that the two types of sound sources emit in a coordinated manner according to a set energy ratio and timing sequence. During the firing process, the actual energy distribution and spectrum output are monitored in real time by voltage, current and hydrophone signals. In subsequent firings, the parameters are automatically adjusted according to the feedback signal to maintain the stability of the energy ratio and spectrum characteristics.

[0013] Specifically, the load module includes a substrate, an electromagnetic induction transducer load disposed in the middle of the substrate, and a plasma discharge transducer load surrounding the electromagnetic induction transducer.

[0014] Specifically, the plasma discharge transducer load is composed of multiple vertically arranged electrode lines forming an electrode array that surrounds the electromagnetic induction transducer load.

[0015] Specifically, the circuit adjustment network includes a capacitor control unit, a micro-delay pulse shaping unit, an energy recovery and peak limiting branch, and a controllable damping unit;

[0016] The capacitor control unit is used to adjust the equivalent impedance between the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load at different time periods when the energy storage unit is powered.

[0017] The micro-delay pulse shaping unit is used to adjust the microsecond-level timing offset generated when the energy storage unit is powered on;

[0018] The energy recovery and peak limiting branch is used to suppress transient spikes when the energy storage unit is powered, and to backflush energy to the energy storage unit.

[0019] The controllable damping unit is used to suppress parasitic resonance and waveform oscillation.

[0020] Specifically, the circuit adjustment network distributes the stored energy to two types of loads according to a preset timing and proportion during a charging process and a switching process.

[0021] Specifically, the capacitor control unit includes a saturable reactor or a multi-stage switchable capacitor / inductor.

[0022] Specifically, the saturation inflection point current of the saturable reactor is 0.5–2 times the reference current, and the ratio of the inductance value before and after the inflection point is greater than or equal to 3.

[0023] Specifically, the circuit adjustment network and the electromagnetic induction transducer load adopt a coaxial or co-cable integrated wiring structure.

[0024] To achieve the second objective of this invention, the following technical solution is provided: an underwater sound source control method, implemented through the aforementioned single-pulse dual-load cooperative transmission underwater sound source system, comprising:

[0025] Step 1: Adjust the parameters of the circuit adjustment network in the control module according to the preset underwater acoustic signal spectrum characteristics and bandwidth-energy ratio;

[0026] Step 2: After the energy storage unit completes a single charge, a corresponding power-on command is generated according to the underwater acoustic signal transmission requirements. The power-on command includes the target parameters of the single-pulse discharge process and the energy output range of a single discharge.

[0027] After receiving the power-on command, the power-on unit records the current start time and triggers the switch to enable the energy storage unit to complete a single-pulse discharge.

[0028] During the single-pulse discharge process, the loads of the electromagnetic induction transducer and the plasma discharge transducer are adjusted by the circuit adjustment network. The adjustment includes controlling the energy ratio between the two loads, timing offset, suppressing transient spikes and reinforcing back pulse energy, and suppressing parasitic resonance.

[0029] When the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load complete a single coordinated emission, the power-on unit records the current termination time and clears the power-on command from the previous round.

[0030] Step 3: Repeat the process of Step 2 until the preset number of underwater acoustic signal transmission tasks is completed.

[0031] Specifically, the energy ratio can be adjusted from 9:1 to 1:9, with a control accuracy better than ±10%.

[0032] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0033] By dynamically adjusting the impedance and controlling the micro-delay, the energy distribution between the two sound sources is kept within ±10%, avoiding the phenomenon of one source being overloaded and the other underdriven, so as to ensure that the energy ratio is controllable and stable.

[0034] The low-frequency main frequency can be reduced from the normal value to 0.5–0.8 times, while maintaining mid-to-high frequency details in the 1–15kHz range, which is beneficial for balancing deep penetration and high-resolution detection.

[0035] The peak current, rising edge, and bus ringing amplitude are significantly reduced, mitigating the impact on power supply switches, cables, and control systems, thereby achieving a significant reduction in transient impact and EMI.

[0036] It reduces the risk of thermal stress and magnetic saturation in devices, reduces electrode ablation and corrosion, and extends maintenance cycles and service life. Attached Figure Description

[0037] Figure 1 This is a block diagram of the overall structure of the single-pulse dual-load sound source system provided in this embodiment;

[0038] Figure 2 This is a current timing diagram provided in this embodiment;

[0039] Figure 3 This is a physical schematic diagram of the load module provided in this embodiment;

[0040] Figure 4 This is a spectrum comparison diagram provided in this embodiment;

[0041] In the diagram, 1 is the energy storage unit; 2 is the power supply unit; 3 is the electromagnetic induction transducer load; 4 is the plasma discharge transducer load; 5 is the circuit adjustment network; and 6 is the substrate. Detailed Implementation

[0042] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present invention, and not all embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present invention described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention provided in the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention, but merely to illustrate selected embodiments of the invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, this embodiment provides an underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated transmission, which includes a pulse power supply module, a control module, and a load module.

[0044] The pulse power module includes an energy storage unit 1 for power supply and a switch for controlling power supply.

[0045] The load module includes an electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 and a plasma discharge transducer load 4, which together form a single discharge circuit with the energy storage unit 1.

[0046] The control module includes a circuit adjustment network 5 that connects the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 and the plasma discharge transducer load 4 in a single discharge circuit, and an energizing unit 2 that controls the opening and closing of the switch.

[0047] When the energy storage unit 1 is powered, the circuit adjustment network 5 is used to adjust the impedance and / or energy distribution between the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 and the plasma discharge transducer load 4.

[0048] More specifically, the inductor coil of the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 is electrically connected in series between the pulse power supply and the plasma discharge transducer load 4, forming a single discharge circuit.

[0049] The circuit adjustment network 5 set between the switch and the two types of loads includes at least any one of the following units: a saturable reactor or a multi-stage switchable inductor / capacitor unit, a micro-delay pulse shaping unit, an energy recovery and peak limiting branch, and a controllable damping module. It can distribute the stored energy to the two types of loads according to a preset timing and proportion during one charging and one main switch conduction process, and generate a dual-band or multi-band underwater acoustic signal that meets the target spectrum characteristics.

[0050] This embodiment also provides an underwater sound source control method, implemented using the single-pulse dual-load cooperative emission underwater sound source system provided in the above embodiment, including:

[0051] First, based on the preset target spectral characteristics or bandwidth energy ratio, the parameters of the impedance deformation and energy distribution network are set; after a single charge is completed, a single-pulse discharge is triggered by the main switch; during the discharge process, the energy ratio and timing offset of the plasma source and electromagnetic source are controlled by a saturable reactor or delay unit; then, transient spikes and parasitic ringing are suppressed through energy recovery and damping; finally, based on voltage, current and hydrophone signal feedback, the impedance, delay and energy distribution parameters of the next firing are adjusted to maintain the stability of the spectral characteristics and energy ratio.

[0052] like Figure 2 The diagram shown is a current timing diagram provided in this embodiment, illustrating the current changes of the plasma discharge transducer load 4 and the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 during single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission, which can intuitively demonstrate the working timing relationship between the two.

[0053] The saturation inflection point current of the saturable reactor is 0.5-2 times the reference current, and the ratio of inductance before and after the inflection point is not less than 3. The micro-delay pulse shaping unit can achieve adjustable timing offset within the range of 0-50 microseconds, with a resolution better than 0.5 microseconds. The energy distribution ratio is continuously adjustable within the range of 9:1 to 1:9, and the control accuracy is better than ±10%. The energy recovery branch includes a diode and energy storage capacitor structure, which can recharge the recoil energy of the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 back to the main energy storage capacitor or auxiliary bus, with a recovery efficiency of not less than 60%. The impedance deformation and energy distribution network and the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 adopt a coaxial or co-cable integrated wiring structure to reduce hydrodynamic resistance and improve installation reliability. The feedback signal is used to automatically adjust the impedance level, delay time, and energy ratio so that the low-frequency main frequency drops to 0.5-0.8 times that of the plasma discharge transducer load 4 when it is excited alone. The spectrum control target includes the energy ratio of the low-frequency (50-500 Hz) and mid-to-high-frequency (1-15 kHz) bands, and can maintain a value no lower than the preset value in multi-level or continuously adjustable modes. The damping coefficient of the controllable damping module is adjustable, with an adjustment range covering ±20% of the parasitic resonant frequency, to achieve critical damping or overdamped states.

[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the carrier module includes a substrate 6, an electromagnetic induction transducer load 3 disposed in the middle of the substrate, and a plasma discharge transducer load 4 surrounding the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3.

[0055] In this embodiment, the plasma discharge transducer load 4 is composed of multiple vertically arranged electrode lines on the substrate 6 forming an electrode array that surrounds the electromagnetic induction transducer load 3.

[0056] like Figure 4 The diagram shown is a spectrum comparison diagram provided in this embodiment, which illustrates the spectral differences of plasma discharge transducer load 4, electromagnetic induction transducer load 3, and single-pulse dual-load coordinated transmission. The coverage advantage of coordinated transmission in dual frequency bands can be clearly seen.

[0057] In summary, the system and method provided in this embodiment belong to the field of underwater target detection. Addressing the limitations of existing technologies where a single source cannot simultaneously achieve both low-frequency penetration depth and high-frequency resolution, as well as the numerous problems associated with composite sound sources, this embodiment utilizes single-pulse synchronous excitation of a plasma source and an electromagnetic source, and introduces key technologies such as impedance deformation and energy distribution networks. This achieves controllable energy ratios, adjustable spectral components, and manageable transmission phases, reducing transient impacts and electromagnetic interference, and improving system reliability and transmission performance. It is suitable for scenarios such as deep-sea geological exploration and broadband underwater acoustic detection.

[0058] Furthermore, the terms "upper," "lower," "inner," "outer," "front," and "rear" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Unless otherwise specifically stated, the relative steps, numerical expressions, and values ​​of the components and steps set forth in these embodiments do not limit the scope of the invention.

[0059] Of course, the above description is only a specific embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. All equivalent changes or modifications made to the structure, features and principles described in the claims of the present invention should be included in the scope of the claims of the present invention.

[0060] Finally, it should be noted that the above-described embodiments are merely specific implementations of the present invention, used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit it. The scope of protection of the present invention is not limited thereto. Although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that any person skilled in the art can still modify or easily conceive of changes to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments within the technical scope disclosed in the present invention, or make equivalent substitutions for some of the technical features; and these modifications, changes, or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, and should all be covered within the scope of protection of the present invention. Therefore, the scope of protection of the present invention should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. An underwater acoustic source system with single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission, characterized in that, It includes a pulse power supply module, a control module, and a load module; The pulse power module includes an energy storage unit for power supply and a switch for controlling power supply. The load module includes an electromagnetic induction transducer load and a plasma discharge transducer load that form a single discharge circuit with the energy storage unit. The control module includes a circuit adjustment network connecting the electromagnetic induction transducer and the plasma discharge transducer in the single discharge circuit, and a power supply unit for controlling the opening and closing of the switch. The circuit adjustment network is used to adjust the impedance and / or energy distribution between the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load when the energy storage unit is powered.

2. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 1, characterized in that, The load module includes a substrate, an electromagnetic induction transducer load disposed in the middle of the substrate, and a plasma discharge transducer load surrounding the electromagnetic induction transducer.

3. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 2, characterized in that, The plasma discharge transducer load is composed of multiple vertically arranged electrode lines on the substrate, forming an electrode array that surrounds the electromagnetic induction transducer load.

4. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit adjustment network includes a capacitor control unit, a micro-delay pulse shaping unit, an energy recovery and peak limiting branch, and a controllable damping unit. The capacitor control unit is used to adjust the equivalent impedance between the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load at different time periods when the energy storage unit is powered. The micro-delay pulse shaping unit is used to adjust the microsecond-level timing offset generated when the energy storage unit is powered on; The energy recovery and peak limiting branch is used to suppress transient spikes when the energy storage unit is powered, and to backflush energy to the energy storage unit. The controllable damping unit is used to suppress parasitic resonance and waveform oscillation.

5. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 1 or 4, characterized in that, During a single charging and switching process, the circuit adjustment network distributes the stored energy to two types of loads according to a preset timing and proportion.

6. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 4, characterized in that, The capacitor control unit includes a saturable reactor or a multi-stage switchable capacitor / inductor.

7. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 6, characterized in that, The saturation inflection point current of the saturable reactor is 0.5–2 times the reference current, and the ratio of the inductance value before and after the inflection point is greater than or equal to 3.

8. The underwater acoustic source system for single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission according to claim 1, characterized in that, The circuit adjustment network and the electromagnetic induction transducer load are integrated with a coaxial or co-cable wiring structure.

9. A method for controlling an underwater sound source, characterized in that, This is achieved through an underwater acoustic source system with single-pulse dual-load coordinated emission as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, comprising: Step 1: Adjust the parameters of the circuit adjustment network in the control module according to the preset underwater acoustic signal spectrum characteristics and bandwidth-energy ratio; Step 2: After the energy storage unit completes a single charge, a corresponding power-on command is generated according to the underwater acoustic signal transmission requirements. The power-on command includes the target parameters of the single-pulse discharge process and the energy output range of a single discharge. After receiving the power-on command, the power-on unit records the current start time and triggers the switch to enable the energy storage unit to complete a single-pulse discharge. During the single-pulse discharge process, the loads of the electromagnetic induction transducer and the plasma discharge transducer are adjusted by the circuit adjustment network. The adjustment includes controlling the energy ratio between the two loads, timing offset, suppressing transient spikes and reinforcing back pulse energy, and suppressing parasitic resonance. When the electromagnetic induction transducer load and the plasma discharge transducer load complete a single coordinated emission, the power-on unit records the current termination time and clears the power-on command from the previous round. Step 3: Repeat the process of Step 2 until the preset number of underwater acoustic signal transmission tasks is completed.

10. The underwater sound source control method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The energy ratio can be adjusted from 9:1 to 1:9, and the control accuracy is better than ±10%.

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