A suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device

Abstract

The utility model discloses a kind of suspended auxiliary sonar sweep measuring devices, comprising: multiple suspended foam board, including square foam board and sector foam board, for surrounding pier combination to form closed annular;The lower portion of the suspended foam board is equipped with sliding track, for carrying sonar equipment and guiding its movement along sliding track;Multiple fixing devices, set on pier cap, for supporting and fixing several in the suspended foam board;Connecting line, is threaded in the threading hole on the suspended foam board, for connecting each suspended foam board;Powerful small boat, connected to the tail of the connecting line, for closing the suspended foam board by pulling force, so that each sliding track is linked to form complete closed annular track.The utility model realizes to the surface of underwater structure for efficient, complete and accurate three-dimensional acoustic imaging, effectively replaces high-risk, high-cost and big limitation diver operation or cofferdam drainage detection method.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of underwater detection equipment. More specifically, this utility model relates to a suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, the conventional methods for inspecting underwater structures such as bridge piers mainly rely on divers carrying equipment to explore underwater or using underwater cameras to take pictures. However, divers' operations are limited by water depth, current speed, and underwater visibility, posing personal safety risks, and their underwater working time is short, limiting the inspection range. Underwater cameras are easily affected by turbid water quality, usually only obtaining local images of the structure's surface, making it difficult to form a complete 3D model for overall assessment. Another approach is to use cofferdams to isolate the inspection area, but this method has a long construction cycle, high cost, and is extremely difficult to implement for large structures or those located in fast-flowing water, making it highly impractical. Furthermore, attempts to directly use underwater robots or towed sonar often result in collision risks or unstable scanning trajectories due to complex water currents near the bridge pier structure, leading to poor data quality. Therefore, there is an urgent need in this field for an auxiliary device that can be quickly deployed, adapt to changes in water flow, and guide sonar to perform stable, omnidirectional scanning. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This invention aims to overcome many shortcomings in existing underwater structure inspection technologies and provide a reasonably structured and easy-to-operate suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device. Its fundamental purpose is to solve the problem of difficult access and stable, all-around scanning of underwater structures such as bridge piers in complex water flow environments. By designing a temporary device that can quickly construct a closed-loop scanning track around the bridge pier, a stable and controllable movement path is provided for the sonar equipment, thereby achieving efficient, complete, and accurate three-dimensional acoustic imaging of the underwater structure surface. This effectively replaces high-risk, high-cost, and limited methods such as diver operations or cofferdam drainage inspection.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by this utility model to solve this technical problem is: a suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device, comprising: Multiple suspended foam boards, including square foam boards and fan-shaped foam boards, are used to form a closed loop around the bridge piers; The lower part of the suspended foam board is provided with a sliding track for supporting the sonar equipment and guiding it to move along the sliding track; Multiple fixing devices are installed on the bridge pier bearing platform to support and fix several of the suspended foam boards; Connecting wires are threaded through the holes in the suspended foam boards and are used to connect the various suspended foam boards. A powered boat, connected to the tail of the connecting line, is used to close the suspended foam board by pulling force, thereby connecting the various sliding tracks to form a complete closed loop track.

[0005] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the threading holes on the suspended foam board are L-shaped and are located at the four corners of the upper part and the left and right sides of the foam board. There are two connecting wires, one of which is threaded through the wire hole on the outer ring of the suspended foam board, and the other is threaded through the wire hole on the inner ring of the suspended foam board.

[0006] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the fixing device includes a base plate and a column. The base plate is fixedly connected to the bridge pier foundation by screws, and the column is used to support the suspended foam board.

[0007] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the suspended foam board is connected to the fixing device by screws.

[0008] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the powered boat consists of two boats, which are respectively connected to the tails of two connecting lines on the inner and outer rings. They can move in opposite directions to tighten the connecting lines and close the suspended foam board.

[0009] As a further embodiment of this utility model, the sliding track is located on the lower part of the suspended foam board on the side that contacts the water surface, and the tracks on each foam board are spliced ​​together to form a continuous circular track when closed.

[0010] As a further aspect of this utility model, the suspended foam board can float naturally under the action of water flow when the connecting line is loose, and can move within a certain range under the restriction of the fixing device.

[0011] This invention has at least the following beneficial effects: By combining suspended foam boards with the traction of a powered boat, this device can quickly form a complete and stable circular scanning track around the bridge pier, ensuring that the sonar equipment can perform a comprehensive, all-around scan of the bridge pier along a predetermined path without blind spots, thereby obtaining complete and high-precision three-dimensional surface data, which greatly improves the comprehensiveness and reliability of the detection.

[0012] Secondly, the device enables remote control of the detection process, eliminating the need for personnel to enter the water, significantly improving operational safety and reducing reliance on professional divers. The suspended foam board used in the device provides the necessary buoyancy, ensuring good stability of the entire system in water. Simultaneously, its flexible connection structure allows it to float naturally with the water flow when not in operation, avoiding structural stress that might result from rigid connections and facilitating the switching and maintenance of different states.

[0013] By setting up inner and outer ring double connecting lines and being towed in opposite directions by two powered small boats, the dispersed foam boards are effectively tightened and assembled into a tight circular track, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of the track splicing. The fixing device ensures a reliable connection between the device and the bridge pier foundation, preventing the entire device from being washed away by the water flow. The entire device has an ingenious structure, is easy to deploy and retrieve, has strong applicability, and is unaffected by water depth or turbidity, providing an efficient, economical, and safe solution for the periodic inspection and health assessment of underwater structures.

[0014] Other advantages, objectives and features of this invention will be partly apparent from the following description, and partly understood by those skilled in the art through study and practice of this invention. Attached Figure Description

[0015] Figure 1 This is a top view of the suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the square foam board of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fan-shaped foam board of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection hole structure of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the fixing device of this utility model and the bridge pier cap; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the fixing device and the suspended foam board of this utility model; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the power boat of this utility model.

[0016] Among them, 1-square foam board, 2-fan-shaped foam board, 3-connecting line, 4-sliding rail, 5-bridge pier, 6-threading hole, 7-fixing device, 8-powered boat, 9-base plate, 10-column, 11-screw. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will now be described in detail and completely with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those skilled in the art will be able to implement the present invention based on these descriptions. Before describing the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it should be particularly noted that the technical solutions and features provided in the various parts of the present invention, including the following description, can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0018] Furthermore, the embodiments of the present invention described below are generally only a part of the embodiments of the present invention, and not all of the embodiments. Therefore, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the present invention without inventive effort should fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

[0019] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments, and the specific implementation process is as follows: like Figures 1-7 As shown, this utility model provides a suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device, comprising: Multiple suspended foam boards, including square foam board 1 and fan-shaped foam board 2, are used to form a closed ring around the bridge pier; The lower part of the suspended foam board is provided with a sliding track 4, which is used to support the sonar equipment and guide it to move along the sliding track 4; Multiple fixing devices 7 are installed on the pier foundation 5 to support and fix several of the suspended foam boards; Connecting wire 3 is threaded through the thread hole 6 on the suspended foam board and is used to connect each suspended foam board; The powered boat 8 is connected to the tail of the connecting line 3 and is used to close the suspended foam board by pulling force, so that the various sliding tracks 4 are connected to form a complete closed loop track.

[0020] In this specific implementation, firstly, based on the dimensions and perimeter of the pier to be tested, a sufficient number of square and fan-shaped high-strength suspended foam boards are pre-calculated and prepared. On the pier's top abutment structure, at several key points surrounding the pier, the base plate 9 of the fixing device 7 is installed with screws, ensuring that the uprights 10 on it face outwards from the water. Then, some key suspended foam boards, for example, two suspended foam boards selected around the pier, are temporarily fixed to these uprights 10 with screws 11, providing the initial positioning foundation for the entire ring device. Next, operators use small boats to sequentially place the remaining square and fan-shaped foam boards 2 into the water, and using the L-shaped threading holes 6 pre-set on the upper part and left and right sides of each foam board, sequentially thread two connecting lines 3, corresponding to the inner and outer rings respectively, through all the foam boards. Finally, one end of the inner ring connecting line 3 and one end of the outer ring connecting line 3 are respectively attached to the stern of two independent powered boats 8.

[0021] When the scanning begins, the sonar equipment is placed on the sliding track 4 beneath any of the pre-positioned foam boards. Then, two small powered boats 8 are simultaneously launched, moving at a constant speed in opposite directions along the perimeter of the bridge pier. The boats, through the tension transmitted via the connecting line 3, gradually tighten the initially loosely floating group of foam boards. Under this tension, these foam boards, which have both square and fan-shaped forms, move closer together and fit tightly, ultimately dynamically forming a complete, closed elliptical ring structure around the bridge pier. At this point, all the sliding tracks 4 beneath the foam boards are precisely aligned and connected into a smooth, continuous circular track. The sonar equipment can then perform controlled reciprocating circular motion on this track, with its sensors always pointing towards the bridge pier surface. Because the entire circular track is rigidly assembled from physical structures and maintains a fixed relative position with the bridge pier through fixed points and the connecting line 3, the sonar's trajectory is strictly constrained and unaffected by water flow disturbances, ensuring the accuracy and repeatability of the scanning path.

[0022] After the scanning task is completed, the powered boat 8 slowly retracts and reduces its tension, causing the connecting line 3 to slacken. Upon loss of tension, the foam boards naturally separate and return to their floating state under the influence of the water flow. However, because they are still constrained by the connecting line 3 and the fixing device 7, they will not drift away from the working area, facilitating rapid deployment for the next inspection task. This implementation method achieves controllable mechanical splicing and tensioning in unstable waters through a temporary, reconfigurable, flexible-rigid structure, fundamentally overcoming the inherent defects of existing technologies that rely on complex dynamic positioning systems but still cannot guarantee the geometric accuracy of the scanning path.

[0023] In another embodiment, the threading holes 6 on the suspended foam board are L-shaped and located at the four corners of the upper part and left and right sides of the foam board; there are two connecting wires 3, one of which passes through the threading hole 6 in the outer ring of the suspended foam board, and the other passes through the threading hole 6 in the inner ring of the suspended foam board. In this embodiment, specific L-shaped threading holes 6 are pre-fabricated at the upper edge of each suspended foam board and at the four corners of the left and right sides. This L-shaped hole is not a simple vertical hole, but is formed by a vertical hole and a horizontal groove connected together, and its shape is similar to an L. During assembly, the operator uses two strong connecting wires 3 for the inner and outer rings of the system, respectively. When threading, one connecting wire 3 passes through the L-shaped hole in the outer ring area of ​​all foam boards, and the other connecting wire 3 passes through the L-shaped hole in the inner ring area of ​​all foam boards.

[0024] When the powered boat 8 pulls the connecting line 3 in the opposite direction, the tension acting on each foam board is distributed to four key corner positions, forming a balanced force couple system. This not only effectively prevents the foam boards from rotating or tilting significantly around any axis, but also ensures that they maintain their preset upright posture when compressed. Thus, all the square and fan-shaped foam boards 2, like tamed building blocks, strictly converge along the inner and outer ring lines under the guidance of the tension force. Their pre-processed sliding tracks 4 at the bottom are precisely aligned and tightly fitted on the same plane, ultimately forming a truly continuous, smooth, closed ring guide rail, laying a solid foundation for the smooth reciprocating motion of the sonar equipment.

[0025] In another embodiment, the fixing device 7 includes a base plate 9 and a column 10. The base plate 9 is fixedly connected to the pier abutment 5 by screws, and the column 10 is used to support the suspended foam board. During installation, the operator first cleans the surface of the abutment from any adhering substances, then uses a high-power impact drill to drill holes at predetermined locations on the abutment and inserts chemical anchors or high-strength expansion bolts. Next, the base plate 9 of the fixing device 7 is pressed tightly onto the holes, and the nuts are tightened to firmly integrate the base plate 9 with the abutment into a single unit. Finally, the suspended foam board is fixed to the cuboid column 10 by screws. The column 10 serves as a support point, lifting and positioning the suspended board at a predetermined height.

[0026] In another embodiment, the suspended foam board is connected to the fixing device 7 by screws. Threaded holes are pre-drilled in the column 10 of the fixing device 7, and metal embedded parts or open holes are pre-installed at corresponding positions on the key suspended foam board. During installation, the operator uses stainless steel screws to screw into the foam board from the corresponding position on the upper surface or side, penetrating the foam board body, and finally firmly tightening it into the threaded holes in the column 10 of the fixing device 7. This transforms the entire device from a loose floating assembly into a stable working system with rigid anchorage at key points and flexible tension in the rest, creating the necessary structural conditions for high-precision scanning.

[0027] In another embodiment, two powered boats 8 are connected to the tails of two connecting lines 3 on the inner and outer rings, respectively. They can move in opposite directions to tighten the connecting lines 3, causing the suspended foam panels to close. Specifically, the operator attaches the tail end of the connecting line 3, which passes through the threaded hole 6 on the outer ring of the suspended foam panel, to the tail of one powered boat 8; correspondingly, the tail end of the other connecting line 3, which passes through the threaded hole 6 on the inner ring, is attached to the tail of the other powered boat 8. After the scanning program is started, the two boats do not circle in the same direction, but are controlled to move in opposite directions along the perimeter of the pier. One travels clockwise, and the other counterclockwise. This movement ensures that the tension force can be simultaneously input from two symmetrical points on the ring and evenly transmitted and distributed along the circumference. Each suspended foam panel is simultaneously subjected to balanced radial pressure from both the inner and outer directions, thus being smoothly pushed towards the center, ultimately fitting together seamlessly to form a complete, smooth, and evenly tensioned closed circular track. This bidirectional symmetrical tensioning mechanism fundamentally eliminates the inherent force transmission attenuation and track deformation problems of single-point traction, creating a stable working platform with extremely high geometric precision for sonar equipment.

[0028] In another embodiment, the sliding track 4 is located on the lower side of the suspended foam board that contacts the water surface, and the tracks on each foam board are joined together to form a continuous circular track when closed. During the manufacturing stage of each suspended foam board, a sliding track 4 with a uniform cross-sectional shape and spatial position is formed on the lower side that contacts the water surface through mold processing or post-attachment. This track can be groove-shaped, convex-ridged, or other specific contours. It is important to note that its key dimensions are consistent across all square and fan-shaped foam boards 2. When all foam boards are pulled together and tightly assembled by the traction force of the connecting line 3, these prefabricated track segments at their lower parts are forcibly aligned on the same ideal circumferential curve. Because all track segments have the same profile and uniform installation reference, they connect to form a smooth, continuous circular guide surface when their ends contact each other. The sonar equipment can perform reciprocating circular motion without obstruction, ensuring that its sensor maintains a constant relative geometric relationship with the pier surface, thereby acquiring high-fidelity, non-abrupt acoustic data, laying a reliable foundation for the subsequent generation of a high-precision three-dimensional model.

[0029] In another implementation, after the scanning task is completed, the operator simply controls the powered boat 8 to slowly retract, allowing the two connecting lines 3 of the inner and outer rings to relax synchronously and in a controlled manner. Once the connecting lines 3 lose tension, the foam boards, which were originally tightly bound into a rigid ring, automatically disintegrate under the natural action of the water flow. Each foam board regains its independent buoyancy and begins to drift naturally with the current within the length allowed by the connecting lines 3. Since the foam boards at several key locations are still connected to the fixing devices 7 firmly anchored to the support platform by screws, together with the connecting lines 3, they form an invisible flexible protective ring, ensuring that all foam boards can both buffer and dissipate force in the wind and waves without drifting out of the safe range. The device smoothly switches from a tense working state to a relaxed, highly adaptable standby state. When the next inspection is required, simply restart the powered boat 8 to tighten the connecting lines 3, and all the foam boards floating nearby will be quickly reintegrated and closed into a precision track, achieving a seamless switch from long-term standby to immediate operation.

[0030] Although the embodiments of this utility model have been disclosed above, they are not limited to the applications listed in the specification and embodiments. They can be applied to various fields suitable for this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other modifications can be easily made. Therefore, without departing from the general concept defined by the claims and their equivalents, this utility model is not limited to the specific details and embodiments shown and described herein.

Claims

1. A suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device, characterized in that, include: Multiple suspended foam boards, including square foam boards and fan-shaped foam boards, are used to form a closed loop around the bridge piers; The lower part of the suspended foam board is provided with a sliding track for supporting the sonar equipment and guiding it to move along the sliding track; Multiple fixing devices are installed on the bridge pier bearing platform to support and fix several of the suspended foam boards; Connecting wires are threaded through the holes in the suspended foam boards and are used to connect the various suspended foam boards. A powered boat, connected to the tail of the connecting line, is used to close the suspended foam board by pulling force, thereby connecting the various sliding tracks to form a complete closed loop track.

2. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The threading holes on the suspended foam board are L-shaped and are located at the four corners of the upper part and left and right sides of the foam board. There are two connecting wires, one of which is threaded through the wire hole on the outer ring of the suspended foam board, and the other is threaded through the wire hole on the inner ring of the suspended foam board.

3. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The fixing device includes a base plate and a column. The base plate is fixedly connected to the bridge pier foundation by screws, and the column is used to support the suspended foam board.

4. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 1 or 3, characterized in that, The suspended foam board is connected to the fixing device by screws.

5. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The powered boat consists of two boats, which are respectively connected to the tails of two connecting lines on the inner and outer rings. They can move in opposite directions to tighten the connecting lines and close the suspended foam board.

6. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The sliding track is located on the lower part of the suspended foam board on the side that contacts the water surface, and the tracks on each foam board are spliced ​​together to form a continuous circular track when closed.

7. The suspended auxiliary sonar scanning device as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The suspended foam board can float naturally under the action of water flow when the connecting line is loose, and can move within a certain range under the restriction of the fixing device.

Images