Rotator for controlling a sonar transducer (variants)

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of fishing, and more particularly to devices for controlling sonar transducers for studying the bottom topography of a body of water and detecting fish shoals or individual fish. A rotator for controlling a sonar transducer comprises: a first housing (7) having a first electric drive (8) mounted therein, said drive being mechanically connected to a shaft (11) with a sonar device thereon; a second housing (9) having a second electric drive (10) mounted therein, said drive being mechanically connected to a pointer handle (12, 14); and a control system. The control system is configured to be capable of providing for rotation of the second electric drive (10) upon rotation of the first electric drive (8), and vice versa. The technical result is that of reducing mechanical load on the electric drive for rotating the shaft and the pointer handle, thereby increasing the failure-free operating life of the device, while maintaining pointing accuracy with respect to an object of interest.

Description

[0001] ROTATOR FOR CONTROLLING A SONAR SENSOR (OPTIONS)

[0002] Field of technology to which the invention relates

[0003] The present invention relates to the field of fisheries, namely to devices for controlling a sonar sensor for studying the bottom relief of a water basin and searching for schools or individual fish.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Widely known and used are auxiliary fishing tools called rotators, which are devices for controlling, selecting direction and indicating the position of a sonar sensor (echolocation in a liquid medium).

[0006] Structurally, known rotators consist of a housing housing an electric drive, a shaft with a mounted sonar, a control system, and a pointer handle. Specifically, such a device is disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. US2022373676, published on November 24, 2022. The shaft is mechanically connected to the electric drive, such that rotation of the electric drive causes rotation of the shaft. The pointer handle is also mechanically connected to the electric drive, such that rotation of the electric drive causes rotation of the pointer handle. The control system ensures the operation of the entire device.

[0007] By rotating the shaft, the sonar searches for and detects an object of interest, such as a school of fish, underwater, and then records its direction or tracks it. The pointer handle visually indicates the direction of the object, and the user can use this direction for further actions.

[0008] In addition, the pointer handle should allow the selected direction to be adjusted or an approximate initial direction to be set, which is then used by the rotator as the starting position of the sonar to search for an object of interest.

[0009] Therefore, the control system and electric drive must ensure not only the rotation of the pointer handle as the shaft rotates, but also the control of the shaft via the rotation of the pointer handle, even when the sonar is submerged and the vessel on which the rotator is installed may be in motion. This results in increased load on the rotator components, primarily the pointer handle and electric drive. Given the complex algorithms for searching and tracking the subsequent movement of the target of interest, the electric drive and control system must ensure high accuracy in pointing and maintaining the sonar. However, with constant increased load, accuracy decreases, necessitating replacement of the electric drive, the pointer handle, and / or the mechanical coupling system between the electric drive and the shaft and the pointer handle.

[0010] Typically, in well-known rotators, manual control, where the user sets the direction of the pointer handle and, consequently, the sonar, is achieved by disabling the electric drive to avoid overcoming its resistance. However, this only works in still water, as in currents, when the electric drive motor is disabled, direction control is not maintained, and the sonar will rotate with the current. Alternatively, the electric drive is left on, but then, when turning the pointer handle, the user must overcome the resistance of the main electric drive motor, which significantly complicates the rotator design and reduces its reliability.

[0011] Thus, there is a task to improve the reliability of known rotators.

[0012] Disclosure of the essence of the invention

[0013] The authors of the present invention were faced with the technical task of developing a new rotator or modernizing existing rotators in which known shortcomings were eliminated, in particular, the load on the rotator elements was reduced.

[0014] The technical result achieved by the present invention is a reduction in the mechanical load on the electric drive of the shaft and the pointer handle, as a consequence - an increase in the trouble-free operation of the device while maintaining the accuracy of pointing to the object of interest.

[0015] The stated technical problem is solved, and the stated technical result is achieved in the proposed versions of the rotator, the main difference of which from already known devices is the presence of a second electric drive, which controls the rotation of the main (single) or additional pointer handle, and a control system that ensures the mutual rotation of the first (or main) electric drive, mechanically connected to the shaft, and the said second electric drive.

[0016] The lack of a mechanical connection between the indicator handle and the first electric drive eliminates the increased load on the indicator handle and the first electric drive. At the same time, the presence of a second electric drive, whose rotation is linked or interconnected with the rotation of the first electric drive, ensures the rotator's normal functionality: when the shaft rotates, the indicator handle rotates. Conversely, rotation of the indicator handle can cause a corresponding rotation of the shaft.

[0017] In particular, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the rotator comprises a first housing with a first electric drive housed therein; a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft; a control system; and an indicator handle. The rotator also comprises a second housing with a second electric drive housed therein. The indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive such that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle, and rotation of the indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive. Moreover, the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates.

[0018] According to a second embodiment of the present invention, a rotator comprises a first housing with a first electric drive housed therein; a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft; a control system; and an indicator handle. The rotator also comprises a second housing with a second electric drive housed therein. The indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive such that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle, and rotation of the indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive. The control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates and to ensure rotation of the first electric drive when the second electric drive rotates.

[0019] The stated technical problem is solved, and the claimed technical result is also achieved in specific embodiments of the rotator variants described above. In particular, the second housing may be made integral with the first housing, i.e., together they form a single housing, or the second housing may be designed for removable attachment to the first housing. According to a third embodiment of the present invention, the rotator is a known rotator supplemented with a second housing with its own indicator handle and electric drive. More specifically, the rotator according to the third embodiment comprises a first housing with a first electric drive housed therein; a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft; a control system and an indicator handle mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle.The rotator also includes an additional indicator handle, a second housing, and a second electric drive housed within the second housing. The additional indicator handle is mechanically linked to the second electric drive, such that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the additional indicator handle, and rotation of the additional indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive. Furthermore, the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates.

[0020] A rotator according to a fourth embodiment comprises a first housing with a first electric drive located therein; a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft; a control system and an indicator handle mechanically connected to the first electric drive such that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle. The rotator also comprises an additional indicator handle, a second housing, and a second electric drive located in the second housing. The additional indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive such that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the additional indicator handle, and rotation of the additional indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive. Furthermore, the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates and to ensure rotation of the first electric drive when the second electric drive rotates.

[0021] In any of the above-mentioned rotator designs, the control system may comprise a first control unit, located in the first housing, and a second control unit, located in the second housing, interconnected. Specifically, the first and second control units may be connected wirelessly. From the user's perspective, an important aspect of the proposed rotator designs is that when controlling the first electric drive and its mechanically connected shaft via a control handle mechanically connected to the second electric drive, the user experiences no load from the current or the vessel's motion; that is, the force exerted on the control handle remains constant.When the user releases the pointer handle, with no other control input, the first electric drive maintains the sonar's set direction, corresponding to the actual position of the pointer handle, without reacting to current or vessel movement, as the first electric drive remains in operation and continues to maintain the shaft's set position. This ensures comfortable control and maintains the set position even in current or when the vessel is moving at high speed, without requiring increased force, ultimately improving the rotator's reliability.

[0022] Further, the claimed variants of the rotator and other possible variants of its implementation, to which, however, the present invention is not limited, are explained in more detail with reference to the attached figures.

[0023] Brief description of the figures

[0024] Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a rotator according to the prior art.

[0025] Fig. 2 schematically shows a rotator according to the first and second embodiments.

[0026] Fig. 4 schematically shows a rotator according to the first and second embodiments with a removable second housing.

[0027] Fig. 4 schematically shows a rotator according to the first and second embodiments with a single housing.

[0028] Fig. 5 schematically shows a rotator according to the third and fourth embodiments.

[0029] The following elements are marked with positions on the figures:

[0030] 1 - rotator according to the prior art

[0031] 2 - rotator housing according to the state of the art

[0032] 3 - rotator shaft according to the prior art

[0033] 4 - rotator pointer handle according to the prior art

[0034] 5 - fastening means 6 - sonar

[0035] 7 - first building

[0036] 8 - the first electric drive

[0037] 9 - second building

[0038] 10 - second electric drive

[0039] 11 - shaft

[0040] 12 - rotator indicator handle according to the first and second options

[0041] 13 - rotator pointer handle according to the third and fourth options

[0042] 14 - additional pointer handle.

[0043] Implementation of the invention

[0044] For a better understanding of the embodiments of the present invention, Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a rotator according to the prior art.

[0045] The known rotator 1 consists of a housing 2 housing an electric drive (not shown), as well as a shaft 3 and an indicator handle 4, which are mechanically connected to the electric drive. The rotator may also include a mounting device 5, particularly to the side of a vessel. A sonar 6 is mounted on shaft 3, which is used to obtain images of the underwater region of interest.

[0046] Rotation of the rotator electric drive 1 causes rotation of the shaft 3 and the indicator handle 4, so that the user can see the direction of the sonar 5 by the indicator handle 4. In addition, the design of the mechanical connection unit of the indicator handle 4 with the rotator electric drive 1 allows the user to rotate the indicator handle 4, and at the same time, the shaft 3 rotates. In this way, the user can specify the direction of the sonar beam 5, but at the same time, an increased load is applied to the said mechanical connection unit and the indicator handle 4, which ultimately leads to the appearance of play, reducing the accuracy of the indication, and even to the breakage of these elements.

[0047] According to the first and second variants of the claimed invention, shown in Fig. 2-4, the rotator comprises a first housing 7, in which a first electric drive 8 is placed (see Fig. 4), a second housing 9, in which a second electric drive 10 is placed (see Fig. 4), a shaft 11, an indicator handle 12 and a control system (not shown in the figures).

[0048] The shaft 11 is mechanically connected to the first electric drive 8, so that the rotation of the first electric drive 8 causes the rotation of the shaft 11, on which the sonar 6 is mounted. The indicator handle 12 is mechanically connected to the second electric drive 10, so that the rotation of the second electric drive 10 causes the rotation of the indicator handle 12.

[0049] The first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10 themselves are not mechanically connected, just as the shaft 11 and the second electric drive 10 are not mechanically connected, as well as the indicator handle 12 and the first electric drive 8.

[0050] Interaction between the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10 is accomplished via a control system. Specifically, when the first electric drive 8 rotates, the control system generates corresponding signals and transmits them to the second electric drive 10, such that the direction and angle of rotation of the indicator handle 12 fully correspond to the direction and angle of rotation of the shaft 11 (and, accordingly, the sonar mounted on the shaft 11). In other words, the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive 10 when the first electric drive 8 rotates.

[0051] In addition to this, the control system can ensure the rotation of the first electric drive 8 during the rotation of the second electric drive 10, so that the direction and angle of rotation of the shaft 11 (and, accordingly, the sonar mounted on the shaft 11) fully correspond to the direction and angle of rotation of the indicator handle 12.

[0052] The second housing 9 can be made separate from the first housing 7, as shown in Fig. 2, and in addition, removable, as shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the first housing 7 and the second housing 9 can form a single housing in which the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10 are placed, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0053] According to the third and fourth variants of the claimed invention, shown in Fig. 5, the rotator comprises a first housing 7, in which the first electric drive is placed (not shown in Fig. 5), a second housing 9, in which the second electric drive is placed (not shown in Fig. 5), a shaft 11, an indicator handle 13, an additional indicator handle 14 and a control system (not shown in Fig. 5).

[0054] Shaft 11 is mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of shaft 11 and, accordingly, of the sonar 6 installed on it.

[0055] The indicator handle 13 is also mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that the rotation of the first electric drive also causes the rotation of the indicator handle 13.

[0056] The additional indicator handle 14 is mechanically connected to the second electric drive, so that the rotation of the second electric drive causes the rotation of the additional indicator handle 14, and the rotation of the additional indicator handle 14 causes the rotation of the second electric drive.

[0057] Interaction between the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10 is accomplished via a control system. Specifically, when the first electric drive 8 rotates, the control system generates corresponding signals and transmits them to the second electric drive 10, such that the direction and angle of rotation of the additional indicator handle 14 fully correspond to the direction and angle of rotation of the shaft 11 and, accordingly, to the direction and angle of rotation of the sonar 6 mounted on the shaft 11. In other words, the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive 10 when the first electric drive 8 rotates.

[0058] In addition to this, the control system can ensure the rotation of the first electric drive 8 during the rotation of the second electric drive 10, so that the direction and angle of rotation of the shaft 11 (and, accordingly, the direction and angle of rotation of the sonar 6 installed on the shaft 11) fully correspond to the direction and angle of rotation of the additional handle-indicator 14.

[0059] Essentially, the control system is an electronic computing device (e.g., a personal computer, smartphone, or tablet) containing means for receiving and transmitting signals to the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10. Reception and transmission of signals between the control system, on the one hand, and the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10, on the other, can be accomplished via either wired or wireless communication. A combined option is also possible, whereby, for example, communication between the control system and the first electric drive 8 is accomplished via wired communication, and between the control system and the second electric drive 10 via wireless communication, and vice versa.

[0060] The control system can be installed in the first housing 7, in the second housing 9, or placed in its own separate housing.

[0061] The control system may also be distributed across the aforementioned housings. In the embodiments of the claimed rotator described above, the control system may comprise a first control unit and a second control unit (not shown in the figures) connected to each other. The first control unit may be housed in the first housing 7 or its own housing, and the second control unit may be housed in the second housing 9 or its own housing. The first control unit and second control unit are connected to each other, as well as to the first electric drive 8 and the second electric drive 10, via a wired, wireless, or combined (partially wired, partially wireless) connection.

[0062] Essentially, the third and fourth variants of the claimed rotator represent a modernization of the already known rotator 1 (Fig. 1), to which a second housing 9 with a second electric drive 10 and an additional indicator handle 14 is added. In this case, the control system of rotator 1 is either updated / replaced to enable control of the second electric drive 10, or supplemented with an appropriate module, in particular, a second control unit. However, the third and fourth variants offer the advantage that the additional indicator handle 14 is not mechanically connected in any way to the first electric drive controlling the rotation of shaft 11.

[0063] Thus, the declared rotator variants eliminate the shortcomings of known analogues, reducing the load on the rotator elements and thereby increasing the trouble-free operation of the device while maintaining the accuracy of pointing to the object of interest.

Claims

CLAUSES OF THE INVENTION 1. A rotator for controlling a sonar sensor, comprising: a first housing with a first electric drive placed therein, a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft, a control system, and an indicator handle, characterized in that it comprises a second housing with a second electric drive placed therein, the indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive, so that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle, and rotation of the indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive, and the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates.

2. The rotator according to claim 1, characterized in that the second housing is designed with the possibility of removable mounting on the first housing.

3. The rotator according to item 2, characterized in that the first housing and the second housing form a single housing.

4. A rotator according to any of paragraphs 1-3, characterized in that the control system comprises a first control unit, located in a first housing, and a second control unit, located in a second housing, connected to each other.

5. The rotator according to claim 4, characterized in that the first control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via a wireless connection.

6. A rotator for controlling a sonar sensor, comprising: a first housing with a first electric drive placed therein, a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft, a control system, and a pointer handle, characterized in that it comprises a second housing with a second electric drive placed therein, the pointer handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive, so that the rotation of the second electric drive causes the rotation of the pointer handle, and the rotation of the pointer handle causes the rotation of the second electric drive, and the control system is configured to ensure the rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates and to ensure the rotation of the first electric drive when the second electric drive rotates.

7. The rotator according to item 6, characterized in that the second housing is designed with the possibility of removable mounting on the first housing.

8. The rotator according to item 7, characterized in that the first housing and the second housing form a single housing.

9. A rotator according to any of paragraphs 6-8, characterized in that the control system comprises a first control unit, located in a first housing, and a second control unit, located in a second housing, connected to each other.

10. The rotator according to claim 9, characterized in that the first control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via a wireless connection.

11. A rotator for controlling a sonar sensor, comprising: a first housing with a first electric drive placed therein, a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft, a control system, and an indicator handle mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle, characterized in that it contains an additional indicator handle, a second housing and a second electric drive placed in the second housing, wherein the additional indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive, so that the rotation of the second electric drive causes the rotation of the additional indicator handle, and the rotation of the additional indicator handle causes the rotation of the second electric drive, and the control system is configured to ensure the rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates.

12. The rotator according to claim 11, characterized in that the control system comprises a first control unit, located in the first housing, and a second control unit, located in the second housing, connected to each other.

13. The rotator according to claim 12, characterized in that the first control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via a wireless connection.

14. A rotator for controlling a sonar sensor, comprising: a first housing with a first electric drive placed therein, a shaft mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the shaft, a control system, and an indicator handle mechanically connected to the first electric drive, so that rotation of the first electric drive causes rotation of the indicator handle, characterized in that it comprises an additional indicator handle, a second housing and a second electric drive placed in the second housing, wherein the additional indicator handle is mechanically connected to the second electric drive, so that rotation of the second electric drive causes rotation of the additional indicator handle, and rotation of the additional indicator handle causes rotation of the second electric drive, and the control system is configured to ensure rotation of the second electric drive when the first electric drive rotates and to ensure rotation of the first electric drive when the second electric drive rotates.

15. The rotator according to claim 14, characterized in that the control system comprises a first control unit located in the first housing and a second control unit located in the second housing, connected to each other.

16. The rotator according to claim 15, characterized in that the first control unit and the second control unit are connected to each other via a wireless connection.

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