Acoustic Plume Detection via Interference Pattern Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
In shallow water environments, internal waves cause significant fluctuations in acoustic signals, affecting underwater array processing and source localization, making it challenging to detect and characterize plumes of fluids with different refractive indices.
Innovation Solution
A method and system using a horizontal array of receiving elements to detect interference patterns between acoustic signals and refracted signals, determining the horizontal angle of refraction to estimate physical characteristics of the plume, such as salinity, viscosity, and temperature, employing interferometry techniques with a compact array configuration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If internal waves are present in shallow water environments, then acoustic signals are refracted causing fluctuations in amplitude and phase, but this makes source localization and array processing difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful refraction effect caused by internal waves into a useful detection mechanism. By detecting the interference patterns created when acoustic signals pass through plumes (which refract the signals), the system identifies and characterizes the plumes themselves. The refraction that originally caused measurement difficulties now provides the basis for detecting and analyzing plume properties such as salinity, temperature, and velocity.
2Measurement precision
If a horizontal array is used to detect interference patterns, then plume detection accuracy is improved, but array length requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent analyzes interference patterns across multiple receiving elements in the horizontal array to extract plume characteristics. By processing the spatial distribution of interference patterns across the array elements, the system achieves accurate plume detection and characterization without requiring excessively long array configurations.
3Measurement precision
If interferometry techniques are employed to determine horizontal angle of refraction, then physical characteristic estimation is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex physical measurement systems with interferometry-based acoustic detection. Instead of using multiple complex sensors to directly measure plume properties, the system uses acoustic interference patterns to indirectly determine physical characteristics such as salinity, temperature, and velocity, achieving accurate measurements with a relatively simple array configuration.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables accurate detection and characterization of plumes within a second fluid by determining the horizontal angle of refraction, allowing for precise estimation of physical properties and velocity, even in shallow water regions with minimal array length, improving source localization and oceanographic studies.
Implementation Method 1
detecting an interference pattern from the received signal over the plurality of receiving elements. The interference pattern is due to interference between the acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal
Implementation Method 2
at least one refracted signal refracted by the first fluid. The first fluid has a different index of refraction than the second fluid
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for detecting a plume of a first fluid in a second fluid using an acoustic wave are provided, where the first fluid has a different acoustic index of refraction than the second fluid. A horizontal array having a plurality of receiving elements receives an acoustic signal propagated through the second fluid and at least one refracted signal refracted by the first fluid. The acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal form a received signal. An interference pattern is detected from the received signal over the plurality of receiving elements. The interference pattern is due to interference between the acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal. A horizontal angle of refraction is determined between the acoustic signal and the at least one refracted signal from the interference pattern. The horizontal angle of refraction is indicative of a physical characteristic of the first fluid.