Castable Sonar Imaging With Phased Array and Remote Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing castable sonar devices lack features that enhance user experience in marine environments, such as efficient data processing, remote operation, and comprehensive underwater mapping, limiting their functionality and usability.
Innovation Solution
A castable sonar device with a phased array transducer, wireless communication, and processing circuitry that generates sonar images, transmits data to a remote computing device, and includes features like propulsion, motion sensing, and aroma dispensing, enabling manual, autonomous, and remote control operations for various marine tasks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a castable sonar device is equipped with advanced features such as phased array transducers, wireless communication, and processing circuitry, then the functionality and user experience are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The castable sonar device is divided into distinct functional modules: a transducer assembly for sonar operations, processing circuitry for data handling, wireless communication elements for data transmission, and a housing for structural support. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall system functionality, resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The castable sonar device integrates multiple functions into a single unit, including sonar imaging, wireless communication, data processing, and various operational modes (manual, autonomous, remote control). This multi-functionality approach enhances the device's versatility without requiring separate dedicated devices, thereby improving adaptability while managing complexity through integration.
2Measurement precision
If the castable sonar device processes and transmits detailed sonar data to a remote computing device, then the measurement precision and environmental knowledge are improved, but the loss of time for data processing and transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry within the castable sonar device performs preliminary processing of sonar returns before transmission to the remote computing device. This preliminary action includes generating phased array sonar return data and creating sonar images, which reduces the amount of raw data that needs to be transmitted and processed remotely, thereby maintaining measurement precision while reducing data processing time.
Solution Approach 2:
The processing circuitry acts as an intermediary between the transducer assembly and the remote computing device. It receives raw sonar returns, processes them into meaningful sonar images and data, and then transmits this processed information to the remote device. This intermediary processing reduces the time loss associated with transmitting and processing large volumes of raw data while maintaining high measurement precision.
3Measurement precision
If the castable sonar device includes multiple transducer elements for phased array operations, then the sonar imaging capability is improved, but the manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The processing circuitry receives phased array sonar returns from multiple transducer elements and processes this data to generate sonar images. The system uses feedback from the received sonar returns to adjust and optimize the positioning and phase alignment of the transducer elements, thereby maintaining high sonar imaging capability while compensating for variations in manufacturing precision.
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
The device provides enhanced environmental knowledge, improved user interaction, and increased efficiency in marine operations by offering detailed sonar imaging, remote control capabilities, and adaptive functionality, such as tracking and alert systems, within the marine environment.
Implementation Method 1
A transducer array is positioned within the housing and aimed downwardly therefrom. The transducer array comprises a phased array. Each of the plurality of transducer elements is configured to receive phased array sonar returns from the underwater environment.
Implementation Method 2
The phased array comprises a plurality of transducer elements. Each of the plurality of transducer elements is configured to receive phased array sonar returns from the underwater environment.
Implementation Method 3
The processing circuitry is configured to receive one or more phased array sonar returns from the transducer array, process the one or more phased array sonar returns to generate phased array sonar return data corresponding to the underwater environment, generate, based on the phased array sonar return data, a sonar image corresponding to the underwater environment
Implementation Method 4
A wireless communication element is configured to transmit one or more signals to and receive one or more signals from a remote computing device.
Data Source
AI summary
Many different types of systems are utilized and tasks are performed in a marine environment. The present invention provides various configurations of castable devices that can be operated and/or controlled for such systems or tasks. One or more castable devices can be integrated with a transducer assembly, such as a phased array, that emits sonar beams and receives sonar returns from the underwater environment. Processing circuitry may receive the sonar returns, process the sonar returns, generate an image, and transmit the image to a display.