Compact Multichannel Sonar System Using Segmented Transducers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar systems are bulky, expensive, and limited in their ability to provide high-quality, compact, and flexible sonar data and imagery, especially in shallow waters, making them unsuitable for non-commercial watercraft and requiring a more efficient and compact multichannel sonar solution.
Innovation Solution
A compact multichannel sonar system incorporating a multichannel transducer with multiple transmission and reception channels, orientation and position sensors, and processing electronics integrated within a single housing, allowing for adjustable coupling to mobile structures and enhanced sonar data processing, including beamforming and interferometry to produce high-quality two and three-dimensional imagery.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sonar systems use large transducer assemblies to produce high-quality sonar imagery, then the quality of sonar imagery is improved, but the system becomes bulky and cannot operate in shallow depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sonar transducer assembly into multiple independent sonar transducers with separate beams that can be independently controlled. This segmentation allows each transducer to be smaller while collectively providing high-quality sonar imagery through coordinated operation of multiple beams, resolving the contradiction between imagery quality and assembly size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sonar transducers and their beams into a single coordinated system that operates together to produce enhanced sonar imagery. By merging the capabilities of multiple smaller transducers, the system achieves the imaging quality of large assemblies without the bulk, enabling operation in shallow waters.
2Measurement precision
If conventional sonar systems use large transducer assemblies to produce high-quality sonar imagery, then the quality of sonar imagery is improved, but the system becomes expensive and cannot be used with non-commercial watercraft
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the sonar system into multiple independent transducers that can be manufactured and assembled separately. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity and cost compared to building a single large transducer assembly, making high-quality sonar systems accessible to non-commercial watercraft while maintaining imaging quality through coordinated multi-beam operation.
3Device complexity
If conventional sonar systems use independently operating transducers with non-overlapping beams, then the system structure is simplified, but the ability to differentiate ensonifications and produce high-quality imagery is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic control of multiple sonar beams where the beams can be independently steered and focused in different directions. This dynamic beam control allows the system to differentiate ensonifications effectively by directing beams at different angles and focusing them on specific targets, enhancing imagery quality while maintaining manageable system structure through electronic control.
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 system provides accurate, high-quality sonar data and imagery, is more cost-effective, and can operate in shallow waters, offering improved flexibility and usability compared to traditional sonar systems, with the ability to adjust orientations and positions for optimal data acquisition.
Implementation Method 1
A multichannel sonar system may include a multichannel transducer and associated processing and control electronics... The logic device may be configured to receive acoustic returns from the multichannel transducer
Implementation Method 2
The logic device may be configured to receive acoustic returns from the multichannel transducer; form one or more sonar return beams based, at least in part, on the acoustic returns; and generate sonar image data based, at least in part, on the sonar return beams
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and compact multichannel sonar systems for mobile structures. A compact multichannel sonar system includes a multichannel transducer and associated processing and control electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly. The multichannel transducer includes multiple transmission and/or receive channels/transducer elements. The transducer assembly is configured to support and protect the multichannel transducer and associated electronics and sensors, to physically and/or adjustably couple to a mobile structure, and/or to provide a simplified interface to other systems coupled to the mobile structure. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the transducer assembly. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.