Live Sonar View with Expanded Coverage Angle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sonar transducer assemblies currently have limited coverage angles, often restricted to 135 degrees or less, resulting in uncovered volumes on both sides or rear of the sonar coverage area.
Innovation Solution
The use of multiple sonar transducer assemblies with adjustable facing directions, combined with alignment features and processors to generate live sonar images, allows for expanded coverage angles of 140 degrees or more, including 150 degrees or 180 degrees, providing continuous side-to-side or front-to-back coverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single sonar transducer assembly is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the coverage angle is limited to 135 degrees or less
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sonar coverage function into multiple separate transducer assemblies, each responsible for a specific angular sector. This segmentation allows each individual transducer to maintain a manageable complexity while the collective system achieves expanded coverage angles exceeding 135 degrees, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and coverage area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sonar transducer assemblies into a unified system where their coverage volumes overlap and complement each other. By merging the output data from multiple transducers with different facing directions, the system achieves a total coverage angle greater than any single transducer could provide alone, while maintaining reasonable individual component complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple sonar transducer assemblies are used, then the coverage angle is expanded to 140 degrees or more, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs multiple transducer assemblies that can be configured with different facing directions to serve universal coverage requirements. Each transducer assembly is multi-functional, capable of being oriented to cover different angular sectors, which allows the system to achieve expanded coverage angles without proportionally increasing the complexity of each individual component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the dimension of spatial orientation by positioning transducer assemblies at different angles and orientations. This dimensional approach allows the system to expand coverage area in angular space without simply increasing the size or complexity of individual transducers,而是 by distributing coverage across multiple oriented elements.
3Volume of stationary object
If sonar transducer assemblies are oriented to cover specific directions, then the coverage volume is expanded, but the alignment precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces alignment features as intermediary elements that facilitate precise positioning of transducer assemblies. These alignment features act as mediators between the mechanical mounting structure and the transducer assemblies, enabling accurate angular orientation without requiring extremely tight manufacturing tolerances across all components. The alignment features provide reference surfaces and mechanical guides that simplify the alignment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs adjustable mounting mechanisms that allow the facing directions of transducer assemblies to be modified after installation. This parameter change capability enables fine-tuning of angular orientations to achieve optimal coverage volume without being constrained by fixed manufacturing precision limits, allowing post-installation adjustment to compensate for any alignment variations.
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
This configuration significantly increases the coverage volume, ensuring comprehensive underwater imaging by overlapping and combining sonar return data from multiple transducer assemblies, enhancing the accuracy and completeness of live sonar images.
Implementation Method 1
The first plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more first sonar beams into an underwater environment to form a first coverage volume within the underwater environment
Implementation Method 2
receive first sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements; receive second sonar return data from the second plurality of sonar transducer elements
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar system is provided for generating live sonar images having an expanded coverage angle. The sonar system includes a first sonar transducer assembly defining a first facing direction and having array(s) of sonar transducer elements and a second sonar transducer assembly defining a second facing direction and having array(s) of sonar transducer elements. The sonar system includes processor(s) and a memory including computer program code configured to, when executed, cause the processor(s) to receive first and second sonar return data from the first and second plurality of sonar transducer assemblies, receive first and second facing direction data for the first and second sonar transducer assemblies, position first and second sonar return data based on the first and second facing direction data to form positioned first and second sonar return data, and generate a live sonar image of the underwater environment using the positioned first and second sonar return data.