Pivotable Transducer Arm Mount for Marine Vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for deploying underwater marine detection equipment on waterborne vessels, such as gluing hydrophones to the hull, are problematic as they are difficult to remove and prone to damage, and do not allow for efficient deployment and storage of equipment like fish finders.
Innovation Solution
A mounting apparatus comprising a base member with a spacer arm and a pivotably deployable transducer arm that can be folded for compact storage, allowing the transducer to reach the water surface when deployed, enabling easy installation and removal on watercraft.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the hydrophone is glued to the underside of the hull, then the equipment is securely attached, but it becomes difficult to remove and prone to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate components: a base member that attaches to the vessel, a spacer arm that positions the transducer arm, and a transducer arm that holds the hydrophone. This segmentation allows each component to be independently attached and removed, providing secure attachment during use while enabling easy removal when needed, eliminating the permanent bonding required by gluing methods.
2Reliability
If the hydrophone is glued to the hull, then the equipment is fixed in position, but it cannot be folded for compact storage
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer arm is designed with a pivotable connection to the spacer arm, allowing it to rotate between a deployed position (extending outward to position the hydrophone) and a stored position (folding parallel to the spacer arm). This dynamic mechanism provides a fixed, stable position during operation while enabling compact folding for storage, reducing the volume occupied when not in use.
3Stability of the object's composition
If a rigid mounting structure is used, then the equipment is stable during operation, but it increases the overall size and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The pivotable connection between the transducer arm and spacer arm provides operational stability when deployed, as the structure becomes rigid when the transducer arm is positioned outward. However, the same pivotable mechanism allows the structure to fold compactly for storage, reducing overall size and simplifying the mounting structure compared to permanently extended rigid configurations.
4Length of moving object
If the transducer arm is made long enough to reach the water surface, then the transducer can be properly positioned underwater, but the storage footprint increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer arm is designed with sufficient length to extend from the vessel and position the transducer underwater when deployed. The pivotable connection allows this long arm to be folded parallel to the spacer arm during storage, effectively reducing the storage footprint while maintaining the necessary length for proper transducer positioning during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for mounting equipment on a waterborne vessel includes a base member configured to support an instrument. An elongate spacer arm is connected to the base member. A selectively deployable elongate transducer arm is pivotably coupled to the spacer arm. The transducer arm is configured to pivot between a deployed position and a stored position. The length of the transducer arm is at least sufficient for the transducer end to reach the water surface when the transducer arm is in the deployed position. The spacer arm is substantially parallel to or collinear with the transducer arm when the transducer arm is in the stored position, allowing the apparatus to be folded for compact storage.