Seabed Sensor Payload Support for Interference-Free Deployment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current seabed surveying systems face challenges in installing multiple sensors like multibeam echosounders and sub-bottom profilers on a single ship pole without hydrodynamic interference, which degrades data quality and complicates deployment and recovery operations, especially in small vessels with limited space.

Innovation Solution

A payload support with four docking areas is designed to accommodate a multibeam sonar, inertial measurement unit, and sub-bottom profiler on a single pole, with strategic placement and stabilization to minimize interference and stress, allowing simultaneous operation of both sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple sensors are mounted on a single pole, then deployment and recovery operations are simplified, but hydrodynamic interference between sensors increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedeployment and recovery operationsVSAvoidhydrodynamic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The pole is divided into multiple segments with sensors mounted at different vertical levels. The multibeam echosounder is positioned at one height while the sub-bottom profiler is positioned at a different height, creating spatial separation that reduces hydrodynamic interference while maintaining single-pole operation benefits

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Sensors are arranged in the vertical dimension rather than being positioned side-by-side horizontally. This vertical stacking approach allows multiple sensors to occupy the same general lateral space while minimizing their mutual hydrodynamic interference through vertical separation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If sensors are installed on poles located on both sides of the vessel, then hydrodynamic interference is reduced, but deployment operations become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehydrodynamic interferenceVSAvoiddeployment operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple sensors that would traditionally be distributed across multiple poles on different sides of the vessel are merged onto a single pole. This consolidation simplifies deployment operations to a single location while using vertical positioning and spacing to mitigate hydrodynamic interference between sensors

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Area of stationary object

If multiple sensors are mounted on a single pole, then space utilization is improved, but mutual hydrodynamic interference between probes increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespace utilizationVSAvoidhydrodynamic interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes the vertical dimension to accommodate multiple sensors within a compact lateral footprint. By positioning sensors at different heights along the pole rather than spreading them horizontally, the design achieves efficient space utilization while the vertical separation reduces hydrodynamic interference between the probes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 solution enables accurate, interference-free data acquisition from multiple sensors on a single pole, reducing deployment and recovery time and costs, while maintaining system stability and avoiding environmental impact.

Implementation Method 1

the first docking area comprises a multibeam sonar

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSonar: Sonar

Implementation Method 2

the fourth docking area comprises a sub-bottom profiler

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAcoustic imaging: Acoustic Radiation Pressure

Data Source

PatentEP3912899B1Device for supporting a seabed measurement underwater system
Publication Date: 2023.04.05 UNIV DE EVORA
  • EP3912899B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3912899B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3912899B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a device for supporting a seabed measurement with sea underwater system on ships. This device comprises a payload support with at least four docking areas distributed from front edge to rear edge of the payload support, wherein the first docking area comprises a multibeam sonar, the second docking area comprises an inertial measurement unit, and the fourth docking area comprises a sub-bottom profiler. Therefore, the present invention relates to the area of measurement systems with sensors useful for marine seabed surveying and mapping.