Vessel-Mountable Sonar System with Digital Tilt Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vessel-mountable sonar systems lack high-definition resolution imaging capabilities and intuitive navigation tools, making them difficult to operate effectively while moving, and they do not provide adequate geo-referencing or homing functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A compact, detachable sonar system with a pan and tilt mechanism, integrated navigation tools like GPS and compasses, and a sunlight-readable touch screen display for easy operation, enabling high-resolution imaging, geo-referencing, and automated target tracking, maintaining proper sonar alignment independent of vessel position.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If vessel-mountable sonar systems use traditional display methods, then the systems can be operated, but the display does not adequately facilitate navigation with sonar imageries and is difficult to understand while the vessel is moving
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback to rotate the sonar image display orientation to match the vessel's actual orientation. This feedback mechanism continuously updates the display based on vessel movement sensors, providing intuitive directional information that facilitates navigation while maintaining accurate spatial representation of sonar imageries.
2Measurement precision
If vessel-mountable sonar systems provide high definition resolution imaging from a moving platform, then imaging quality improves, but the systems become more complex and difficult to operate
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical stabilization mechanisms with digital image processing and software-based correction. By using algorithms to compensate for vessel movement and stabilize the image digitally, the system achieves high-definition resolution imaging from moving platforms without adding mechanical complexity that would make operation more difficult.
3Measurement precision
If the sonar system provides accurate geo-referencing and localization capabilities, then target identification improves, but the system requires additional sensors and processing complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The system integrates multiple sensor types (GPS, compass, tilt sensors) into a unified multi-functional platform that serves both navigation and sonar imaging purposes. By making the sensor array universal and multi-purpose, the system achieves accurate geo-referencing and localization without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same sensors support multiple functions including vessel orientation tracking and position recording.
4Measurement precision
If the sonar system maintains proper alignment independent of vessel alignment, then imaging accuracy improves, but the system requires automated control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs self-service automated control where the sonar imager automatically adjusts its own alignment based on feedback from vessel orientation sensors. The system monitors its own positional and orientational parameters and autonomously corrects alignment deviations without requiring external intervention, maintaining imaging accuracy while using intelligent automation rather than complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms.
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 localization, improved imaging resolution, and intuitive navigation, allowing operators to quickly identify and track underwater targets with enhanced directional feedback and multi-ping imagery overlay, reducing motion sickness and improving operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
at least one sonar emitter, an array of sonar sensors configured to receive an echo from an outgoing signal generated by the sonar emitter
Data Source
AI summary
A vessel-mountable integrated sonar system is provided. The vessel-mountable integrated sonar system comprises at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device and at least one processing system electronically and removably connected to the at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device, wherein the sonar data acquisition device preferably provides acoustic data to the processing system, producing sonar imageries utilizing the acoustic data, and wherein the system provides digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback for accurate geo-referencing of data to localize targets of interest.