Sonar Aquatic Imager for Thermocline Disturbance Characterization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sonar technologies fail to effectively identify and characterize aquatic disturbances such as wave power, energy, direction, and location, particularly in aquatic environments like thermoclines, and do not utilize sonar for data processing.
Innovation Solution
A sonar aquatic imaging system that includes a platform with a sonar wave emitter and detector, a vector network analyzer, and a computer with sonar software, which emits and receives sonar waves to determine phase shifts and refractive indices, allowing for the characterization of aquatic disturbances using both hardware and software processing methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional sonar is used to map sea beds and detect objects, then basic detection capability is achieved, but the system cannot identify and characterize aquatic disturbances such as wave power, energy, direction, and location
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the detection task into multiple specialized components: a sonar wave emitter for signal transmission, an array of pressure sensors for receiving reflected waves, a vector network analyzer for signal processing, and software for characterizing disturbances. Each component handles a specific aspect of the measurement process, enabling precise disturbance characterization without requiring a completely complex new system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The sonar system is designed to perform multiple functions: it detects aquatic disturbances, characterizes wave properties (power, energy, direction, location), and measures thermocline properties simultaneously. The same hardware platform (emitter, sensors, analyzer) supports both disturbance detection and thermocline characterization, reducing overall system complexity while expanding measurement capabilities.
2Reliability
If sonar waves are used to detect thermoclines, then thermocline detection capability is achieved, but the thermocline may be misconstrued as the seabed or the sonar waves are distorted
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the vector network analyzer to process reflected sonar waves and provide feedback information about the nature of reflections. By analyzing the characteristics of reflected waves (phase, amplitude, timing), the system can distinguish between thermocline reflections and seabed reflections, preventing misidentification and maintaining detection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system measures changes in sonar wave parameters (phase shifts, travel time, amplitude) as waves pass through different water layers. By monitoring these parameter changes, the system can identify thermoclines and other disturbances without the waves being significantly distorted, preserving signal integrity while enabling detection.
3Measurement precision
If buoy-based wave monitoring is used, then wave condition information can be obtained, but the system does not use sonar to identify and characterize aquatic disturbances
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces mechanical buoy-based wave sensing with acoustic sonar wave transmission and reception. Instead of mechanically tracking buoy movement to infer wave conditions, the system uses sound waves to directly measure disturbance properties (power, energy, direction, location) with higher precision and greater data acquisition efficiency through electronic signal processing.
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 information on the power, energy, and direction of aquatic disturbances by analyzing phase shifts and refractive indices, enabling effective characterization and communication of data from study sites to a base.
Implementation Method 1
a sonar wave emitter which is mounted on the first pillar and is configured to emit a sonar wave signal
Implementation Method 2
measuring the refractive index (speed of sound) from the time and phase measurements of the sonar wave passing from the sonar emitter to the detector
Implementation Method 3
sonar waves may be reflected off a thermocline
Implementation Method 4
the reflected wave detector configured to receive a reflected wave signal
Implementation Method 5
either a one dimensional array of pressure transducers or a two dimensional array of pressure transducers
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar aquatic imaging system is provided for obtaining information on aquatic disturbances by imaging the thermal interface in large bodies of water. The imaging system comprises an imager, the imager comprising: a sonar wave emitter configured to emit a sonar wave signal; a reflected wave detector configured to receive a reflected wave signal; a vector network analyzer which includes a Global Navigation Satellite System and an at least one timer, the vector network analyzer in electrical communication with the sonar wave emitter via a first wire and the reflected wave detector via a second wire; and a sonar software programme in electronic communication with the vector network analyzer. The imaging system is provided as part of an aquatic installation.