Sonar Imaging System with Lateral Target Placement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar imaging systems require complex calculations and are processor-intensive for accurately locating underwater targets, especially in side-scan imaging arrangements, which can be inefficient and prone to errors.
Innovation Solution
A sonar imaging system with a control head and a transducer assembly that includes multiple side-scan acoustic sonar elements and receiving elements, where each receiving element is angled differently to receive a portion of the return beam, allowing for the display of sonar data in different colors to indicate depth and lateral distance, and the use of a multiplexer to process signals from these elements for generating detailed underwater images.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex calculations and time shifting are used to locate targets in side-scan imaging arrangements, then target location accuracy is improved, but processor requirements and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar system divides the underwater imaging space into multiple sectors, each monitored by a dedicated receive-only sonar element positioned at a specific angle. Each element independently processes returns from its designated sector, eliminating the need for complex centralized calculations while maintaining accurate target location through spatial distribution of detection functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic mirror as an intermediary component that passively redirects sonar beams to specific receive-only elements. This physical intermediary automatically directs returns from different sectors to appropriate receivers without requiring active processing or calculation, simplifying the system architecture while preserving measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple sonar elements are used to improve imaging detail, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines active transmitting sonar elements with passive receive-only sonar elements in a unified array. The receive-only elements are strategically positioned and angled to cover specific sectors, merging their detection capabilities with the central transmitting elements to create comprehensive multi-sector coverage that enhances imaging detail without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The receive-only sonar elements serve multiple functions: they detect targets in their designated sectors, provide sector-specific depth and distance measurements, and contribute to overall imaging detail. This multi-functionality allows the system to achieve high measurement precision with a moderate number of elements, as each element is optimized for specific angular sectors rather than requiring redundant full-coverage elements.
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 approach simplifies the process of locating underwater objects by using color-coded sonar data to indicate depth and distance, reducing the need for complex calculations and enhancing the accuracy and efficiency of sonar imaging, allowing for 3D imaging and topographical rendering of underwater regions.
Implementation Method 1
Sonar devices that transmit sound waves have been used previously to obtain information about underwater articles, including fish, structures and obstructions, and the bottom. The sound waves travel from a transducer mounted to a bottom surface of the vessel through the water. The sound wave transmits from the sonar devices in diverging patterns. The sound waves contact underwater articles, which create return echoes. The transducer receives the return echoes and the sonar device analyzes the received echoes.
Implementation Method 2
The sound waves contact underwater articles, which create return echoes. The transducer receives the return echoes and the sonar device analyzes the received echoes.
Implementation Method 3
An interferometric arrangement uses phase data from two or more sonar receiving elements and complex calculations to locate a target.
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar imaging system, that includes a control head with a user interface and a display unit for displaying a sonar-generated image, is provided. A sonar transducer assembly is coupled to the control head and configured to transmit sonar data to the control head. The sonar data is used to generate the sonar-generated image. The sonar transducer assembly includes a first side scan acoustic sonar element that transmits a sonar beam. The sonar transducer assembly further includes a plurality of sonar beam receiving elements. Each receiving element is arranged to receive a portion of the return beam from the first side scan acoustic sonar element. Each of the plurality of sonar beam receiving elements is configured to identify both a depth and a lateral distance of an underwater object relative to the position of the sonar transducer assembly.