Sonar Transducer Assembly for 360-Degree Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sonar systems are limited in their ability to create a 360-degree image of an underwater environment without requiring a watercraft to actively move, and they often need to pause between transmitting and receiving sonar pulses, which restricts the rotation of transducer assemblies and the quality of imaging.
Innovation Solution
A sonar transducer assembly configured for 360-degree imaging, allowing continuous rotation and data collection, with transmit-only and receive-only transducer elements that can be mounted to a watercraft or trolling motor, enabling variable speed rotation and processing of sonar returns to create comprehensive underwater images without pausing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If conventional sonar systems are used to create 360-degree images, then imaging coverage is improved, but the watercraft must actively travel along the surface which limits operational flexibility
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer assembly is made dynamically rotatable about the vertical axis, allowing it to sweep through 360 degrees to create comprehensive underwater images. This rotational capability enables the system to achieve full-area imaging coverage while the watercraft remains stationary or moves minimally, thereby resolving the contradiction between imaging coverage and operational flexibility.
2Productivity
If the transducer assembly rotates continuously to improve imaging efficiency, then productivity is improved, but the pause between transmission and reception of sonar pulses must be maintained which restricts rotation speed
Solution Approach 1:
The sonar transducer assembly is segmented into separate transmit-only and receive-only transducer elements. This segmentation allows the transmit element to send sonar pulses while the receive element simultaneously captures returning signals, eliminating the need for pause periods that would otherwise be required. The system can therefore rotate continuously at higher speeds while maintaining effective sonar operation, resolving the contradiction between imaging efficiency and rotation speed.
3Productivity
If transmit-only and receive-only transducer elements are used to enable continuous rotation, then productivity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple transmit-only and receive-only transducer elements are merged into a single integrated housing that rotates as one unit. This combining approach allows the system to achieve continuous rotation capability with coordinated transmit and receive operations, while the unified housing structure prevents excessive complexity by treating the multi-element assembly as a single operational unit.
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
Enables comprehensive 360-degree imaging of underwater environments while the watercraft is stationary or moving, providing continuous data collection and improved image quality by allowing the transducer assembly to rotate freely and process sonar returns without interruptions.
Implementation Method 1
Sonar transducer elements, or simply transducers, may convert electrical energy into sound or vibrations at a particular frequency
Implementation Method 2
The transducer may receive the reflected sound (the 'sonar returns') and convert the sound energy into electrical energy
Implementation Method 3
Based on the known speed of sound, it is possible to determine the distance to and/or location of the waterborne or underwater objects
Implementation Method 4
A sonar sound beam is transmitted into and through the water and is reflected from objects it encounters
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar transducer assembly configured for imaging of an underwater environment is provided herein. The sonar transducer assembly includes at least one transmit-only transducer element positioned within a housing and aimed outwardly and downwardly. The at least one transmit-only transducer element is configured to transmit sonar pulses to insonify a first volume. The sonar transducer assembly further includes at least one receive-only transducer element positioned within the housing and aimed outwardly and downwardly. The at least one receive-only transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns from the sonar pulses within a second volume. The second volume is smaller than the first volume and aimed so as to be wholly contained within the first volume. The housing is mountable to the water craft so as to enable rotation of the transducer elements with respect to the water craft. Corresponding systems and methods are also provided.