Sonar Transducer Gyroscope Alignment and Orientation Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sonar transducer misalignment due to underwater housing striking objects can lead to inaccurate sonar data acquisition, and existing positioning systems may fail in environments with obstructed satellite or cellular signals, resulting in unreliable position determination.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a gyroscope and accelerometer into the sonar transducer system to ensure initial alignment and continuous monitoring of orientation, with alerts for misalignment, and using inertial position calculations when external position data is unavailable, along with a magnetometer for heading angle determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the sonar transducer housing is submerged in water for operation, then sonar data can be collected, but the housing may strike objects and change orientation from the desired orientation
Solution Approach 1:
The gyroscope performs preliminary alignment of the sonar transducer to ensure it is in the desired orientation before data collection begins. This preliminary action prevents orientation errors from affecting the sonar data accuracy during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gyroscope continuously monitors the orientation of the sonar transducer during operation and provides feedback signals when misalignment is detected. This feedback mechanism allows for real-time detection and correction of orientation changes caused by striking objects, maintaining data accuracy.
2Measurement precision
If standard positioning systems are used for watercraft, then position can be determined through satellite and cellular signals, but the positioning system may fail when signals are obstructed
Solution Approach 1:
The gyroscope and accelerometer serve as intermediary devices that provide inertial navigation capability when external positioning signals are unavailable. These sensors measure orientation and acceleration to calculate position independently of satellite or cellular signals, ensuring continuous position determination even in obstructed environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions between different positioning modes by changing operational parameters: using external satellite/cellular signals when available, and switching to inertial navigation using gyroscope and accelerometer data when signals are obstructed. This parameter change ensures continuous reliable position determination across different environmental conditions.
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
Ensures accurate sonar data acquisition by maintaining transducer orientation and providing reliable position information even in environments with obstructed signals, enabling precise navigation and data correction.
Implementation Method 1
a gyroscope configured to measure angular velocity associated with the at least one transducer
Implementation Method 2
an accelerometer may be utilized to determine if the sonar transducer strikes an object, which may cause the sonar transducer to move out of the desired orientation
Implementation Method 3
Sonar transducer elements, or simply transducers, convert electrical energy into sound or vibrations at a particular frequency
Implementation Method 4
The transducer receives the reflected sound (the 'sonar returns') and converts the sound energy into electrical energy
Data Source
AI summary
A sonar assembly is provided including at least one transducer configured to transmit one or more sonar beams into an underwater environment, a gyroscope configured to measure angular velocity associated with the at least one transducer, a processor, and a memory. The memory including computer program code configured to, when executed on the processor, cause the processor to determine orientation data associated with the at least one transducer based on the angular velocity measured by the gyroscope, determine if the orientation data corresponds to the at least one transducer being in a desired orientation, and cause an alert in response to the at least one transducer not being in the desired orientation.