Submarine Synthetic Aperture Sonar Sensor Power Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current underwater sonar systems face limitations in achieving wide hourly coverage and deep-depth imaging, as towed sonars require powerful surface vessels and are constrained by cable drag, while autonomous underwater vehicles are limited by energy and speed, resulting in less effective coverage and real-time data transmission challenges.
Innovation Solution
An underwater vehicle equipped with a synthetic antenna sonar and a modular electrical network that can dynamically adjust the number of active acoustic sensors and power states based on its coupling to a surface vehicle, allowing it to operate as both autonomous and towed, enhancing speed and energy efficiency while enabling flexible data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a towed fish configuration is used with a long SAS receiving antenna to achieve wide hourly coverage, then the hourly coverage is improved, but the cable drag increases and requires a powerful surface vessel
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the electrical network configurable between different states, allowing the system to adapt the number of powered acoustic sensors based on operational conditions. When towed, the system can power more sensors to achieve wider coverage; when autonomous, it powers fewer sensors to conserve energy, dynamically adjusting to the propulsion mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of electrical power consumption by configuring the electrical network to supply power to different numbers of acoustic sensors. This parameter change allows the system to optimize performance for either wide coverage (when towed with external power) or energy efficiency (when autonomous with limited battery power).
2Use of energy by moving object
If an autonomous underwater vehicle is used with a short SAS receiving antenna to conserve energy, then the energy consumption is reduced, but the hourly coverage is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the number of active acoustic sensors based on the propulsion mode. When operating autonomously, it limits the number of powered sensors to conserve battery energy; when towed by a surface vessel, it can power all sensors to maximize hourly coverage, thus adapting to available energy resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The electrical network configuration allows changing the power consumption parameter by selectively powering different subsets of acoustic sensors. This enables the autonomous vehicle to operate with reduced energy consumption while maintaining the capability to achieve high coverage when external power is available.
3Measurement precision
If the electrical network powers all acoustic sensors simultaneously, then the measurement precision is improved, but the energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by powering only a subset of acoustic sensors when energy is limited (autonomous mode), rather than powering all sensors simultaneously. This partial activation maintains sufficient measurement precision for autonomous operation while conserving battery energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between powering all sensors (when external power is available and high precision is needed) and powering only some sensors (when operating autonomously with limited energy). This dynamic adjustment optimizes the balance between measurement precision and energy consumption based on operational context.
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 solution allows for wide hourly coverage and deep-depth imaging without the need for two separate vehicles, adapting sensor power to speed and energy conditions, and facilitating real-time data processing and transmission, thereby improving the efficiency and flexibility of sonar missions.
Implementation Method 1
a physical antenna formed by a linear array of N transducers, i.e. N acoustic sensors... The signals received by the N transducers of the physical receiving antenna at P times
Data Source
Figure 1~3b
Figure 4
Figure 5
AI summary
Submarine vehicle (1) comprising a propeller (2) capable of propelling the vehicle, the vehicle comprising a synthetic aperture sonar comprising a set of at least one physical antenna (4a, 4b) for receiving acoustic waves, the submarine vehicle comprising a connector (9) that is capable of removably mechanically coupling a cable to the vehicle so as to allow the submarine vehicle to be towed by a surface vehicle. The physical receiver antenna comprises a plurality of acoustic sensors, the submarine vehicle comprising an electrical network that is capable of conveying electrical energy to the receiver antenna (4a, 4b), the electrical network (50) being configured so as to have several states in which it conveys electrical energy to various sets of acoustic sensors having different respective numbers of acoustic sensors.