US 11,598,871 B2 · 3D sonar systems and methods

Abstract

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and compact three dimensional (3D) capable multichannel sonar systems for mobile structures. A 3D capable multichannel sonar system includes a multichannel transducer and associated processing and control electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly. The multichannel transducer includes multiple transmission and/or receive channels/transducer elements. The transducer assembly is configured to support and protect the multichannel transducer and associated electronics and sensors, to physically and/or adjustably couple to a mobile structure, and/or to provide a simplified interface to other systems coupled to the mobile structure. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A system comprising:

a sonar transducer assembly including a housing adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure;
a multichannel transducer disposed within the housing;
and
a logic device configured to communicate with the multichannel transducer, wherein the logic device is configured to:
receive a first series of acoustic returns from the multichannel transducer;
generate a first set of spatial sonar data based, at least in part, on the series of acoustic returns;
and
generate an enhanced three dimensional (3D) and/or sidescan representation of an underwater environment associated with the mobile structure based, at least in part, on a combination of:
a 3D representation of the underwater environment generated from the first set of spatial sonar data, and
a second set of spatial sonar data frequency differentiated from the first set of spatial sonar data.

7 more elements

A method comprising:

receiving a series of acoustic returns from a multichannel transducer disposed within a housing of a sonar transducer assembly adapted to be mounted to a mobile structure;
generating a first set of spatial sonar data based, at least in part, on the series of acoustic returns;
and
generating an enhanced three dimensional (3D) and/or sidescan representation of an underwater environment associated with the mobile structure based, at least in part, on a combination of:
a 3D representation of the underwater environment generated from the first set of spatial sonar data, and
a second set of spatial sonar data frequency differentiated from the first set of spatial sonar data.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

3D sonar systems and methods

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3D sonar systems and methods

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20