Live sonar systems and methods

A system for generating live sonar images, the system comprising:

• a first sonar transducer assembly having a first plurality of arrays of a first plurality of sonar transducer elements associated with a watercraft on a body of water and oriented with an emitting face in a first facing direction, wherein the first facing direction is generally outward of the watercraft, and
• a second sonar transducer assembly having a second plurality of arrays of a second plurality of sonar transducer elements associated with the watercraft and oriented with an emitting face in a second facing direction, wherein the second facing direction is generally outward of the watercraft and different from the first facing direction, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly is distinct from the second sonar transducer assembly,
• wherein the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit sonar beams into an underwater environment to form an overall coverage volume with a continuous horizontal coverage angle, wherein the continuous horizontal coverage angle defines an angle that is greater than or equal to 180 degrees,
• wherein sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.

A bracket for positioning sonar transducer assemblies, the bracket comprising:

• a first arm having a first alignment feature,
• a second arm having a second alignment feature, and
• a connecting arm,
• wherein the connecting arm connects the first arm and the second arm, wherein the connecting arm extends in a lengthwise direction between a first end and a second end, wherein the first arm is connected to the connecting arm at the first end, wherein the second arm is connected to the connecting arm at the second end, wherein the first alignment feature is configured to receive a first sonar transducer assembly and aim the first sonar transducer assembly in a first facing direction, wherein the second alignment feature is configured to receive a second sonar transducer assembly and aim the second sonar transducer assembly in a second facing direction, wherein the bracket is configured to position the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly such that the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly together provide an overall coverage volume with a horizontal coverage angle of greater than 140 degrees.

A system for generating live sonar images, the system comprising:

• a first sonar transducer assembly having a first plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the first sonar transducer assembly defines a first facing direction, wherein the first plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more first sonar beams into an underwater environment to form a first coverage volume within the underwater environment;
• a second sonar transducer assembly having a second plurality of sonar transducer elements, wherein the second sonar transducer assembly defines a second facing direction, wherein the second plurality of sonar transducer elements are configured to transmit one or more second sonar beams into the underwater environment to form a second coverage volume within the underwater environment;
• and
• at least one bracket having one or more alignment features, wherein the at least one bracket includes a first bracket and a second bracket, wherein the first bracket is configured to mount the first sonar transducer assembly to a watercraft, wherein the second bracket is configured to mount the second sonar transducer assembly to the watercraft, wherein the one or more alignment features are configured to position the first sonar transducer assembly and the second sonar transducer assembly so that the first facing direction and the second facing direction are different and relative to each other so as to create continuous coverage of the underwater environment, wherein the continuous coverage has an overall coverage volume that is greater than either of the first coverage volume or the second coverage volume individually;
• wherein the first facing direction and the second facing direction are generally outward of the watercraft, wherein sonar return data from the first plurality of sonar transducer elements and the second plurality of sonar transducer elements is used to form a live sonar image representative of sonar returns received from the overall coverage volume.