Beamforming sonar system with improved sonar image functionality, and associated methods
US12153129B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 27, 2021 |
| Grant date | Nov 26, 2024 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 26, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K11/34
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams facing downwardly can be selected and used to form downward sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements. Fish arches formed using multiple sonar return beams can be positioned appropriately within a high resolution downward sonar image to form a desirable combined sonar image.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.