Patent · US Expired

Close range sonar system and method

US7139221B1 · kind B1 · utility

5Cited by
5References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 11, 2004
Grant dateNov 21, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 30, 2025

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S5/20
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A system for close range sonar is provided. The system provides sufficient warning to permit maneuvering to avoid a close encounter even in the forward starboard/port regions, which have been problematic in the past due to ownship noise. The system utilizes a hull mounted sonar array and a towed sonar array which may be controlled in position to provide sufficient separation of noise received by both sonar arrays such that the noise is largely uncorrelated. The system utilizes beamformers for each array to supply a cross-correlator section which is able to minimize the ownship noise and maximize the signal thereby providing more time for maneuvering. The system also provides a LOFAR display and other displays that are highly sensitive to detecting close encounters.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.