Method and system for sensing with an active acoustic array
July 9, 2013. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3489994 3614719 3884170 Phase locked detector Determination of reflectivity and water depth for marine seismic exploration Array system with a high resolving power Seismic source array firing controller Directional line-hydrophone array calibrator Array system with high resolving power Sonar beam steering circuit InventorApplicationNo. 082648 filed on 06/28/1993US Classes:367/13, TESTING, MONITORING, OR CALIBRATING73/1.83, Liquid367/24, Reverberation removal367/61, Beam steering367/119With beam steering, scanning, or focussingExaminersPrimary: Moskowitz, NelsonAttorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassesG06F 010/00G01S 015/00 H04B 011/00 AbstractA method and system provide for the sensing of objects under water where the acoustic energy is suitably focused or directed so that reverberation returns are minimized. A vertical source array of adjustable acoustic sources is located in the water body, with each acoustic source producing a separate acoustic pulse or continuous wave controlled by a control device. The control device controls a phase and amplitude of the separate acoustic pulses such that a waveform (combined acoustic pulse) with selective nodes adjustable to a desired depth is emitted. A calibration device is also located at a distance from the source array for calibrating the separate acoustic pulses or continuous wave so that the source array emits a desired waveform. The calibration device includes a checking device for determining whether the emitted waveform conforms to the desired waveform and for calculating a deviation of the emitted waveform from the desired waveform. The calibration device also includes a feedback device for feeding deviation information back to the control device which further controls each acoustic source in accordance with the deviation information so that the desired waveform is produced. The control device controls the sources to generate continuous waves and/or combined pulses focused to a desired depth domain or a desired range-and-depth cell in the water body.Other References
Field of SearchTESTING, MONITORING, OR CALIBRATINGReverberation removal Vertical receiver or source array Beam steering With beam steering, scanning, or focussing With beam steering, scanning, or focussing By electrical means Transducer switching or gating With phase shifter or delay means With time interval measuring means Programmed or timer-controlled Plural sources | |
