US3579181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sonar ranging system for locating submerged objects
Assignee: MASSA DONALD P COHASSET
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Filing: 1969-05-14
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Granted: 1971-05-18
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Expires: 1989-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A pair of narrow-beam directional transducers are mechanically joined together to radiate sonic energy in angular directions which are fixed with respect to each other. Electrical switching means cause the individual transducers to sequentially radiate bursts of sonic energy. Each of the transducers picks up the reflected sonic energy, and electronic means ascertains the azimuth of the object reflecting the energy, responsive to the relative strength of the signals picked up by the two transducers.
Inventors
- 👤 Frank Massa
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 22:40
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/06; G01S15/42; G01S1/00; G01S1/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A directional sonic detection system comprising two directional electroacoustic transducers, means for positioning said transducers in fixed axial relationship with respect to one another to transmit sonic energy in predetermined directional patterns, An electrical power source means, switching means associated with each of said transducer means for momentarily applying the output of said electrical power source means to either of said transducer means whereby the energized transducer transmits a burst of sonic energy, means associated with said two transducer means for detecting which of said two transducers receives the strongest sonic signal reflected from an object in the path of said radiated sonic energy, and means for automatically reconnecting said power source to the transducer receiving the strongest reflected signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A directional sonic detection system comprising two directional electroacoustic transducers, means for positioning said transducers in fixed axial relationship with respect to one another to transmit sonic energy in predetermined directional patterns, An electrical power source means, switching means associated with each of said transducer means for momentarily applying the output of said electrical power source means to either of said transducer means whereby the energized transducer transmits a burst of sonic energy, means associated with said two transducer means for detecting which of said two transducers receives the strongest sonic signal reflected from an object in the path of said radiated sonic energy, and means for automatically reconnecting said power source to the transducer receiving the strongest reflected signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The invention of claim 1 further characterized in that said transducers are dipoles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 2 further characterized in that said transducers are approximately spherical in shape.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The invention of claim 2 further characterized in that said dipoles have a diameter within the approximate range of one-fourth to one-half the wavelength of the sonic signal being generated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention of claim 4 further characterized in that said transducers are approximately spherical in shape.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A directional sonic detection system comprising two combined transmitting and receiving electroacoustic transducers having radiation patterns similar to the radiation pattern of a dipole source, means for maintaining said transducers with their axes of maximum response mutually perpendicular to each other, a source of sonar frequency power, switching means associated with said source for connecting said source to either of said transducers, and electrical control means for comparing the strength of signals appearing when sonic echo signals arrive at the individual transducers from a direction having a particular bearing with respect to the directions of the mutual perpendicular axes of maximum response.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A directional sonic detection system comprising two combined transmitting and receiving electroacoustic transducers having radiation patterns similar to the radiation pattern of a dipole source, means for maintaining said transducers with their axes of maximum response mutually perpendicular to each other, a source of sonar frequency power, switching means associated with said source for connecting said source to either of said transducers, and electrical control means for comparing the strength of signals appearing when sonic echo signals arrive at the individual transducers from a direction having a particular bearing with respect to the directions of the mutual perpendicular axes of maximum response.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 6 including means associated with said switching means and operated responsive to the signals appearing when said sonic echo signals arrive for activating the switching means to connect said source to the particular transducer which is receiving the stronger echo signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
32 words
The invention of claim 6 and readout indicator means operated responsive to the ratio of the signal levels generated in each of the transducers for displaying the bearing to the reflecting object.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
57 words
The invention of claim 8 and additional means associated with said indicator means for comparing the relative phase of the said signal levels, and means responsive to said phase comparison for causing said indicator means to show the angle of arrival of said sonic energy with respect to the reference location of the axes of said transducers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2867788A
Cited
US3160850A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-05-17 | 1974-11-16 | 1975-05-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-05-17 | 1978-11-16 | 1979-05-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-05-17 | 1982-11-16 | 1983-05-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |