Patents Assigned to Airmar Technology Corporation
-
Patent number: 8582393Abstract: Embodiments relate to monitoring the temperature of a transducer and controlling the temperature as a function of adjusting one or more characteristics of the transducer.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2010Date of Patent: November 12, 2013Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Frederic S. Boericke, II, Stephen G. Boucher, Francis S. Chase, Danny J. Fladung, Matthew G. Kay, Kenneth D. Rolt
-
Patent number: 8390316Abstract: An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method and corresponding apparatus that terminates circuit connectivity in a bus by determining location of an instrument on the bus, and based on coupling a terminating resistance to the instrument. The example embodiment may couple a terminating resistance with the instrument placed at the end of a bus by employing at least one male-to-male connector arranged to establish a connection between the female receptacles of the terminating resistance and the bus. In order to determine a state of termination of circuit connectivity in a bus, an example embodiment of the present invention may connect a transceiver to a terminating resistance and determine a state of termination of circuit connectivity in the bus as a function of sensing receive activity in the transceiver.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: March 5, 2013Assignees: Airmar Technology Corporation, Furuno Electric Company LimitedInventors: Frederic S. Boericke, II, Danny J. Fladung, Stephen G. Boucher, Eric Kunz
-
Patent number: 8326561Abstract: In one embodiment a method and corresponding apparatus are arranged to determine an accurate device heading by continuously combining an average magnetic heading with the compensated inertial heading. The example embodiment obtains the compensated inertial heading by compensating for a time delay of an inertial heading.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: December 4, 2012Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Alfonso R. Navarro, Jr., Frederic S. Boericke, II, Kenneth D. Rolt, Stephen G. Boucher, Roger H. Tancrell
-
Publication number: 20110228634Abstract: Embodiments relate to monitoring the temperature of a transducer and controlling the temperature as a function of adjusting one or more characteristics of the transducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 17, 2010Publication date: September 22, 2011Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Frederic S. Boericke, II, Stephen G. Boucher, Francis S. Chase, Danny J. Fladung, Matthew G. Kay, Kenneth D. Rolt
-
Patent number: 7961552Abstract: A transducer assembly including a fan beam transducer having a beam generation axis for generating a fan shaped acoustic beam along the beam generation axis. The fan shaped acoustic beam can have a generally elliptical cross sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis across a plane generally perpendicular to the beam generation axis. The transducer can be housed in a housing and have a direction of travel axis. The fan shaped acoustic beam can be rotatable relative to the direction of travel axis. The housing can have a release locking arrangement for rotationally releasing and locking the position of the fan shaped acoustic beam for orienting at least one of the major axis and minor axis of the fan shaped acoustic beam at a desired position relative to the direction of travel axis.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Robert M. Cullen
-
Patent number: 7826729Abstract: An underwater camera assembly including a through hull housing having a passage extending therethrough. A flexible camera insert is positioned within the passage of the through hull housing and has a first end with a viewing window secured thereto, and a first sealing region for sealing the passage in a water tight manner.Type: GrantFiled: September 15, 2008Date of Patent: November 2, 2010Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Robert M. Cullen, Stephen G. Boucher
-
Patent number: 7739973Abstract: A masthead control system and method are provided for a sailing vessel to reduce the number of cables running inside the mast to a single coaxial cable carrying power, control and data signals, and VHF radio signals. The coaxial cable connects an antenna directly to a VHF radio communications device such that radio communications are always available in case of emergency. The system comprises an instrumentation center that connects to the masthead; at least one masthead device that connects to the instrumentation center; and a cable, such as a coaxial cable, that connects the instrumentation center to an interface unit located in the hull. The cable carries power, at least one radio frequency signal, and at least one data or control signal between the instrumentation center and the interface unit.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2005Date of Patent: June 22, 2010Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Robert K. Jeffers, Roger H. Tancrell
-
Publication number: 20100054084Abstract: A transducer assembly including a fan beam transducer having a beam generation axis for generating a fan shaped acoustic beam along the beam generation axis. The fan shaped acoustic beam can have a generally elliptical cross sectional shape with a major axis and a minor axis across a plane generally perpendicular to the beam generation axis. The transducer can be housed in a housing and have a direction of travel axis. The fan shaped acoustic beam can be rotatable relative to the direction of travel axis. The housing can have a release locking arrangement for rotationally releasing and locking the position of the fan shaped acoustic beam for orienting at least one of the major axis and minor axis of the fan shaped acoustic beam at a desired position relative to the direction of travel axis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2008Publication date: March 4, 2010Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Robert M. Cullen
-
Publication number: 20090092385Abstract: An underwater camera assembly including a through hull housing having a passage extending therethrough. A flexible camera insert is positioned within the passage of the through hull housing and has a first end with a viewing window secured thereto, and a first sealing region for sealing the passage in a water tight manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2008Publication date: April 9, 2009Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Robert M. Cullen, Stephen G. Boucher
-
Patent number: 7505363Abstract: A switch that couples transducer signal to a specific sounder of multiple sounders in response to a sensed signal from the specific sounder. The switch can include a first detection circuit that determines the sounder that is requesting the first transducer signal and a first control circuit that couples the first transducer signal to the requesting sounder. The switch can further include a second detection circuit that determines the sounder that is requesting the second transducer signal and a second control circuit that couples the second transducer signal to the requesting sounder.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2006Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventor: Robert K. Jeffers
-
Patent number: 7369458Abstract: A transducer identification system provides transducer characteristic information to an echosounder. The echosounder, in turn, utilizes the transducer characteristic information to alter its functionality or parameters to optimize its performance.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2005Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew M. Sifferman, Frederic S. Boericke, II, Stephen G. Boucher
-
Patent number: 7352171Abstract: A speed sensor for a marine vessel includes a correction circuit to correct any sensor non-linearities so that the sensor produces an output with a pulse stream having a constant pulse rate, and reduces the pulse-to-pulse variations of the pulse stream. The circuit can standardize the pulse stream to have a frequency corresponding to a standard rate.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 1, 2008Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Frederic S. Boericke, II
-
Patent number: 7110908Abstract: A speed sensor for a marine vessel includes a correction circuit to correct any sensor non-linearities so that the sensor produces an output with a pulse stream having a constant pulse rate, and reduces the pulse-to-pulse variations of the pulse stream. The circuit can standardize the pulse stream to have a frequency corresponding to a standard rate.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: September 19, 2006Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Frederic S. Boericke, II
-
Patent number: 6904798Abstract: A marine sensor device mounts in a single opening in a hull of a marine vessel. The sensor includes a housing secured in the opening. Positioned within the housing is a body containing at least two sensors. The body is removable from the housing. A magnetized paddlewheel can be disposed in a first cavity formed on a first half of the body, the paddlewheel has a plurality of paddles extending from a circular central hub and rotatably mounted on an axle extending transverse a fore and aft direction of travel of the vessel. A magnetic sensor can be located adjacent the paddles, the magnetic sensor senses the rotation of the paddles and provides speed indications. The magnetic sensor can be a Hall-effect device. A sonic transducer for depth detection can be disposed within a second cavity formed on a second half of the body. A thermal sensor for sensing water temperature can be disposed in a well formed in the body.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2003Date of Patent: June 14, 2005Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Robert M. Cullen, Jun Lan
-
Publication number: 20040184353Abstract: A releasable latch for a marine instrument is provided for a transom mounted sensor on a marine vessel which enables the sensor to be rotated about a pivot point when an object is struck by the vessel.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 15, 2003Publication date: September 23, 2004Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventor: Robert Cullen
-
Publication number: 20040123662Abstract: A speed sensor for a marine vessel includes a correction circuit to correct any sensor non-linearities so that the sensor produces an output with a pulse stream having a constant pulse rate, and reduces the pulse-to-pulse variations of the pulse stream. The circuit can standardize the pulse stream to have a frequency corresponding to a standard rate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 1, 2003Publication date: July 1, 2004Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Frederic S. Boericke
-
Publication number: 20040074294Abstract: A marine sensor device mounts in a single opening in a hull of a marine vessel. The sensor includes a housing secured in the opening. Positioned within the housing is a body containing at least two sensors. The body is removable from the housing. A magnetized paddlewheel can be disposed in a first cavity formed on a first half of the body, the paddlewheel has a plurality of paddles extending from a circular central hub and rotatably mounted on an axle extending transverse a fore and aft direction of travel of the vessel. A magnetic sensor can be located adjacent the paddles, the magnetic sensor senses the rotation of the paddles and provides speed indications. The magnetic sensor can be a Hall-effect device. A sonic transducer for depth detection can be disposed within a second cavity formed on a second half of the body. A thermal sensor for sensing water temperature can be disposed in a well formed in the body.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2003Publication date: April 22, 2004Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Stephen G. Boucher, Robert M. Cullen, Jun Lan
-
Patent number: 6678208Abstract: A time difference between two similar but time-shifted signals is determined using a difference function. For example, similar but time-shifted first and second signals are sampled to generate a discrete mathematical function whose discrete sample points define overlapping ranges. Typically, at least one of the multiple overlapping ranges defined by sample points of the discrete mathematical function can be used to interpolate a time difference between the first and second signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2002Date of Patent: January 13, 2004Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: Andrew M. Sifferman, Roger H. Tancrell, Stephen G. Boucher
-
Patent number: 6671225Abstract: A relative speed of an object is determined by monitoring random reflective surfaces in water. The system includes a first and second transmitter-receiver pair for producing echo signals of a monitored region. The monitoring pair of transducers are preferably positioned along an axis of motion of the object such that sampled data from the first and second transmitter-receiver pair are substantially similar but shifted in time due to a separation of transducers. Echo signal data from the transducers are then used to generate a time difference correlation function that is used to determine a time difference between the first and second signals. Based on the time difference between the time-shifted echo signals, a speed of a vessel is determined.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: James C. Bartz, Roger H. Tancrell, Stephen G. Boucher
-
Publication number: 20030053374Abstract: A relative speed of an object is determined by monitoring random reflective surfaces in water. The system includes a first and second transmitter-receiver pair for producing echo signals of a monitored region. The monitoring pair of transducers are preferably positioned along an axis of motion of the object such that sampled data from the first and second transmitter-receiver pair are substantially similar but shifted in time due to a separation of transducers. Echo signal data from the transducers are then used to generate a time difference correlation function that is used to determine a time difference between the first and second signals. Based on the time difference between the time-shifted echo signals, a speed of a vessel is determined.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2002Publication date: March 20, 2003Applicant: Airmar Technology CorporationInventors: James C. Bartz, Roger H. Tancrell, Stephen G. Boucher