Abstract: Disclosed herein are ultrasonic transducer systems comprising: an ultrasonic imager comprising a plurality of pMUT transducer elements; and one or more circuitries connected electronically to the plurality of transducer element, the one or more circuitries configured to enable: pulse transmission and reception of reflected signal for the ultrasonic transducer, where inductors are used to equalize impedance to obtain greater pressure output. Also disclosed are methods of altering a pressure of an ultrasonic wave emitted by an ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: Time of flight between two or more ultrasonic transceivers is measured using known delays between receiving a trigger and sending an ultrasonic pulse in reply. A receive time is measured from a beginning of a receive phase in which the pulse is detected until receipt of an ultrasonic reply pulse. A trip time is determined from a sum of the receive time and a difference between a known first reference period for a transceiver that sends the trigger pulse and a second know reference period for a second transceiver that sends the reply pulse. The second reference period corresponds to a delay between when the second transceiver receives the initial or subsequent trigger pulse from the first transceiver and when the second transceiver sends the reply pulse.

Abstract: Identification of ships from camera images is performed by computing sets of reference silhouette images for respective reference ships for use to match the reference silhouette images with a camera image of an unidentified ship. A computer forms the set of the reference silhouette images for a reference ship is performed automatically by a processing system on the basis of at least one silhouette image of the respective reference ship. The computer generates a three dimensional model of the reference ship that represents distances of an outer surface of the reference ship to a plane on which the captured silhouette image has been mapped, the three dimensional model representing the distances as a function of position in said plane. A deck line of the reference ship is detected based on the camera image. The represented distances to the outer surface are set and/or adapted dependent on position in said plane relative to the detected deck line.

Abstract: Various implementations described herein are directed to a non-transitory computer readable medium having stored thereon computer-executable instructions which, when executed by a computer, may cause the computer to receive sonar data from a transducer after deployment of the transducer in a body of water. The computer may process the sonar data to detect a bottom of the body of water based on the sonar data received from the transducer. The computer may automatically trigger at least one event upon detecting the bottom of the body of water.

Abstract: System and methods for compensating a depth signal for a depth finder of a boat. In one embodiment, a compensation system is implemented between the depth finder and a transducer mounted on the boat. The compensation system receives a depth signal (i.e., a plurality of electrical impulses) from the transducer that directs sound waves toward the bottom of a body of water. The compensation system also monitors a change in elevation of the transducer, such as due to waves rocking the boat. The compensation system then compensates the depth signal based on the change in elevation, and provides the compensated depth signal to the depth finder.

Abstract: To test transverse flanges terminating at a cylindrical wall of a workpiece, an installation includes a structure in a form of a U-shaped or C-shaped stirrup whose opposite branches carry respectively an ultrasound emitter transducer and receiver transducer, aligned with respect to one another, while leaving between them an internal space for relative passage of the flange to be tested, and whose base is mounted articulated at an extremity of a mobile control arm. The installation also includes an immersion canister including two parts assembled together by a closure mechanism, one of the parts exhibiting cutouts for engaging the transverse flange and for overlapping, with the other part, the flange up to the cylindrical wall of the workpiece.

Abstract: A mobile computer may determine it is located in a vehicle or a conveyance based on a measured distance and satellite related positioning information.

Abstract: A method for pre-determining an underwater objects GPS position using a rotatable scan sonar unit linked to a boat, magnetic compass and GPS receiver. This system determines the underwater objects GPS position using the objects distance, compass heading and a GPS receiver/sonar on a boat. This system will provide real time longitude and latitude positions of underwater objects seen with sonar at a distance from a boat, and will allow for precise autopilot navigation or fixed position fishing. The system can also be used to correct for GPS errors when using previously stored waypoints positions of an object. The computer determines an objects underwater GPS position using a sonar transducer and mounted on a 360 degree movable mechanism such as a trolling motor unit, or phased array of transducers and a compass to provide heading information and formulates the objects position based on the distance and heading of the object in relation to the boats current GPS position.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a sonar history includes a storage media and a function execution element. The storage media may be configured to store information associated with sonar signal data to thereby create a continuous record. The function execution element may be configured to receive an instruction from a user and to perform a function with respect to the continuous record, in response to, and based on the instruction. Receiving the instruction and performing the function may occur as the continuous record is created.

Abstract: A method for predicting the location of stress corrosion cracking in a steel gas pipeline in which in-line stress corrosion cracking smart tool data, external low level metal loss data and soil characterization data are compiled to predict the location of stress corrosion cracking in a steel gas pipeline segment.

Abstract: The invention is a portable human height measuring device. The device consists of an ultrasonic distance sensor, a controller and several output units. The ultrasonic distance sensor measures a person's height. The control unit converts the electronic signals from the ultrasonic sensor to proper measuring standards. The measurement output units displays, announces, or/and prints the measurement. The device is integrated onto a baseball like cap. The ultrasonic sensor is mounted on the sun visor of the cap. The control and output units are mounted on the crown of the cap. A switch is mounted on the top of the inner cap. When the head of the person wearing the cap touches the switch, it triggers the ultrasonic sensor to start measuring. The person's height is then converted to the proper measuring unit, and communicated to the person via output units.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a portable data logging device for logging d concerning room identification and dimensions in a building or facility. The invention includes a microprocessor based portable computer having manual and automated inputs for logging data including a data port for room dimensions. An electronic distance measuring device produces an output indicative of one or more room dimensions in a digital format. An auxiliary processor responsibly coupled to the output of the distance measuring device converts the output to a coded format recognizable by the microprocessor. The data encoded in the coded format is coupled to the microprocessor via a voltage converter for recordation. The microprocessor may be programmed to step through a series of prompts, responses to which are stored in appropriate data locations for use at a later time.

Abstract: Apparatus for creating a video display from information generated by acoustically scanning a reflecting boundary circumferential of a borehole. A downhole tool generates a first signal each time a rotating transducer therein passes through magnetic north. Acoustic pulses emitted from the transducer are radially transmitted toward a borehole reflecting boundary. At least a portion of each pulse is reflected back to the transducer where the same is detected and converted to an electrical pulse representative of the reflected acoustic pulse. The peak of each electrical pulse is detected and the value digitized. A series of different addresses is associated with each digital value from a single 360.degree. borehole scan and the same are accumulated in a RAM with each digital value being stored therein at its associated address. A central processing unit selects a block of video memory locations in a video memory responsive to the magnetic north signal.

Abstract: A ship-borne sonar heave compensation system measures the heave at time of transmit and at the expected time of receive of a bottom-echo which is approximated by the previous depth determination corrected for heave. Using these values of heave, the depth of the detected bottom-echo is corrected to provide the true depth corrected for heave. A chart recorder reads out from memory the sonar return signals, including the bottom-echo, corrected for these heave values to present a true picture of the bottom contour.

Abstract: In the fish sonar, the temperature and the hydrogen ion exponent in the sea are recorded or displayed on the recording medium or display of the recording or displaying device with digital echo signals of an ultrasonic wave corresponding to a base line, a school of fish and the bottom in the sea. The fish sonar need not have an exclusive device for measuring temperature and hydrogen ion exponent in the sea.

Abstract: A sonar system for indicating the presence of sonic energy reflecting interfaces in the water in the path of a downgoing sonic pulse. The received reflection or echo is recorded on a moving record or web by means of a stylus that is traversed across the web as a linear function of time. The movement of the stylus triggers the transmitted pulse and the received signal is then amplified and controls a high voltage source which generates a series of pulses applied by the stylus as it moves across the record. Under certain operating conditions there is considerable noise generated in the water by the sonic pulse due to the presence of many reflecting surfaces from sediment, algae, plankton, etc. which sustains the return signal to the transducer. A disable system is provided which on command of the operator will disable the operation of the transmitter and receiver on alternate operating cycles to provide time for this noise to attenuate.

Abstract: Echo-sounding apparatus with circuitry for achieving enhanced recording on electrically sensitive paper is disclosed in which the gain of a variable gain amplifier is reduced exponentially depending on the input signal amplitude as soon as this amplitude exceeds a predetermined level. The signal generated by the variable gain amplifier is supplied to low pass and high pass filters which are connected to two inputs of a differential amplifier which controls the recording element.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining the length of a tubular member such as a pipe are disclosed. A burst of acoustical pulses are emitted from a sending unit and are received by a reference acoustical transducer and by a slave acoustic transducer. The slave transducer emits a return pulse which is used to compute the duration of the sound propagation interval between the ends of the pipe. A phase angle compensation factor is computed by measuring the phase shift of the signal received by the reference transducer with respect to the signal emitted by the master transducer.

Abstract: A fish sonar is capable of detecting ultrasonic waves from a desired direction by shaping the waveforms of the outputs of a pair of vibrators spaced apart by a certain distance, and detecting a delay of the output from one of the vibrators with respect to that of the other of the vibrators so as to detect the direction of the ultrasonic waves coming to the pair of vibrators and to delay the output of the other of the vibrators with respect to the output of one of the vibrators.

Abstract: The output of an auxiliary sensor, such as a magnetometer or metal detector, is recorded along side a sonar trace record, such as from a side scan sonar or sonar sub-bottom profiler, using the same recorder mechanism. In one embodiment, the added information permits correlation on the same chart between sonar generated impressions and local magnetic field disturbances such as produced by magnetically susceptible objects located on or below the seabed. The sonar record is typically provided as a series of adjacent scan lines, intensity modulated in accordance with the intensity of a received sonar echo. A conversion circuit transforms the output of the auxiliary sensor into a format consistent with the sonar scan trace whereby the sensor output is directly reproduced as a part of the sonar trace record, typically at a peripheral edge portion where the sonar image is absent.

Abstract: Both signal amplitude presentation and noise suppression presentation of sonar signals have been known for some time, but have been incompatible in the same display system. In this disclosure, means are provided for separately processing the received signal in two parallel paths, one through a noise-pulse suppression processor, and the other through a signal amplitude differentiation processor which adds an additional adjustable time delay so that the signals processed through both paths are initiated at the same time and thus can be presented together.

Abstract: A marine depth sounder uses digital techniques to enhance the image of a received acoustic pulse for providing expansion of a portion of the range information with high resolution.

Abstract: An electronic range expander, such as for use on a sonar system, which has a rotating disc lamp or a rectilinear pen record, of the travel time, expressed as a certain distance from the transducer to an object and back again. The received signal is sampled periodically, and these samples are stored in a random access memory, in addresses which are determined by binary numbers successively outputted from a binary counter, which is stepped in accordance with a clock signal. As the binary number representing an address in the memory is incremented, the sampled value of received signal is stored in the corresponding address. The command to write in the memory is repeated at a selected number of clock counts. Intermediate the commands to write into the memory, the command is given to read the signal stored in a selected address and to send it to a latch and to the output display or printer of the sonar apparatus.

Abstract: Echo ranging apparatus to locate fish, vegetation and structure in the sea modifies signals presented to a recorder in the apparatus so as to enhance the capability of the user to distinguish fish in the vicinity of vegetation and structure, including the sea bed. A transducer receives the reflected echo signals. A receiver stage and amplifier stage present signals which, apart from the modification, would be conventionally useful in aiding the user to locate fish. However, a signal modifier connected at the output of the amplifier stage, between the amplifier stage and the input to the recorder, substantially enhances the capability of the apparatus. It does so by shunting signal reducer circuitry in parallel at the output of the amplifier when the level at the output surpasses a predetermined level, to reduce the signal levels at such output while retaining variations in such signal levels. Such retention, as opposed to, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for determination of position of a ship in the dock at docking, based on the principle of reflection of ultrasonic waves from solid bodies in water.The device includes two pairs of transmitting-receiving converters (1), (1') and (2), (2') of an echo sounder, each of which is connected to a separate indicator (5) and (7) of the echo sounder through a bi-stable switch (4), (6), while the both two-position relay elements (4) and (6) are connected to only one multivibrator (3).

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for determining the length of a tubular member from a selected end thereof utilizing a hand-held probe wherein means are provided for producing sound pulses at the selected end, means are provided for detecting sound pulses at the selected end, means are provided for sensing the ambient temperature of the air in the vicinity of the inside of the tubular member being measured, means are provided for determining the time elapsed from the moment the sound pulse is generated until the accoustic wave comprising the returning sound pulse is detected by the detecting means, and means are provided for compensating for the increased travel time of the sound pulse occasioned by the sound pulse being reflected from the impedance differential surface set up by the other end of the pipe and spaced from the other end of the pipe.

Abstract: The level of mud in the mud return line of a rotary drilling rig is determined by cutting a hole in the top of the line and securing over the hole the saddle shaped base flange of a heat insulated sound tube supporting the ultra sonic transducer of an air coupled sonar distance measuring apparatus. The apparatus continuously digitally displays the average mud level. Upon a first manual command the apparatus makes a printed record of the level, time, and date.The apparatus give an alarm signal whenever the time averaged level departs a predetermined amount from a previously set datum level. When a second manual command is exercised the alarm is discontinued and a record of level is made and the datum level is reset to the existing level. The departure measuring means is reactivated to give an alarm signal upon sufficient departure of mud level from the new datum level.A third manual command makes a record and turns off the recorder while a trip is being made and until the third command controller is reset.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: This method comprises laying onto the water bottom at least one line of acoustic transducers which are put in energized condition when an iceberg is approaching the location of this line. Acoustic signals are then sequentially transmitted from at least one of said transducers, some of them being reflected by the underwater part of the iceberg and sensed by acoustic receivers located on both sides of the transmitter on the transducer line. The outline of the underwater portion of the iceberg and its draught are determined by automatically drawing the geometrical envelopes of a system of ellipsoids whose foci are the transmitter and the different receivers.

Abstract: An underwater mapping system in which a swath of terrain, much wider than a sonar beam width, is observed by means of a sonar beam scanned in the cross track plane of a ship. Filtering and correlation techniques are employed to compensate for distortions in echoes emanating from the ocean bottom by a selection of filter coefficients in accordance with the orientation of the sonar beams and by providing a simulated echo envelope for correlation.

Abstract: An improved brush holder for use in a rectilinear recorder which utilizes a web of electrical recording paper, which passes across, and in contact with a plane metal back-up plate. A narrow belt loop is supported by a pair of spaced rollers and is driven in a direction transverse to the longitudinal motion of the recording strip or web. One linear portion of the loop of the belt is parallel to and spaced a small distance from the plane of the metal back-up plate. The belt is of insulating material and has attached to it an electrical contact means which is a metal plate fastened to the belt and transverse to the axis of the belt and is long enough to extend some distance on each side of the belt. An electrical contact plate is mounted in the plane of the back-up plate and spaced from it. The belt is positioned so that the two ends of the contact plate extend respectively over the back-up plate and the electrical contact plate.

Abstract: 1. In a sonic echo system for classifying objects proud on the ocean floor in which a submarine vehicle moves through the ocean at a constant height above the ocean floor, scanning means for simultaneously deriving separate electric signals corresponding to the sonic reflecting values of parallel strips of the ocean floor extending athwartships of said vehicle, means for simultaneously storing said separate signals on a record medium, and means for serially reproducing the stored signals.

Abstract: The navigation system permits remote maneuvering of a water-borne structure about a stationary object by utilizing dual sonar ranging. The structure can be self-propelled or towed by a surface craft. The transducer portion of the navigation system is mounted on the structure and the system's remaining portion is on the deck of the surface craft. For complete remote navigation, at least three but preferably four transducers are employed for positioning at the four corners of a rectangle. Each transducer is both sound-emitting and sound-receiving. The sonic impulses from each pair of port and starboard transducers are directed downwardly and inwardly. The travel time for each reflected sonic impulse is directly proportional to the slant range between the transducer and the object. The spacing between each pair of port and starboard transducers and the frequency of the emitted sound impulses are selected so that very accurate measurements are obtainable of the position of the object relative to the transducers.