Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes multiple sensor channels, each comprising a sonar transmitter and a sonar receiver, and a logic device configured to provide control signals and receive sensor signals from the sensor channels. The logic device is configured to provide transmission signals to sonar transducer assemblies, where signal patterns of the transmission signals are differentiated based at least in part on frequency content. Acoustic returns are processed using the signal patterns to reduce inter-channel pickup between the sensor channels. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include multiple ranging sensor systems and/or receive navigational data from various sensors. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the ranging sensor systems and/or other sensors. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, which can be used to generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: A watercraft may include a safety system having an imaging component and a control component. The control component may modify the operation of the watercraft based on images from the imaging component. The imaging component may include a thermal imaging component and a non-thermal imaging component. The watercraft may include more than one imaging component disposed around the periphery of the watercraft to monitor a volume surrounding the watercraft for objects in the water such as debris, a person, and/or dock structures. Operating the watercraft based on the images may include operating propulsion and/or steering systems of the watercraft based on a detected object. The control component may operate the propulsion and/or steering systems to disable a propeller when a swimmer is detected, to avoid detected debris, and/or to perform or assist in performing docking maneuvers. The imaging components may include compact thermal imaging modules mounted on or within the hull of the watercraft.

Abstract: Autopilot systems and related techniques are provided to improve the ability of mobile structures to maintain a desired reference path (e.g., to keep a desired track and/or to follow a desired contour). In various embodiments, a high quality turn rate signal and GPS based signals are used to generate high bandwidth cross track/contour errors and other associated signals. An adaptive controller uses the generated cross track/contour signals to provide robust track keeping and/or contour following in the directional control of a mobile structure. Techniques are also provided for systems and methods to provide directional control for mobile structures.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes multiple sensor channels, each comprising a sonar transmitter and a sonar receiver, and a logic device configured to provide control signals and receive sensor signals from the sensor channels. The logic device is configured to provide transmission signals to sonar transducer assemblies, where signal patterns of the transmission signals are differentiated based at least in part on frequency content. Acoustic returns are processed using the signal patterns to reduce inter-channel pickup between the sensor channels. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes multiple sensor channels, each comprising a sonar transmitter and a sonar receiver, and a logic device configured to provide control signals and receive sensor signals from the sensor channels. The logic device is configured to provide transmission signals to sonar transducer assemblies, where signal patterns of the transmission signals are differentiated based at least in part on frequency content. Acoustic returns are processed using the signal patterns to reduce inter-channel pickup between the sensor channels. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A modular sonar system includes one or more sonar transducer assemblies and at least two transducer modules disposed substantially within the sonar transducer assemblies. Each transducer module includes a transducer element and a module frame. The module frame is configured to support the transducer element, to physically couple to other transducer modules, and/or to physically couple to a sonar transducer assembly to secure the transducer module. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the transducer module. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include multiple ranging sensor systems and/or receive navigational data from various sensors. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the ranging sensor systems and/or other sensors. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, which can be used to generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for video based sensor fusion with respect to mobile structures. A mobile structure may include at least one imaging module and multiple navigational sensors and/or receive navigational data from various sources. A navigational database may be generated that includes data from the imaging module, navigational sensors, and/or other sources. Aspects of the navigational database may then be used to generate an integrated model, forecast weather conditions, warn of dangers, identify hard to spot items, and generally aid in the navigation of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. In one embodiment, a sonar system includes a mounting bracket, a transducer support arm, and a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against such forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: Autopilot systems and related techniques are provided to improve the ability of mobile structures to maintain a desired reference path (e.g., to keep a desired track and/or to follow a desired contour). In various embodiments, a high quality turn rate signal and GPS based signals are used to generate high bandwidth cross track/contour errors and other associated signals. An adaptive controller uses the generated cross track/contour signals to provide robust track keeping and/or contour following in the directional control of a mobile structure. Techniques are also provided for systems and methods to provide directional control for mobile structures.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A sonar system includes multiple sensor channels, each comprising a sonar transmitter and a sonar receiver, and a logic device configured to provide control signals and receive sensor signals from the sensor channels. The logic device is configured to provide transmission signals to sonar transducer assemblies, where signal patterns of the transmission signals are differentiated based at least in part on frequency content. Acoustic returns are processed using the signal patterns to reduce inter-channel pickup between the sensor channels. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. A modular sonar system includes one or more sonar transducer assemblies and at least two transducer modules disposed substantially within the sonar transducer assemblies. Each transducer module includes a transducer element and a module frame. The module frame is configured to support the transducer element, to physically couple to other transducer modules, and/or to physically couple to a sonar transducer assembly to secure the transducer module. The system may additionally include an actuator configured to adjust an orientation of the transducer module. Resulting sonar data and/or imagery may be displayed to a user and/or used to adjust a steering actuator, a propulsion system thrust, and/or other operational systems of the mobile structure.

Abstract: A watercraft may include a safety system having an imaging component and a control component. The control component may modify the operation of the watercraft based on images from the imaging component. The imaging component may include a thermal imaging component and a non-thermal imaging component. The watercraft may include more than one imaging component disposed around the periphery of the watercraft to monitor a volume surrounding the watercraft for objects in the water such as debris, a person, and/or dock structures. Operating the watercraft based on the images may include operating propulsion and/or steering systems of the watercraft based on a detected object. The control component may operate the propulsion and/or steering systems to disable a propeller when a swimmer is detected, to avoid detected debris, and/or to perform or assist in performing docking maneuvers. The imaging components may include compact thermal imaging modules mounted on or within the hull of the watercraft.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. In one embodiment, a sonar system includes a mounting bracket, a transducer support arm, and a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against such forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket.