Abstract: A method for forming a sonar image is provided comprising receiving first sonar data from a sonar transducer assembly when it is oriented in a first orientation, receiving first orientation data, and causing an actuator to generate movement of the sonar transducer assembly so it moves from the first orientation to a second orientation. The method includes receiving second sonar data from the sonar transducer assembly when it is oriented in the second orientation, receiving second orientation data, and creating a sonar image using the first sonar data, the second sonar data, the first orientation data, and the second orientation data. The sonar image includes first and second image portions including image data representative of the first and second sonar data. The first image portion is positioned relative to the second image portion to portray a real-world differential position of the first sonar data relative to the second sonar data.

Abstract: Sonar systems and related methods are provided. A sonar system for generating one or more sonar images includes first and second transducer elements each having at least one emitting face. The sonar system also includes a sonar signal processor in electronic communication with the first and second transducer elements to cause transmission of signals from the first and second transducer elements to cause at least one first acoustic beam to be emitted from the first emitting face in a first beam direction and at least one second acoustic beam to be emitted from the second emitting face in a second beam direction. The first and second transducer elements are positioned such that a gap is formed therebetween. The gap is configured to facilitate movement of a fluid therein so as to contribute to an emission of sound power in both the first beam direction and the second beam direction.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams facing downwardly can be selected and used to form downward sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements. Fish arches formed using multiple sonar return beams can be positioned appropriately within a high resolution downward sonar image to form a desirable combined sonar image.

Abstract: Example devices and systems are provided herein for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft. Such devices and systems include a housing with a base and at least one wall defining an interior volume, along with a mount assembly within the interior volume. The mount assembly includes a buoy, a transducer, and a pivot axle or a gimbal. The mount assembly is freely pivotable about a pivot axis of the pivot axle or about a pivot point of the gimbal such that an orientation of the mount assembly is subject to a force of gravity. The housing and the mount assembly is configured such that an emitting face of the transducer points in a direction that is parallel to the force of gravity when the housing is tilted, such as toward a floor of the water.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. Three arrays are mounted in a housing in an X plus Line configuration with one of the arrays extending below the center of the X.

Abstract: A reflective sonar imaging system is provided. The system includes a reflective sonar imaging assembly. The reflective sonar imaging assembly includes a receiving aperture, a reflective surface defining a concave shape, and a receiver positioned between the reflective surface and the receiving aperture. The system also includes a display and processing circuitry. The reflective surface is configured to cause sonar returns to be reflected as reflected sonar returns toward the receiver. The sonar returns enter the reflective sonar imaging assembly through the receiving aperture, and the receiver is configured to receive the reflected sonar returns. The receiver is configured to generate sonar return data using the reflected sonar returns that are received, and the processing circuitry is configured to receive the sonar return data and generate one or more sonar images based on the sonar return data. The display is configured to present the sonar image(s).

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. One or more of the multiple sonar return beams facing downwardly can be selected and used to form downward sonar images that anglers are used to, without requiring separate transducer elements. Fish arches formed using multiple sonar return beams can be positioned appropriately within a high resolution downward sonar image to form a desirable combined sonar image.

Abstract: A system for reforming sonar emissions from a sonar transducer element or an array of sonar transducer elements is provided. The system comprises the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements. The sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements define an emitting face and are configured to transmit sonar signals along path(s). The system also comprises a horn comprising surface(s). Surface(s) are positioned adjacent to or in a spaced apart manner from the emitting face of the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements so that the surface(s) are positioned at least partially in path(s) such that at least some of the sonar signals transmitted from the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements are redirected based on interaction of the at least some of the sonar signals and surface(s).

Abstract: A reflective sonar imaging system is provided. The system includes a reflective sonar imaging assembly. The reflective sonar imaging assembly includes a receiving aperture, a reflective surface defining a concave shape, and a receiver positioned between the reflective surface and the receiving aperture. The system also includes a display and processing circuitry. The reflective surface is configured to cause sonar returns to be reflected as reflected sonar returns toward the receiver. The sonar returns enter the reflective sonar imaging assembly through the receiving aperture, and the receiver is configured to receive the reflected sonar returns. The receiver is configured to generate sonar return data using the reflected sonar returns that are received, and the processing circuitry is configured to receive the sonar return data and generate one or more sonar images based on the sonar return data. The display is configured to present the sonar image(s).

Abstract: A sonar transducer system is provided having a display and a sonar transducer assembly having a transmitter configured to transmit sonar signals. The transmitter has a peak transmit sensitivity occurring at a first frequency. The sonar transducer assembly has a receiver configured to receive return sonar signals, with the receiver having a peak receive sensitivity occurring at a second frequency. The transmitter and the receiver share a same facing direction and are provided as physically separate components. At least one of the transmitter or the receiver is tuned so that the peak transmit sensitivity and the peak receive sensitivity occur at a same frequency. The sonar transducer assembly is configured to improve the peak transmit sensitivity and/or the peak receive sensitivity to generate a sonar image having a greater quality, and the sonar image may be presented on the display.

Abstract: A system for reforming sonar emissions from a sonar transducer element or an array of sonar transducer elements is provided. The system comprises the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements. The sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements define an emitting face and are configured to transmit sonar signals along path(s). The system also comprises a horn comprising surface(s). Surface(s) are positioned adjacent to or in a spaced apart manner from the emitting face of the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements so that the surface(s) are positioned at least partially in path(s) such that at least some of the sonar signals transmitted from the sonar transducer element or the array of sonar transducer elements are redirected based on interaction of the at least some of the sonar signals and surface(s).

Abstract: A system for controlling sonar beam shapes is provided. The system comprises at least one sonar transducer element having an emitting face. The at least one sonar transducer element is configured to generate a sonar beam having a path. The system also comprises a horn that is configured to rest within the path of the sonar beam. The horn is configured to reform a beam shape of the sonar beam.

Abstract: A system for controlling sonar beam shapes is provided. The system comprises at least one sonar transducer element having an emitting face. The at least one sonar transducer element is configured to generate a sonar beam having a path. The system also comprises a horn that is configured to rest within the path of the sonar beam. The horn is configured to reform a beam shape of the sonar beam.

Abstract: A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes one or more arrays of transducer elements. Each array is operated at a fixed phase shift and varies in frequency so as to beamform multiple sonar return beams of a first range of angles and a second range of angles. The arrays can be oriented to cover the gap in sonar coverage for other arrays to create a continuous arc of sonar coverage. Accordingly, a 2D live sonar image can be formed. Three arrays are mounted in a housing in an X plus Line configuration with one of the arrays extending below the center of the X.

Abstract: An example sonar transducer assembly is provided including at least one transducer element and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one set of electrical connections for the at least one transducer element. The electrical connections include flex tabs configured to flex out of a PCB plane. The sonar transducer assembly also includes a support structure including an aperture for the at least one transducer element. The support structure is configured to support the body of the PCB, allow flexion of the flex tabs into the aperture, and retain the at least one transducer element in the at least one aperture. The transducer element is installed in a direction that is perpendicular to the PCB plane causing the flex tabs to flex outwardly from the PCB plane, thereby creating an elastic force of the flex tabs applied against opposing ends of the at least one transducer element.

Abstract: Example sonar transducer assemblies configured for reduced interference are provided herein. An example sonar transducer assembly includes a housing, a first transducer, and a second transducer. The first transducer is positioned within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a first mounting plane and a produced first beam defining a fan-shape extends in a first plane. The second transducer is positioned at a tilted angle within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a second mounting plane and a produced second beam defining a fan-shape is in a second plane. The second mounting plane is non-parallel to the first mounting plane and is offset from the first mounting plane by at least 1 degree such that the second plane is not parallel to the first plane so as to reduce interference between the first transducer and the second transducer.

Abstract: An example sonar transducer assembly is provided including at least one transducer element and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one set of electrical connections for the at least one transducer element. The electrical connections include flex tabs configured to flex out of a PCB plane. The sonar transducer assembly also includes a support structure including an aperture for the at least one transducer element. The support structure is configured to support the body of the PCB, allow flexion of the flex tabs into the aperture, and retain the at least one transducer element in the at least one aperture. The transducer element is installed in a direction that is perpendicular to the PCB plane causing the flex tabs to flex outwardly from the PCB plane, thereby creating an elastic force of the flex tabs applied against opposing ends of the at least one transducer element.

Abstract: Example sonar transducer assemblies configured for reduced interference are provided herein. An example sonar transducer assembly includes a housing, a first transducer, and a second transducer. The first transducer is positioned within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a first mounting plane and a produced first beam defining a fan-shape extends in a first plane. The second transducer is positioned at a tilted angle within the housing such that a length is configured to extend in a second mounting plane and a produced second beam defining a fan-shape is in a second plane. The second mounting plane is non-parallel to the first mounting plane and is offset from the first mounting plane by at least 1 degree such that the second plane is not parallel to the first plane so as to reduce interference between the first transducer and the second transducer.

Abstract: An example sonar transducer assembly is provided including at least one transducer element and a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) including at least one set of electrical connections for the at least one transducer element. The electrical connections include flex tabs configured to flex out of a PCB plane. The sonar transducer assembly also includes a support structure including an aperture for the at least one transducer element. The support structure is configured to support the body of the PCB, allow flexion of the flex tabs into the aperture, and retain the at least one transducer element in the at least one aperture. The transducer element is installed in a direction that is perpendicular to the PCB plane causing the flex tabs to flex outwardly from the PCB plane, thereby creating an elastic force of the flex tabs applied against opposing ends of the at least one transducer element.