Abstract: A forward scanning sonar system including at least a sonar transducer and a support structure having the at least a sonar transducer mounted thereto, the at least a sonar transducer being configured such that, while during scanning operation the sonar transducer is moved along a forward moving direction, a fan-shaped beam of the sonar transducer is forming a plane oriented forwardly downwardly such that the fan-shaped beam forms a scan line oriented at a scan angle to the forward moving direction with the scan angle being greater than 0 and smaller than ?/2 and such that the scan line intersects the forward direction at a point ahead of the sonar transducer.

Abstract: A forward scanning sonar system including at least a sonar transducer and a support structure having the at least a sonar transducer mounted thereto, the at least a sonar transducer being configured such that, while during scanning operation the sonar transducer is moved along a forward moving direction, a fan-shaped beam of the sonar transducer is forming a plane oriented forwardly downwardly such that the fan-shaped beam forms a scan line oriented at a scan angle to the forward moving direction with the scan angle being greater than 0 and smaller than ?/2 and such that the scan line intersects the forward direction at a point ahead of the sonar transducer.

Abstract: A forward scanning sonar system including at least a sonar transducer and a support structure having the at least a sonar transducer mounted thereto, the at least a sonar transducer being configured such that, while during scanning operation the sonar transducer is moved along a forward moving direction, a fan-shaped beam of the sonar transducer is forming a plane oriented forwardly downwardly such that the fan-shaped beam forms a scan line oriented at a scan angle to the forward moving direction with the scan angle being greater than 0 and smaller than ?/2 and such that the scan line intersects the forward direction at a point ahead of the sonar transducer.

Abstract: A transducer array comprises an elongate support with first and second channels. The first channel has a bottom and a pair of opposed side walls extending from the bottom thereof. The second channel also has a bottom and a pair of opposed side walls extending from the bottom thereof. There is a first transducer element disposed in the first channel and a spacer disposed between the first transducer element and the bottom of the first channel. There is a second transducer element disposed in the second channel and a spacer disposed between the second transducer element and the bottom of the second channel.