Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a machine includes an inspection vehicle constructed for wireless operation while submersed in a dielectric liquid medium. The inspection vehicle is self-propelled. A controller is operative to direct the activities of the inspection vehicle. A plurality of status interrogation systems is disposed on the inspection vehicle. The status interrogation systems are operative to capture inspection data regarding a plurality of inspection procedures performed on the machine.

Abstract: Multiplexed phased array sonar systems and methods for consumer fishfinders are described herein. In one embodiment a single curved transmit transducer and an array of receive transducers are provided, and in an embodiment the signals from the receive transducers are multiplexed, which greatly reduces the data load, allowing for the achievement of the near real time, high resolution imagery in a size and price point that enables this technology to be employed in a consumer fish finder.

Abstract: An object detection method and apparatus are provided, the object detection method includes receiving a radar reception signal reflected by an object using a radar apparatus, generating a data set for one or more reflection points of the object by processing the radar reception signal, and detecting the object corresponding to the reflection points based on the data set using a neural network-based object detection model.

Abstract: A sonar system is provided including a display screen, a transducer assembly including at least one transducer that is configured to emit one or more sonar signals into an underwater environment and receive sonar return data reflected from one or more objects, and a sonar module configured to generate a 3D matrix based on the sonar return data including a plurality of sonar returns that are each defined by a 3D positional value, determine a group of the plurality of sonar returns associated with an object, assign a predetermined icon to the determined group, and generate and display 3D image of the sonar return data. The predetermined icon is positioned within the 3D image at a position that corresponds to the position of the determined group such that the position of the predetermined icon corresponds to the position of the object.

Abstract: A system and method thereof identifies and locates a submarine or other similar object located in the ocean. The thermocline in the water column is utilized to identify objects based on signals carried by the internal wave (IW) in a mixed layer (ML) of water established between a less-dense and/or warmer upper layer of water and a more-dense and/or cooler lower layer of water. The system can detect objects moving in the ML. Additionally, the system detects non-moving objects in the ML based on shadowing and/or scattering effects established by naturally occurring waves contacting the object.

Abstract: A Doppler shift frequency measuring device is provided, which includes a plurality of transmitters respectively configured to transmit a transmission wave, a plurality of receivers provided corresponding to the transmitters, respectively, and configured to receive reception waves that are reflection waves caused by the transmission waves from the transmitters, respectively, and a reception signal processor configured to calculate Doppler shift frequencies of the reception waves by processing reception signals obtained based on the reception waves received by the receivers.

Abstract: A method moves a tube wave reflector in a well, generates a tube wave, receives a reflection, and determines the depth of one or more reflector locations from the elapsed time. Also, a method to locate a feature in a well deploys a bottom hole assembly (BHA), generates acoustic noise from the BHA, and autocorrelates to determine the BHA depth. Also, a system has a coiled tubing string to a BHA, a surface wave generator, a surface and/or distributed receiver, and a recorder to determine elapsed times between generation and receipt.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a detection system detects deterioration of a rope through at least one sheave. The system includes a plurality of sensors and a calculator. The sensors are configured to detect an elastic wave generated from the rope and convert the elastic wave into a detection signal. At least one of the sensors is installed near an end portion of the rope. At least one of the sensors is installed at the sheave. The calculator is configured to calculate a position of the rope where the elastic wave has been generated, based on a propagating speed of the elastic wave, time difference information of a plurality of detected times of the elastic waves detected by the respective sensors, and positional information indicating positions of the respective sensors.

Abstract: A blowout prevent unit and methods for monitoring a blowout preventer at a wellsite are provided. The blowout preventer is activatable to form a seal to prevent leakage of the fluid produced from subsurface formations. The blowout preventer unit includes wellsite databases, at least one control unit, and blowout preventer outputs. The wellsite databases are operatively connectable to the wellsite to receive wellsite data therefrom and have communication links therebetween. The control unit is operatively connectable to the wellsite databases to selectively divert the wellsite data therebetween via the communication links. The at least one control unit includes a processor to determine blowout preventer parameters from the diverted wellsite data. The blowout preventer outputs are operatively coupled to the wellsite databases, and are accessible by users.

Abstract: The present inventive concept relates to an apparatus and method for multiplexing tracking information output from a plurality of tracking radar systems that are operated upon testing the flight of guided weapons, converting the multiplexed tracking information into a single PCM stream signal, and processing the tracking information together with telemetry data in an integrated manner, thus enabling the tracking information to be simply and economically utilized for test control and measurement tasks. The apparatus for converting multi-channel tracking information for integrated processing of flight data, includes a signal receiver for receiving pieces of tracking information from tracking radar systems through a plurality of input channels, a programmable semiconductor for multiplexing the pieces of tracking information, and converting the multiplexed tracking information into a data stream-type Pulse Code Modulation (PCM) frame, and a line driver for outputting the PCM frame to another piece of equipment.

Abstract: A touch screen for LCDs which uses a plurality of shockwave detectors disposed around the periphery of the viewing area to detect the location of a touch or tap which is the point of origin of an expanding shockwave.

Abstract: A radar device for use in backing up a vehicle is disclosed herein. A plurality of wave sensors is installed on a rear portion of a vehicle for detecting an obstacle therebehind. A master controller has a plurality of transceiver circuits and a microprocessor connected to the plurality of transceiver circuits. Each transceiver circuit corresponds to one of the plurality of wave sensors. The microprocessor activates the plurality of transceiver circuits to drive the plurality of wave sensors for transmitting and receiving ultrasound wave signals thereby determining the location of the obstacle. A location display device is connected to the master controller for receiving and decoding data related to the location of the obstacle thereby indicating the direction of the obstacle and displaying in numerical form the distance between the obstacle and the vehicle.

Abstract: A system has been invented which produces images comparable to those produced by video cameras. This BEAMFORMED TELEVISION uses a transmitting array, a receiving array, and signal processing equipment to form interactive beams. The transmitting array system provides the capability to resolve the scene in one dimension and the receiving array system provides the capability to resolve the scene in the other dimension. High resolution is achieved with large arrays using unconventional spatial sampling methods with interaction between the two arrays to suppress grating lobe effects. The arrays are long in one dimension and narrow in the other. Grating lobe positions are adjusted by adjusting the transducer spacing such that the combined system response excludes grating lobe effects. Directional transducers are used to provide additional attenuation of grating lobes.

Abstract: A sonar system includes an interactive sonar viewing apparatus for facilitating operator selection of a variety of features. The interactive sonar viewing apparatus can include a screen display for displaying a graphical representation of characterization data representative of the predetermined signal characteristics of each of the transducers. The characterization data can include data representative of the predetermined orientation and predetermined cone angle of each of the transducers. Based upon the graphical representation of the characterization data, the operator can select the specific transducers to be activated. Thus, the operator can selectively reconfigure the sonar system. Alternatively, the interactive sonar viewing apparatus can include a screen display which displays a graphical representation of orientation data representative of a number of display frames.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a PPI sonar for horizontally turning a transmitting and receiving transducer emitting and receiving ultrasonic signals in one direction within an azimuthal range in one angular direction and in the reverse angular direction to search the water in a sector form and for having the position of own ship defined at an off-centered point on the screen of an indicator to display underwater conditions in a corresponding wide sectorial display area.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus such as a fish school detecting apparatus or a navigation apparatus which displays tide or tidal current data and is installed on a ship.

Abstract: An echo sounding system includes an acoustic gun which is mounted to the wellhead of a borehole. The acoustic gun produces an acoustic pulse which is transmitted down the borehole. A tubing string is installed in the borehole and has substantially evenly spaced collars. Fluid is pumped from the borehole, or well, by use of a reciprocating pump driven by a pump rod extending to the surface. Fluid is received from a surrounding formation and collects in the borehole. The acoustic pulse produces reflections when it strikes the tubing collars and the surface of the fluid. A microphone detects the reflections to produce a return signal. This signal is digitized and stored. The digitized signal is processed to detect the rate of the collar reflections and the stored signal is narrowband filtered with a passband filter centered at the rate of receipt of the collar reflections. The data signal is further processed to determine the time of occurrence of the acoustic pulse and the liquid surface reflection.

Abstract: A sonar system is disclosed that includes contiguously angularly disposed d oppositely rotated transmitting and receiving transducers for broadcasting an acoustic signal and for receiving target echoes thereof, respectively, at different angles from within overlapping zones thereof within an aqueous medium. A gated transmitter is employed to timely energize said transmitting transducer, and a gated target seeking receiver is employed to process the output signal of said receiving transducer. A cathode ray tube readout displays target signals from said receiver. A light sensitive probe produces an electrical output signal in response to a target signal displayed on said cathode ray tube which is used for gating the aforesaid transmitter and receiver in such manner as to accentuate the displayed target signal being probed at any given instant.

Abstract: Electrical signal-receiving transducers for logging tools include a silicon plate having piezoresistors formed thereon and response to deflection caused by pressure waves acting on said plate to generate an electrical signal through a bridge circuit including balancing resistors. Another embodiment of the transducer comprises a curved plate which is supported in a tool cavity for response to a pressure wave to deflect and exert forces on a piezoelectric element to generate a signal proportional to the deflection and a pressure wave causing such deflection. Monopole and quadrupole arrangements of the curved plate may be used for sensing or generating symmetric and asymmetric wave forms.

Abstract: Disclosed is a signal processor for an ultrasonic fish detector, in which the signal processing circuit is arranged separately from the display unit, whereas conventionally both are configured integrally, within a case with the provision of a composite converting circuit and RGB converting circuit with associated video output terminal and RGB output terminal, thereby allowing the user to configure a fish detection system by merely purchasing the fish detection signal processor made up of the signal processing circuit and a transducer and utilizing a home television set or an RGB graphics monitor oriented to personal computers.

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: An underwater detection system display underwater conditions on an indicator comprised of a monochrome cathode ray tube with two groups of different degrees of brightness. One group of different degrees of brightness is related to the amplitude of echo signals in such a way that degrees of brightness are in direct proportion to the amplitude of an echo signal. The other group of different degrees of brightness has another relationship with the amplitude of an echo signal.

Abstract: An acoustic pulse echo imaging system capable of producing an image of a three-dimensional object utilizing a two-dimensional display having perspective capabilities is described. In the system angular relationships of targets at all ranges are maintained for display. The system uses a two-dimensional transducer array of piezoelectric elements; the array is steered to assume transmit and receive orientations in both azimuth and elevation by producing (1) a directed transmit pulse and many similarly directed receive orientations or (2) a non-directed transmit pulse and many directed receive orientations. For each transmit pulse a parallel processing system produces several unique image points whose locations in the image correspond to the tangents of the angles of the receive orientations in the azimuth and elevation planes. The brightness of each image point is the weighted integral of the echo data received along each receive path.

Abstract: An underwater detection system which has a transmitting and receiving unit for radiating an ultrasonic wave pulse into the water within a narrow sector and receiving echo signals by a plurality of reception beams, and turns the transmitting and receiving unit by a predetermined angle to search another narrow sector each time the search within the narrow sector is completed, thereby searching the water within a wide angular range.

Abstract: The system is for determining the direction and/or distance of objects and, especially of watercrafts, by means of water-borne sound waves transmitted from the ship to a torpedo, for example. The system includes a cathode ray tube located on the ship for displaying sectors of interest, at least one storage means at the torpedo for storage and delivery of sound location data and being connected to a length of wire for transmitting stored location data over the wire to the ship, a controllable threshold discriminator connected to the storage means, and means for limiting the frequency bandwidth of data signals transmitted over the communication wire to an order of magnitude of 500 Hz.

Abstract: A display system for fish sonar displays two ultrasonic echo signals of different frequencies from the left side to the central portion and from the central portion to the right side on the screen of a cathode ray tube. After the two ultrasonic echo signals are displayed on the entire screen of the cathode ray tube, the old echo signals are eliminated and the display is refreshed with new echo signals so that a picture of a school of small fish which is displayed by ultrasonic echo signals of high frequency can be compared with a horizontally adjacent picture of a large fish simultaneously displayed by ultrasonic echo signals of low frequency on a single cathode ray tube screen.

Abstract: A visual display process of objects identified by a classification sonar consisting of modifying the visual display cathode ray tube scan laws in order to obtain a representation which is modified according to a perspective mode where the ratio of their height to their width is constant whatever their range, or to a normalized dimension mode where identical objects of the same orientation have the same representation whatever their range.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitting element and an ultrasonic receiving element are arranged in a sample liquid in opposition to each other. Either the ultrasonic transmitting element or the ultrasonic receiving element is finely vibrated, and the difference between the velocities of sound in the sample liquid and another sample in the sample liquid is displayed on a CRT.

Abstract: A Scanning Sonar Display System comprised of a TV monitor, a scanning mechanism with transducer, control logic with image memory and timing, a power source such as a 12 volt storage battery and a set of operator controls. The type of TV monitor used is well known and similar to those used by raster scan computer terminals. The scanning mechanism has a stepping motor with a 10 to 1 reduction cable drive system to rotate the transducer with home initializing contacts. The control logic includes two counters used as image memory address registers. The first, the refresh counter, is used for reading the image memory during refresh and for determining the horizontal and vertical sync for the TV monitor. The second, the entry counter, is used for writing sonar and depth data into the image memory and is also used for control of the stepping motor. Home initializing contacts are used to initialize this counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for locating and mapping a pool of a pollutant (12) in a body of water (11) comprising the steps of scanning the bottom of said body of water with ultrasonic energy using a transducer (10) periodically pulsed to project pulse envelopes of acoustic energy downwardly to the bottom (14) of the body of water and receiving echo returns from the bottom preceded by echo returns from a reflective interface (13) with a pool of pollutant, if present. The presence of an echo return from an interface (13) as a precursor to an echo return from the bottom indicates the presence of the pool of pollutant at the navigational position of the transducer as the process of scanning continues. Locating and marking the perimeter of the pool permits rapid clean up operations to be directed.

Abstract: In an echo sounder including a cathode-ray tube display device for providing a visual display in the form of a succession of image frames each composed of a series of image lines extending in a first direction on the display and spaced apart in a second direction on the display, with each line being composed of a plurality of image points, and a memory having a number of addressable memory locations equal to at least the number of image points in each frame, with a representation of each image point being stored at a respective memory location, the memory is an addressable read-write random access memory, and the device includes circuitry connected for causing each memory location address to consist of a first part identifying the location of one image line in the second direction on the display and a second part identifying the location of one image point along any line in the first direction on the display, an address counter producing an output representing the address part corresponding to one direction,

Abstract: An imaging sonar system is disclosed comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a rotatable transducer coupled with the transmitter and receiver for generating sound waves and for detecting echoes therefrom. Drive means are provided for rotating the rotatable transducer. Transducer position sensing means are provided for sensing the rotary position of the transducer. Analog to digital converter means are coupled with the receiver for converting receiver emitted signals into digital form. Serial access memory means are provided entering into storage receiver emitted signal data in digital form at a preselected rate and for withdrawing from storage receiver emitted signal data at a rate different than the predetermined rate. Write and read control means are also provided for respectively entering digital data into and recalling digital data from the memory.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for locating an object by stress wave energy reflection in which the wave energy is transmitted as a beam by transmitting transducer elements, and is scanned through successive sectors of a field of view by imposing differential transmission delays on transmitting signals fed to the elements by means of a delay line. Indicator signals are developed in receiving channels connected respectively to receiving transducers providing binaural characteristics, and transducer providing monaural characteristics but collectively covering the field. An indicator means comprises any, or any combination, of audible means, visual means or tactile means the two latter providing coordinate displays.

Abstract: The present invention entails a multi-channel fishscope that includes an expandable microprocessor unit that is adapted to receive echo profile signals from one or more transmitter-receiver modules and through voltage comparatory networks generating an output video signal that is directed to a CRT of a television monitor. There the echo profiles are transformed into signature traces on the TV monitor that represent fish or other target objects. By the provision of a search/scan module with timing control provisions, the depth of the traces is scaled onto the TV monitor in order to indicate depth and relative position.

Abstract: A directivity display device and method are disclosed which involve a first saw-tooth generator producing a scan signal and a brilliance modulation circuit producing a brilliance modulated signal derived from the characteristic output of a test object with respect to a rotational angle of the test object. Thereby, the directivity display device makes it possible to display in graphic form a property of the test on a cathode-ray tube with a polar or other coordinate representation.

Abstract: A digital electronic system for improving the resolution of dynamic range-handling capacity for received ultrasound in reflection or transmission imaging systems. This system provides a means for preventing loss of structural detail in the display by minimizing the overlapping of signals resulting from the transducer bandwidth and pulse length. It also makes use of a (positive or negative) peak detector to recognize and print as a single point the presence of point targets. With the present technology, a point target may be represented in a B-mode display on several successive scan lines resulting in an abnormally large representation on the display. The actual target is represented by the peak point of the envelope of a series of scan lines in which the point target is displayed. The objective is to print only one point which corresponds with the actual position of the point target with an intensity that corresponds to the intensity of the received signal.

Abstract: 1.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to multi-angular sector sound transmitting and receiving systems embodying stacked pluralities of arrays of transducers and novel scanning arrangements and circuits for enabling the display of the sound-wave reflections emanating from multiple angular sectors upon a novel preferably spirally deflected cathode-ray-tube display system.

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.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for locating an object by stress wave energy reflection in which the wave energy is transmitted as a beam by transmitting transducer elements, and is scanned through successive sectors of a field of view by imposing differential transmission delays on transmitting signals fed to the elements by means of a delay line. Indicator signals are developed in receiving channels connected respectively to receiving transducers providing binaural characteristics, and transducer providing monaural characteristics but collectively covering the field. An indicator means comprises any, or any combination, of audible means, visual means or tactile means the two latter providing coordinate displays.