The object of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer for a measuring device capable of widening a frequency band suitable for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while reducing the manufacturing cost. The ultrasonic transducer for a measuring device includes a substantially disc-shaped base material that serves too as an acoustic-matching layer and substantially disc-shaped piezoelectric element that is joined to the base material. The piezoelectric element is formed with grooves extending in the planar direction so that they do not cross one another, and the plurality of strip-shaped vibration units are arranged through the grooves. The length of the vibration unit becomes shorter as the distance from the center of the piezoelectric element increases. Then, the piezoelectric element vibrates in the thickness direction in the first-frequency band and vibrates in the radial direction in the second-frequency band, which is lower than the first-frequency band.

The object of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer for a measuring device capable of widening a frequency band suitable for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves while reducing the manufacturing cost. The ultrasonic transducer for a measuring device includes a substantially disc-shaped base material that serves too as an acoustic-matching layer and substantially disc-shaped piezoelectric element that is joined to the base material. The piezoelectric element is formed with grooves extending in the planar direction so that they do not cross one another, and the plurality of strip-shaped vibration units are arranged through the grooves. The length of the vibration unit becomes shorter as the distance from the center of the piezoelectric element increases. Then, the piezoelectric element vibrates in the thickness direction in the first-frequency band and vibrates in the radial direction in the second-frequency band, which is lower than the first-frequency band.

Example steering control systems for multiple devices are provided herein. A system includes a trolling motor assembly having a propulsion motor and a steering actuator and a sonar assembly comprising a transducer assembly and a directional actuator. The system further includes a user input assembly that is configured to detect user activity related to controlling operation of the trolling motor assembly and operation of the sonar assembly. The system further includes a processor that is configured to determine a direction of turn based on user activity, generate an electrical turning input signal indicating the direction of turn, and direct one of the steering actuator and the directional actuator, via the turning input signal, to rotate one of the propulsion motor and the transducer assembly, respectively, in a direction of turn based on the turning input signal.

A transducer system comprises a first frequency steered transducer array element and a second frequency steered transducer array element that is spaced apart from the first frequency steered transducer array element. The system additionally includes a processing element in communication with the first and second frequency steered transducer array elements. The processing element is configured to receive a first receive electronic signal from the first frequency steered sonar array element, receive a second receive electronic signal from the second frequency steered array sonar element, compare a difference in amplitude between the first receive electronic signal and the second receive electronic signal to determine a cross-track position of an underwater target, and control a display to present an indication of the cross-track position of the underwater target.

A transducer system comprises a first frequency steered transducer array element and a second frequency steered transducer array element that is spaced apart from the first frequency steered transducer array element. The system additionally includes a processing element in communication with the first and second frequency steered transducer array elements. The processing element is configured to receive a first receive electronic signal from the first frequency steered sonar array element, receive a second receive electronic signal from the second frequency steered array sonar element, compare a difference in amplitude between the first receive electronic signal and the second receive electronic signal to determine a cross-track position of an underwater target, and control a display to present an indication of the cross-track position of the underwater target.

A marine sonar display device comprises a display, a memory element, and a processing element. The display displays sonar images. The memory element stores sonar data. The processing element is configured to transmit a transmit electronic signal to a frequency steered sonar element which transmits an array of sonar beams into a body of water, each sonar beam transmitted in a different angular direction, receive a receive electronic signal from the frequency steered sonar element, the receive electronic signal including a plurality of frequency components, calculate an array of sonar data slices, one sonar data slice for each frequency component, generate an array of sonar image slices, one sonar image slice for each sonar data slice, and control the display to visually present the array of sonar image slices in near real time and a historical sequence of at least one sonar image slice.

A marine sonar display device comprises a display, a memory element, and a processing element. The display displays sonar images. The memory element stores sonar data. The processing element is configured to transmit a transmit electronic signal to a frequency steered sonar element which transmits an array of sonar beams into a body of water, each sonar beam transmitted in a different angular direction, receive a receive electronic signal from the frequency steered sonar element, the receive electronic signal including a plurality of frequency components, calculate an array of sonar data slices, one sonar data slice for each frequency component, generate an array of sonar image slices, one sonar image slice for each sonar data slice, and control the display to visually present the array of sonar image slices in near real time and a historical sequence of at least one sonar image slice.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide reliable and relatively quick bottom reacquisition in sonar systems for mobile structures, including three dimensional (3D) capable and/or multichannel sonar systems. A sonar system includes a sonar transducer and associated processing and control electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly. A logic device of the sonar system is configured to detect bottom lock loss based, at least in part, on sonar data provided by the sonar transducer, determine an expected bottom depth associated with the detected bottom lock loss, and generate updated sonar data based, at least in part, on the expected bottom depth. 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.

Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods to provide reliable and relatively quick bottom reacquisition in sonar systems for mobile structures, including three dimensional (3D) capable and/or multichannel sonar systems. A sonar system includes a sonar transducer and associated processing and control electronics and optionally orientation and/or position sensors disposed substantially within the housing of a sonar transducer assembly. A logic device of the sonar system is configured to detect bottom lock loss based, at least in part, on sonar data provided by the sonar transducer, determine an expected bottom depth associated with the detected bottom lock loss, and generate updated sonar data based, at least in part, on the expected bottom depth. 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.

An underwater detection apparatus is provided which includes a transmission transducer, a reception transducer, and a motor. The transmission transducer transmits a transmission wave within a given fan-shaped transmission space, the fan-shaped transmission space having a first transmission width in a given first plane and a second transmission width in a second plane perpendicular to the first plane. The reception transducer receives, as a reception wave, a reflection wave of the transmission wave within a given fan-shaped reception space, the fan-shaped reception space having a first reception width in the first plane and a second reception width in the second plane, the second reception width being wider than the second transmission width, and in the second plane, the fan-shaped transmission space being within the fan-shaped reception space. The motor rotates the fan-shaped transmission space and the fan-shaped reception space.