A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder having a single projector array and a single hydrophone array constructs a multi-signal message and deconstructs a corresponding multi-signal echo to substantially simultaneously perform multiple survey missions.

Various techniques for driving phased array systems are described, specifically intended for acoustic phased arrays with applications to mid-air haptics, parametric audio, acoustic levitation and acoustic imaging, including a system: 1) that is capable of mitigating the effect of the changes in the air to provide a consistent haptic experience; 2) that produces trap points in air; 3) that defines phased-array optimization in terms of vectors for the production of more consistent haptic effects; 4) that defines one or more control points or regions in space via a controlled acoustic field; 5) that uses a reduced representation method for the construction of acoustic basis functions; 6) that performs efficient evaluation of complex-valued functions for a large quantity of throughput; 7) that generates a Krylov sub-space of a matrix; and 8) that maximizes an objective described by different control points and/or regions to those used to create the acoustic basis functions.

A survey system including a multibeam echo sounder having a single projector array and a single hydrophone array constructs a multi-signal message and deconstructs a corresponding multi-signal echo to substantially simultaneously perform multiple survey missions.

A submersible sound system may include a housing, an end piece, an elastic membrane, an end cap affixed to the elastic membrane, and a subwoofer speaker system disposed within the housing and supported by a speaker support. A bubble sound source may be defined by the speaker support, the speaker diaphragm, an anterior end of the housing, the elastic membrane, and the end cap. The housing, end piece, and a posterior surface of the speaker support may form a sealed enclosure. The sound system may include a tuning pipe disposed between the sealed enclosure and the bubble sound source. A Helmholtz resonator may be disposed anteriorly of the speaker system. Multiple sound system may be assembled to form a cluster. The cluster may be defined by the vertices of regular polyhedron. The sound systems may be controlled to maintain the speaker systems within acceptable thermal limits.

A packing module includes a volumetrically efficient structure for separately retaining sensors and a cable of a sensor array. The packing module includes a tray that supports the sensors and a retaining leaf arrangement that extends outwardly from the tray to retain the cable on the tray. The retaining leaf arrangement includes a plurality of nested leaves that are spaced relative to each other. Packing the module includes placing the sensors separately and in succession on the tray and inserting a portion of the cable in the retaining leaf arrangement in between each placing of a sensor. The placement of a sensor and insertion of a portion of the cable occurs alternately until the entire sensor array is accommodated. Deployment of the sensor array may occur by alternately removing a sensor and a portion of the cable until the sensor array is displaced from the module.

A measurement device intended to be immersed in water, includes a set of arms and a reference axis, the measurement device being able to be in a deployed configuration, the measurement device comprising a set of measurement units borne by arms of the set of arms and each comprising an acoustic-waves sensor, the set of measurement units being configured and arranged in such a way as to generate a torque on the measurement device about the reference axis upon a vertical translational movement of the measurement device in the deployed configuration, the measurement device comprising compensation means configured and arranged in such a way as to generate another torque on the measurement device about the reference axis during the vertical translational movement, the other torque being directed in the opposite direction to the torque and having an intensity less than twice that of the torque.

A system is provided for imaging an underwater environment. The system includes a transducer assembly with at least one transmit transducer element and an array of receive transducer elements. Each receive transducer element is configured to receive sonar returns and form sonar return data. A sonar signal processor is configured to receive the sonar return data from each receive transducer element and generate sonar image data. The sonar return data from all of the receive transducer elements may be summed and used to form a high-definition 1D (e.g., time-based) sonar image. The sonar return data from only a subgroup may be summed and used to form a lower-definition 1D sonar image. In some systems, an array of series-connected transmit transducer elements can be used. The orientation of the emitting faces of the array may vary slightly to mimic a curved surface for increased beam coverage.

A deployment body for a sensor array includes at least one superelastic spring formed of a shape memory alloy (SMA) material that enables activation of the deployment body. The SMA spring is configured to expand from a stowed position in which the SMA spring is wound around a central hub of the deployment body to a deployed position in which the SMA spring is extended in a radially outward direction relative to the central hub. A stiffness of the SMA spring enables the SMA spring to hold cables of the sensor array and maintain a deployed shape of the sensor array, which may be a volumetric array. Using the SMA material is advantageous in that the material is tuned to maintain superelasticity based on at least one of an intended operating temperature and a desired expansion ratio of stowed to deployed diameter of the deployment body.

A submersible sound system may include a housing, an end piece, an elastic membrane, an end cap affixed to the elastic membrane, and a subwoofer speaker system disposed within the housing and supported by a speaker support. A bubble sound source may be defined by the speaker support, the speaker diaphragm, an anterior end of the housing, the elastic membrane, and the end cap. The housing, end piece, and a posterior surface of the speaker support may form a sealed enclosure. The sound system may include a tuning pipe disposed between the sealed enclosure and the bubble sound source. A Helmholtz resonator may be disposed anteriorly of the speaker system. Multiple sound system may be assembled to form a cluster. The cluster may be defined by the vertices of regular polyhedron. The sound systems may be controlled to maintain the speaker systems within acceptable thermal limits.

A transducer assembly comprises a housing and a plurality of frequency steered transducer array elements. Each of the transducer array elements includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The frequency steered transducer array elements are configured to receive a transmit electronic signal including a plurality of frequency components and to transmit an array of sonar beams into a body of water. Each sonar beam is transmitted in an angular direction that varies according to one of the frequency components of the transmit electronic signal. The frequency steered transducer array elements are positioned within the housing in a fan-shaped configuration where an end section of at least two of the frequency steered transducer array elements are within an intersection range of each other.