DEVICES AND SYSTEMS FOR PROVIDING A RETRACTABLE UNIT WITHIN A WATERCRAFT HULL

Abstract

Examples devices and systems are provided herein for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft. Such devices and systems include a housing that defines an interior volume, a biasing mechanism, and a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism. The retractable portion includes an acoustic element and an acoustic fluid. The retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position. When the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment. When the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.

Claims

1. A device for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft, the device comprising: a housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume; a biasing mechanism; and a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: an acoustic element; and an acoustic fluid, wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first position is configured such that the acoustic element can emit an angled acoustic beam that is unobstructed by the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractable portion is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an external force exerted on a wall of the retractable portion, the external force being larger than a force exerted by the biasing mechanism.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractable portion is movable from the second position to the first position in response to a force exerted by the biasing mechanism.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic element is tiltable.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the acoustic element is tiltable to an angle of up to 60 degrees from a horizontal axis.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the acoustic element is freely pivotable about a pivot axis such that an orientation of the acoustic element is subject to a force of gravity, and wherein the retractable portion and the pivot axis are configured such that an emitting face of the acoustic element points in a direction that is parallel to the force of gravity when the device is tilted.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a locking mechanism that selectively maintains the retractable portion in the second position.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the locking mechanism is a latch.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer wall of the retractable portion is rounded.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein cables within the interior volume of the housing are offset from a vertical axis of the retractable portion such that when the retractable portion is in the second position, the cables do not experience tension.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein an outer diameter of the device is less than or equal to 60 millimeters.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing is comprised of a non-plastic material.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the device further comprises a damper.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the housing comprises a fluid.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein the fluid is castor oil.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein the biasing mechanism includes a fluid that compresses when the retractable portion is in the second position and exerts a force in response to being compressed that biases the retractable portion toward moving to the first position.

19. A device for mounting a unit within a hull of a watercraft, the device comprising: a housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume; a biasing mechanism; and a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: the unit; and an acoustic fluid, wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the unit is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the unit is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.

20. A system for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft, the system comprising: the watercraft, wherein the watercraft comprises a hull; a housing disposed within the hull, the housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume; a biasing mechanism; and a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: an acoustic element; and an acoustic fluid, wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.

Description

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an example watercraft with an example device mounted within a hull of the watercraft, in accordance with some embodiments described herein;

[0029] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example device with a retractable portion, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0030] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the example device of FIG. 1 with the retractable portion in a retracted position, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0031] FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the example device of FIG. 1 with the retractable portion in an extended position, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0032] FIG. 4A shows an example watercraft with a device having a retractable portion, the watercraft approaching a rock and the retractable portion being in an extended position, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0033] FIG. 4B shows the watercraft of FIG. 4A with the device passing over the rock, the retractable portion being in a retracted position, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0034] FIG. 4C shows the watercraft of FIGS. 4A-4B with the device having passed over the rock, the retractable portion being in the extended position, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein;

[0035] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an example system, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein; and

[0036] FIG. 6 shows an example method for manufacturing a device, in accordance with some embodiments discussed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] Some example embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all example embodiments are shown. Indeed, the examples described and pictured herein should not be construed as being limiting as to the scope, applicability or configuration of the present disclosure. Rather, these example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

[0038] As depicted in FIG. 1, a watercraft 100 (e.g., a vessel) configured to traverse a marine environment, e.g., body of water 101, may have one or more sonar transducers mounted within the hull 103, such as the device 109. As illustrated, the sonar transducer is positioned below the top surface 104 of the body of water 101. The device 109 may include a sonar transducer that emits a beam 102 in an angled and downward direction with respect to the watercraft (despite the hull 103 in which the device 109 is mounted being angled). The watercraft 100 may be a surface watercraft, a submersible watercraft, or any other implementation known to those skilled in the art.

[0039] Depending on the configuration, the watercraft 100 may include a main propulsion motor 105, such as an outboard or inboard motor. Additionally, the watercraft 100 may include a trolling motor 108 configured to propel the watercraft 100 or maintain a position. The motor 105 and/or the trolling motor 108 may be steerable using a steering wheel, or in some embodiments, the watercraft 100 may have an autopilot navigation assembly that is operable to steer the motor 105 and/or the trolling motor 108, when engaged. The autopilot navigation assembly may be connected to or within a marine electronic device 107, or it may be located anywhere else on the watercraft 100. Alternatively, it may be located remotely, or in other embodiments, the watercraft 100 may not have an autopilot navigation assembly at all.

[0040] The watercraft 100 may also include one or more marine electronic devices 107, such as may be utilized by a user to interact with, view, or otherwise control various aspects of the watercraft and its various marine systems described herein. In the illustrated embodiment, the marine electronic device 107 is positioned proximate the helm (e.g., steering wheel) of the watercraft 100 although other places on the watercraft 100 are contemplated. Likewise, additionally or alternatively, a users mobile device may include functionality of a marine electronic device.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a device 200 with a retractable portion 204 in an extended position with respect to a housing 202 of the device 200. The device 200 is configured to be able to be mounted within a hull of a watercraft (e.g., the hull 103 of the watercraft 100 in FIG. 1). The housing 202 of the device 200 includes a base 203 and a wall 205, the wall 205 extending out from the base 203. In some embodiments, the housing 202 may be comprised of a non-plastic material, but in other embodiments, the housing 202 may be comprised of any other type of material. An outer portion of the wall 205 may include threads 206 for mounting in the hull of the watercraft, but it should be appreciated that threads 206 are optional. The base 203 and the wall 205 define an interior volume 208 that may comprise a fluid such as castor oil (or any other fluid).

[0042] The device 200 also includes a biasing mechanism 212 disposed within the interior volume 208 of the housing 202. The biasing mechanism 212 is connected to the base 203 and the retractable portion 204 in a way that causes the retractable portion 204 to remain in the extended state when there is an absence of external forces above a certain threshold being exerted on the retractable portion 204. The biasing mechanism 212 may be a spring in some embodiments, or in other embodiments, the biasing mechanism 212 may be any other type of biasing mechanism. For example, in some embodiments, the biasing mechanism 212 may include a fluid that compresses when the retractable portion 204 is in a retracted position (e.g., as shown and described with respect to FIG. 3A) and exerts a force in response to being compressed that biases the retractable portion 204 toward moving to the extended position (e.g., as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3B).

[0043] The retractable portion 204 is disposed at least partially within the interior volume 208 and is connected to the biasing mechanism 212. The retractable portion 204 includes an acoustic element 218 and an acoustic fluid 214, and the retractable portion 204 is biased to an extended position from a retracted position. That is, when the retractable portion 204 is in the extended position, the acoustic element 218 is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, and, when the retractable portion 204 is in the retracted position, the acoustic element 218 is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device 200 from external elements. This enables the device 200 to protect the acoustic transducer 218 and its other components when it, e.g., encounters obstacles. As shown in FIG. 2, the retractable portion 204 may have an outer wall 216 that is rounded or otherwise shaped to overcome obstacles and/or forces. For example, the rounded outer wall 216 shown in FIG. 2 encourages the retractable portion 204 to move from the extended state to the retracted state when, e.g., it encounters a force from an external object (e.g., as will be shown and described with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C).

[0044] The housing 202 of the device 200 may further include a flange 220 that extends out from the housing 202 in order to, e.g., keep the device 200 better mounted within a hull of a watercraft. The device 200 may also include a lip 221 between the housing 202 and the retractable portion 204 that keeps the retractable portion 204 from becoming detached from the device 200. It should be appreciated that, although the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes the flange 220 and the lip 221, that other configurations for keeping the device 200 mounted within a hull of a watercraft and keeping the retractable portion 204 from becoming detached are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

[0045] One or more cable(s) 210 may be disposed within the interior volume 208 of the housing 202. Such cable(s) 210 may serve to connect elements within the retractable portion 204 to, e.g., a marine electronic device (or any other type of device). As shown, the cable(s) 210 within the interior volume 208 of the housing 202 are offset from a vertical axis VA of the retractable portion 204 such that, when the retractable portion 204 is in the retracted position, the cable(s) 210 do not experience tension. It should be appreciated that, although the cable(s) 210 are offset in FIG. 2, in other embodiments, the cable(s) 210 may not be offset. For example, other measures may be taken within the scope of this disclosure to ensure that the cable(s) 210 do not experience tension and/or tangling when the retractable portion 204 is in the retracted position. It should also be appreciated that, although the cable(s) 210 are included in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, that in other embodiments, a wireless connection may be made such that the cable(s) 210 are not necessary.

[0046] In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the acoustic element 218 may be tilted and/or tiltable. For example, in FIG. 2, the acoustic element 218 has a longitudinal axis LA that is tilted at an angle A from horizontal axis HA. In some embodiments, for example, the angle A may be up to 60 degrees, or in other embodiments, the angle A may be any other size. In some embodiments, the acoustic element 218 may be mounted within the retractable portion 204 such that it is always positioned at a certain angle A with respect to the horizontal axis HA. In other embodiments, however, the acoustic element 218 may be mounted differently. For example, the acoustic element 218 may configured to be freely pivotable about a pivot axis such that an orientation of the acoustic element 218 is subject to a force of gravity, and the retractable portion 204 and the pivot axis may be configured such that an emitting face of the acoustic element 218 points in a facing direction FD that is parallel to the force of gravity when the device 200 is tilted. That is, the acoustic element 218 may be mounted within the retractable portion 204 in such a way so that the facing direction FD of the acoustic element 218 is parallel with the force of gravity. This may enable a same device 200 to be installable within hulls having different deadrise angles without the angle A of the acoustic element 218 having to be manually altered. That is, the freely pivotable feature that may be optionally included may enable the acoustic element 218 to be self-aligning. The following reference, which is related to mounting a transducer within a watercraft hull, is incorporated herein by reference: US Application Number 18/358,988.

[0047] It should be appreciated that, although the retractable portion 204 in FIG. 2 includes an acoustic element 218 and acoustic fluid 214, in other embodiments, the retractable portion 204 may additionally or alternatively include any other unit. For example, in some embodiments, the retractable portion 204 may include a camera or sensor unit instead of or in addition to the acoustic element 218. Other types of units are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 3A shows a cross-sectional view of the device 200 of FIG. 1 with the retractable portion 204 in the retracted position, and FIG. 3B shows a cross-sectional view of the device 200 with the retractable portion 204 in the extended position. As shown in FIG. 3A, when the retractable portion 204 is in the retracted position, an angled acoustic beam 222a emitted by the acoustic element 218 is obstructed by the device 200. As shown in FIG. 3B, when the retractable portion 204 is in the extended position, an angled acoustic beam 222b emitted by the acoustic element 218 is not obstructed by the device 200. This enables the device 200 to emit beams such as the angled acoustic beam 222b, in an unobstructed manner, without increasing the outer diameter of the device 200. For example, in some embodiments, the outer diameter of the device 200 may be less than or equal to 60 millimeters.

[0049] As will be shown and described in more detail with respect to FIGS. 4A-4C, the retractable portion 204 is movable from the extended position to the retracted position in response to an external force exerted on a wall (e.g., the outer wall 216) of the retractable portion 204, the external force being larger than a force exerted by the biasing mechanism 212. Relatedly, the retractable portion 204 is movable from the retracted position to the extended position in response to a force exerted by the biasing mechanism 212.

[0050] In some embodiments, the device 200 may further include a locking mechanism that selectively maintains the retractable portion 204 in the retracted position. This may be useful in specific scenarios. For example, a user may use the locking mechanism to maintain the retractable portion 204 of the device 200 in the retracted position when the watercraft in which the device 200 is mounted is being trailered so as to prevent unwarranted damage to the device 200. As another example, a locking mechanism such as a latch or a twist lock feature may be enabled when the device 200 is simply not in use. Other locking mechanisms and methods are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. Further, in some embodiments, the device 200 may not have a locking feature at all.

[0051] In some embodiments, the device 200 may further include a damper and/or a damping feature that controls the speed with which and/or the manner in which the retractable portion 204 transitions between the retracted position and the extended position (and vice versa). For example, a damping feature may be accomplished via a fluid with a certain viscosity being disposed within the interior volume 208. Additionally or alternatively, a damper may be placed within the interior volume 208 to further control the movement of the retractable portion 204. Other dampers and/or damping features are also contemplated within the scope of this disclosure. Further, in some embodiments, the device 200 may not include a damper and/or a damping feature at all.

[0052] FIGS. 4A-4C show a watercraft 250 with a device 254 having a housing 256 and a retractable portion 258 (collectively 258a, 258b, and 258c). In FIG. 4A, the watercraft 250 is approaching a rock 252, and the retractable portion 258a is in an extended position. In this extended position, the device 256 is able to emit angled acoustic beams into the underwater environment without experiencing obstruction from other parts of the device 256, as shown and described above with respect to FIG. 3A. As shown in FIG. 4B, when the rounded outer wall of the retractable portion 258b encounters the rock 252, the retractable portion 258b retracts from the extended position to a retracted position within the housing 254 so that the device 256 can more smoothly pass over the rock 252 with the watercraft 250. This transition from the extended position to the retracted position occurs as a response to an external force exerted by the rock 252 onto a wall of the retractable portion 258b, the external force by the rock 252 being larger than a force exerted by a biasing mechanism within the device 256. When this transition occurs, the device 256 may pause or otherwise alter its capture of data to account for the obstacle being overcome. As shown in FIG. 4C, when the external force from the rock 252 on the retractable portion 258c ceases, the retractable portion 258c expands from the retracted position to the extended position with respect to the housing 254 so that the device 256 can continue emitting angled acoustic beams that are unobstructed by the device 256. Such movement from the retracted position to the extended position is in response to a force exerted by the biasing mechanism within the device 256.

[0053] It should be appreciated that, in some embodiments, the expansion and/or retraction of the retractable portion 258b may be accomplished without any use of a motor. However, in some other embodiments, a motor may be incorporated within the expansion and/or retraction feature(s) of the device 256.

Example System Architecture

[0054] FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of an example system 600 of various embodiments described herein. The illustrated system 600 includes a marine electronic device 605 and a transducer assembly 662, although other systems and devices may be included in various example systems described herein. For example, as described herein, the system 600 may include, additionally or alternatively to the transducer assembly 662, a different type of unit such as a camera assembly, a sensor assembly, or any other type of assembly. In this regard, the system 600 may include any number of different systems, modules, or components; each of which may comprise any device or means embodied in either hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and software configured to perform one or more corresponding functions described herein.

[0055] The marine electronic device 605 may include a processor 610, a memory 620, a user interface 635, a display 640, one or more sensors (e.g., position sensor 645, other sensors 647, etc.), and a communication interface 630. One or more of the components of the marine electronic device 605 may be located within a housing or could be separated into multiple different housings (e.g., be remotely located).

[0056] The processor 610 may be any means configured to execute various programmed operations or instructions stored in a memory device (e.g., memory 620) such as a device or circuitry operating in accordance with software or otherwise embodied in hardware or a combination of hardware and software (e.g. a processor operating under software control or the processor embodied as an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field programmable gate array (FPGA) specifically configured to perform the operations described herein, or a combination thereof) thereby configuring the device or circuitry to perform the corresponding functions of the processor 610 as described herein. In this regard, the processor 610 may be configured to analyze electrical signals communicated thereto to provide or receive sonar data, sensor data, location data, and/or additional environmental data. For example, the processor 610 may be configured to receive sonar return data, generate sonar image data, and generate one or more sonar images based on the sonar image data.

[0057] In some embodiments, the processor 610 may be further configured to implement sonar signal processing, such as in the form of a sonar signal processor (although in some embodiments, portions of the processor 610 or the sonar signal processor could be located within the transducer assembly 662). In some embodiments, the processor 610 may be configured to perform enhancement features to improve the display characteristics or data or images, collect or process additional data, such as time, temperature, GPS information, waypoint designations, or others, or may filter extraneous data to better analyze the collected data. It may further implement notices and alarms, such as those determined or adjusted by a user, to reflect depth, presence of fish, proximity of other vehicles, e.g., watercraft, etc.

[0058] In an example embodiment, the memory 620 may include one or more non-transitory storage or memory devices such as, for example, volatile and/or non-volatile memory that may be either fixed or removable. The memory 620 may be configured to store instructions, computer program code, marine data, such as sonar data, chart data, location/position data, and other data associated with the navigation system in a non-transitory computer readable medium for use, such as by the processor for enabling the marine electronic device 605 to carry out various functions in accordance with example embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the memory 620 could be configured to buffer input data for processing by the processor 610. Additionally, or alternatively, the memory 620 could be configured to store instructions for execution by the processor 610.

[0059] The communication interface 630 may be configured to enable connection to external systems (e.g., an external network 602). In this manner, the marine electronic device 605 may retrieve stored data from a remote device 661 via the external network 602 in addition to or as an alternative to the onboard memory 620. Additionally or alternatively, the marine electronic device may transmit or receive data, such as sonar signals, sonar returns, sonar image data or the like to or from a transducer assembly 662. In some embodiments, the marine electronic device 605 may also be configured to communicate with other devices or systems (such as through the external network 602 or through other communication networks, such as described herein). For example, the marine electronic device 605 may communicate with a propulsion system of the watercraft (e.g., for autopilot control); a remote device (e.g., a users mobile device, a handheld remote, etc.); or other system.

[0060] The marine electronic device 605 may also include one or more communications modules configured to communicate with one another in any of a number of different manners including, for example, via a network. In this regard, the communications module may include any of a number of different communication backbones or frameworks including, for example, Ethernet, the NMEA 2000 framework, GPS, cellular, WiFi, or other suitable networks. The network may also support other data sources, including GPS, autopilot, engine data, compass, radar, etc. In this regard, numerous other peripheral devices (including other marine electronic devices or transducer assemblies) may be included in the system 600.

[0061] The position sensor 645 may be configured to determine the current position and/or location of the marine electronic device 605 (and/or the watercraft 100). For example, the position sensor 645 may comprise a global positioning system (GPS), bottom contour, inertial navigation system, such as machined electromagnetic sensor (MEMS), a ring laser gyroscope, or other location detection system.

[0062] The display 640, e.g., one or more screens, may be configured to present images and may include or otherwise be in communication with a user interface 635 configured to receive input from a user. The display 640 may be, for example, a conventional LCD (liquid crystal display), a touch screen display, mobile device, or any other suitable display known in the art upon which images may be displayed.

[0063] In some embodiments, the display 640 may present one or more sets of marine data (or images generated from the one or more sets of data). Such marine data includes chart data, radar data, weather data, location data, position data, orientation data, sonar data, or any other type of information relevant to the watercraft. In some embodiments, the display 640 may be configured to present such marine data simultaneously as one or more layers or in split-screen mode. In some embodiments, a user may select any of the possible combinations of the marine data for display.

[0064] In some further embodiments, various sets of data, referred to above, may be superimposed or overlaid onto one another. For example, a route may be applied to (or overlaid onto) a chart (e.g., a map or navigational chart). Additionally, or alternatively, depth information, weather information, radar information, sonar information, or any other navigation system inputs may be applied to one another.

[0065] The user interface 635 may include, for example, a keyboard, keypad, function keys, mouse, scrolling device, input/output ports, touch screen, or any other mechanism by which a user may interface with the system.

[0066] Although the display 640 of FIG. 5 is shown as being directly connected to the processor 610 and within the marine electronic device 605, the display 640 could alternatively be remote from the processor 610 and/or marine electronic device 605. Likewise, in some embodiments, the position sensor 645 and/or user interface 635 could be remote from the marine electronic device 605.

[0067] The marine electronic device 605 may include one or more other sensors 647 configured to measure or sense various other conditions. The other sensors 647 may include, for example, an air temperature sensor, a water temperature sensor, a current sensor, a light sensor, a wind sensor, a speed sensor, or the like.

[0068] The transducer assembly 662 illustrated in FIG. 5 includes a transducer array 667. In some embodiments, more or less transducer arrays could be included, or other transducer elements could be included. As indicated herein, the transducer assembly 662 may also include a sonar signal processor or other processor (although not shown) configured to perform various sonar processing. In some embodiments, the processor (e.g., processor 610 in the marine electronic device 605, a processor (or processor portion) in the transducer assembly 662, or a remote processor or combinations thereof) may be configured to filter sonar return data and/or selectively control transducer elements of the transducer arrays. For example, various processing devices (e.g., a multiplexer, a spectrum analyzer, A-to-D converter, etc.) may be utilized in controlling or filtering sonar return data and/or transmission of sonar signals from the array 667.

[0069] The transducer assembly 662 may also include one or more other systems, such as various sensor(s) 666. For example, the transducer assembly 662 may include an orientation sensor, such as gyroscope or other orientation sensor (e.g., accelerometer, MEMS, etc.) that can be configured to determine the relative orientation of the transducer assembly 662 and/or the array 667 such as with respect to a waterline, the top surface of the body of water, the floor of the body of water, or other reference. In some embodiments, additionally or alternatively, other types of sensor(s) are contemplated, such as, for example, a water temperature sensor, a current sensor, a light sensor, a wind sensor, a speed sensor, or the like.

Example Flowchart

[0070] Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods for manufacturing a device for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft. Various examples of the operations performed in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure will now be provided with reference to FIG. 6.

[0071] FIG. 6 illustrates a flowchart according to an example method 700 for manufacturing a device for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft according to various example embodiments described herein. Operation 702 may include providing a housing with a base and at least one wall. For example, in some embodiments, the base and the at least one wall may define an interior volume, and in some further embodiments, that interior volume may be sealed and comprise an acoustic fluid with a desired viscosity, as described herein. Operation 704 may include providing a biasing mechanism. For example, the biasing mechanism may be a spring, a fluid that provides compressive forces, or any other mechanism. Operation 706 may include connecting a retractable portion to the biasing mechanism and positioning the retractable portion at least partially within the interior volume of the housing. Operation 710 may include installing an acoustic element or other unit within the retractable portion. Additional operations may include installing the housing within a watercraft hull, such as described herein.

[0072] In some embodiments, the method 700 may include additional, optional operations, and/or the operations described above may be modified or augmented.

Conclusion

[0073] Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein may come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the embodiments of the invention are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the invention. Moreover, although the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings describe example embodiments in the context of certain example combinations of elements and/or functions, it should be appreciated that different combinations of elements and/or functions may be provided by alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. In this regard, for example, different combinations of elements and/or functions than those explicitly described above are also contemplated within the scope of the invention. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.