Acoustical imaging interferometer for detection of buried underwater objects
First Claim
1. A system for detecting underwater buried objects comprising:
- an acoustical camera adapted to produce three dimensional volumetric images of an underwater target area volume of an underwater floor;
an acoustic transducer adapted to apply an acoustic pulse to the target area volume so as to cause displacement of materials included in the target area volume; and
a controller adapted to coordinate operation of the camera and the acoustic transducer, wherein a first volumetric image of the target area volume is produced before the acoustic pulse is applied, and a second volumetric image of the target area volume is produced while the acoustic pulse is present in the target area volume.
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Abstract
Techniques for underwater detection of fully or partially buried objects such as sea mines and underwater cables are disclosed. An acoustical camera produces three dimensional volumetric images of a target area volume of an underwater floor. One or more first images are produced of the target area volume. An acoustical transducer pulse is then directed to the target area volume so as to disturb the loose particulate or elastic matter included in the target area. One or more second images are then produced while the pulse is present in the target area volume. The images can be compared for evidence of buried objects, or to otherwise evaluate objects included in the target area. The camera can be configured with an interferometer mode so as to produce volumetric images at a real-time frame rate.
30 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for detecting underwater buried objects comprising:
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an acoustical camera adapted to produce three dimensional volumetric images of an underwater target area volume of an underwater floor;
an acoustic transducer adapted to apply an acoustic pulse to the target area volume so as to cause displacement of materials included in the target area volume; and
a controller adapted to coordinate operation of the camera and the acoustic transducer, wherein a first volumetric image of the target area volume is produced before the acoustic pulse is applied, and a second volumetric image of the target area volume is produced while the acoustic pulse is present in the target area volume. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for detecting underwater buried objects comprising:
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an acoustical camera adapted to produce three dimensional volumetric images of an underwater target area volume of an underwater floor;
an acoustic transducer adapted to apply an acoustic pulse to the target area volume so as to cause displacement of materials included in the target area volume; and
a controller adapted to coordinate operation of the camera and the acoustic transducer, so that a volumetric image of the target area volume is produced while the acoustic pulse is present in the target area volume, thereby allowing buried objects to be detected based on relative movements in the target volume area. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method for detecting underwater buried objects comprising:
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producing one or more three dimensional volumetric images of an underwater target area volume of an underwater floor;
applying an acoustic pulse to the target area volume so as to cause displacement of materials included in the target area volume; and
producing one or more second volumetric images of the target area volume while the acoustic pulse is present in the target area volume. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification