Underwater sound localization system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for localizing a source of acoustic signals, comprising:
- an array of first type transducer means for converting acoustic signals to corresponding electrical signals, said array of first type transducer means comprising two sets of at least two transducers each and mutually separated laterally by a first fixed distance, each set of said first type transducers comprising at least a front transducer and a rear transducer and separated by a second fixed distance, said front and rear transducers of both sets of first type transducers having relatively low impedance output terminals and generating electrical output signals corresponding to the acoustic signals sensed thereby and emanating from said source;
first potentiometer means coupled across the output terminals of one set of said first type transducers and having a first movable output terminal;
second potentiometer means coupled across the output terminals of the other set of said first type transducers and having a second movable output terminal;
means responsive to the motion of an acoustic sensor remote from said array of first type transducers and being coupled to and moving said first and second movable output terminals of said first and second potentiometer means in mutually opposite directions; and
second type transducer means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second potentiometer means for converting electrical signals to corresponding acoustic signals located in proximity to said acoustic sensor;
whereby the motion of the acoustic sensor varies the settings of said potentiometer means, causing phase mixing of the respective output signals from the front and rear transducers of both sets of said first type transducers to provide an indication of the location of the source of the sounds relative to the array by utilizing the time difference between the arrival of said acoustic signals at both sets of said first type transducer means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A control system connected to a passive underwater transducer array is located remotely from the array, e.g. above the surface of the water, to localize an underwater source of acoustic energy in a relatively simple manner by introducing listener-motion, such as head turning or body motion of a listener, into the sound localization process and does so without any underwater mechanical linkage of any kind. This is achieved by a pair of listener-motion coupled potentiometers, referred to as mixing-pots, located at the site of the listener, being connected to the outputs of an array of passive acoustic transducers, with the two outputs of the mixing-pots being coupled to a pair of headphones worn by the listener.
198 Citations
25 Claims
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1. Apparatus for localizing a source of acoustic signals, comprising:
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an array of first type transducer means for converting acoustic signals to corresponding electrical signals, said array of first type transducer means comprising two sets of at least two transducers each and mutually separated laterally by a first fixed distance, each set of said first type transducers comprising at least a front transducer and a rear transducer and separated by a second fixed distance, said front and rear transducers of both sets of first type transducers having relatively low impedance output terminals and generating electrical output signals corresponding to the acoustic signals sensed thereby and emanating from said source; first potentiometer means coupled across the output terminals of one set of said first type transducers and having a first movable output terminal; second potentiometer means coupled across the output terminals of the other set of said first type transducers and having a second movable output terminal; means responsive to the motion of an acoustic sensor remote from said array of first type transducers and being coupled to and moving said first and second movable output terminals of said first and second potentiometer means in mutually opposite directions; and second type transducer means coupled to the output terminals of said first and second potentiometer means for converting electrical signals to corresponding acoustic signals located in proximity to said acoustic sensor; whereby the motion of the acoustic sensor varies the settings of said potentiometer means, causing phase mixing of the respective output signals from the front and rear transducers of both sets of said first type transducers to provide an indication of the location of the source of the sounds relative to the array by utilizing the time difference between the arrival of said acoustic signals at both sets of said first type transducer means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. Apparatus for localizing a source of underwater acoustic signals from a remote location, comprising:
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a passive array of hydrophones located on an underwater vehicle for converting acoustic signals to corresponding electrical signals, said array of hydrophones comprising two sets of hydrophones separated laterally by a first fixed distance, each said set of hydrophones further comprising at least a front hydrophone and a rear hydrophone separated by a second fixed distance, said front and rear hydrophones of both sets of hydrophones having respective outputs and generating electrical output signals corresponding to the acoustic signals sensed thereby and emanating from said source; a first potentiometer coupled across the outputs of one set of said hydrophones and having a first movable output signal tap; a second potentiometer coupled across the outputs of the other set of said hydrophones and having a second movable output signal tap; means responsive to at least the turning motion of a listener'"'"'s ahead remote from said underwater vehicle and being coupled to and moving said first and second movable output signal taps of said potentiometers in mutually opposite directions; and a pair of headphones adapted to be worn by the listener and being coupled to the output signal taps of said first and second potentiometers for converting electrical signals to corresponding acoustic signals emanating from said source and coupling said acoustic signals to the ears of the listener; whereby the direction from which acoustic signals impinge on the array of hydrophones is resolved by the turning motion of at least the listener'"'"'s head varying the position of the output signal taps of said first and second potentiometers. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification