Transducer identification
First Claim
1. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
- at least one echosounder;
at least one ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal, and containing identification information related to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; and
a communications bus coupling the at least one echosounder and the at least one transducer, the communications bus communicating the detected echo signal and the identification information from the at least one transducer to the at least one echosounder based on a bi-directional communication protocol.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A transducer identification system provides transducer characteristic information to an echosounder. The echosounder, in turn, utilizes the transducer characteristic information to alter its functionality or parameters to optimize its performance. The transducer characteristic information can be any combination of a) the resonant frequencies of the transducer; b) the impedances of the transducer at the transducer'"'"'s resonant frequencies; c) the transducer'"'"'s power rating; d) the date of manufacture of the transducer; e) the peak transmitting voltage response of the transducer; f) the receiving voltage response of the transducer; g) the figure of merit of the transducer; h) the model number of the transducer; i) the serial number of the transducer; j) the transducer'"'"'s aging coefficient; k) information regarding the configuration of the transducer, such as the housing style, arrangement of piezoelectric elements, and type of acoustic window; l) the beam width of the transducer; m) configuration and calibration information regarding an included temperature sensor; and n) configuration and calibration information regarding an included speed sensor.
53 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
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at least one echosounder; at least one ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal, and containing identification information related to the at least one ultrasonic transducer; and a communications bus coupling the at least one echosounder and the at least one transducer, the communications bus communicating the detected echo signal and the identification information from the at least one transducer to the at least one echosounder based on a bi-directional communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and digitizing the echo signal; and a digital data bus for coupling transducer identification information and the digitized signal to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel.
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7. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer including; a housing adapted to be mounted below the waterline, the housing containing at least one piezoelectric element for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and including at least one member selected from the group comprising;
a speed sensor for providing a digitized signal of a speed of the vessel and a temperature sensor for providing a digitized signal of a temperature of water; anda digital data bus for coupling transducer identification information and the digitized signals to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel.
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8. A method comprising:
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mounting a housing containing at least one piezoelectric element of an ultrasonic transducer below the waterline on a marine vessel for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal; mounting an echosounder on the marine vessel; and coupling transducer identification information and the detected echo signal to the echosounder over the communications bus based on a bi-directional communication protocol. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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12. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer adapted to be mounted below the waterline for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal; and a communications bus for coupling transducer identification information and the detected echo signal to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel based on a bi-directional communication protocol.
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13. A transducer identification system for a marine vessel, comprising:
an ultrasonic transducer including; a housing adapted to be mounted below the waterline, the housing containing at least one piezoelectric element for generating an acoustic signal and detecting an echo signal and including at least one member selected from the group comprising;
a speed sensor for providing a speed signal of a speed of the vessel and a temperature sensor for providing a temperature signal of a temperature of water; anda communications bus for coupling transducer identification information and the signals to an echosounder adapted to be mounted on the marine vessel based on a bi-directional communication protocol.
Specification