Sonar transducer support assembly systems and methods
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a mounting bracket;
a transducer support arm;
a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that,for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against those forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, andfor forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket; and
an end stop mechanism rotatably disposed on the pivoting mechanism for rotational movement relative to the mounting bracket and the transducer support arm, the end stop mechanism includinga location pin configured to engage within one of a plurality of adjustment holes disposed in the transducer support arm and arrayed in a semicircular pattern about the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the end stop mechanism relative to the transducer support arm, anda stop tab disposed to abut the mounting bracket when the transducer support arm is disposed in the first angular position to prevent further rotation of the transducer support arm away from the mounting bracket.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Techniques are disclosed for systems and methods for providing accurate and reliable compact sonar systems for mobile structures. In one embodiment, a sonar system includes a mounting bracket, a transducer support arm, and a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against such forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a mounting bracket; a transducer support arm; a pivoting mechanism pivotably coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against those forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket; and an end stop mechanism rotatably disposed on the pivoting mechanism for rotational movement relative to the mounting bracket and the transducer support arm, the end stop mechanism including a location pin configured to engage within one of a plurality of adjustment holes disposed in the transducer support arm and arrayed in a semicircular pattern about the pivoting mechanism to prevent rotation of the end stop mechanism relative to the transducer support arm, and a stop tab disposed to abut the mounting bracket when the transducer support arm is disposed in the first angular position to prevent further rotation of the transducer support arm away from the mounting bracket. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method, comprising:
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providing a mounting bracket; pivotably coupling a transducer support arm to the mounting bracket with a pivoting mechanism such that, for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism holds the transducer support arm against those forces and at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket, and for forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level, the pivoting mechanism allows the transducer support arm to be moved by those forces to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket; rotatably disposing an end stop mechanism on the pivoting mechanism for rotational movement relative to the mounting bracket and the transducer support arm; rotating the transducer support arm to the first angular position relative to the mounting bracket; and engaging a location pin on the end stop mechanism within one of a plurality of adjustment holes disposed in the transducer support arm and arrayed in a semicircular pattern about the pivoting mechanism such that the end stop mechanism is prevented from rotating relative to the transducer support arm, and a stop tab disposed on the end stop mechanism is disposed in abutment with the mounting bracket so as to prevent further rotation of the transducer support arm away from the mounting bracket. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method, comprising:
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providing a mounting bracket; providing a transducer support arm; and pivotally coupling the transducer support arm to the mounting bracket with a pivoting mechanism that holds the transducer support arm at a user selectable first angular position relative to the mounting bracket and against forces acting on the transducer support arm that are less than a preselected kick-up level, and allows the transducer support arm to be moved to a second angular position relative to the mounting bracket by forces acting on the transducer support arm that are equal to or greater than the preselected kick-up level; rotatably disposing an end stop mechanism on the pivoting mechanism for rotational movement relative to the mounting bracket and the transducer support arm; rotating the transducer support arm to the first angular position relative to the mounting bracket; and engaging a location pin on the end stop mechanism within one of a plurality of adjustment holes disposed in the transducer support arm and arrayed in a semicircular pattern about the pivoting mechanism such that the end stop mechanism is prevented from rotating relative to the transducer support arm, and a stop tab disposed on the end stop mechanism is disposed in abutment with the mounting bracket so as to prevent further rotation of the transducer support arm away from the mounting bracket. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17)
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Specification