Teledyne Blueview, Inc.

Blueview Technologies, Inc.

R Lee Thompson

Jason Leonard Seawall

Scott Thomas Bachelor

Acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. The acoustic arrays may comprise frequency-steered acoustic arrays provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, which may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Methods and systems for operating acoustic arrays in a frequency-steered mode in combination a mechanical beam steering mode, electronic time-delay and phase shift beam forming modes, and phase comparison angle estimation modes are also provided. Methods for generating two and three dimensional images of underwater target scenes using multi-beam acoustic imaging systems are disclosed.

Systems and methods implementing frequency-steered acoustic arrays for 2D and 3D imaging

Frequency-steered acoustic arrays transmitting and/or receiving multiple, angularly dispersed acoustic beams are used to generate 2D and 3D images. Input pulses to the arrays are generally non-linear, frequency-modulated pulses. Frequency-steered acoustic arrays may be provided in one-dimensional linear and two dimensional planar and curvilinear configurations, may be operated as single order or multiple order arrays, may employ periodic or non-periodic transducer element spacing, and may be mechanically scanned to generate 2D and 3D volumetric data. Multiple imaging fields of view may generated in different directions by switching the polarity of phase-shifted array transducer elements. Multiple frequency-steered arrays arranged in an X-configuration provide a wide, contiguous field of view and multiple frequency steered arrays arranged in a T-configuration provide orthogonally oriented fields of view. Methods and systems for operating acoustic arrays in a frequency-steered mode in combination a mechanical beam steering mode, electronic time-delay and phase shift beam forming modes, and phase comparison angle estimation modes are also provided.

An acoustic video camera system uses acoustic data acquisition systems to produce digital video imagery capable of interfacing with host equipment that operates using standard video formats compatible with video images obtained using optical systems. The acoustic video camera comprises an Acoustic Imager, a Digital Image Compression Component, an I/O and Processing component, and, optionally, an Image Analytics Component. System analytics may provide automated target identification and tracking. All of these components may be incorporated in a submersible acoustic imaging unit having communications capability for interfacing with a host display and control system.

Acoustic video camera and systems incorporating acoustic video cameras

A vessel-mountable integrated sonar system is provided. The vessel-mountable integrated sonar system comprises at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device and at least one processing system electronically and removably connected to the at least one imaging sonar data acquisition device, wherein the sonar data acquisition device preferably provides acoustic data to the processing system, producing sonar imageries utilizing the acoustic data, and wherein the system provides digital tilt and azimuth direction feedback for accurate geo-referencing of data to localize targets of interest.

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Kirkland, WA, United States of America

R Lee Thompson