EP0062686A1 - Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos - Google Patents

Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0062686A1
EP0062686A1 EP81102837A EP81102837A EP0062686A1 EP 0062686 A1 EP0062686 A1 EP 0062686A1 EP 81102837 A EP81102837 A EP 81102837A EP 81102837 A EP81102837 A EP 81102837A EP 0062686 A1 EP0062686 A1 EP 0062686A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
shaft
movement
vertical
transducer
lever
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP81102837A
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German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Kenneth G. Wingate
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to EP81102837A priority Critical patent/EP0062686A1/fr
Publication of EP0062686A1 publication Critical patent/EP0062686A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/18—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound
    • G10K11/26—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning
    • G10K11/35—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams
    • G10K11/352—Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using mechanical steering of transducers or their beams by moving the transducer

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the art of adjustable position electronic depth finders or SONAR depth sounders for use in water by pleasure boating enthusiasts and serious fishermen as a navigational aid and as a fish finder so as to overcome underwater blindness.
  • This invention can be used as a tool to serve as eyes and ears under the water.
  • Electronic depth finders or SONAR transducer depth sounders have been known and used for many years. They are also called by various other names; such as depth flasher, fish locator, fish flasher, depth meter, depth recorder and scanning SONAR.
  • SONAR was introduced around the time of World War II.
  • the word SONAR is an acronym for "sounding, navigation and ranging.”
  • a sound tone is created electronically and sent out into the water in a cone-like fashion.
  • the speed of sound in water is about 4,950 feet per second.
  • part of the sound is reflected back to the source as an echo. By carefully timing how long it takes for the echo to return, it is possible to determine the distance between the object and the source.
  • the relatively low cost electronic depth finders that are widely used today by avid fisherman employ a main battery-operated control box located in the boat and having an electronic device that creates an electrical impulse which travels from the main box through an electrical cable to a transducer device that is generally placed in the water.
  • the transducer is a controlled sound wave energy transmitter and receiver that converts the electrical impulse into a high-frequency sound impulse that is inaudible to the fish as well as to humans.
  • the transducer may be aimed at the bottom of the body of water, or at a rock, at a sunken tree, or a school of fish.
  • the echo bounces back to the transducer which reconverts that sound back into an electrical impulse which shows up on a dial that reads directly in feet or fathoms.
  • the main box may include a volume sensitivity or gain control so that the sound signal may be adjusted loud enough to bounce back an echo if the water is very deep or the body of water has a soft mud bottom which tends to absorb the sound.
  • the principal object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means for the transducer of an electronic depth finder apparatus so the transducer may have as many as three planes of movement, either in unison or in combination; namely, swinging movement in a vertical plane, unlimited rotational movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis, and up and down vertical movement between a lower "searching" position and an upper "running” position.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means of the class described using a large threaded shaft as the main element having a top operating lever and a cooperating bottom controlled lever or support lever on which the transducer is mounted.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means of the class described with a motion transmitting means joining the two top and bottom levers, in the form of a rack and pinion mechanism.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means of the class described with an electrical cable feeding down through the shaft and electrically-connected between the transducer and a combined impulse control means and read-out positioned on the boat.
  • a further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means of the class described wherein the threaded shaft is mounted through an oil-filled cylinder bearing so that the shaft is self-lubricated.
  • a still further object of the present invention is to provide an adjustable mounting means of the class described wherein the rack and pinion mechanism is immersed in a bath of oil within the shaft so that the mechanism is self-lubricated.
  • the present invention provides an adjustable mounting means for the transducer of an electronic depth finder apparatus having a vertical shaft movably supported from a fixed mounting means.
  • the shaft has a top operating lever and a cooperating bottom controlled lever or support lever on which the transducer is mounted.
  • a motion transmitting means joins the two top and bottom levers so the levers act in motion whereby the transducer may be capable of three planes of movement; namely, swinging movement in a vertical plane, unlimited rotational movement in a horizontal plane about a vertical axis, and up and down vertical movement between a lower "searching" position and a upper “running” position.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a small motorboat 10 having mounted on its stern 12 the electronic depth finder apparatus 14 of the present invention, shown in its "searching" position.
  • the apparatus can only be operated by a person positioned near the stern of the boat.
  • the body of water 16 is shown with three prominent areas of interest; a school of fish, the bottom of the body of water, and a shallow ledge or drop-off.
  • the bottom portion of the apparatus 14 includes a transducer 26 which transmits sound waves which descend in a cone-like fashion as seen at 28, much like the light rays of a search light.
  • FIG. 2 shows a large houseboat 30 having the electronic depth finder apparatus 14 of the present invention mounted amidship up through the hull 32 of the boat so that the Captain of the boat can operate the apparatus from the bridge 34 of the boat, near the bow 36 thereof.
  • FIG. 3 shows a fragmentary, partial, cross-sectional side elevational view at the stern 12 of the motorboat 10.
  • the electronic depth finder apparatus 14 has a fixed mounting means 40 for attaching the apparatus to the-stern 12 of the motorboat. This is a protective position for the transducer 26 because the apparatus may be lowered into its "searching" position, as is shown in FIG. 3, or it may be raised into its “running” position, above the bottom of the hull, as is shown in FIG. 7, so as to be protected from hitting obstructions such as floating logs, debris, underwater structures, etc.
  • the main element of the depth finder apparatus 14 is a large vertical, externally-threaded shaft 42 which is adjustably mounted to the fixed mounting means 40 both vertically and rotationally by turning the shaft relative to the mounting means, as will be explained later with reference to FIG. 5.
  • a first movable controlled lever or support lever 46 is pivotally mounted to the shaft and is capable of movement in a vertical plane through a wide angle that approaches about 270°.
  • a second movable operating lever 50 is pivotally mounted to the shaft, and it is likewise capable of movement in a vertical plane through a wide angle that approaches about 270°.
  • a motion transmitting means is provided within the shaft 42 to couple between the top operating lever 50 and the bottom controlled lever or support lever 46, as will be explained later in detail with reference to FIG. 5. Hence, a given movement of the top lever will cause a predetermined like-movement of the bottom lever. It is this bottom lever 46 to which the transducer 26 is attached.
  • each lever 46 and 50 is formed as a U-shaped bracket member with parallel side arms 54 and a cross piece 56.
  • the cross piece 56 of the top operating lever or bracket 50 has a handle extension 58 for ease in changing the position of or aiming the lever during use.
  • a through-bolt 60 extends through suitable holes near the free ends of the side arms 54 of the bracket and completely through the top portion 48 of the shaft 42 to serve as a pivot means of the bracket. The location of this through-bolt is such that the U-shaped bracket is capable of swinging free over the top end of the shaft for movement between the opposite sides of the shaft.
  • the through-bolt 60 is provided with opposite end extensions 62 that serve as periscopic handles for ease in rotating the shaft 42 about its vertical longitudinal axis.
  • the lower controlled lever or support bracket 46 * may be formed the same as the top U-shaped bracket except with parts 54', 54', 56', 58', and 60'.
  • a transverse locking pin 64 is shown in FIG. 4 extending through suitable aligned holes in the side arms 54, 54 and the shaft 42 so as to lock the operating lever 50 and hence the controlled lever 46 in their vertical positions, as is shown in full lines in both FIGS. 3 and 4.
  • a box 68, of the electronic depth finder apparatus 14, is shown for placement in the boat, and it represents a combined impulse control means and read-out.
  • This box has a plug-in connection means 70 at the back for receiving a connector of an electrical cable 72 therein.
  • This cable is fed into a side access opening 74 in the side of the shaft, near the top thereof and then down through a hollow portion of the shaft, and then out of another side access opening 76 near the bottom of the shaft.
  • the the cable 72 is loosely looped to the side arm 54' of the lower controlled lever 46 and then joined as a integral part of the transducer 26.
  • a heavy- duty elastic band 78 serves to strap the transducer 26 to the handle extension 58' of the U-shaped lever or bracket 46.
  • Adhesive tape 80 may be used to secure the cable 72 snag-free to the side arm 54'.
  • a pair of vertically spaced stop rings 84 and 86 are threaded onto the shaft 42 to serve as vertical movement limit means when the shaft 42 is rotated about the fixed mounting means 40. Notice in FIG. 7 that the lower stop ring 86 has engaged the fixed mounting 40 so that the shaft 42 may not rise any higher. Also notice that the transducer 26 is in its raised or "running" position above the bottom of the boat's hull so as to be protected from damage by underwater obstacles during running of the boat.
  • FIG. 5 of the externally-threaded vertical shaft 42
  • the shaft has two hollow channels which are formed therethrough, as is best seen in the transverse cross-sectional view of FIG. 6.
  • the two side access openings 74 and 76 for the cable 72 communicate with this offset circular channel 90.
  • Elongated LEXAN plugs may be inserted in the portion of the channel 90 above the topmost side access opening 74, as well as in the portion of the channel 90 below the bottommost side access opening 76 so as to seal off these unused end portions of the channel 90. Rubber plugs act as a seal for cable 72.
  • a motion transmitting means Positioned within the rectangular-shaped channel 88 is a motion transmitting means which joins the top operating lever 50 with the bottom controlled lever 46.
  • This motion transmitting means includes a rack and pinion mechanism that includes a pair of pinion gears 94 and 96 that are joined by a common rack member 98 that meshes therewith.
  • the top pinion 94 threads onto the center of the through-bolt 60 of the top operating lever or bracket 50, while the bottom pinion 96 threads onto the center of the through-bolt 60' of the bottom controlled lever or bracket 46.
  • the rack member 98 need not have teeth for its entire length because of the limited reciprocating movement of the.rack member between its extreme top and bottom positions.
  • the midportion 100 of the rack member 98 is of hollow rectangular shape, as is best seen in FIGS. 5 and 6.
  • the rack member 98 has a plurality of rack teeth 102 at the opposite ends 104 and 106.
  • the top pinion gear 94 is turned which causes the travel of the rack member 98, since the pinion engages with the teeth 102 of the upper rack section 104. Any vertical movement of the rack member 98 causes the turning action of the bottom pinion gear 96 because the teeth 102 of the lower rack section 106 mesh with the teeth of the pinion 96.
  • the bottom of the hollow shaft 42 is sealed by a screw-on end cap 110, while the top of the shaft is likewise sealed by a similar screw-on end cap 112.
  • a transmission oil is provided in this sealed hollow shaft to serve as a self-lubricating means for the rack and pinion mechanism 94, 96 and 98.
  • the hollow midportion 100 of the rack member allows the oil to flow freely within the hollow shaft as the rack member rises and falls, so that the oil does not become compressed as in a piston and cylinder environment.
  • FIG. 5 there is a cylinder or pipe section 114 having internal threads 116 at the top and bottom ends.
  • a top 118 and a bottom 120 anchoring and rotation collars joined to the cylinder 114 to form a sealed cylinder or bearing.
  • Each top and bottom collar 118 and 120 has an internally- threaded opening 122 that are aligned with each other to receive the externally-threaded shaft 42 downwardly therethrough.
  • Each top 118 and bottom 120 anchoring and rotation collar has mounting flanges 124 with suitable openings for receiving mounting bolts 126 therethrough for fastening this entire assembly 14 to the stern 12 of the boat 10.
  • This sealed cylinder 114 is likewise supplied with oil so that the external threads of the shaft 42 are self-lubricating.
  • FIG . 1 the present invention is shown mounted on the stern of a small motorboat, while in FIG. 2 this invention is applied .to a houseboat 30 through the hull 32.
  • FIG. 8 is a more detailed showing of the mounting means of the present invention in the hull 32 of a large boat, such as a houseboat.
  • Element 130 is a fixed mounting means comprising a cylinder or pipe section 132 that is internally threaded at each end. Sealed to the bottom is an elongated bottom anchoring and rotation collar which screws into the lower end of the cylinder 132 and has a lower mounting flange 136 and rubber sealing gasket 137 with suitable openings for receiving mounting bolts 138 therethrough.
  • This bottom collar member being elongated forms a recessed housing for receiving the lower end 44 of the threaded shaft 42.
  • the hull 32 has an opening for allowing the shaft 42 and transducer 26 to be lowered into its "searching" position, at will.
  • a top anchoring and rotation collar 142 that is screwed into place. This top collar slips through a hole 144 in deck 146, and is provided with a mounting flange 148 with mounting bolts 150. This cylinder 132 is likewise supplied with oil so the shaft 42 will continue to be self-lubricating.
  • plastic, rubber and stainless steel materials are preferred because of the rust and corrosion problems created by the immersion in water.
  • the following parts may be molded of plastic such as Lexan ® resin or the like: threaded shaft 42, cylinder section 114, collars 118, 120, rack member 98, pinions 94 and 96, levers 46 and 50, top and bottom caps 112 and 110, and top and bottom stop rings 84 and 86, and bolts 60 and 60'.
  • the following hardware parts may be of stainless steel or the like: mounting bolts 126 and 150, locking pin 64.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
EP81102837A 1981-04-14 1981-04-14 Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos Withdrawn EP0062686A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP81102837A EP0062686A1 (fr) 1981-04-14 1981-04-14 Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP81102837A EP0062686A1 (fr) 1981-04-14 1981-04-14 Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0062686A1 true EP0062686A1 (fr) 1982-10-20

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ID=8187658

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EP81102837A Withdrawn EP0062686A1 (fr) 1981-04-14 1981-04-14 Position ajustable d'un transducteur pour soudage par échos

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EP (1) EP0062686A1 (fr)

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107976178A (zh) * 2017-12-12 2018-05-01 中国石油天然气集团公司 一种水下检测装置
CN108844554A (zh) * 2018-07-03 2018-11-20 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 一种室外多波束测深仪几何性能校准装置
CN110568425A (zh) * 2019-09-04 2019-12-13 中南大学 一种用于探头安装的水下三自由度装置
CN117705066A (zh) * 2023-11-30 2024-03-15 重庆市小蜜蜂测绘服务有限公司 一种水下环境测绘装置

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1021765B (de) * 1954-06-15 1957-12-27 Electroacustic Gmbh Signalvorrichtung
US2837727A (en) * 1951-01-10 1958-06-03 Fred M Mayes Position adjustable hydrophone
FR1181666A (fr) * 1956-08-29 1959-06-17 Simonsen Radio As Perfectionnements aux appareils de sondage par écho
DE1072161B (fr) * 1959-12-24
US3752431A (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-08-14 Lowrance Electronics Mfg Apparatus for mounting a transducer to the transom of a boat
US3989216A (en) * 1975-10-16 1976-11-02 Veatch Don W Transducer mounting bracket

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE1072161B (fr) * 1959-12-24
US2837727A (en) * 1951-01-10 1958-06-03 Fred M Mayes Position adjustable hydrophone
DE1021765B (de) * 1954-06-15 1957-12-27 Electroacustic Gmbh Signalvorrichtung
FR1181666A (fr) * 1956-08-29 1959-06-17 Simonsen Radio As Perfectionnements aux appareils de sondage par écho
US3752431A (en) * 1971-09-10 1973-08-14 Lowrance Electronics Mfg Apparatus for mounting a transducer to the transom of a boat
US3989216A (en) * 1975-10-16 1976-11-02 Veatch Don W Transducer mounting bracket

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN107976178A (zh) * 2017-12-12 2018-05-01 中国石油天然气集团公司 一种水下检测装置
CN108844554A (zh) * 2018-07-03 2018-11-20 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 一种室外多波束测深仪几何性能校准装置
CN108844554B (zh) * 2018-07-03 2023-10-13 交通运输部天津水运工程科学研究所 一种室外多波束测深仪几何性能校准装置
CN110568425A (zh) * 2019-09-04 2019-12-13 中南大学 一种用于探头安装的水下三自由度装置
CN110568425B (zh) * 2019-09-04 2022-10-11 中南大学 一种用于探头安装的水下三自由度装置
CN117705066A (zh) * 2023-11-30 2024-03-15 重庆市小蜜蜂测绘服务有限公司 一种水下环境测绘装置

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