KR101791679B1 - Side scan sonar rope obstruction preventing tow connection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a side scan sonar rope obstruction preventing tow connection device to allow a towfish to be prevented from being caught in a fishing net in a fishing ground or a rope floating in the ocean in advance during operation of a side scan sonar system using a towfish. The side scan sonar rope obstruction preventing tow connection device comprises: a towfish which is equipped with observation equipment and acquires underwater information based on the observation equipment; a tow cable which enables the towfish to be pulled by a ship and serves as a communication line between the ship and the towfish; a signal processing and controlling unit which processes information transmitted through the tow cable and controls the towfish; and an output unit which outputs the information of the signal processing and controlling unit. The side scan sonar rope obstruction preventing tow connection device further comprises an ascending power generating unit, a support, a buoyancy generating unit, an object detecting sensor, a control unit, a lighting device, an image acquiring device, an air jetting device, and a solar cell panel.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a side scan sonar,

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for preventing a phenomenon in which an underwater exploration body is prevented from being caught in a fishing rope floating on a fishing ground or floating on a sea during operation of a side scan sonar system using an underwater probe (towfish) To a sonar rope jam preventing traction connection device.

As interest in marine resources and the problems of marine pollution are highlighted, equipment is being developed to accurately obtain marine information.

Among these devices, a side scan sonar system using a towfish is currently in the limelight and is mainly used for marine environment survey, snatching and underwater object search, artificial reef survey, and fishery detection.

The above-described underwater photographing system includes an underwater probe mounted with observation equipment and acquiring underwater information, a tow cable serving as a communication line between the ship and the underwater surveying object so that the underwater surveying object can be pulled by the vessel, A signal processing and control unit for processing the information sent through the control unit and controlling the underwater probe, and an output unit for outputting information of the signal processing and control unit.

The underwater probe is trained by a vessel and obtains underwater information, which is possible by an ultrasonic device installed on both sides. The ultrasonic device is mainly composed of a ceramic vibration element. When an electric signal is applied, the ceramic vibrates in the same manner as the frequency of the electric signal. In contrast, when the vibration is applied to the ceramics, There is a characteristic in which the same electric signal as that in Fig. Therefore, according to the ceramic vibrating element using the characteristics of the ceramic, it is possible to generate ultrasonic waves in water and to receive them at the same time.

Meanwhile, the underwater probe has horizontal and vertical tail wings at the rear to prevent vibrations such as rolling and pitching caused by shaking of the left and right and up and down. In addition, the underwater probe has a structure in which the point where the tow rope is connected is located at the center of the buoyancy of the underwater probe so that it is prevented from tilting at the time of pulling.

In addition, a communication cable for transmitting an electric signal to the inside of the traction cable, which allows the underwater probe to be connected to the ship and to be towed by the ship, is arranged, and a polyurethane jacket having a relatively high tensile strength on the outside surrounds the communication line . Accordingly, the traction cable can simultaneously perform the role of a communication line and a traction line.

In addition, the signal processing and control unit and the output unit process information obtained from the underwater probe and output the same, and control the underwater probe. Such a signal processing and control unit and an output unit are sufficient for a normal computer and monitor system do.

As described above, the side-scan sonar system using an underwater probe is a system in which a ship pulls an underwater probe with a tow cable and transmits or receives ultrasound in water from the underwater probe, The most important and difficult point in operating the system is the determination and maintenance of the altitude of the underwater probe.

In order to obtain an optimal ultrasound image, the altitude of the underwater probe is suitably about 10% of the search range of the underwater probe. In order to express the ultrasound signal obtained through the underwater probe as an optimal image, Of the total.

In fact, in the process of operating a side-scan sonar system using an underwater probe, the underwater probe is expected to float on the surface of the water, making it difficult for the underwater probe to maintain an appropriate altitude. This is due to the lift of the traction cable connected to the ship. The larger the speed of the ship, the greater the speed of the trajectory of the underwater probe.

In addition to the above-mentioned phenomenon, in the operation of the side scan sonar system using the underwater probe, the underwater probe is caught by the fishing net of the fishing ground or the rope floated on the sea, The traction of the underwater probe must be stopped, and the troublesome operation of releasing the underwater probe from the fishing rope or the rope must be accompanied for the salvage.

Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0115008 (published October 10, 2016), "Side scan sonar safety towing device" Korean Utility Model Publication No. 20-2015-0003705 (published on October 12, 2015), "Guide Device of Side Scanning Sonar"

In the embodiment of the present invention, in the course of operation of a side scan sonar system using an underwater probe, a side scan (hereinafter referred to as " side scan " Provides a sonar rope jam-proof traction linkage.

The side scan sonar or rope jam preventing traction connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes an underwater search body (towfish) 10 on which observation equipment is mounted to acquire underwater information based on the observation equipment, A traction cable 20 that can be pulled by the ship 200 and function as a communication line between the ship 200 and the underwater probe 10, A signal processing and control unit 30 for controlling the underwater probe 10 and an output unit 40 for outputting information of the signal processing and control unit 30, (20) for providing a rising power to the underwater probe (10), and is connected to the pulling cable (20) and connected to an external control signal Working in front and back (50) including a rotating motor (51) and a speed reducer (52) coupled to a drive shaft (51a) of the forward and reverse rotation motor (51) One end in the longitudinal direction is rotatably coupled to one end in the front side of the underwater probe 10 in order to prevent the rope and other foreign matter floating on the other end of the underwater probe 10 from rotating and the other end in the longitudinal direction is coupled to the speed reducer 52, A support stand (60) for providing up / down power to the underwater probe (10) according to forward and reverse rotation of the rotary motor (51) A buoyancy generating unit 70 for simultaneously generating buoyant force in the rear of the underwater probe 10 and operating the buoyant 50 during operation of the underwater probe 10, 10) of the object located on the front side from the current position of the object A control unit 90 for outputting a control signal when an object detection signal is transmitted from the object detection sensor 80 and a control unit 90 provided at a front portion of the underwater probe 10, An illuminating device 100 operating in accordance with a control signal of the control unit 90 to illuminate the front side from the current position of the underwater probe 10; (110) operating in accordance with a control signal of the underwater probe (90) to acquire a forward image from the current position of the underwater probe (10) And a pair of air blowing apparatuses (10, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, 60, (120) installed on the ship (200) The buoyancy generating unit 70, the object detecting sensor 80, the control unit 90, the illumination device 100, the image acquiring device 110, and the air blowing device 120 through the power generation, The control unit 90 controls the illumination device 100 and the image acquisition device 110 to transmit the object detection signal to the object detection sensor 80. [ And outputs the control signal for the operation of the underwater probe 10 to the image acquisition device 110. Based on the comparison of the image information transmitted from the image acquisition device 110 and the previously stored image information, It may be determined whether the uprising power generating unit 50 and the air blowing apparatus 120 are operated after being determined according to the set conditions.

According to the embodiment of the present invention, during the operation of the side scan sonar system using the underwater probe, the phenomenon that the underwater probe can be prevented from being caught on the fishing rope floating on the fishing ground or the rope floating on the ocean can be prevented in advance .

1 is a view illustrating an installation state of a side scan sonar or a rope jam preventing traction connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention with respect to a ship;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating an essential part of an underwater probe in the side scan or rope-jam preventing traction connecting device according to the embodiment of the present invention and the respective components installed therein;
3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a side scan sonar or a rope jam preventing traction connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
4 is a view illustrating an operation state of an underwater probe according to an operation of a rising power generating unit and a buoyant generating unit in a side scan or rope jam preventing traction connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention
5 is a view illustrating an operating state of the air ejection apparatus in the side scan or rope jam preventing traction connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It should be understood that the various embodiments of the present invention are different, but need not be mutually exclusive. For example, certain features, structures, and characteristics described herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in connection with one embodiment. It is also to be understood that the position or arrangement of the individual components in each described embodiment may be varied without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which the claims are entitled, if properly explained. In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar functions throughout the several views.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Also, in certain cases, there may be a term selected arbitrarily by the applicant, in which case the meaning thereof will be described in detail in the description of the corresponding invention. Therefore, the term used in the present invention should be defined based on the meaning of the term, not on the name of a simple term, but on the entire contents of the present invention.

Whenever an element is referred to as " including " an element throughout the description, it is to be understood that the element may include other elements as well, without departing from the other elements unless specifically stated otherwise. In addition, the term " "... Module " or the like means a unit for processing at least one function or operation, which may be implemented in hardware or software, or a combination of hardware and software.

1 to 5, a side scan or rope jam preventing traction connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating an installation state of a side scan screw or a rope jam preventing traction connecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention to a ship. FIG. 2 is a side view of a side scan or rope jam preventing traction device 3 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a side scan or rope jam prevention traction connection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in the drawings, a side scan sonar or a rope jam preventing traction connecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes an underwater search body (towfish) 10 on which an observation instrument is mounted to acquire underwater information based on the observation instrument, A traction cable 20 that allows the probe 10 to be pulled by the ship 200 and serves as a communication line between the ship 200 and the underwater probe 10, A signal processing and control unit 30 for processing the information to be transmitted and controlling the underwater probe 10 and an output unit 40 for outputting the information of the signal processing and control unit 30, scan sonar system) side-scan sonar or rope-jam-free towing connection.

Such a side scan sonar or rope jam preventing traction connecting device includes an elevation power generating unit 50, a support table 60, a buoyancy generating unit 70, an object detection sensor 80, a control unit 90, a lighting device 100, An acquiring device 110, an air blowing device 120, and a solar cell panel 130.

The upward power generating unit 50 is installed on the towing cable 20 to provide a rising power to the underwater probe 10 and the upward power generating unit 50 is coupled to the towing cable 20, And a speed reducer 52 coupled to the drive shaft 51a of the normal and reverse rotation motor 51. The speed reducer 52 is driven by the control signal.

The support base 60 is rotatably coupled to one end of the longitudinal direction of the underwater probe 10 at one end on the front side of the underwater probe 10 in order to prevent the rope and other foreign substances floating on the fishery net or the ocean floating on the underwater probe 10 And the other end in the longitudinal direction is engaged with the speed reducer 52. This supporting stand 60 provides the ascending or descending power to the underwater probe 10 in accordance with the normal rotation of the normal and reverse rotation motor 51.

The buoyancy generating unit 60 is installed at a rear end of the underwater probe 10 and the buoyant generating unit operates simultaneously with the operation of the uprising force generating unit 50 to generate a buoyancy force in the rear of the underwater probe 10 .

The underwater probe 10 is driven through the ascending power generating unit 50, the support 60 and the buoyant generating unit 70 while being pulled through the ship 200, The floating rope or the like may be raised in the water surface direction in the presence of the rope or the like to prevent the fishing rope or the like from being caught.

4 is a diagram illustrating the operation of the speed reducer 52. The speed reducer 52 is operated in conjunction with the driving of the constant speed rotation motor 51 of the uplifting power generator 50, The supporting support 60 is rotated in the upward direction about the coupling portion with the driving shaft of the speed reducer 52 to provide a forward moving force to the front portion of the underwater probe 10. At the same time, the buoyancy generating unit 70 installed on the rear portion of the underwater probe 10 operates to provide the upward movement force to the rear portion of the underwater probe 10, And moves upward in the water surface direction.

The buoyancy generating unit 70 may be configured to provide buoyancy to the underwater probe 10 through the air blowing downward. Thus, in the present embodiment, the buoyancy generating unit 70 according to the configuration is taken as an example The buoyancy generating unit 70 may be provided in the rear of the underwater probe 10 so that the buoyancy generating unit 70 can generate buoyancy in a range satisfying a condition capable of providing buoyancy to the rear of the underwater probe 10 Various configurations can be used.

1 to 3, the object detection sensor 80 is installed in a front portion of the underwater probe 10 to detect in real time whether or not an object positioned on the front side from the current position of the underwater probe 10 exists .

The control unit 90 outputs a control signal to the illumination device 100 and the image acquisition device 110 to be described later when the object detection signal is transmitted from the object detection sensor 80, Will be described later.

The illumination device 100 is installed in a front portion of the underwater probe 10 and operates in accordance with a control signal of the control unit 90 so as to move forward from the current position of the underwater probe 10 Illuminate. In this embodiment, the illumination device is configured to use an LED, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The image acquiring device 110 is installed in the front part of the underwater probe 10 and operates in accordance with the control signal of the controller 90 to acquire the image from the current position of the underwater probe 10 .

The air blowing device 120 is provided on both sides of the front side of the underwater probe 10, and the pair of air blowing devices 120 operates in accordance with the control signal of the controller 90 . The pair of air blowing apparatuses 120 eject air in a diagonal direction opposite to each other so that the ejected stems of the air cross the forward side of the underwater probe 10.

5 illustrates the operation of the air blowing apparatuses 120 installed on both sides of the front side of the underwater probe 10 in such a manner that the stem of the air blown from each of the air blowing apparatuses 120 flows into the underwater probe Water is formed in a forward direction on the front side of the underwater probe 10 while being crossed on the front side of the underwater probe 10 and foreign matter such as a fishing net or rope existing on the front side of the underwater probe 10, The phenomenon of catching the underwater probe 10 while being pushed outward from the front side of the underwater probe 10 is prevented.

1 to 3, the controller 90 controls the operation of the illumination device 100 and the image capturing device 110 when the object detection signal is transmitted from the object detection sensor 80 Output.

Based on the comparison of the image information transmitted from the image capturing apparatus 110 and the previously stored image information, the controller 90 determines the type of the object existing in front of the underwater probe 10 according to predetermined conditions, It is determined whether the power generating section 50 and the air blowing apparatus 120 operate.

1 to 5, the side scan sonar or the rope jam preventing traction connecting apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a side scan sonar system using an underwater probe, It is possible to prevent the underwater probe from being caught on the rope floating on the fishing ground or the ocean.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments or constructions. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments described, and all the equivalents or equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims set forth below, fall within the scope of the present invention.

10: underwater probe 20: tow cable
30: signal processing and control unit 40:
50: elevating power generating unit 51: forward / reverse rotation motor
51a: drive shaft 52: speed reducer
60: support 70: buoyancy generator
80: object detection sensor 90:
100: illumination device 110: image acquisition device
120: air blowing device 130: solar cell panel
200: Ship

Claims (1)

An underwater probe (10) mounted on an observation instrument for acquiring underwater information based on the observation equipment. The underwater probe (10) can be towed by a ship (200) A signal processing and control unit 30 for processing the information transmitted through the tow cable 20 and controlling the underwater probe 10, And an output unit (40) for outputting information of the signal processing and control unit (30). The side scan unit or the rope jam prevention traction connection unit of the side scan sonar system,
A forward and reverse rotation motor 51 installed on the tow cable 20 to provide a rising power to the underwater probe 10 and coupled to the tow cable 20 and operated according to an external control signal, An uprising power generating part 50 including a speed reducer 52 coupled to a driving shaft 51a of the normal / revolving motor 51;
In the underwater probe 10, one longitudinal end is rotatably coupled to the front end of the underwater probe 10 to prevent the rope and other foreign matter floating on the fishing net or the ocean from being caught, (60) coupled to the speed reducer (52) for providing an up / down power to the underwater probe (10) in accordance with normal / reverse rotation of the normal /
A buoyancy generating unit 70 installed at a rear end of the underwater probe 10 to generate a buoyancy force at the rear of the underwater probe 10 by operating simultaneously with the operation of the uprising force generating unit 50;
An object detection sensor (80) installed at a front portion of the underwater probe (10) for real time detection of the presence of an object located forward from the current position of the underwater probe (10);
A control unit 90 for outputting a control signal when an object detection signal is transmitted from the object detection sensor 80;
An illuminator 100 installed in a front portion of the underwater probe 10 and operating according to a control signal of the controller 90 to illuminate the front side of the underwater probe 10 from a current position;
An image acquiring device 110 installed in a front portion of the underwater probe 10 and operating according to a control signal of the controller 90 to acquire a forward image from a current position of the underwater probe 10, ;
The underwater probe (10) is installed on both sides of the front side of the underwater probe (10) and operates according to a control signal of the controller (90) (10) are formed in the forward direction of the underwater probe (10), and foreign matter existing on the front side of the underwater probe (10) is discharged from the front side of the underwater probe A pair of air blowing devices (120) for pushing outward;
The buoyancy generating unit 70, the object detecting sensor 80, the control unit 90, the illumination device 100, the image acquiring device 70, and the image acquiring device 70, which are installed in the ship 200, And a solar cell panel (130) for producing electricity to be supplied to the air blowing device (110) and the air blowing device (120)
The control unit 90 outputs a control signal for operating the illumination device 100 and the image acquisition device 110 when the object detection signal is transmitted from the object detection sensor 80, Based on the comparison of the image information and the stored image information transmitted from the elevation power generating unit 50 and the air ejection apparatus 10, after determining the type of the object existing in front of the underwater probe 10 according to predetermined conditions, (10) in the course of traction of the underwater probe (10) through the vessel (200), and the presence or absence of a float floating in the ocean from the fishing ground on the front side of the underwater probe The supporting unit 60 is rotated in the upward direction through the operation of the forward and reverse rotation motor 51 and the speed reducer 52 to provide upward movement force to the front part of the underwater probe 10, The generation of the generation unit 70 And a moving force is applied to the rear portion of the underwater probe (10) in an upward direction to cause the underwater probe (10) to rise in the water surface direction through the pipe .

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