RU50006U1 - DEVICE FOR DETERMINING THE INSTRUMENTAL SURFACE ERROR - Google Patents

Abstract

The utility model relates to the field of marine instrumentation and is intended to determine the instrumental error of the echo sounder when testing the latter in ship conditions, mainly at berths at shallow depths under the keel of the vessel, as well as in test pools. The device contains a series-connected block of adjustable delay, the driver of the control echo signals and the control emitting vibrator located under the vibrator of the echo sounder at a known depth. The input of the adjustable delay unit is connected to the output of the sounder transmitting path, which, in turn, is connected to the antenna (vibrator) equivalent.

Description

The utility model relates to the field of marine instrumentation and is intended to determine the instrumental error of the echo sounder when testing the latter in ship conditions, mainly at berths at shallow depths under the keel of the vessel, as well as in test pools.

It is known calibrating device containing a reflector made in the form of a disk, lowered under the vibrators of the tested echo sounder. The correction of the measured depth is determined based on the length of the measuring lines on which the disk is mounted. This device allows you to calibrate the echo sounder in the depth range from 5 to 30 m. (Rules of the hydrographic service; No. 4. Survey of the bottom topography, part 1. General Directorate of Navigation and Oceanography of the USSR Ministry of Defense, 1984).

A taring device is also known in which the reflector, as an option, is made in the form of a control board.

The use of known devices does not allow to determine the error of the echo sounder over the entire range of measured depths. In addition, the level of the sonar signal reflected from the disk or the control board depends on many factors: the radiation power and sensitivity of the echo sounder receiving path, the characteristics of the water as a signal propagation medium, and the reflective properties of the disk or control board. Under a certain combination of the above circumstances, the level of the reflected hydroacoustic signal may not be sufficient for a reliable judgment on the normal functioning of the tested echo sounder.

A calibration device is also known, comprising, located at a known fixed depth under the vibrator of the sounder under test and

included in its receiving path, the control receiving vibrator. (Instructions for measurement. Edition of the Office of the Hydrographic Service of the Navy, 1964).

Like other analogues, this device does not allow to determine the instrumental error of the echo sounder in the entire range of depths measured by it, but only at depths limited by the immersion depths of the control vibrator, i.e., also 20-30 m.

The closest to the claimed utility model analogue is a device for determining the instrumental error of the echo sounder, protected by a patent for a utility model (RU No. 43981).

The specified device contains control (receiving and emitting or combined) vibrators located under the echo sounder vibrator, serially connected signal receiving unit, their adjustable delay unit and control echo signal generator, and the input of the signal receiving unit is connected to the control receiving vibrator, and the output of the control echo signal generator to the control radiating vibrator

The specified device provides a determination of the instrumental error of the echo sounder in the entire range of measured depths by simulating them using an adjustable delay unit.

However, the use of such a device is difficult in shallow water (for example, near the mooring wall), in test pools, since the normal operation of the device and the reception of the control echo signal are hindered by re-reflection of the signal emitted by the echo sounder from the near bottom, mooring wall, and walls of the test pool.

The problem to which the claimed utility model is aimed is to ensure the determination of the instrumental error of the echo sounder mainly in shallow water, in particular, near the mooring wall or in the test pool.

The utility model ensures the achievement of a technical result, which consists in eliminating interference from the control echo signal caused by its reflection from the bottom or walls of the pool.

This technical result is provided by a combination of essential features illustrated by the drawing.

The device comprises a transmitting path 1 of an echo sounder 2 connected to the equivalent of an antenna (vibrator) 3, an adjustable delay unit 4 connected to it. A shaper 5 of the control echo signal and a control emitting vibrator 6 located at a known depth under the vibrator 7 of the echo sounder 2 are connected in series with block 4. The vibrator 7 is connected via the receiving path 8 to the main unit 9 of the echo sounder 2.

The device operates as follows.

The transmitting path 1 of the echo sounder 2 connected to the equivalent of the antenna (vibrator) 3 electrically generates a sending pulse, which enters the adjustable delay unit 4, where it is delayed by a time t corresponding to the simulated depth. The delayed signal from the output of the adjustable delay unit 4 is sent to the control echo signal generator 5 and then to the control emitting vibrator 6, where it is converted into mechanical vibrations emitted in the direction of the echo sounder vibrator 7. The latter, using the receiving path 8, perceives them as an echo signal, according to which the main unit 9 of the echo sounder 2 and the depth value is determined, numerically equal to the sum of the simulated depth value and the instrumental error of the echo sounder.

The delay value entered in block 4 to simulate a given depth is calculated taking into account the distance between the control vibrator and the vibrator of the tested echo sounder, the speed of sound introduced into the sounder, and the speed of sound in the water layer between the vibrators.

This device excludes emission of the echo sounder and associated interference with the reception of a control echo signal, which allows the use of

the device is not only in the open sea, but also at the mooring wall, in the factory.

Comparing the depth values simulated and displayed by the echo sounder 2, the instrumental error of the echo sounder 2 is evaluated.

Claims (1)

A device for determining the instrumental error of an echo sounder, comprising a series-connected block of adjustable delay, a driver of control echo signals and a control emitting vibrator located under the sounder vibrator at a known depth, characterized in that the input of the block of adjustable delay is connected to the output of the transmitting path of the echo sounder, which, in turn, connected to the equivalent of an antenna (vibrator).