Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Acoustic image conversion
Patent
1992-10-05
1994-03-08
Pihulic, Daniel T.
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Acoustic image conversion
367910, G03B 4206
Patent
active
052933512
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an acoustic search device adapted to be used by a diver.
BACKGROUND ART
Search devices of this kind have been, for example, presented in the following patent publications: U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,273, U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,805 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,324. The first publication discloses an acoustic search device which is to be worn by a swimmer diver. The device comprises a separate viewing mask assembly and a control unit which contains the ultrasonic transducer assembly. A fiber optic image cable is used for transferring the display image from the ultrasonic transducer to the optical viewing device. The most efficient mode of operation is to use the control unit like a hand held electric light. The patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 3,784,805 discloses an acoustic search device which similarly comprises a face mask with an optical viewing device and a separate ultrasonic transducer unit which contains electroacoutical transducer elements suitable for both transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The display image from the ultrasonic transducer is transferred to the optical viewing device inside the face mask via a fiber optic cable. The patent publication U.S. Pat. No. 3,739,324 discloses an acoustic system for viewing underwater objects and a way for obtaining a depth perception by means of a rotating transparent disk in the optical viewing device. The display image is viewed through the disk which is positioned in front of one eye. The rotary motion of the disk is synchronized with the operation of the ultrasonic transmitter.
The drawback of the above acoustic search devices is the fact that their use is almost impossible in circumstances where, on one hand, the image seen must correspond to reality and, on the other hand, the device must be of such simple and compact construction that it does not make the movements and operations of the user difficult.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The objective of the present invention is to obtain a search device, especially suitable for use in rescue operations, which can be used in circumstances, where visibility is extremely low, and by means of which the user, for example a smoke diver, is able to "see" in a thick smoke and, therefore, is able to move in a burning building so that his hands, however, are all the time free to perform rescue activities. A further objective is to obtain such a device by means of which the user of the device is able to see the "invisible" surroundings so that the dimensions correspond to reality and are as natural as possible which greatly facilitates moving of the person using the search device.
The search device of the invention brings about a significant improvement to the selection of devices which are available for underwater and particularly for fire rescue operations. The optical viewing device, the display and the ultrasonic transducer are placed in succession in the direction of the sight of a diver, for example a smoke diver. Therefore, the ultrasonic transducer generates a display image which is as natural as possible since it is measured exactly at the eye level and since the display image changes whenever the head is turned. The image is formed on the display in front of the eyes of the smoke diver whereby the smoke diver is able to proceed in the space filled with smoke and observe for example the unconscious victims. It is essential that the smoke diver's hands are free so that he can use them in helping the victims.
According to another embodiment of the invention, the search device contains two displays on each of which an image is formed of the viewed search area of the ultrasonic transducer. These two images are viewed through the optical viewing device with the outcome that one sees, through the viewing device, an image with a three dimensional impression.
The invention will be described in detail in the following referring to the enclosed drawing, in which
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows an ultrasonic search device placed in connection with
REFERENCES:
patent: 3759324 (1973-06-01), Coltman
patent: 3784805 (1974-01-01), Rolle
patent: 3800273 (1974-03-01), Rolle
patent: 4041441 (1977-08-01), Johnson
Pihulic Daniel T.
Transducer Valley Inc.
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