Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Beam stabilization or compensation
Patent
1989-11-22
1992-08-25
Tarcza, Thomas H.
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Beam stabilization or compensation
367173, H04B 1700
Patent
active
051424975
ABSTRACT:
A transducer apparatus for marine pleasure craft employs only gravity-induced forces to always orient its electroacoustic transducer in a downward direction or other predetermined direction. The apparatus mounts on the transom or hull of a pleasure craft, and includes a housing having a smoothly shaped exterior to permit laminar water flow past it. The housing has an internal cavity of preferably spherical shape in which a transducer assembly is mounted. The assembly includes an electroacoustic transducer and a transducer support structure that allows the transducer to move freely on account of gravity about a center of rotation in at least two orthogonal directions as the craft pitches and/or rolls. The transducer assembly is preferably constructed to have an overall specific gravity about equal to that of the liquid so it essentially floats in the liquid. The center of mass, the center of rotation, and the center of buoyancy of the transducer assembly are preferably spaced in order along a common vertical axis from bottom to top. An electric cable extends upwardly from the center of the transducer to the top of the spherical cavity, and has some slack to minimize drag on the assembly. A first embodiment of the transducer assembly resembles a truncated sphere. In a second embodiment of the assembly, the transducer is supported by two concentrically arranged rings in a gimbal configuration. A third embodiment of the transducer assembly includes a transducer support ring pivotably mounted on opposed ball bearings that travel in vertically arranged arcuate guide channels. Two magnetic latching mechanisms for releasably holding the apparatus in place on the transom of the craft are also disclosed.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3553638 (1971-01-01), Sublett
patent: 4109757 (1978-08-01), Hebberd
patent: 4285485 (1981-08-01), Burke
patent: 4485462 (1984-11-01), Wiegner
patent: 4893290 (1990-01-01), McNeel et al.
patent: 4897824 (1990-01-01), Stokes
Pihulic Daniel T.
Tarcza Thomas H.
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