Patent ID: 9030914
Filing Date: 2015-05-12
Classification: G01S,G01V,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A sub-bottom sonar imaging apparatus, comprising: a carriage assembly having mounted thereon at least one acoustic transmitter, at least one acoustic receiver mounted proximate the transmitter; a line array of acoustic receivers mounted on the carriage assembly in a direction transverse to a direction of motion of the carriage assembly; a position determining transponder mounted on the carriage assembly; a plurality of position determining transponders disposed at spaced apart positions and configured to communicate with the transponder mounted on the carriage assembly; at least two line arrays of acoustic receivers disposable substantially orthogonally on the bottom of a body of water; means for moving the carriage assembly to selected positions above the water bottom; and a signal detection and processing unit configured to coherently stack and beam steer signals detected by the line array of acoustic receivers mounted on the carriage assembly, the signal detection and processing unit configured to record signals detected by the line arrays of acoustic sensors deployable on the water bottom and signals detected by the at least one acoustic receiver mounted on the carriage assembly.