Patent ID: 6493894
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G10K,Y10S

Abstract:
A sonar transducer for attachment to a water vessel, the sonar transducer comprising:a transducer element operable for transmitting acoustic energy into and receiving acoustic energy from a body of water, the transducer element presenting a bottom face; and a transducer housing for housing the transducer element, the transducer housing including lower housing section having a bottom wall that is continuously curved with no major portion thereof parallel to the bottom face of the transducer element, the bottom wall having a recessed portion that partially forms an acoustic window aligned with the bottom face of the transducer element for transmitting the acoustic energy from the transducer element out of the transducer housing and for receiving the acoustic energy back into the transducer housing, wherein the acoustic energy is of a selected wavelength, the acoustic window having a thickness approximately equal to one half of the wavelength or an integer multiple of one half of the wavelength, an upper housing section that connects with the lower housing section, and a potting material substantially surrounding the transducer element and partially forming the acoustic window, wherein the recessed portion and the potting material are constructed of different materials having a specific gravity approximately equal to water.