초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for the sounding of waters, particularly suitable for depth (and the like) sounding of Arctic waters, comprises shooting an energetic projectile at the water or ice surface from, say, a helicopter which has suspended close to the waters surface a suitably housed microphone for

A method and apparatus for the sounding of waters, particularly suitable for depth (and the like) sounding of Arctic waters, comprises shooting an energetic projectile at the water or ice surface from, say, a helicopter which has suspended close to the waters surface a suitably housed microphone for receiving the echo energizing from the waters. By measuring elapsed time between firing of the projectile and reception of the echo, and knowing all distances except the depth of the reflecting boundary (be it the bottom or a submarine), the unknown depth is easily determined.

대표청구항 ▼

An echo sounding method for determining the depth of a boundary under the surface of a body of water even if the water is covered by ice or by ice and snow, comprising the steps of: (a) impacting the upper surface of the body of water or the upper surface of the ice if the water is covered by ice or

An echo sounding method for determining the depth of a boundary under the surface of a body of water even if the water is covered by ice or by ice and snow, comprising the steps of: (a) impacting the upper surface of the body of water or the upper surface of the ice if the water is covered by ice or by ice and snow with a bullet-type projectile so as to generate an impact sound impulse at the upper surface of the water or the upper surface of the ice, if ice or ice and snow covers the water; (b) detecting in the air and at a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the body of water, an echo of the sound impulse reflected by said boundary; (c) measuring time elapsed between the sound impulse and the echo at said predetermined distance; and (d) determining the depth under the upper surface of the water with respect to said boundary from the elapsed time, the predetermined distance, the known thickness, if any, of any covering ice or ice and snow, and known sound velocities in the body of water and in the air.