Devices and systems for providing a retractable unit within a watercraft hull

Abstract

Examples devices and systems are provided herein for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft. Such devices and systems include a housing that defines an interior volume, a biasing mechanism, and a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism. The retractable portion includes an acoustic element and an acoustic fluid. The retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position. When the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment. When the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.

1 . A device for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft, the device comprising: 
 a housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume;   a biasing mechanism; and   a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: 
 an acoustic element; and 
 an acoustic fluid, 
 wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, 
 wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the first position is configured such that the acoustic element can emit an angled acoustic beam that is unobstructed by the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable portion is movable from the first position to the second position in response to an external force exerted on a wall of the retractable portion, the external force being larger than a force exerted by the biasing mechanism. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the retractable portion is movable from the second position to the first position in response to a force exerted by the biasing mechanism. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic element is tiltable. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the acoustic element is tiltable to an angle of up to 60 degrees from a horizontal axis. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the acoustic element is freely pivotable about a pivot axis such that an orientation of the acoustic element is subject to a force of gravity, and wherein the retractable portion and the pivot axis are configured such that an emitting face of the acoustic element points in a direction that is parallel to the force of gravity when the device is tilted. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a locking mechanism that selectively maintains the retractable portion in the second position. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 8 , wherein the locking mechanism is a latch. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer wall of the retractable portion is rounded. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein cables within the interior volume of the housing are offset from a vertical axis of the retractable portion such that when the retractable portion is in the second position, the cables do not experience tension. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein an outer diameter of the device is less than or equal to 60 millimeters. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism is a spring. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing is comprised of a non-plastic material. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the device further comprises a damper. 
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the housing comprises a fluid. 
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein the fluid is castor oil. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the biasing mechanism includes a fluid that compresses when the retractable portion is in the second position and exerts a force in response to being compressed that biases the retractable portion toward moving to the first position. 
     
     
         19 . A device for mounting a unit within a hull of a watercraft, the device comprising: 
 a housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume;   a biasing mechanism; and   a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: 
 the unit; and 
 an acoustic fluid, 
 wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the unit is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, 
 wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the unit is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements. 
   
     
     
         20 . A system for mounting a transducer within a hull of a watercraft, the system comprising: 
 the watercraft, wherein the watercraft comprises a hull;   a housing disposed within the hull, the housing comprising a base and at least one wall, wherein the base and the at least one wall define an interior volume;   a biasing mechanism; and   a retractable portion disposed at least partially within the interior volume and connected to the biasing mechanism, the retractable portion comprising: 
 an acoustic element; and 
 an acoustic fluid, 
 wherein the retractable portion is biased to a first position from a second position, wherein, when the retractable portion is in the first position, the acoustic element is at least partially positioned outside of the hull of the watercraft and aimed in a facing direction to capture sonar return data corresponding to a portion of an underwater environment, 
 wherein, when the retractable portion is in the second position, the acoustic element is positioned fully inside the hull of the watercraft so as to protect the device from external elements.