Acquatic velocity scanning apparatus and methods

Abstract

Apparatus and methods for velocity scanning in, e.g., bodies of water. In one embodiment, a scanned one-dimensional transducer array Doppler sonar arrangement is used to remotely measure both vertical and horizontal profiles of a river or channel along-stream water velocities within a cross-section of the river/channel from a single side-mounted sonar.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An acoustic system, comprising:
 one or more one-dimensional arrays comprising multiple substantially parallel first-axis rows of transducer elements, the transducer elements configured to be mounted at a location in a fluid flow channel, and to be oriented so as to ensonify across a direction of flow in the channel; and   a beamformer circuit electrically connected to the transducer elements in the first-axis rows of the array, the beamformer circuit configured to delay signals associated respectively with each first-axis row.   
     
     
         2 .- 22 . (canceled)