Ice transducer

Abstract

A transducer system for locating fish in water beneath ice. A cable coupled with a transducer housing both physically suspends the housing at a selected depth and a selected angular orientation and conveys sonar data to a display unit on the surface. First and second transducers are mounted in the housing and generate the sonar data. The transducers are mounted so as to have different relative angular orientations.

Having thus described one or more embodiments of the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent includes the following: 
     
         1 . A transducer system comprising:
 a transducer unit including—
 a transducer housing, and 
 a steered array transducer associated with a first portion of the transducer housing, the steered array transducer configured to generate first sonar data; 
   a cable configured to couple the transducer unit to an electronic display unit, the cable configured to both physically suspend the transducer housing in the water and to electronically convey the sonar data to the electronic display unit; and   an angle setting mechanism configured to allow a user to selectively orient the transducer housing at an angle when suspended by the cable, the angle setting mechanism including a plurality of interlocking teeth.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steered array transducer is configured for phase steering. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the steered array transducer is configured for frequency steering. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a jacket constructed of a material which remains flexible in the water at least approximately between zero degrees and five degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the angle setting mechanism is configured to allow for selectively orienting the transducer housing such that the steered array transducer is oriented at approximately zero, fifteen, forty-five, and ninety degrees below horizontal in the water. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a support bar configured to extend horizontally across a hole in ice over the water and to physically support the cable so that the transducer housing is positioned at a selected depth. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further including a float coupled with the cable and configured to physically support the cable so that the transducer housing is positioned at a selected depth. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the cable includes a marking to indicate a directional orientation of the transducer housing.