Moveable sensor systems and methods for collecting data underwater for a marine vessel
A moveable sensor system for a marine vessel. A support member is configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, wherein the support member is configured to at least one of support a marine drive for propelling the marine vessel and to anchor the marine vessel. A sensor is moveably coupled to the support system so as to be positioned for collecting data within a region underwater. An actuator is coupled between the support member and the sensor, wherein the actuator is operable to move the sensor relative to the support member to thereby change the region in which the data is collected.
1 . A moveable sensor system for a marine vessel, the moveable sensor system comprising:
a support member configured to be coupled to the marine vessel, wherein the support member is configured to at least one of support a marine drive for propelling the marine vessel and to anchor the marine vessel;
a sensor moveably coupled to the support system so as to be positioned for collecting data within a region underwater; and
an actuator coupled between the support member and the sensor, wherein the actuator is operable to move the sensor relative to the support member to thereby change the region in which the data is collected.
2 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is configured to be moveable relative to the marine vessel to selectively anchor the marine vessel therewith.
3 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the support member extends along an axis, and wherein the actuator is operable to move the sensor about the axis.
4 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the region comprises a depth underwater, and wherein the actuator is operable to move the sensor to change the depth in which the data is collected by the sensor.
5 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises an electric motor operable to move the sensor.
6 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 5 , wherein the support member extends along an axis, and wherein the electric motor comprises a motor shaft that is rotated during operation, the motor shaft extending along a motor shaft axis that is parallel to axis of the support member.
7 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 5 , wherein a conductor for providing power to the electric motor extends through at least a portion of the support member so as to be protected therein.
8 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 5 , further comprising a controller configured to control the electric motor in response to a user input.
9 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor comprises a sonar sensor.
10 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the marine vessel further comprises a marine drive coupled to the support member and operable to generate propulsion for the marine vessel.
11 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 10 , wherein the actuator moves the sensor relative to the marine drive.
12 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 11 , wherein the marine drive is steerable independently of the actuator moving the sensor.
13 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , further comprising links through which the support member is coupled to the marine vessel as a four-bar linkage.
14 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is moveable relative to the marine vessel between a at least one deployed position in which the sensor is positioned underwater and a stowed position in which the sensor is out of the water.
15 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the actuator comprises a cable through which tension is adjustable to move the sensor relative to the support member.
16 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is a first support member, the sensor is a first sensor configured to collect the data from a first region, and the actuator is a first actuator, further comprising:
a second support member configured to be coupled to the marine vessel,
a second sensor moveably coupled to the support system so as to be positioned for collecting data within a second region underwater; and
a second actuator coupled between the second support member and the second sensor, wherein the second actuator is operable to move the second sensor relative to the second support member to thereby change the second region in which the data is collected, wherein the second region is different than the first region.
17 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 16 , wherein the first actuator and the second actuator comprise electric motors operable to move the first sensor and the second sensor, respectively.
18 . The moveable sensor system according to claim 17 , further comprising a controller configured to control the electric motors together in response to a user input.
19 . A method for collecting data underwater for a marine vessel, the method comprising:
moving a support member coupled to the marine vessel from a stowed position to a deployed position, wherein when the support member is in the deployed position a sensor coupled thereto is positioned deeper underwater than when in the stowed position;
moving the sensor relative to the support member while the sensor is positioned underwater; and
collecting data via the sensor while the sensor is positioned underwater.
20 . The method according to claim 19 , further comprising moving the sensor relative to the support member by controlling an electric motor coupled therebetween.