Patent attributes
A frequency steered sonar element comprises a transducer element and a grating element. The transducer element presents a longitudinal axis and is configured to receive a transmit electronic signal and generate an acoustic wave with a frequency component corresponding to a frequency component of the transmit electronic signal. The grating element presents a longitudinal axis and is oriented such that a longitudinal axis of the grating element and a longitudinal axis of the transducer element form an acute angle. The grating element includes a first surface and an opposing second surface. One or more of the surfaces includes one or more grooves distributed thereon, the one or more grooves including first and second facets. The grating element is configured to emit a sonar beam in an angular direction which varies according to the frequency component of the acoustic wave.
