Broadband cluster transducer for underwater acoustics applications

Area of Science:

• Acoustics
• Transducer Technology
• Underwater Acoustics

Background:

• Flextensional transducers are crucial for underwater acoustic applications.
• Barrel-stave designs offer unique acoustic properties.
• Need for broadband transducers with beamsteering capabilities.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design, build, and test a broadband cluster transducer.
• Achieve a transmitting voltage response > 120 dB1 microPa-m/V from 1 to 7 kHz.
• Investigate potential for beamsteering.

Main Methods:

• Utilized barrel-stave flextensional transducer technology.
• Configured six orthogonal piezoceramic-driven elements on a central manifold.
• Conducted in-air conductance measurements to determine resonance modes under various drive conditions.

Main Results:

• The fully-driven cluster achieved a transmitting voltage response > 120 dB1 microPa-m/V from 800 Hz to > 10 kHz.
• Individual element, paired, and simultaneous drive conditions were analyzed.
• Transducer topology demonstrated amenability to beamsteering.

Conclusions:

• The developed broadband cluster transducer meets key performance goals.
• The design shows promise for future beamsteering characterization.
• This technology advances underwater acoustic transducer capabilities.