Spherical-Omnidirectional Piezoelectric Composite Transducer for High- Frequency Underwater Acoustics

Spherical-omnidirectional acoustic source has become a powerful tool to provide a near-ideal omnidirectional beam pattern for acoustic tests and communications. Current spherical-omnidirectional acoustic sources do not combine an omnidirectional beam pattern with a high transmitting voltage response (TVR) in the frequency range of above 200 kHz. This work presents the design, fabrication, and measurements of a high-frequency spherical-omnidirectional transducer that can provide a near-ideal omnidirectional beam pattern and a high TVR. The active element of the transducer consists of six identical square coupons with spherical curvature 1-3 piezoelectric composites operating in thickness mode. Electroacoustic responses of the fabricated transducer in water were measured. The measured resonance frequency of the transducer was 280 kHz. The maximum TVR was 161.3 dB re 1 μ Pa/V@1 m. The horizontal and vertical beamwidths of the transducer were 360° and 346°, respectively. Measurements show that the spherical piezoelectric composite transducer has a favorable spherical-omnidirectional behavior and a high TVR at high frequency. These results demonstrate that the spherical piezoelectric composite transducer is potentially a strong candidate for a high-frequency underwater acoustic source that requires an omnidirectional response.