Robert Y. Ting
Thomas R. Howarth
Naval Res. Lab., Underwater Sound Reference Detachment, P.O. Box 568337, Orlando, FL 32856-8337
This presentation begins with discussions on 1--3 piezocomposite transducer designs and how the designs may be tailored for specific underwater acoustic applications. For instance, 1--3 piezocomposite materials with cover plates for actuator applications shall be shown and compared with other 1--3 piezocomposite transducers that feature finer scale piezoceramic rods for wideband underwater acoustic imaging applications. Other 1--3 piezocomposite transducers to be shown include multilayer plates with elements stacked in mechanical series and wired electrically in parallel as well as monolithic structure designs with elements etched into the piezocomposite structure. Underwater electroacoustic evaluations of each of the 1--3 piezocomposite transducers will be presented. The in-water measurements include the transmitting and receiving performances as well as directivity patterns over extended frequency bands. Discussions on how the 1--3 piezocomposite transducers may be applied towards future underwater acoustic systems shall conclude the presentation. [Work sponsored by ONR.]