Abstract:

Recently, sonar has tended to use lower frequencies and large output power to enhance its search distance. However, for such sonar, it is known that unpredictable deterioration of output and the destruction of specific elements may occur because of interference between elements. This research was conducted to analyze the interference between elements in an array in which the elements were driven by a regulated voltage---the influence of the mutual radiation impedance on the vibration velocity of the elements---using an equivalent circuit. The vibration velocity of each element was calculated using mechanical parameters for a practical array element. After that, the vibration velocity regulations of elements of (1,3) and (2,2) mode array caused by interactions were verified experimentally using a NAH imaging system which makes it possible to visualize fine regulations. These results are according to simulations.