Design of Underwater Acoustic Vector Sensor and its Elastic Suspension Element

Abstract

Acoustic vector sensor is a kind of inertial sensors. Different from pressure-sensing sensor, it can sense the angle of target under the water. Now most suspension elements are installed on the acoustic vector sensor later. This paper outlines an acoustic vector sensor which is encased in silicon rubber. In this paper, a new structure of acoustic vector sensor is present. The radial stiffness of silicon rubber spring is analyzed by using theory and simulation calculation based on the finite element software ANSYS. At last, the acoustic vector sensor is measured. The results show that the new structural design of acoustic vector sensor could reduce the adverse impact of suspending elastic suspension elements repeatedly and improve the reliability of acoustic vector sensor.