Abstract
To meet the requirements of low frequency, high power, small size and light weight, a type of Class I barrel-stave flextensional transducer employing improved concave stave is presented. As the key component of flextensional transducer, concave stave plays an important role in vibrating efficiently to radiate acoustic energy. The structure of concave stave has a great effect on its behavior. In this paper, the main parameters of concave stave are discussed, especially the effect of radius on flextensional transducer. Both concave stave and transducer are analyzed through finite element method, including mechanical transformation behavior of concave stave and performances of flextensional transducer. On the basis of finite element design, five prototypes employing concave staves with different radii are manufactured and measured. The simulations and tests reveal that concave stave can affect performances of flextensional transducer. A larger radius of concave stave will result in a greater amplification of vibration and a lower resonance frequency of transducer. This can be a feasible way to optimize the resonance frequency or source level of flextensional transducer through adjusting the radius of concave stave in a small range. According to the electrical and acoustical tests, our Class I barrel-stave flextensional transducer is capable of being used as underwater low-frequency small-size projector.
Highlights
Published: 17 October 2021Transducers, as indispensible devices in underwater applications, play an important role [1]
This results from the fact that underwater acoustic wave is comparatively effective way to propagate farther in water [2]
After several decades of development, some types of low-frequency transducers have been presented, for instance, flextensional transducers [5], free-flooded ring transducers [6], flexural transducers [7], etc. They can all be used as projectors because of their amazing performances of low frequency and high power [8]
Summary
Transducers, as indispensible devices in underwater applications, play an important role [1]. Another well-known inventor mentioned in some literatures is Toulis He presented an oval shell flextensional transducer for underwater applications in 1950s, and was awarded patents in 1966 [13]. A graftshaped shell, including two slotted convex segments and one ring segment, was studied by Chai et al for Class III flextensional transducer [18]. All the shells mentioned in above flextensional transducers can present differential flexure If these shells are designed improperly, the results of performance reduction and limitations will be caused to transducer, for example, small source level, inaccurate resonance frequency, etc. Concave staves used in Class I BSFT will be discussed, including configuration, material, flexural vibration and effects on the performances of transducers
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