Method and apparatus for sensing acoustic signals in a liquid

Abstract

An apparatus for sensing acoustic signals in a liquid wherein an omnidirectional hydrophone exhibits a hemispheric response pattern. A hydrophone, including a transducer element and a transmitting cable, is mounted such that the transducer element is adjacent the forward face of an acoustic baffle including a layer of sound-absorbing material. The rear face of the acoustic baffle is positioned adjacent an acoustic shield including a layer of sound-reflecting material. The transmitting cable is positioned in an aperture in the acoustic baffle and the acoustic shield, and passes beyond the rear face of the acoustic shield. A flow fairing is positioned adjacent the forward face of the acoustic baffle and encloses at least the forward portion of the transducer element.