Underwater sound source based on pulsed corona discharge

Abstract

An underwater plasma sound source, namely the underwater sparker, as a significant application of pulsed discharge in water, has been employed for underwater acoustics and sea oil prospecting. It is necessary to research the application of underwater plasma sound sources as well as the mechanism of initiation of pulsed discharge for guiding the development of plasma sound sources. In this paper, an experimental system has been designed for studying the electrical characteristics of underwater plasma sound sources. Two types of underwater pulsed discharge - spark discharge and corona discharge, have been studied. By comparison and summary, we consider that pulsed corona discharge can provide a new design concept for the sound source. The new prototype, based on pulsed corona discharge, has been studied. The current and acoustical signal of the discharge under voltages ranging from 2 kV to 4 kV and conductivities of liquid ranging from 325 /spl mu/S/cm to 20 mS/cm have been measured.