Patent · US Expired

Line array transducer assembly

US4733379A · kind A · utility

32Cited by
10References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMar 17, 1986
Grant dateMar 22, 1988
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 17, 2006

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH10N30/06
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A flexible line array transducer assembly for detecting underwater acoustical signals. The assembly includes an array of spaced-apart piezoelectric elements arranged generally in a line and selected to have low cross-coupling characteristics, low sensitivity to incoherent mechanical perturbations in the directions longitudinal and lateral to the axis of the array, and high sensitivity to coherent mechanical perturbations such as acoustical signals. The elements are polarized in a direction generally transverse to the array and each include opposing surface areas which are generally parallel with the linear axis of the array. Electrodes are disposed on the opposing surface areas of the elements and are coupled to conductors which carry signals produced by the piezoelectric elements when the elements are stressed by acoustical signals. A porous, open-cell material is disposed about the piezoelectric elements as an encasement to maintain the elements in place and mechanically isolate the elements. An outer, water-tight jacket encloses the open cell material and holds a fill fluid carried within the open-cell material. An electrically conductive flexible sleeve may be placed either abo…

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.