Flextensional sonar transducer assembly
US4964106A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 14, 1989 |
| Grant date | Oct 16, 1990 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 14, 2009 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG10K9/121
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A flextensional sonar transducer assembly includes a stack of piezoelectric elements disposed along a linear axis, a plurality of electrodes disposed between the elements, end pieces disposed at each end of the piezoelectric stack, with the end pieces having outwardly facing, generally arcuate surfaces, a compression band formed into a loop to encircle the stack and end pieces, a flexural shell disposed to circumscribe the compression band to present a generally elliptical side cross-section, with the major axis thereof being generally coincident with the linear axis of the stack, and with the shell being reactively coupled to the arcuate end portions of the compression band, and rod members positioned between the compression band and the arcuate end portions of the band of material for maintaining driving contact between the shell and the end pieces, and for adjusting the prestress compression pressure in the stack. The invention also includes methods of manufacturing the transducer assembly.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.