The objective of this program is to model, develop, fabricate, and demonstrate a low frequency, high power underwater transducer that exploits the enhanced properties of PMN-PT textured piezoceramic. These materials are compelling candidates for high performance Navy sonar systems, such as an improved Variable Depth Sonar, due to their extraordinary properties, including high strain and high electromechanical coupling. The Phase I program includes a design trade-off study of both directional and omnidirectional configurations. A detailed assessment of the suitability of PMN-PT textured ceramic material, as used in notional flextensional transducer designs, will be undertaken to determine if any inherent limitations need to be overcome before proceeding with the design, assembly, and in-water testing of prototypes in Phase II.
Benefit: Navy sonar systems used in undersea warfare will benefit from PMN-PT textured ceramics ability to achieve higher bandwidth and source level, which will ultimately translate more efficient, compact, and lightweight sonar systems for the fleet. Implementation of PMN-PT textured piezoceramic technology within a flextensional transducer design offers the opportunity to improve tradeoff space of frequency, source level, size, weight and tow speed performance of systems used on many platforms, including LCS. Commercial systems that operate at low power or under difficult space constraints will also benefit from the adoption of textured piezoceramic to improve the performance envelope.
Keywords: sonar projectors, sonar projectors, underwater sensors, underwater transducers, Piezoelectric materials, Flextensional transducers, Textured Piezoceramic, underwater transmitters, ASW
