First and second units have similar, preferably substantially identical, constructions. Each unit is preferably cylindrical and has an outer electrically conductive shell preferably made from a metal. A dielectric material, preferably a ceramic, abuts the inner surface of the electrically conductive shell in each unit. A conductive coating is disposed on the inner surface of the dielectric material in each unit. In this way, each unit defines a capacitor with the shell and the conductive coating constituting the capacitor plates. The shell and the dielectric material in each unit have axially extending openings of matching dispositions. The units are disposed in abutting relationship with the openings facing each other. An alternating voltage is applied between the conductive coating and the conductive shell in each unit. This causes current to flow through the capacitor in each unit and to produce vibrations of the shell and the dielectric material in each unit. Because of the bracing provided by the bonding of the two (2) units, the units are inhibited from breaking as a result of the vibrations. Furthermore, the units are able to respond to voltages of increased amplitude, thereby increasing the intensity of the vibrations. The bonding of the units also inhibits vibrations of the units in undesirable directions and concentrates the vibrations in a particular direction providing optimal benefits.
A flextensional transducer projector shell design is disclosed. The shell design has a shape formed so as to reduce the stress placed on the transduction driver as compared to other shell designs. The shell design includes first and second bulbous end portions, which can each be adapted to receive a respective end of a transduction driver. A middle portion of the shell design has both concave sections and convex sections, thereby defining a wave profile.
High capacitance capacitors are provided to supply or accept large currents. As current flow through a capacitor increases, heat may be generated. Above a certain threshold temperature or current, a capacitor may fail. The present invention addresses capacitor's tendency to fail at higher currents and/or higher temperatures.
An underwater acoustic projector comprising one or more cylindrical shell segments (8), each shell segment (8) having an even number of drivers (10) mounted therein, and the method of manufacturing said projector. The shell segments (8) preferably are formed with a longitudinal slot (14) and have arcuate segments (16), preferably of a dielectric material extending along the sides of the slot (14) for retaining the drivers (10) within the shell segments (8). The combined lengths of the driver is between 70% and 90% of the shell segment (8) length.
