초록 ▼

An improved transducer arrangement for low frequency sonar projectors that convert electric signals to mechanically generated acoustic signals. In one embodiment the arrangement has both a convex flextensional transducer and a concave flextensional transducer. An open side of the convex transducer i

An improved transducer arrangement for low frequency sonar projectors that convert electric signals to mechanically generated acoustic signals. In one embodiment the arrangement has both a convex flextensional transducer and a concave flextensional transducer. An open side of the convex transducer is attached to an open side of the concave transducer by an intermediate bulkhead which closes each of the attached open sides. An end plate is attached to another open side of the convex transducer and another end plate is attached to another open side of the concave transducer such that the end plates close the attached open sides. In another embodiment, transducer assembly has a convex transducer having end plates and a concave transducer having end plates. Either one of the endplates of the concave transducer is attached to one of the endplates of the convex transducer, or an endplate of the concave transducer is also an endplate of the concave transducer. There is also provided a transducer drive circuit including one of the transducer assemblies wherein the convex transducer is electrically connected in series with the concave transducer. Means are provided for positively direct current biasing the convex transducer or the concave transducer and oppositely negatively direct current biasing the concave transducer or the convex transducer. Further means apply an alternating current driving signal to each of the convex transducer and the concave transducer. This configuration provides an improvement over the prior art in reduced transducer size and weight by doing away with a large isolation capacitor from the drive circuitry.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A push-pull electro-acoustic transducer assembly which comprises:a) a convex flextensional transducer which comprises a hollow, elliptical shell comprising a pair of convex side walls meeting at opposing ends; said walls and ends delineating opposing open sides; a piezo

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A push-pull electro-acoustic transducer assembly which comprises:a) a convex flextensional transducer which comprises a hollow, elliptical shell comprising a pair of convex side walls meeting at opposing ends; said walls and ends delineating opposing open sides; a piezoelectric ceramic stack positioned in the hollow elliptical shell and extending between the opposing ends and adapted to exert a force on the opposing ends and strain the convex side walls when the stack is subjected to sufficient driving voltage through electrodes bonded to the stack;b) a concave flextensional transducer which comprises a hollow, hyperbolic shell comprising a pair of concave side walls each connected to opposing end walls; said side walls and end walls delineating opposing open sides; a piezoelectric ceramic stack positioned in the hollow, hyperbolic shell and extending between the opposing ends and adapted to exert a force on the opposing ends and strain the concave side walls when the stack is subjected to sufficient driving voltage through electrodes bonded to the stack;c) one open side of the convex transducer being attached to an open side of the concave transducer by an intermediate bulkhead, which bulkhead closes each of said attached open sides; andd) an end plate attached to another open side of the convex transducer shell and another end plate attached to another open side of the concave transducer shell, which end plates close said attached open sides.