Cost Effective Manufacturing of Piezoelectric Acoustic Sensors (CEMPAS)

Arrays of vector velocity sensors have exhibited major system improvements over traditional omnidirectional hydrophones in undersea acoustic sensing. Compact accelerometers made from relaxor piezoelectric crystals are the key element which allow for the improved functionality of the vector velocity sensor arrays. These relaxor piezoelectric crystals are extremely sensitive and compact; but manufacturing of sensors incorporating these crystals have traditionally been costly. Mide"s patented piezo manufacturing line and its over 20 years of experience with manufacturing piezoelectric packages makes them the ideal candidate to develop an effective and low cost manufacturing process for accelerometers incorporating relaxor piezoelectric materials. Mide"s proposed technology drastically reduces assembly needs for piezo based vector velocity sensors while improving the durability of the piezoelectric element. In the manufacturing process piezoelectric packages are produced with necessary electrical connection to the piezoelectric element embedded. Because of the large number of sensors required, Mide"s automated piezo production line provides the greatest potential for cost effective manufacturing