Cost-Effective PiezoCrystal Transducer Assembly Technologies

PiezoCrystal materials are compelling candidates for high performance electromechanical actuation devices due to the demonstrated extraordinary material properties. Navy sonar systems used in undersea warfare would benefit from these materials in providing more compact and efficient sensors with increased bandwidth and sensitivity. However, 15 years after the initial discovery only a limited number of actual devices have made it into production. One of the hurdles yet to be fully overcome are fabrication issues involving the use of PiezoCrystal materials in high frequency transducers. The objective of the proposed Phase II effort is to continue development and demonstration reliable cost-effective methods of assembling PiezoCrystal materials into high performance SONAR transducers suitable for Navy applications. The development of such processes decreases the upfront cost and the programmatic risk of implementing high performance PiezoCrystal transducer designs for Navy fleet applications. Techniques to be investigated include electrode application, dicing, and curved transducer fabrication. The NAVY platform targeted for demonstration is an Expanded Real Aperture Sonar (ERAS). The ERAS system could be upgraded with PiezoCrystal projectors that are compact, broadband, efficient, and could be installed as a form and fit drop in replacement for the current conventional piezoceramic transducers while providing an increase in performance.