External Pipe Sound Pressure Level Sensor

Stealth is a primary consideration in design and operation of ships and submarines in the Navy fleet. Noise in hydraulic systems and piping is one source of unwanted noise. A method to measure and monitor this noise is essential to controlling and eliminating these noise sources. With the assistance of UMASS Dartmouth we will present a method to externally measure the fluidborne sound pressure level in noisy piping systems. This will involve developing a novel sensor approach that is capable of measuring fluid sound pressure levels as low as 80 dBRMS//1uPa/Hz when attached externally to the pipe. Modeling and simulation will be developed to predict the performance and characteristics of the sensor design and technique. Models will be used to determine if the concept is technically feasible and will also be used to predict the radial mode and other structure modes of the specified pipe configurations.