Low-cost, low frequency slotted cylinder transducer

In the Phase I effort a Galfenol-based slotted cylinder projector (SCP) device was conceived utilizing an existing PZT SCP design and analytical modeling to determine the geometry requirements necessary to achieve the performance specs: 210 dB source level, 750 Hz resonance frequency, 200 Hz bandwidth. The final form factor was a Galfenol SCP with overall dimensions of 7.75” diameter x 12” length utilizing a graphite composite shell material with Galfenol drivers comprising a rib-like structure within the shell. The technical objectives in Phase II will include design optimization through improved modeling efforts, the development of manufacturing processes capable of producing the Galfenol rib structures, and the construction and testing of one complete transducer system. Device test data will be compared to predicted performance results via the developed model. A design iteration will be completed on paper along with beginning investigations into reducing manufacturing costs.