Single Crystal High Power Source for Torpedo Defense

Our Phase I studies show that a single crystal drive material, PMN-28%PT, is a good candidate for the power wheel transducer based on the demonstrated improved power factor performance and reduced size. The power wheel uses as unitary central tail mass with eight piezoelectric stacks driving eight curved pistons. The central unitary tail mass yields a lower resonance, lower Q and greater piston output than with separate tail masses. In this Phase II proposal the Phase I results are reviewed and a Phase II program is presented. The program includes the development of two single crystal driven power wheel rings as well as stacked power wheel arrays for echolocation and countermeasure operation. The design allows a unique omni, dipole and quadrupole modal addition method for the formation of a variety of steered beams with constant beam width. BENEFITS: A new wideband single crystal driven power wheel transducer array with nearly unity power factor will be developed for surface ship towed applicability, and possible autonomous vehicle or sonobuoy applications. The technology should provide a significant improvement for sonar and oceanographic systems.