Single Crystal High Power Source for Torpedo Defense

There is a need to develop a broad bandwidth, high-power single-crystal based transducer array for use as a combined echolocation and countermeasure towed source. The high coupling coefficient single crystal piezoelectric material, such as PMN-33%PT, has the advantage of considerably higher compliance, coupling coefficient and strain compared to conventional PZT-8. Accordingly, this high energy density transduction material has the potential of providing a greater output and greater power factor from a smaller sized transducer making it a good candidate for small wideband high power echolocation and countermeasure towed array. In this proposal we present a balanced symmetrical transducer array design which takes advantage of the above qualities of single crystal material to achieve the desired wideband results. The wide band results from a smaller sized transducer are obtained through not only the use of the single crystal material but also through a unique transducer array design which achieves a nearly infinite effective tail mass. Although results are presented, the design is in the formative stage and there are a number of operating issues that need be addressed. We propose a program for the development of a practical prototype element and array design for the intended application.