Advanced Low Frequency High Efficiency Spark Gap Sonar Transducer Development Program

1The Navy has a need for compact low frequency sonar sources for a wide range of applications. In particular, there is a need for low frequency high level signals generated from relatively small sonar transducers. This proposal is to develop an advanced form of the spark gap or plasma transducer utilizing recent major advances at Tetra Corporation in low frequency high efficiency high power acoustic generation from spark gap sonar transducers. This technology has the potential of generating very low frequency sonar (10-100 Hz) at high efficiency (in the 80-90 percent range) in a vry small size package. Two recent inventions at Tetra Corporation provide the technology base for this dramatic advancement in transducer technology.