The iljcorpoition of rigid composites into a Conformal Hydrophone

During the past five years, numerous composite configurations have been analysed for hydrostatic transducer application. Although some of these composite con figurations have been flexible, a con figur ation with good sensitivity and mechanical durability has not beenproduced. The need for a sheet or mat, large area transducer that w ill conform to the hull of a ship has led to the in corporation of small rigid composite elements in to a macrocomposite. The goals set for the conformal transducer were sen sitivity greater than-200 dB re 1 V/pPa, operation to at least 7 MPa, maximum frequency of 100 Hz, conforming to a 0.10 m radius and a hydrophone secti on of at least 0.01 m2. In the study three types of rigid composites are used t odetermine the effect of compliant hinge material and flexible electrodes on thehydro statics ensitivity. Typical response of a 1-3 rod composite inflexible form is as ensitivity of-193 dB re 1 V/MPa, with acapacitance of 14 pf per m2 and only 2 dB degradation when operating at 7 MPa.