USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

James M Powers

Mark B Moffett

Timothy B Straw

Dmitry Chizhik

John C McGrath

Stephen S Gilardi

An omnidirectional ultrasonic microprobe hydrophone is disclosed. Applicans include underwater mine detection, explosive shock testing, high wave number measurements, medical imaging, and therapeutic systems. The apparatus includes at least two lead zirconate titanate (PZT) pressure sensing elements having a plurality of columnar voids formed therein. The pressure sensing elements are deposited on a metallic or nonmetallic substrate which provides mechanical support for the microprobe hydrophone. Electrical connection to the pressure sensing elements is made by deposition of conductors and insulators on the substrate material. Wire bonds are used to attach wire leads for connection to a supporting structure containing a preamplifier. Line arrays and planar arrays of microprobe hydrophone elements are also disclosed.

Omnidirectional ultrasonic microprobe hydrophone

Apparatus for absorbing acoustic energy directed toward a wall. The appars includes a piezoelectric layer intermediate the wall and the source of the acoustic energy. Circuitry attached to the output of the transducer compensates blocked and motional capacitances of the transducer so that the output signal generates real current for dissipation in a resistor thereby to minimize any echo reflected from the piezoelectric layer.

Energy absorption apparatus

An acoustically transparent voided, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hydrope made of material whose impedance matches the characteristic acoustic impedance (.rho.c) of sea water, having drastically reduced diffraction and resonance effects. The frequency response is thus flat at frequencies less than one-half elastic wavelength in the PVDF material. An array of such hydrophones in front of a projector saves space without affecting projector performance.

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Norwich, CT, United States of America

James M Powers