Westinghouse Electric Corporation

Larry T Gingerich

John H Thompson

Paul E Jaenke

Robert H Whittaker

An acoustic sensor and projector module for sonar applications includes a first acoustic transducer element operating as a projector to generate an acoustic beam, and a second acoustic transducer element acting as a hydrophone to sense pressure wave returns. When the second acoustic transducer element operates in a sensing mode, the first acoustic transducer element serves in conjunction with a baffle structure to baffle acoustic signals presented to the hydrophone. Similarly, when the first transducer element operates in a projecting mode to generate an acoustic beam, the second transducer element acts in combination with a baffle structure to baffle acoustic signals emitted by the projector.

Acoustic sensor and projector module having an active baffle structure

A side-looking sonar transducer which has sound absorbing material extending forwardly of the active surface of the transducer elements to diminish the acoustic response over a predetermined zone for reducing the effect of erroneous reflection signals. The surface of the sound absorbing material has a series of sharp peaks and valleys.

Sonar beam shaping with an acoustic baffle

A cylindrical transducer for providing an omnidirectional beam pattern in one plane and a line radiation pattern in planes normal to the omnidirectional pattern. The cylindrical transducer active element is a radially poled piezoceramic having a surface into which a square thread is spirally cut so that only a pair of electrical leads are needed to excite the whole assembly. In one embodiment the thread is cut entirely through the thickness of the cylinder and in another embodiment it is cut partially through.

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Annapolis, MD, United States of America

Larry T Gingerich