Thomson-csf

Michel Letiche

Bernard Tocquet

This electroacoustic transducer has a structure of the so-called 'Tonpilz' general type, i.e., comprising a radiating horn, a rear mass and a motor formed by at least one piezoelectric element interposed between said horn and said rear mass, and electrically excited so as to produce a vibration transmitted to the horn. Said piezoelectric element is submitted to an electric field with a direction perpendicular to the main direction of polarization of said piezoelectric material so as to stress the latter in the shear mode. Said horn and rear mass are terminated one in the form of a foot and the other in the form of a U accommodating said foot between rectilinear arms, the foot and arms extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the transducer, and said motor being formed by substantially parallelepipedal piezoelectric elements disposed between the facing sides of said foot and of each arm, these elements being fitted with electrodes creating an electric field parallel to said longitudinal direction, and the shape of said piezoelectric elements being chosen so as to promote the strain of the piezoelectric material substantially in this longitudinal direction. This configuration allows to considerably lower the resonant frequency of the assembly with moderate overall size and weight and with a small volume of piezoelectric material.

Electroacoustic transducer, usable in particular as a source of acoustic

The disclosed flextensor transducer enables the transmission and reception of acoustic waves in water at very great depths. It includes at least one pillar of piezoelectrical cells placed within an impervious shell. Each pillar is supported solely by a first end on the shell, and is compressed on the shell by a counter-mass applied to its second end.

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Merles, France

Michel Letiche