The B. F. Goodrich Company

Samuel J Caprette, Jr

Robert H Black

Jai L Lai

Bernie Fink

Lawrence J Howard, Jr

Jonathan M Golden

Wilson N Smith, Jr

A compliant baffle for use in a marine environment wherein a pair of plate-like elements are separated in a spaced predetermined manner typically employing T-blocks, rods, or edges of the plate-like elements bent one towards the next, surrounded by an elastomeric encapsulant and configured into ranks of box-like structures forming a sonic reflector or baffle. The baffle finds utility in reflecting noise in especially at great depths in marine environments.

Compliant tube baffle

A compliant tube baffle for use in a marine environment wherein a boxlike structure (10) is surrounded by an elastomeric cover (64) and includes a pair of beam plates (12,14) separated by suitable means such as bent plate springs (18,20) which may be engageable with elastic cushioning layers (54) adhered to side shields (52). The beam plates (12,14) may be tapered with the tapered sections (34) having curved surfaces in the form of an ellipse. Damping may be provided by piezoelectric elements (58) or by constrained layers (66) of elastomeric material stressed during flexing movement of the beam plates (12,14). The beam plates (72,74) may also be separated at the edges (84) by elongated members (78,80) of solid elastomer or members (92,94) of a laminate of elastomer and rigid material.

A laminate acoustic window for sonar systems having a pair of septa sandwiching a core therebetween, the core being made of a low shear high elongation to break material, the septa being formed of a relatively low density, high modulus material. The windows of the invention are characterizied by unusual freedom from attenuation loss over a wide frequency range. The windows are further substantially self damping and avoid thereby a generation of significant quantities of deleterious noise due to self generated vibration and transmitted vibration.

Window for acoustic wave form and method for making

A sonic window suitable for use in sonar applications wherein an elastomer such as natural or synthetic natural rubbers, a low air entrapping fiber or fibril used for reinforcement, fillers, and thermosetting resins are formed into desired window configuration. The low air entrapment associated with the fiber or fibrils produces a remarkably sonicly transparent window.

Acoustic window and material therefor

A baffle for use in baffling or reflecting acoustic frequencies in a marine environment wherein a core ply of fiber or fabric reinforced rubber sheet is sandwiched between a pair of plies formed of an elastomeric substance and having fluid filled pockets embeddedly positioned therein in a regular, spaced relationship. The reflector functions to baffle or reflect undesired acoustic frequencies typically in conjunction with the operation of sonar arrays.

Growing community of inventors

Chagrin Falls, OH, United States of America

Samuel J Caprette, Jr