USA As Represented by Secretary of the Navy

Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey

Thomas E Hansen

Francisco Javier Diez-Garias

Simon E Freeman

Alia W Kroger

Charles K Boyle

Rylan C King

Lewis B Shattuck, Iv

An acoustic transducer system for projecting and sensing acoustic waves or sound in fluid is disclosed in accordance with the present disclosure and figures herein. The system includes a transducer array of a plurality of channels, each channel having an inlet and an outlet, and a reservoir containing a liquid solution. A first electrode is disposed proximate to the inlet and a second electrode is disposed proximate to the outlet. A voltage source, connected to the first and second electrodes, is configured to apply voltage across a length of the array of the channels to generate an electric field parallel to each channel. The electric field causes an electroosmotic flow of ions from the reservoir to the outlet, producing a plurality of acoustic waves or sound at the outlet. A method for projecting and sensing acoustic waves or sound in fluid using the acoustic transducer system is also disclosed herein.

Electroosmotic high fidelity acoustic transducer

An axial motor assembly is provided with fluidic electrostatic actuators mounted between an end plate and a wobble plate. A computer-implemented drive subsystem executes instructions to create voltage delivery patterns through a power supply to operate the actuators to create nutational motion in the wobble plate. A cam transfers the nutational motion into rotational motion and, in turn, into shaft power. The actuators can be linearly-contractile shelled electrostatic actuators, linearly expansive donut electrostatic actuators and multi-directionally expansive segmented donut electrostatic actuators. Drive method steps include initializing drive variables; determining, upon detecting a control command, a respective deformation target for each actuator; determining, based on the drive variables and the deformation targets, the voltage delivery pattern; and throttling the power supply to drive the actuators using the voltage delivery pattern. Upon detecting a response change in axial motor operation, drive variables can be dynamically recalibrated.

Axial motor using wobble plate and electrostatic actuators

A shape memory alloy composite fabric and a method of use is provided in underwater pressure vessels and as flexible joints in atmospheric diving suits. The atmospheric diving suit internal pressure is one atmosphere for underwater transit to and from an underwater work site. During operations at a work site, the shape memory alloy joints transform to a martensite phase and enable greater flexibility while the pressure in the atmospheric diving suit equalizes with ambient depth pressure.

Shape memory alloy composite fabric pressure vessel and diving suit

A four-stage digital voltage distribution system is provided with a multi-bridge relay assembly to deliver pulsed direct current to a dielectric actuator. A first stage of operation opens a forward voltage flow from a high voltage source through a passive signal conditioner before activating the actuator and passing through a forward diode to ground. A second stage cuts off the forward voltage flow to the dielectric actuator; thereby, shorting the dielectric actuator and causing a reverse discharge flow through a reverse diode. A third stage opens a reverse voltage flow through the signal conditioner before activating the dielectric actuator and passing through the reverse diode to ground. A fourth stage cuts off the reverse voltage flow to the charged dielectric actuator; thereby, shorting the dielectric actuator and causing a forward discharge flow through the forward diode. The four stages continuously loop to deliver pulsed DC to the actuator.

Digital voltage distributor for dielectric actuators

A connector is provided with a forward bulkhead assembly having a forward bulkhead device and an aft bulkhead assembly having an aft bulkhead device. Each of the forward bulkhead assembly and the aft bulkhead assembly includes connections for wires and optical fibers of an acoustic array. The forward bulkhead assembly includes a clamshell-type ring of two halves on opposite sides of the forward bulkhead assembly. The clamshell has a locking feature and a locking ring attached to the locking feature. The locking ring connects the forward bulkhead assembly with the aft bulkhead assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Newport, RI, United States of America

Thomas E Hansen