Variable resonance acoustic transducer

摘要

A transducer assembly is provided for projecting acoustic signals into a medium. The assembly includes a support member having first and second layers of piezoelectric material mechanically linked to the support member. The first and second layers are joined to electrical drive circuitry such that one layer receives a driving voltage signal while the other layer receives the driving voltage with a stiffening voltage. The transducer assembly can use both the 3-1 and 3-3 drive modes. Multiple configurations are supported, and both bender bar and slotted cylinder configurations are shown.

主权项

1. A transducer assembly comprising:
a support member; a first layer of piezoelectric material mechanically joined to said support member for providing strain in a first desired direction that affects said assembly, said first layer having first layer electrodes; a second layer of piezoelectric material mechanically joined to said support member for providing strain in a second desired direction that affects said assembly, said second layer having second layer electrodes; electrical drive circuitry joined to said first layer electrodes and said second layer electrodes, said electrical drive circuitry being configured to provide a driving voltage to one of said first layer electrodes and said second layer electrodes and being configured to provide the driving voltage with a stiffening voltage to the other of said first layer electrodes and second layer electrodes, wherein said electrical drive circuitry further comprises a controller configured to calculate and adjust the magnitude of said stiffening voltage based on a desired transducer assembly resonance frequency and environmental conditions.