IMPACT-REINFORCED PIEZOCOMPOSITE TRANSDUCER ARRAY

摘要

An impact-reinforced piezocomposite transducer array (10) comprises a load supporting structure (18) having a plurality of cells (17), each of said cells (17) comprises a piezocomposite transducer element (34). The load supporting structure (18) comprises a honeycomb structure having a plurality of multi-sided cells (17) or the structure comprises a plurality of cylindrical cells (94). The piezocomposite element (34) includes a plurality of piezoceramic rods (34) encapsulated in a polymeric matrix (36) to form a 1-3 composite body. The transducer array (10) may be used as a hydrophone or a transmitter in a rugged environment such as on the hull of an icebreaker ship.