Variable reluctance actuated flextension transducer

摘要

An underwater acoustic projector including a Class IV flextension shell, preferably in the form of an ellipsoid, is connected to and driven by two substantially identical electromagnets having mutually opposing pole faces and having a common spatially uniform air gap which is centered between the pole faces. The coils of the two electromagnets are connected in series and when excited by a controlled current, generate a mutually attractive variable reluctance force which causes the pole faces to be attracted toward one another. The shell secured to the electromagnets elastically flexes along one of two mutually perpendicular axes resulting in a volumetric displacement of the outer surface of the shell.