Underwater transducer with depth compensation

摘要

An underwater transducer in which a ring of piezoelectric ceramic elements vibrates radially in response to an applied voltage. Spacer elements formed of steel are placed between pairs of ceramic elements and used to couple the ring movement to convex diaphragms. Each diaphragm is formed with radially extending fingers, which attach to the spacer elements. A water bladder assembly within the transducer forms a passive internal pressure compensation system. Preferably, the water bladder assembly is attached to the ring in a manner that mechanically decouples the bladder assembly from the ring.