Underwater Acoustic Projector Pressure Equalization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Low frequency underwater acoustic projectors with moving coil designs are expensive and complex due to sensitivity to pressure differentials, requiring external pressure sources that limit depth and increase size and cost.
Innovation Solution
The design includes a housing with apertures allowing water to equalize pressure within the internal cavity, using a moving coil and fixed magnet setup with a piston between diaphragms to maintain static equilibrium, allowing operation across a range of depths without external pressurization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a moving coil apparatus is used in an underwater acoustic projector, then acoustic projection capability is achieved, but the device becomes sensitive to pressure differentials requiring complex external pressure sources
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cavity serves itself by allowing water to enter through apertures and automatically equalize pressure with the external environment. The system uses the surrounding water pressure directly without requiring external pressurization equipment, thereby eliminating complex pressure supply mechanisms while maintaining acoustic projection reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs hydraulic principles by allowing water to enter the internal cavity through apertures to equalize pressure. This hydraulic approach replaces complex mechanical or electrical pressurization systems with a simple fluid pressure balance mechanism, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Stability of the object's composition
If external pressure sources are used to maintain static equilibrium, then frequency stability is maintained, but the depth range and operational versatility are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cavity is designed to perform multiple functions: it houses the moving coil apparatus, allows water entry for pressure equalization, and maintains static equilibrium across various depths. This universal design enables the projector to operate reliably from the surface to significant depths without requiring depth-specific pressure compensation systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system adapts to changing pressure conditions by allowing water to enter the internal cavity, changing the pressure parameter from pressurized to equalized with external environment. This parameter change enables the projector to maintain frequency stability across a wide depth range while improving adaptability to different operating conditions.
3Stability of the object's composition
If pressure is supplied to the internal cavity to maintain static equilibrium, then frequency stability is maintained, but the size and complexity of the design increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the pressure supply function from the internal cavity by allowing water to enter through apertures. This eliminates the need for internal pressurization mechanisms, reducing the volume required for pressure containment while maintaining frequency stability through external water pressure equalization.
4Stability of the object's composition
If external pressure sources are used, then static equilibrium is maintained, but the cost and expense of the device increase
Solution Approach 1:
The internal cavity is designed to be self-pressurizing by allowing water to enter through apertures and automatically equalize pressure with the external environment. This eliminates the need for expensive external pressure sources, SCUBA systems, or complex pressurization equipment, thereby reducing manufacturing cost while maintaining static equilibrium and frequency stability.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables a cost-effective, compact, and versatile underwater acoustic projector that can operate across various depths without the need for external pressure sources, maintaining frequency stability and expanding operational range.
Implementation Method 1
The acoustic projector can receive water in an internal cavity of its housing to maintain the pressure differential between the internal cavity and a projector face of the acoustic projector in static equilibrium
Implementation Method 2
a moving coil and a fixed magnet that are disposed in the second portion of the internal cavity. A projector face is disposed at a second end of the internal cavity, the projector face including a piston disposed in a space between an outer diaphragm and an inner diaphragm, and the piston is connected to the moving coil
Data Source
AI summary
An underwater acoustic projector for projecting acoustic energy through water is described. The acoustic projector includes a housing defining an internal cavity, a plurality of apertures in the housing that place the internal cavity in fluid communication with an external environment, an acoustic baffle disposed in the internal cavity at a first end that fluidly seals the first end of the internal cavity from the external environment, and a projector face that is disposed in the internal cavity at a second end of the internal cavity. The projector face includes a movable piston disposed between outer and inner diaphragms. A magnet is fixed within the internal cavity between the acoustic baffle and the projector face, and a moving coil is connected to the piston and arranged relative to the magnet so as to be driven by the magnet thereby driving the piston.