Hybrid Underwater Sound Source with Tunable Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Tunable underwater sound sources can only transmit frequency-modulated signals, limiting their ability to transmit arbitrary waveforms over a wide frequency band, which is necessary for advanced oceanographic tomography and communication applications.
Innovation Solution
A hybrid underwater sound source with a dual-resonant organ pipe design that allows for the transmission of arbitrary signals over a wide frequency band by adjusting the position of coaxial tubular sleeves to change the resonator tube's resonance frequency, enabling both precise acoustic tomography and digital communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a tunable underwater sound source is used, then the frequency can be adjusted to match reference signals, but the device can only transmit frequency-modulated signals and cannot transmit arbitrary waveforms over a wide frequency band
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator tube is divided into multiple discrete sections with adjustable boundaries. Coaxial tubular sleeves can be positioned at different locations along the tube to create distinct resonant sections. This segmentation allows the system to generate different frequency components that can be combined to form arbitrary waveforms, thereby expanding signal transmission capability beyond simple frequency modulation.
Solution Approach 2:
The device incorporates dynamically adjustable components including coaxial tubular sleeves that can move along the resonator tube and electronic control systems that can modify resonance frequencies in real-time. This dynamic adjustability enables the sound source to adapt its frequency characteristics to transmit arbitrary waveforms across a wide frequency band, resolving the limitation of fixed frequency-modulated signal transmission.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the resonator tube length is increased to achieve lower resonance frequencies, then the bandwidth is reduced, but if the length is decreased, then the lowest resonance frequency increases
Solution Approach 1:
The resonator tube is divided into multiple adjustable sections that can be independently configured. By creating discrete resonant sections with movable boundaries (coaxial sleeves), the system can achieve multiple resonance frequencies within a compact overall length. This segmentation allows coverage of a wide frequency band without requiring an excessively long tube, as different section configurations produce different resonant frequencies.
Solution Approach 2:
The resonator tube incorporates dynamically adjustable boundaries through coaxial tubular sleeves that can be repositioned along the tube length. This dynamic configuration allows the effective resonant length to be changed, enabling the system to achieve both low and high resonance frequencies within a single compact device, thereby covering a wide frequency band without increasing overall tube length.
3Adaptability or versatility
If coaxial tubular sleeves are used to adjust resonance frequency, then the device complexity increases, but the ability to transmit arbitrary signals over a wide frequency band is improved
Solution Approach 1:
Coaxial tubular sleeves are nested within the resonator tube structure, with each sleeve capable of independent movement. This nested configuration allows multiple adjustment mechanisms to be integrated within a compact form factor, minimizing the increase in device complexity while maximizing the ability to generate and transmit arbitrary signals across a wide frequency band through combined resonant modes.
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
The hybrid system provides high precision navigation and tomographic measurements while supporting digital communications, allowing for the transmission of navigational data and ocean characteristics, similar to satellite GPS systems, thereby enhancing underwater navigation precision.
Implementation Method 1
a resonator tube that produces a fundamental resonance frequency and at least one overtone frequency
Implementation Method 2
transmitting sound waves over a wide frequency band
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
An underwater sound source includes an acoustical driver, a controller of the acoustical driver, and a resonant tube acoustically coupled to the acoustical driver. The resonant tube has a pair of slotted portions, in which each slotted portion is disposed along the length of the resonant tube at a location corresponding to a node of a harmonic of the resonant tube. The sound system is configured to emit an output signal within a bandwidth defined by a dual resonance characteristic of the resonator tube. The sound source may also include a pair of coaxial tubular sleeves disposed around the resonant tube, each sleeve configured to slidably cover one of the slotted portions, and tune the resonance frequency of the tube over a wide range. At a high frequency end, when slots are uncovered, the frequency response of the resonant tube obtains a dual-resonant form.