Hydrophone Ceramic Stack Assembly Axial Compression Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing hydrophone assembly methods result in inconsistent performance due to non-uniform axial stress on ceramic rings, leading to erratic bearing errors when detecting incoming pressure waves, making them inaccurate and unreliable across various frequencies.
Innovation Solution
A method of assembling a hydrophone by stacking tangentially poled ceramic rings, Delrin washers, and LC-800 washers, where the axial compression is equalized by measuring voltage across each ring, ensuring uniform compression and accurate performance across a wide range of frequencies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If axial compression is applied to ceramic rings during assembly, then the hydrophone can detect pressure waves, but non-uniform compression causes erratic bearing errors and inaccurate performance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism by measuring the voltage output of each ceramic ring during assembly and using this information to adjust the compression applied to each ring. The system continuously monitors the electrical response of individual rings and modifies the mechanical compression accordingly to achieve uniform axial stress across all rings, thereby eliminating erratic bearing errors and ensuring accurate hydrophone performance.
2Productivity
If traditional assembly methods are used without individual ring compression control, then assembly is simpler and faster, but bearing errors exceed thirty degrees at numerous frequencies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-compressing each ceramic ring to a specific target voltage level before final assembly. This preliminary compression adjustment ensures that each ring is pre-conditioned with the correct axial stress, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-assembly adjustments and preventing bearing errors while maintaining efficient assembly throughput.
3Measurement precision
If uniform axial compression is achieved on all ceramic rings, then bearing errors are reduced to approximately zero plus or minus ten degrees, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical compression adjustment mechanisms with an electrical feedback system. Instead of using elaborate mechanical devices to precisely control and measure compression forces, the system uses voltage measurements from each ceramic ring's piezoelectric response to infer compression levels and automatically adjusts compression accordingly, simplifying the overall assembly process while achieving uniform compression.
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 method ensures accurate hydrophone performance by equalizing axial compression, reducing bearing errors, and enabling operation across a wide frequency range, resulting in a smaller, easier-to-handle, and less costly transducer with improved directional sensitivity.
Implementation Method 1
An acoustic hydrophone can transfer underwater pressure waves to electrical energy. As a result, an output charge can be monitored from piezoelectric material
Data Source
AI summary
A method of assembling a hydrophone is provided in which the method stacks ceramic rings, delrin washers, and LC-800 washers such that a top edge of a composite stack extends beyond a top of a hydrophone flange. By measuring the voltage on each ceramic ring while an end cap and a socket head cap screw are installed; the axial compression of each ceramic ring is quantified; thereby, providing an opportunity to equalize the axial compression of each ceramic ring to yield an accurately performing hydrophone.