Lattice-Structured Piston Transducer for Wider Sonar Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Piston transducers face limitations in bandwidth and structural integrity due to material density and stiffness issues, particularly under extreme conditions like underwater explosions.
Innovation Solution
Employing a lattice structure with voids and varying densities within the head mass, optimized through additive manufacturing, enhances stiffness and reduces mass, thereby increasing bandwidth and resilience to explosive shocks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If dense materials are used for the head mass, then structural integrity is improved, but bandwidth of operation is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The head mass is constructed using a lattice structure with voids, creating a porous material that reduces density while maintaining structural integrity through the geometric arrangement of struts and sheets. This allows the head mass to be lighter (improving bandwidth) while retaining sufficient strength through the lattice design.
Solution Approach 2:
The head mass combines different materials with complementary properties: a lattice structure providing lightweight support with voids filled or coated with materials optimized for acoustic performance and structural strength. This composite approach enables simultaneous optimization of bandwidth and structural integrity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If materials with lower density are used, then bandwidth is increased, but structural integrity under extreme conditions deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure provides a porous material that is lighter than solid materials (increasing bandwidth) while the geometric configuration of struts and sheets provides structural reinforcement that maintains integrity under extreme conditions like underwater explosions.
Solution Approach 2:
The relative density of the lattice structure is optimized to fall within 0.1 to 0.5, creating a material with properties that balance low density (for bandwidth) with sufficient structural strength (for extreme condition resilience).
3Weight of moving object
If the head mass is made lighter, then bandwidth is increased, but stiffness required for acoustic performance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The lattice structure creates a porous material that reduces mass while the geometric arrangement of struts and sheets maintains stiffness through structural reinforcement, allowing the head mass to be lighter without sacrificing acoustic performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The lattice structure distributes mass across a three-dimensional geometric framework rather than using solid material, allowing weight reduction while maintaining stiffness through the spatial arrangement of structural elements.
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 lattice structure provides enhanced structural integrity and wider operational bandwidth, allowing the transducer to perform effectively under extreme conditions while maintaining acoustic performance.
Implementation Method 1
They can also receive sounds, acting as a hydrophone. Such transducers find wide use in naval and domestic fields due to their effectiveness, simplicity and low cost.
Implementation Method 2
The head mass may include a lattice structure. The lattice structure may comprise a unit cell of Sheet Gyroid U.
Implementation Method 3
The additive manufacturing process may comprise at least one of selective laser melting (SLM), powder bed fusion and direct metal deposition.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3A~3C
AI summary
A piston transducer for sonar applications, the piston transducer comprising a head mass, wherein the head mass comprises an active surface for transmitting and/or receiving ultrasound waves, the head mass having an internal lattice structure to structurally support the head mass; and wherein the lattice structure comprises an organised structure of repeating unit cells.