ACOUSTIC RAYS IN AN OCEAN WITH HEAT SOURCE OR THERMAL MIXING ZONE

Abstract

The eikonal equation of ray acoustics is discussed for the general case, with the index of refraction a function of the three space coordinates. Two examples illustrating the influences of a two-dimensional heat source and a thermal mixing zone on the acoustic ray paths are presented. Numerical results show that, for long-range acoustical ray tracing, inhomogenei ties of the ocean in the horizontal plane can cause refraction effects, which are not negligible in comparison with effects in the vertical direction. Rays, which travel in the vicinity of a heat source, can be refracted as much as 6 deg. Thermal mixing zones can increase the range of shadow zones near the ocean surface up to 50%. Even new shadow zones can be formed.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 1963
Accession Number
AD0405888

Entities

People

  • Hans J. Lugt
  • Peter Ugincius

Organizations

  • Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Acoustics
  • Computations
  • Differential Equations
  • Equations
  • Fluid Dynamics
  • Fluid Flow
  • Fluid Mechanics
  • Munitions
  • Ocean Currents
  • Oceans
  • Physics Laboratories
  • Plastic Explosives
  • Ray Tracing
  • Refraction
  • Refractive Index
  • Temperature Gradients
  • Two Dimensional

Fields of Study

  • Physics

Readers

  • Coastal Oceanography
  • Thermal Physics or Thermal Science.
  • Wave Propagation and Nonlinear Chaotic Dynamics.

Technology Areas

  • Space
  • Space - Hall-Effect Thruster