Flexural Disc Piezoelectric Polymer Hydrophones.
Abstract
Piezoelectric polymer (poled polyvinylidene fluoride), a Japanese development recently introduced into high fidelity technology, shows promise as a hydrophone material because of its flexibility, ruggedness, low density, and potentially low cost. A family of lightweight flexural disc hydrophones which use piezoelectric polymer are described. Measurements on a 3.8 cm diameter unit gave a sensitivity of -199 dB//1V/micro Pa with good stability over ranges of 2 Hz to 1 kHz, 0 to 22 C, and 0 to 600 psi static pressure. This particular unit uses two air-backed flexural discs with a stack of four pieces of 30 micrometers polymer film glued to each disc, resulting in a combined capacitance of 1 nF. This hydrophone has a mass of 24 g in air and is neutrally buoyant in water. A theoretical analysis which shows the variation of hydrophone performance as a function of design parameters is presented, and the material properties of piezoelectric polymer and piezoelectric ceramic are compared. (Author)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 16, 1977
- Accession Number
- ADA042622
Entities
People
- James M. Powers
- Timothy D. Sullivan
Organizations
- Naval Underwater Systems Center