Proposal to Develop Multi-Functional Composites for Sensor and Actuator Applications
Abstract
The intent of this research was to develop a procedure to produce piezoelectric fiber composites for use in ultrasound transducers, under water hydrophones and preliminary actuator designs. All facets of the proposed research were successfully addressed with performance results exceeding expectations. Ultrasound transducers have been built for a range of frequencies that are equal to the best "dice and fill" composite transducers but without any lateral wave interference providing clean signals up to 40 MHz. Recently a 20 MHz transducer was built which compared with the best results seen previously. Before the end of this STTR work was completed, products of this technical breakthrough were commercialized and are the subject of an exclusive supply agreement with the largest manufacturer of NDE equipment in the U.S. Hydrophones were constructed using ACI's PZT fiber composite transducers which compare favorably with the best commercial units and are an order of magnitude more sensitive than state of the art injection molded transducers. Discussions with Northrop-Grumman are underway for a Phase III effort to develop hydrophone/sonar transducers for the next generation submarine. The first test actuators were constructed using ACI's PZT fiber performance rivalling the best devices available.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 11, 1998
- Accession Number
- ADA343746
Entities
People
- Gregory Weitz
- Jonathan D. French
- Richard B. Cass