High-Power-Density High-Efficiency Carbon Nanotube Thermo-Acoustic (TA) Projectors
Abstract
PSU will develop detailed theory and experiments involving structure-fluid-acoustic interaction explaining the physical behavior of thermoacoutic projectors (TAPs). Numerical model will combine all the controlling steps from power input to acoustic wave generation to the propagation in outer fluid media. Power input to the computational domain will be used to determine the frequency dependent temperature variation and thermal diffusive length which governs the generation of thermoacoutic (TA) wave. TA wave will be used as driving force to simulate the vibration of the structure and produce acoustic wave in outer fluids (air or water). A high power LF device (<200 Hz) will be fabricated to validate the model and demonstrate the low frequency projector. The detailed experimental analysis (vibration and acoustics) will be performed on the fabricated devices in both air and water medium and results will be compared with the predictions from modeling. Currently in our TAPs, a (multiwalled carbon nanotube) MWNT sheet is suspended between two flexural plates and sealed from the edges by a silicone gasket. The compartment formed between the two plates is filled with different gases such as Xenon, Argon, air etc. This transducer design provides enhanced output at lower frequencies by using a resonant condition and provides protection for the Carbon Nanotubes (CNT) sheet for the high input power operation in underwater harsh conditions (to avoid collapsing the CNT sheet). In order to further improve the reliability of the transducers, we plan to investigate supercritical liquids. Systematic investigations will be conducted with various liquids and coated sheets in order to improve the robustness at varying power and depth levels.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Aug 15, 2019
- Source ID
- N000141912461
Entities
People
- Shashank Priya
Organizations
- Office of Naval Research
- Pennsylvania State University
- United States Navy