Modelling and implementation of 1-3 piezocomposite side scan sonar array

Abstract

A design and implementation of a 1-3 piezocomposite side scan transmit sonar array is considered. The theoretical approach to the array design is based on a new concept of one-dimensional modelling of 1-3 piezocomposite transducers, developed by the authors. This concept corresponds to the generalization of the Smith-Auld one-dimensional model and takes into consideration lateral motions of the piezoelectric pillars and polymer, which are supposed to be proportional to the strain in the axial direction. The main advance of the approach is that the electromechanical model is formulated in terms of variational approach. A new set of equivalent elastic, electrical and electromechanical constants of 1-3 piezocomposite is derived. Lamb modes of the 1-3 piezocomposites are investigated in term of the Certon-Patat membrane model by means of direct variational method application. The implementation of the array is proposed with generation of acoustic beam patterns at three different frequencies: 80 kHz, 300 kHz and 510 kHz. It is shown that the experimental data are in good agreement with the theoretical predictions