A Design Programme to Optimise High Reliability Wideband Hydrophones

BackgroundSeveral years ago DBE Technology became concerned about the reliability, and in particular the immersed lifetime, of some high performance, wideband hydrophones then in use.Devices manufactured by ITC Inc. were showing signs of deterioration after only a few months immersion in an application where a long life is of prime importance owing to high installation and replacement costs.DBE Technology were interested in developing replacement hydrophones, with the emphasis on achieving an acceptable reliability and immersed life.This early interest opened up the possibility of achieving improvements to the hydrophone design, both in terms of lifetime and performance.In August 1980, DBE Technology began to optimise such hydrophones.This work was carried out over approximately two years, ceasing in October 1982.This report presents a summary of the programme.