New Designs of Class v Flextensional Transducers Using the Atila Code

The principle of SONAR array as used in underwater detection consists of generating a sound wave which propagated into a fluid medium.and is then reflected from a target.The location and identification of the target can then be achieved through analysis of the echoes.The improvements sought in range and performance require the use of higher and higher power at lower and lower frequencies from radiators of reduced dimensions.At the present time.Flextensional transducers seem to offer a good solution.Two classes of Flextensional transducers are generally employed: classes IV and V.In the first case, the drivers consist of parallel stacks of ceramics.The shell provides the necessary pre-stressing.In the second case.the drivers are made from ceramics staves arranged to form a ring.The pre--stressing is achieved by wrapping the ring with glass fibres under tension.However.because it is no classical.the application of pre-stress in these two cases remains delicate and imprecise.The purpose of this paper is to propose and to analyse by the finite element code ATILA1 an original class V Flextensional transducer that does not suffer from this drawback.This Flextensional transducer is made of a segmented ring on which are mounted conventional ceramic stacks arranged in an inscribed polygon.It would have the advantage of simple construction and easy pre-stressing.Several configurations will be analysed with a special emphasis on technical advantages of these new Flextensional designs.