Abstract: A transducer assembly providing a conversion between the electrical and sonic energy, the transducer assembly being adapted for operating submerged at great depths in ocean waters. The transducer assembly is formed by a front and back plate which are affixed in one embodiment to the ends of a first mechanically distributed impedance member, a second mechanically distributed impedance member located between the front and the back plate and a transducer of electroacoustical material mechanically coupling the first and second members for imparting sonic vibrations to these members. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer is bonded at one end thereof to the back plate and at the other end thereof to the second member. External hydrostatic pressure present at the front and back plates does not compress the electroacoustical material.

Abstract: A cylindrical array employs rectangular planar array segments which extend in the axial direction when assembled on a cylindrical conducting plate having flat longitudinal portions to which the planar array segments are attached. Each planar array segment comprises two columns of planar transducer elements with each column extending in the axial direction of the cylinder. The acoustic center of each transducer lies on the circumference of a right circular cylinder. The acoustical requirements of a cylindrical array are satisfied to allow multiple beams to be formed with a minimum of complexity and with the same versatility as in the curved array segment cylindrical array embodiment.

Abstract: A transducer assembly in which a transducer unit of a piezoelectric material which is rigidly held between a rear member and a front member, both of which are made to vibrate upon energizing the piezoelectric material. Inductive elements comprising copper conductors wound about iron cores and utilized in the tuning of the transducer assembly are rigidly connected to one or both of the members and may also be connected to the transducer unit itself to serve as a portion of the inertial mass which imparts a mechanical vibrational characteristic to the transducer assembly. In one embodiment of the invention, the rear member is provided with a void wherein there is nested an inductor having an inertia similar to that of the material removed from the rear member in forming the void.

Abstract: A transducer composed of a plurality of transducer segments arranged along a line with electrodes positioned between the segments and a pair of end electrodes positioned at opposite ends of the line of transducer segments. The two end electrodes are electrically coupled. Alternate ones of the remaining electrodes are coupled to the terminal pair of a signal generator which electrically activates the transducer segments to convert the electrical signals to vibrational energy for the radiation of sonic energy from the transducer. This arrangement reduces the electrical potential between the electrodes and a metallic case which encloses the transducer.