EP1467824A1 - High-power transmission acoustic antenna - Google Patents

High-power transmission acoustic antenna

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Publication number
EP1467824A1
EP1467824A1 EP02799791A EP02799791A EP1467824A1 EP 1467824 A1 EP1467824 A1 EP 1467824A1 EP 02799791 A EP02799791 A EP 02799791A EP 02799791 A EP02799791 A EP 02799791A EP 1467824 A1 EP1467824 A1 EP 1467824A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
layer
active material
antenna
forming
foam
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP02799791A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1467824B1 (en
Inventor
Daniel Thales Intellectual Property ANDREIS
Sylvie Thales Intellectual Property PONTHUS
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thales SA
Original Assignee
Thales SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thales SA filed Critical Thales SA
Publication of EP1467824A1 publication Critical patent/EP1467824A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1467824B1 publication Critical patent/EP1467824B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06—GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06B—METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0644—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element
    • B06B1/0662—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface
    • B06B1/0674—Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction using a single piezoelectric element with an electrode on the sensitive surface and a low impedance backing, e.g. air

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to acoustic antennas, that is to say devices which make it possible to emit, from electrical signals, acoustic, sound or ultrasonic waves, in water. Such antennas are in particular used in sonars.
  • the invention makes it possible in particular to emit significant, or even very significant, acoustic power with such an antenna.
  • High frequency transducers are known, typically for emission frequencies greater than 50 kHz, consisting of the stack of so-called “front” layers (adaptation blade (s) and / or sealing membrane), of a layer of active material (electrical / acoustic transduction), and layer (s) called “back (s)” or “backing”.
  • Thermally conductive materials are known which are in the form of foams. Mention will in particular be made of metallic foams of aluminum, nickel, nickel-chromium, copper or steel, as well as non-metallic foams of carbon or silicon carbide.
  • foams have a thermal conductivity about 20 times greater than that of composites of the charged epoxy resin type used as adaptation or backing materials in the high frequency transducers corresponding to the prior art. It is 50 times greater than that of the rubbers constituting the waterproof membranes used in these transducers.
  • German patent 19 623 035 filed by the company STN Atlas a low frequency transducer whose flag and / or rear mass are made of an expanded metal whose density is adjusted to obtain a determined resonant frequency.
  • the roof and / or the rear mass are obtained by molding the base metal with an adequate dose of foaming agent.
  • this manufacturing process is difficult to implement and to control, which has a serious drawback.
  • the invention proposes a transducer according to a high frequency acoustic antenna with high transmission power comprising a stack formed of at least one protective front layer, at least one layer of active material and at least minus a rear layer forming a reflector, mainly characterized in that this rear layer consists of a thermally conductive foam.
  • the rear layer is bonded on one face to the layer of active material and it is applied on the other face to a metal support in contact with the medium in which the antenna is immersed and the layer of active material is formed by columns of piezoelectric ceramic.
  • the rear layer is formed of metallic foam.
  • this metal foam is compressed.
  • a printed electrical connection circuit is inserted between the front layer and the layer of active material and a metal film is inserted between the active layer and the rear layer and forming the cold spot.
  • it comprises a metallic film inserted between the front layer and the layer of active material and forming the point cold, and a printed circuit and an insulating film inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
  • the high frequency acoustic antenna with high transmitting power comprises a stack formed of at least one protective front layer, at least one layer of active material and at least one rear layer forming a reflector.
  • the layer consists of a metal foam plate with open cells filled with a material providing acoustic adaptation
  • the front layer is bonded to the layer of active material by means of a metallic film forming the cold spot , and it includes a printed circuit inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
  • the rear layer consists of a thermally conductive foam.
  • the acoustic antenna constitutes the transmitting antenna or the transmitting / receiving antenna of an underwater imaging sonar.
  • FIG. 2 a sectional view in the vertical plane of a high frequency transducer arranged to form a sonar antenna according to the invention.
  • This antenna is made up of several columns of juxtaposed transducers (here piezoelectric ceramic cubes).
  • the rear part forming the "backing" of each column consists of a metal foam plate.
  • Such foam is commercially available in the form of plates.
  • a product referenced DUOCEL 10 PPI is used, available from the company ERG (USA).
  • the selected plate is advantageously mechanically compressed cold so as to obtain the desired density. This also makes it possible to increase its resistance to pressure.
  • the backing 201 was obtained in an exemplary embodiment by reducing the thickness to 4 mm to obtain a density of the order of 0.7 g / cm 3 .
  • the backing constitutes the electrical cold point. It is therefore formed in one piece which, after being dimensioned, is glued to the ceramic columns 202 by means of an epoxy adhesive, by means of a metallic film 203 forming the ground plane.
  • the antenna proper is then completed by the front layer or layers 204 placed on the ceramic columns by means of a printed circuit 205 provided with tracks making it possible, according to a known technique, to supply each column with electricity. transducers.
  • the assembly is placed in a metal support 206.
  • the heat is discharged into the water via the backing which is put in direct contact with this support.
  • a paste promoting heat exchange is inserted between the foam and the support.
  • the heat flux is indicated by arrows 207.
  • the cold spot is placed next to the front layer (s), the hot spot being on the backing side.
  • the printed circuit 205 provided with tracks is inserted between the ceramic columns 202 and the foam 201.
  • a thin film 208, electrically insulating, is placed between the printed circuit and the foam, the thickness and the material of this film being chosen so as to allow the thermal flux to pass.
  • the metal film 203 forming the ground plane.
  • only the front layer (s) consist of a foam 304 of conductive material.
  • This foam is advantageously metallic to open cells, so as to be impregnated with the material generally used for the front layers, polyurethane or elastomer in the case of a membrane, expoxy resin charged when not in the case of adaptation blades.
  • the foam then serves as a metal skeleton making the blades thermally conductive.
  • the desired density is adjusted using the filling material and the foam therefore does not need to be compressed for this function.
  • a printed circuit 205 is inserted between the ceramic columns and the backing 301, which is made in one piece from conventional material allowing the impedance adaptation to be obtained, for example from cellular material. low density.
  • a metallic film is inserted between the ceramic columns and the backing 301, which is made in one piece from conventional material allowing the impedance adaptation to be obtained, for example from cellular material. low density.
  • a metallic film is inserted between the ceramic columns and the backing 301, which is made in one piece from conventional material allowing the impedance adaptation to be obtained, for example from cellular material. low density.
  • a metallic film is inserted between the ceramic columns and the backing 301, which is made in one piece from conventional material allowing the impedance adaptation to be obtained, for example from cellular material. low density.
  • the backing 201 and the front layer (s) 304 are made of conductive material, preferably metallic foam for the backing and metallic foam filled for the front layers.
  • the metallic films inserted are removed, either between the backing and the ceramic columns, or between the front layers and the ceramic columns, taking advantage of the conductive nature of the metallic foams.
  • the ceramic reaches the temperature of 65 ° C for an electrical power density of 110 W / cm 2 , against only 60 W / cm 2 at the same temperature for a backing in thermally non-conductive material.
  • FIGS. 4 and 5 may be subject to variants consisting in reversing the hot and cold points.
  • a metallic film separates the backing from transducer columns, and the front layer (s) are then electrically isolated between each column.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Transducers For Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Support Of Aerials (AREA)
  • Aerials With Secondary Devices (AREA)
  • Waveguide Aerials (AREA)

Abstract

The present invention relates to high-frequency antennas with high transmission power. The invention consists in making the backing layer of such an antenna with a heat-conductive foam and enables the transmission power to be appreciably doubled.

Description

ANTENNE ACOUSTIQUE A GRANDE PUISSANCE D'EMISSION HIGH-TRANSMISSION ACOUSTIC ANTENNA
La présente invention se rapporte aux antennes acoustiques, c'est-à-dire aux dispositifs qui permettent d'émettre, à partir de signaux électriques, des ondes acoustiques, sonores ou ultrasonores, dans l'eau. De telles antennes sont en particulier utilisées dans les sonars. L'invention permet notamment d'émettre une puissance acoustique importante, voire très importante, avec une telle antenne.The present invention relates to acoustic antennas, that is to say devices which make it possible to emit, from electrical signals, acoustic, sound or ultrasonic waves, in water. Such antennas are in particular used in sonars. The invention makes it possible in particular to emit significant, or even very significant, acoustic power with such an antenna.
Il est connu dans le domaine du traitement de signal, et en particulier dans les sonars, utilisant de telles antennes, que plus la durée T des impulsions émises est grande, plus le gain de traitement, qui est proportionnel au produit BT (B : bande de fréquence), est grand, et donc plus les performances en détection sont augmentées.It is known in the field of signal processing, and in particular in sonars, using such antennas, that the greater the duration T of the transmitted pulses, the greater the processing gain, which is proportional to the product BT (B: band frequency), is large, and therefore the more the detection performance is increased.
On connaît des transducteurs haute fréquence, typiquement pour des fréquences d'émission supérieures à 50 KHz, constitués de l'empilement de couches dites "avant" (lame(s) d'adaptation et/ou membrane d'étanchéité), d'une couche de matériau actif (transduction électrique/acoustique), et de couche (s) dites "arrière(s)" ou "backing".High frequency transducers are known, typically for emission frequencies greater than 50 kHz, consisting of the stack of so-called "front" layers (adaptation blade (s) and / or sealing membrane), of a layer of active material (electrical / acoustic transduction), and layer (s) called "back (s)" or "backing".
Les phénomènes d'échauffement dans la couche de matériau actif, dues aux pertes diélectriques et mécaniques, limitent la puissance crête d'émission lorsque l'on augmente la durée d'impulsion. Ainsi, pour un matériau constitué de céramiques piézoélectriques, le fonctionnement typique d'un transducteur suit grossièrement le profil indiqué sur la figure 1.The heating phenomena in the layer of active material, due to dielectric and mechanical losses, limit the peak emission power when the pulse duration is increased. Thus, for a material consisting of piezoelectric ceramics, the typical operation of a transducer roughly follows the profile indicated in FIG. 1.
Cette limitation du niveau de puissance admissible en impulsions longues est liée à l'utilisation, aussi bien pour les lames d'adaptation, le backing et également la membrane étanche de fermeture, de matériaux ayant une faible conductivité thermique. En effet, selon l'art antérieur, ces éléments sont réalisés à partir de matériaux comportant une matrice en élastomère (caoutchoucs, polyuréthannes, silicones) ou en résine, notamment époxyde, assurant une mauvaise évacuation vers la structure porteuse, ou l'eau de mer, de la chaleur générée par le transducteur.This limitation of the admissible power level in long pulses is linked to the use, as well for the adaptation blades, the backing and also the waterproof closing membrane, of materials having a low thermal conductivity. In fact, according to the prior art, these elements are produced from materials comprising an elastomer matrix (rubbers, polyurethanes, silicones) or resin, in particular epoxy, ensuring poor evacuation to the supporting structure, or water from sea, heat generated by the transducer.
On connaît des matériaux thermiquement conducteurs se présentant sous la forme de mousses. On citera notamment les mousses métalliques d'aluminium, de nickel, de nickel-chrome, de cuivre ou d'acier, ainsi que les mousses non métalliques en carbone ou en carbure de silicium.Thermally conductive materials are known which are in the form of foams. Mention will in particular be made of metallic foams of aluminum, nickel, nickel-chromium, copper or steel, as well as non-metallic foams of carbon or silicon carbide.
Ces mousses présentent une conductivité thermique environ 20 fois supérieure à celle des composites du type résine époxyde chargée utilisés comme matériaux d'adaptation ou de backing dans les transducteurs haute fréquence correspondant à l'art antérieur. Elle est 50 fois supérieure à celle des caoutchoucs constituant les membranes étanches utilisées dans ces transducteurs.These foams have a thermal conductivity about 20 times greater than that of composites of the charged epoxy resin type used as adaptation or backing materials in the high frequency transducers corresponding to the prior art. It is 50 times greater than that of the rubbers constituting the waterproof membranes used in these transducers.
On connaît du brevet allemand 19 623 035 déposé par la société STN Atlas, un transducteur basse fréquence dont le pavillon et/ou la masse arrière sont constitués d'un métal expansé dont la densité est ajustée pour obtenir une fréquence de résonance déterminée. Pour cela le pavillon et/ou la masse arrière sont obtenus par moulage du métal de base avec une dose adéquate d'agent moussant. Toutefois ce procédé de fabrication est difficile à mettre en œuvre et à contrôler, ce qui présente un sérieux inconvénient.We know from German patent 19 623 035 filed by the company STN Atlas, a low frequency transducer whose flag and / or rear mass are made of an expanded metal whose density is adjusted to obtain a determined resonant frequency. For this, the roof and / or the rear mass are obtained by molding the base metal with an adequate dose of foaming agent. However, this manufacturing process is difficult to implement and to control, which has a serious drawback.
Pour pallier ces inconvénients, l'invention propose un transducteur selon une antenne acoustique haute fréquence à grande puissance d'émission comprenant un empilement formé d'au moins une couche avant de protection, d'au moins une couche de matériau actif et d'au moins une couche arrière formant réflecteur, principalement caractérisée en ce que cette couche arrière est constitué d'une mousse thermiquement conductrice. Selon une autre caractéristique, la couche arrière est collée sur une face à la couche de matériau actif et elle est appliquée sur l'autre face à un support métallique en contact avec le milieu où est plongée l'antenne et la couche de matériau actif est formée de colonnes de céramique piézo électrique. Selon une autre caractéristique, la couche arrière est formée de mousse métallique.To overcome these drawbacks, the invention proposes a transducer according to a high frequency acoustic antenna with high transmission power comprising a stack formed of at least one protective front layer, at least one layer of active material and at least minus a rear layer forming a reflector, mainly characterized in that this rear layer consists of a thermally conductive foam. According to another characteristic, the rear layer is bonded on one face to the layer of active material and it is applied on the other face to a metal support in contact with the medium in which the antenna is immersed and the layer of active material is formed by columns of piezoelectric ceramic. According to another characteristic, the rear layer is formed of metallic foam.
Selon une autre caractéristique, cette mousse métallique est compressée.According to another characteristic, this metal foam is compressed.
Selon une autre caractéristique, un circuit imprimé de connexion électrique est inséré entre la couche avant et la couche de matériau actif et un film métallique est inséré entre la couche active et la couche arrière et formant le point froid.According to another characteristic, a printed electrical connection circuit is inserted between the front layer and the layer of active material and a metal film is inserted between the active layer and the rear layer and forming the cold spot.
Selon une autre caractéristique, elle comporte un film métallique inséré entre la couche avant et la couche de matériau actif et formant le point froid, et un circuit imprimé et un film isolant insérés entre la couche de matériau actif et la couche arrière.According to another characteristic, it comprises a metallic film inserted between the front layer and the layer of active material and forming the point cold, and a printed circuit and an insulating film inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
Selon une autre caractéristique, l'antenne acoustique haute fréquence à grande puissance d'émission comprend un empilement formé d'au moins une couche avant de protection, d'au moins une couche de matériau actif et d'au moins une couche arrière formant réflecteur, la couche est constituée d'une plaque en mousse métallique à cellules ouvertes remplie d'un matériau réalisant l'adaptation acoustique, la couche avant est collée à la couche de matériau actif par l'intermédiaire d'un film métallique formant le point froid, et elle comporte un circuit imprimé inséré entre la couche de matériau actif la couche arrière.According to another characteristic, the high frequency acoustic antenna with high transmitting power comprises a stack formed of at least one protective front layer, at least one layer of active material and at least one rear layer forming a reflector. , the layer consists of a metal foam plate with open cells filled with a material providing acoustic adaptation, the front layer is bonded to the layer of active material by means of a metallic film forming the cold spot , and it includes a printed circuit inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
Selon une autre caractéristique, la couche arrière est constituée d'une mousse thermiquement conductrice.According to another characteristic, the rear layer consists of a thermally conductive foam.
Selon une autre caractéristique, l'antenne acoustique constitue l'antenne d'émission ou l'antenne d'émission/réception d'un sonar d'imagerie sous-marine.According to another characteristic, the acoustic antenna constitutes the transmitting antenna or the transmitting / receiving antenna of an underwater imaging sonar.
D'autres particularités et avantages de l'invention apparaîtront clairement dans la description suivante, présentée à titre d'exemple non limitatif en regard des figures annexées qui représentent : - la figure 1 , le graphique puissance maximale/durée d'impulsion d'un transducteur de l'art connu; etOther features and advantages of the invention will appear clearly in the following description, presented by way of nonlimiting example with reference to the appended figures which represent: - Figure 1, the graph of maximum power / pulse duration of a known art transducer; and
- les figures 2 à 5, des vues en coupe de transducteurs suivant différentes formes de réalisation de l'invention. On a représenté sur la figure 2 une vue en coupe dans le plan vertical d'un transducteur haute fréquence disposé pour former une antenne sonar selon l'invention. Cette antenne est formée de plusieurs colonnes de transducteurs juxtaposés (ici des cubes en céramique piézoélectrique).- Figures 2 to 5, sectional views of transducers according to different embodiments of the invention. There is shown in Figure 2 a sectional view in the vertical plane of a high frequency transducer arranged to form a sonar antenna according to the invention. This antenna is made up of several columns of juxtaposed transducers (here piezoelectric ceramic cubes).
Suivant une réalisation préférée de l'invention, la pièce arrière formant le "backing" de chaque colonne est constituée d'une plaque en mousse métallique.According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the rear part forming the "backing" of each column consists of a metal foam plate.
Une telle mousse est disponible dans le commerce sous forme de plaques. Dans un exemple de réalisation de l'invention, on utilise un produit référencé DUOCEL 10 PPI , disponible chez la société ERG (USA). Cette mousses à cellules ouvertes est à base d'Aluminium et possède les caractéristiques suivantes : densité : 0,21 g/cm3 épaisseur habituelle des plaques : 13 mm diamètre des cellules : = 0.6 mm avec une porosité de 10 PPI conductivité thermique des ligaments : 237 W/mK conductivité thermique de la mousse : 3.04 W/mKSuch foam is commercially available in the form of plates. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a product referenced DUOCEL 10 PPI is used, available from the company ERG (USA). This open cell foam is based on Aluminum and has the following characteristics: density: 0.21 g / cm 3 usual thickness of the plates: 13 mm cell diameter: = 0.6 mm with a porosity of 10 PPI thermal conductivity of the ligaments: 237 W / mK thermal conductivity of the foam: 3.04 W / mK
La plaque sélectionnée est avantageusement compressée mécaniquement à froid de manière à obtenir la densité voulue. Ceci permet aussi d'augmenter sa résistance à la pression. Ainsi le backing 201 a été obtenu dans un exemple de réalisation en réduisant l'épaisseur à 4 mm pour obtenir une densité de l'ordre de 0,7 g/cm3.The selected plate is advantageously mechanically compressed cold so as to obtain the desired density. This also makes it possible to increase its resistance to pressure. Thus the backing 201 was obtained in an exemplary embodiment by reducing the thickness to 4 mm to obtain a density of the order of 0.7 g / cm 3 .
Dans la réalisation préférée, le backing constitue le point froid électrique. Il est donc formé d'une seule pièce qui, après été mise aux dimensions, est collée sur les colonnes de céramique 202 au moyen d'une colle époxy, par l'intermédiaire d'un film métallique 203 formant le plan de masse. L'antenne proprement dite est ensuite complétée par la ou les couches avant 204 mises en place sur les colonnes de céramiques par l'intermédiaire d'un circuit imprimé 205 muni de pistes permettant, selon une technique connue, d'alimenter électriquement chaque colonne de transducteurs. Comme représenté sur la figure 2, l'ensemble est placé dans un support en métal 206. Ainsi la chaleur est évacuée dans l'eau via le backing qui est mis en contact direct avec ce support. Avantageusement une pâte favorisant les échanges thermiques est insérée entre la mousse et le support. Sur la figure 2 le flux thermique est indiqué par des flèches 207. Suivant une deuxième forme de réalisation, représentée en figureIn the preferred embodiment, the backing constitutes the electrical cold point. It is therefore formed in one piece which, after being dimensioned, is glued to the ceramic columns 202 by means of an epoxy adhesive, by means of a metallic film 203 forming the ground plane. The antenna proper is then completed by the front layer or layers 204 placed on the ceramic columns by means of a printed circuit 205 provided with tracks making it possible, according to a known technique, to supply each column with electricity. transducers. As shown in Figure 2, the assembly is placed in a metal support 206. Thus the heat is discharged into the water via the backing which is put in direct contact with this support. Advantageously, a paste promoting heat exchange is inserted between the foam and the support. In FIG. 2, the heat flux is indicated by arrows 207. According to a second embodiment, shown in FIG.
3, le point froid est mis côté des couche(s) avant, le point chaud se trouvant côté backing. Dans cette variante, le circuit imprimé 205 muni de pistes est inséré entre les colonnes de céramiques 202 et la mousse 201. De plus un film mince 208, électriquement isolant, est placé entre le circuit imprimé et la mousse, l'épaisseur et le matériau de ce film étant choisis de manière à laisser passer le flux thermique. Entre les couches avant 204 et les colonnes de céramique 203 est inséré le film métallique 203 formant le plan de masse.3, the cold spot is placed next to the front layer (s), the hot spot being on the backing side. In this variant, the printed circuit 205 provided with tracks is inserted between the ceramic columns 202 and the foam 201. In addition a thin film 208, electrically insulating, is placed between the printed circuit and the foam, the thickness and the material of this film being chosen so as to allow the thermal flux to pass. Between the front layers 204 and the ceramic columns 203 is inserted the metal film 203 forming the ground plane.
Suivant une troisième forme de réalisation, représentée en figureAccording to a third embodiment, represented in figure
4, seules la (les) couche(s) avant sont constituées d'une mousse 304 en matériau conducteur. Cette mousse est avantageusement métallique à cellules ouvertes, de manière à être imprégnée du matériau généralement utilisé pour les couches avant, polyuréthanne ou élastomère dans le cas d'une membrane, résine expoxy chargée au non dans le cas de lames d'adaptation. La mousse sert alors de squelette métallique permettant de rendre les lames conductrices thermiquement.4, only the front layer (s) consist of a foam 304 of conductive material. This foam is advantageously metallic to open cells, so as to be impregnated with the material generally used for the front layers, polyurethane or elastomer in the case of a membrane, expoxy resin charged when not in the case of adaptation blades. The foam then serves as a metal skeleton making the blades thermally conductive.
La densité voulue est ajustée à l'aide du matériau de remplissage et la mousse n'a donc pas besoin d'être compressée pour cette fonction.The desired density is adjusted using the filling material and the foam therefore does not need to be compressed for this function.
Toutefois elle peut avantageusement être préalablement compressée pour augmenter les échanges thermiques. De telles mousses chargées sont connues et entre autres du brevet US 3 707401 déposé le 26.12.1972.However, it can advantageously be previously compressed to increase heat exchange. Such loaded foams are known and, inter alia, from US Pat. No. 3,707,401 filed on December 26, 1972.
Dans cette forme de réalisation, seul un circuit imprimé 205 est inséré entre les colonnes de céramiques et le backing 301 , lequel est réalisé d'une seule pièce en matériau classique permettant d'obtenir l'adaptation d'impédance, par exemple en matériau alvéolaire de densité faible. Comme dans la deuxième forme de réalisation un film métalliqueIn this embodiment, only a printed circuit 205 is inserted between the ceramic columns and the backing 301, which is made in one piece from conventional material allowing the impedance adaptation to be obtained, for example from cellular material. low density. As in the second embodiment, a metallic film
203 est inséré entre la (les) couche(s) avant et les colonnes de céramiques.203 is inserted between the front layer (s) and the ceramic columns.
Suivant une quatrième forme de réalisation, représentée en figure 5, le backing 201 et la (les) couche(s) avant 304 sont réalisés en matériau conducteur, préférentiellement en mousse métallique pour le backing et en mousse métallique remplie pour les couches avant.According to a fourth embodiment, shown in FIG. 5, the backing 201 and the front layer (s) 304 are made of conductive material, preferably metallic foam for the backing and metallic foam filled for the front layers.
Suivant une variante, on supprime les films métalliques insérés, soit entre le backing et les colonnes de céramiques, soit entre les couches avant et les colonnes de céramiques, en profitant du caractère conducteur des mousses métalliques. Dans la réalisation préférée, la céramique atteint la température de 65° C pour une densité de puissance électrique de 110 W/cm2, contre seulement 60 W/cm2 à la même température pour un backing en matériau non conducteur thermiquement.According to a variant, the metallic films inserted are removed, either between the backing and the ceramic columns, or between the front layers and the ceramic columns, taking advantage of the conductive nature of the metallic foams. In the preferred embodiment, the ceramic reaches the temperature of 65 ° C for an electrical power density of 110 W / cm 2 , against only 60 W / cm 2 at the same temperature for a backing in thermally non-conductive material.
Il est alors possible avec l'invention d'augmenter de près d'un facteur 2 la durée de l'impulsion, qui est émise à un niveau de puissance constant proche de la valeur maximale admissible.It is then possible with the invention to increase by nearly a factor of 2 the duration of the pulse, which is emitted at a constant power level close to the maximum admissible value.
Sans sortir du cadre de l'invention, les réalisations correspondant aux figures 4 et 5 peuvent faire l'objet de variantes consistant à inverser les points chaud et froid. Dans ce cas, un film métallique sépare le backing des colonnes de transducteurs, et la (les) couche(s) avant sont alors isolées électriquement entre chaque colonne. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the embodiments corresponding to FIGS. 4 and 5 may be subject to variants consisting in reversing the hot and cold points. In this case, a metallic film separates the backing from transducer columns, and the front layer (s) are then electrically isolated between each column.

Claims

REVENDICATIONS
- Antenne acoustique haute fréquence à grande puissance d'émission comprenant un empilement formé d'au moins une couche avant de protection (204), d'au moins une couche de matériau actif (202) et d'au moins une couche arrière (201 ) formant réflecteur, constitué d'une mousse métallique thermiquement conductrice, caractérisée en ce que la mousse métallique constituant la couche arrière est comprimée et que la couche arrière (201 ) est insérée entre la couche de matériau actif (202) et un support métallique (206) en contact avec le milieu où est plongée l'antenne.- High frequency acoustic antenna with high transmitting power comprising a stack formed of at least one front protective layer (204), at least one layer of active material (202) and at least one rear layer (201 ) forming a reflector, consisting of a thermally conductive metallic foam, characterized in that the metallic foam constituting the rear layer is compressed and that the rear layer (201) is inserted between the layer of active material (202) and a metallic support ( 206) in contact with the environment in which the antenna is immersed.
- Antenne selon la revendication 1 , caractérisée en ce que la couche de matériau actif (202) est formée de colonnes de céramique piézo électrique.- Antenna according to claim 1, characterized in that the layer of active material (202) is formed from columns of piezoelectric ceramic.
- Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 2, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un circuit imprimé de connexion électrique (205) inséré entre la couche avant (204) et la couche de matériau actif (202) et un film métallique inséré entre la couche de matériau actif (202) et la couche arrière (201 ) et formant le point froid.- Antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that it comprises a printed circuit of electrical connection (205) inserted between the front layer (204) and the layer of active material (202) and a metallic film inserted between the layer of active material (202) and the rear layer (201) and forming the cold spot.
- Antenne selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisée en ce qu'elle comporte un film métallique (203) inséré entre la couche avant (204) et la couche de matériau actif (202) et formant le point froid, et un circuit imprimé (205) et un film isolant insérés entre la couche de matériau actif et la couche arrière.- Antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that it comprises a metallic film (203) inserted between the front layer (204) and the layer of active material (202) and forming the cold spot, and a printed circuit (205) and an insulating film inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
- Antenne acoustique haute fréquence à grande puissance d'émission comprenant un empilement formé d'au moins une couche avant de protection (204), d'au moins une couche de matériau actif (202) et d'au moins une couche arrière (201) formant réflecteur, caractérisée en ce que la couche avant de protection (304) est constituée d'une plaque en mousse métallique à cellules ouvertes remplie d'un matériau réalisant l'adaptation acoustique, que la couche avant est collée à la couche de matériau actif (202) par l'intermédiaire d'un film métallique (203) formant le point froid, et en ce qu'elle comporte un circuit imprimé (205) inséré entre la couche de matériau actif la couche arrière.- High frequency acoustic antenna with high transmitting power comprising a stack formed of at least one front protective layer (204), at least one layer of active material (202) and at least one rear layer (201 ) forming a reflector, characterized in that the front protective layer (304) consists of a sheet of open cell metal foam filled with a material providing acoustic adaptation, that the front layer is bonded to the layer of active material (202) by means of a metallic film (203) forming the cold spot, and in that it comprises a printed circuit (205) inserted between the layer of active material and the rear layer.
- Antenne selon la revendication 5, caractérisée en ce que la couche arrière (201 ) est constituée d'une mousse thermiquement conductrice.- Antenna according to claim 5, characterized in that the rear layer (201) consists of a thermally conductive foam.
- Antenne acoustique selon les revendications 1 à 6 caractérisée en ce qu'elle constitue l'antenne d'émission ou l'antenne d'émission/réception d'un sonar d'imagerie sous- marine. - Acoustic antenna according to claims 1 to 6 characterized in that it constitutes the transmitting antenna or the transmitting / receiving antenna of an underwater imaging sonar.
EP02799791A 2001-12-07 2002-12-06 High-power transmission acoustic antenna Expired - Lifetime EP1467824B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0115864A FR2833450B1 (en) 2001-12-07 2001-12-07 HIGH-TRANSMISSION ACOUSTIC ANTENNA
FR0115864 2001-12-07
PCT/FR2002/004219 WO2003047770A1 (en) 2001-12-07 2002-12-06 High-power transmission acoustic antenna

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1467824A1 true EP1467824A1 (en) 2004-10-20
EP1467824B1 EP1467824B1 (en) 2006-03-15

Family

ID=8870236

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EP02799791A Expired - Lifetime EP1467824B1 (en) 2001-12-07 2002-12-06 High-power transmission acoustic antenna

Country Status (9)

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US (1) US7046583B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1467824B1 (en)
AT (1) ATE320322T1 (en)
CA (1) CA2469303A1 (en)
DE (1) DE60209941T2 (en)
DK (1) DK1467824T3 (en)
ES (1) ES2259734T3 (en)
FR (1) FR2833450B1 (en)
WO (1) WO2003047770A1 (en)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1467824B1 (en) 2006-03-15
FR2833450A1 (en) 2003-06-13
DE60209941D1 (en) 2006-05-11
ES2259734T3 (en) 2006-10-16
US20050047278A1 (en) 2005-03-03
FR2833450B1 (en) 2004-11-19
DK1467824T3 (en) 2006-07-03
US7046583B2 (en) 2006-05-16
CA2469303A1 (en) 2003-06-12
ATE320322T1 (en) 2006-04-15
WO2003047770A1 (en) 2003-06-12
DE60209941T2 (en) 2006-11-30

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