1-3 piezocomposites, SonoPanels, arrays, and SmartPanels

Summary form only, given as follows. 1-3 piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites are finding many applications for underwater sensing, actuation, imaging, and active surface control. The Materials Systems' lead zirconate titanate (PZT) injection moulding process has made 1-3 piezocomposites commercially available and cost-competitive with traditional materials. Piezocomposites offer a number of performance advantages over traditional piezoelectric materials. Piezocomposite materials are used for SonoPanel transducers, which have now been qualified for US Navy systems, based on successful completion of pressure and shock tests. SonoPanels have high transmit and receive sensitivities and low noise as well as low profile and weight. SonoPanel transducers are being scaled-up from 250/spl times/250 mm to 750/spl times/750 mm panels. Piezocomposite SmartPanels for active control of surface displacement and/or surface impedance have been fabricated and evaluated. SmartPanels consist of 1-3 actuators and pressure sensors and net-shape-moulded PZT accelerometers in a low profile panel. Single layer and two-layer 100/spl times/100 mm SmartPanels have been tested for sensor sensitivities, actuator authority, surface displacement uniformity, and sensor-actuator coupling. SmartPanels are now being scaled-up to 250/spl times/250 mm. Performance and applications of SonoPanels and SmartPanels, including conformal transducers, multi-element arrays, and velocity sensors, are discussed. Design options for 1-3 piezocomposite materials and transducers are described.