Deep-water Co-oscillating Cylindrical Vector Hydrophone Utilizing Composite Shell Structure

This paper introduces a cylindrical co-oscillating vector hydrophone based on a composite shell structure. It combines an epoxy – glass microsphere lightweight composite with an aluminum alloy shell to achieve neutral buoyancy and withstand pressures up to 60 MPa. A shear-type piezoelectric accelerometer is used to ensure high sensitivity. Testing in an anechoic tank (100–2000 Hz) and a standing wave tube (10–100 Hz) reveals a sensitivity of −180 dB (re 1 V/μPa) at 1 kHz, alongside a directional null depth of 25 dB. Hydrostatic pressure assessments confirm the device’s ability to operate reliably at depths reaching 6,000 m without any structural damage.