Analysis of the beam pattern of a thickness shear mode vibrator for vector hydrophones

Abstract

Typical hydrophones in line array sensors for early detection of covert underwater targets can measure only sound-pressure-magnitude with the limitation of being unable to identify the direction of an incoming wave. In this study, a thickness shear mode vibrator was proposed as the main component of an inertia type vector hydrophone to measure both magnitude and direction of acoustic signals from targets. The equation to analyze the output voltage of the vibrator to an external force was derived, and the validity of the equation was verified through finite element analysis of a PMN-PT single crystal vibrator. The analysis results from this study will be utilized in the future for the design of inertia type vector hydrophones made of thickness shear vibrators.