Recent developments in thermoacoustically-driven low-frequency projectors

Thermoacoustic engines are a recent class of devices that can efficiently convert heat to acoustic energy without moving parts or intervening mechanisms. These engines have a natural potential for powering low-frequency sonar projectors with high reliability and efficiencies that cannot be matched by conventional technologies. A recent design study has produced thermoacoustic projector configurations that can execute standard projector performance requirements such as FM sweep and velocity magnitude and phase control in array environments for a wide range of positive and negative radiation resistances. The thermoacoustic driver is a vertically oriented, helium-filled resonator that contains a movable tuning element to vary the resonator frequency. It is coupled to a variable length water column that is tunable by a similar means to adjust the effective source impedance of the device. Modeling results indicate a sweep range of at least an octave for a single device, and maximum overall (heat-to-acoustic) conversion efficiencies of 25% at 50 Hz. Efficiency increases slightly at lower frequencies, and the lowest operational frequency is limited only by the size of the projector. Output power increases linearly with mean pressure, and at depths of 200 m or more, power densities in excess of 500 kW/m{sup 2} are achievable.more » Control aspects have been investigated, including rapid startup and shutdown that can be performed by manipulating the water tuning column. Future trends and development prospects are discussed. 4 refs.« less