Construction of an Omnidirectional Parametric Loudspeaker Consisting in a Spherical Distribution of Ultrasound Transducers

Fully nonlinear three-dimensional modeling of parametric interactions in the field of a dual-frequency acoustic array

An algorithm is developed for fully nonlinear three-dimensional (3D) simulation of a difference-frequency acoustic beam resulting from the interaction of two high-intensity pump waves. Simulations are performed in the frequency domain based on the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov equation. A spectrum filtering method is used to enable accurate solutions for the difference-frequency fields in strongly nonlinear beams and with a high downshift frequency ratio using only dozens of spectral components retained in the algorithm. As an example, the dual-frequency operation of an underwater multi-element ellipsoidal array is considered, and numerical solutions describing parametric interactions in the array field are analyzed. It is shown that difference-frequency beams are more symmetric in transverse directions compared with the pump beams. The most efficient parametric generation of difference-frequency beams corresponded to close and beyond shock-forming conditions. Axial pressure amplitude of the difference frequency was shown to grow first quadratically with the source pressure following the quasi-linear solution and then linearly once shocks start to develop. The percentage of the total power converted to the difference frequency from pump waves increased at high power outputs without saturation. Up to twofold increase in directivity angles of difference-frequency beams under shock-forming conditions was observed compared with quasi-linear conditions.

Spherical-Omnidirectional Piezoelectric Composite Transducer for High- Frequency Underwater Acoustics

Spherical-omnidirectional acoustic source has become a powerful tool to provide a near-ideal omnidirectional beam pattern for acoustic tests and communications. Current spherical-omnidirectional acoustic sources do not combine an omnidirectional beam pattern with a high transmitting voltage response (TVR) in the frequency range of above 200 kHz. This work presents the design, fabrication, and measurements of a high-frequency spherical-omnidirectional transducer that can provide a near-ideal omnidirectional beam pattern and a high TVR. The active element of the transducer consists of six identical square coupons with spherical curvature 1-3 piezoelectric composites operating in thickness mode. Electroacoustic responses of the fabricated transducer in water were measured. The measured resonance frequency of the transducer was 280 kHz. The maximum TVR was 161.3 dB re 1 μ Pa/V@1 m. The horizontal and vertical beamwidths of the transducer were 360° and 346°, respectively. Measurements show that the spherical piezoelectric composite transducer has a favorable spherical-omnidirectional behavior and a high TVR at high frequency. These results demonstrate that the spherical piezoelectric composite transducer is potentially a strong candidate for a high-frequency underwater acoustic source that requires an omnidirectional response.

The near field, Westervelt far field, and inverse-law far field of the audio sound generated by parametric array loudspeakers

The near and far fields of traditional loudspeakers are differentiated by whether the sound pressure amplitude is inversely proportional to the propagating distance. However, the audio sound field generated by a parametric array loudspeaker (PAL) is more complicated, and in this article it is proposed to be divided into three regions: near field, Westervelt far field, and inverse-law far field. In the near field, the audio sound experiences strong local effects and an efficient quasilinear solution is presented. In the Westervelt far field, local effects are negligible so that the Westervelt equation is used, and in the inverse-law far field, a simpler solution is adopted. It is found that the boundary between the near and Westervelt far fields for audio sound lies at approximately a²/λ - λ/4, where a is transducer radius and λ is ultrasonic wavelength. At large transducer radii and high ultrasonic frequencies, the boundary moves close to the PAL and can be estimated by a closed-form formula. The inverse-law holds for audio sound in the inverse-law far field and is more than 10 meters away from the PAL in most cases. With the proposed classification, it is convenient to apply appropriate prediction models to different regions.

Reflection of audio sounds generated by a parametric array loudspeaker

The reflection of audio sounds generated by a parametric array loudspeaker (PAL) is investigated in this paper. The image source method and the non-paraxial PAL radiation model under the quasilinear approximation are used to calculate the reflected audio sound from an infinitely large surface with an arbitrary incident angle. The effects of the surface absorption in the ultrasound frequency range are studied, and the simulation and experiment results show that the reflection behavior of audio sounds generated by a PAL is different from those generated by traditional audio sources. The reason is that the reflected sound generated by the PAL consists of the reflection of audio sounds generated by incident ultrasounds and the audio sounds generated by the reflected ultrasound, and it is the latter that determines the directivity of the reflected audio sound.

A versatile computational approach for the numerical modelling of parametric acoustic array

This work presents a versatile computational approach for the numerical modelling of a parametrically generated low-frequency sound. The proposed method is based on the quasi-linear approximation, and it does not employ the paraxial approximation. The primary acoustic field is calculated by the Rayleigh integral or the boundary element method; the secondary difference-frequency field is calculated by the finite element method. As governing wave equations, a general second-order wave equation for acoustic pressure, the Westervelt equation, and Kuznetsov equation are tested, and the corresponding numerical results are compared. The proposed approach allows studying the near-field, far-field, as well as the off-axis field of the difference-frequency wave parametrically radiated from complex emitters. As numerical examples, parametric radiation from a baffled piston and a piston combined with a horn are examined.

Review of Acoustic Sources Alternatives to a Dodecahedron Speaker

An omnidirectional source is required in many acoustic measurements. Commonly a dodecahedron speaker is used but due to various factors (e.g., high cost, transportation difficulties) other acoustic sources are sometimes preferred. In this review, fifteen acoustic source alternatives to a dodecahedron speaker are presented while emphasis is placed on features such as omnidirectionality, repeatability, adequate sound pressure levels, even frequency response, accuracy in measurement of acoustic parameters and fulfillment of ISO 3382-1 source requirements. Some of the alternative acoustic sources have the appropriate features to provide usable results for acoustic measurements, some have acoustic characteristics better than a dodecahedron speaker (e.g., omnidirectionality in the high-frequency range), while some can potentially fulfill the ISO 3382-1 source requirements. Collected data from this review can be used in many areas (e.g., ISO measurements, head-related transfer functions measurements) for the appropriate selection of an acoustic source according to the expected use. Finally, suggestions for uses and future work are given aimed at achieving further advances in this field.