Influence of rigid panels on the performance of 1–3 piezocomposite hydrophones

The 1-3 piezocomposite with rigid panels can improve the open-circuit receiving voltage sensitivity of 1-3 piezocomposite hydrophones, and also can reduce its equivalent noise pressure. This paper discussed how the rigid panels affect 1-3 piezcomposite hydrostatic transducers by finite element analysis. The best hydrostatic performance for a 1-3 piezocomposite was obtained by using a low pillar aspect ratio and low volume fraction composite of piezoelectric phase. The thickness of rigid panels was determined by the pillar aspect ratio and the rigid panels´ material. All the parameters above should be considered to obtain the optimal stress amplification effect of rigid panels and to reduce the effect of g₃₁.