CA1108744A - Low frequency inertia balanced dipole hydrophone - Google Patents

Abstract

46,983 LOW FREQUENCY INERTIA BALANCED
DIPOLE HYDROPHONE

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A dipole hydrophone having a differential pressure sensing unit, for example, a multi-laminar bender disc, within a liquid filled housing. Two liquid filled acoustic waveguides form extensions of the housing and include pres-sure sensing ports. A mass of predetermined value is con-nected to the sensing unit and with a predetermined separa-tion between sensing ports, the mass value is chosen so that the sensing unit response to acceleration is very nearly equal and opposite to its response due to the inertial mass of the liquid.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention:
The invention in general relates to hydrophones, ~-and in particular to a dipole hydrophone with a low vibra-tion sensitivity, a high acoustic sensitivity and a low flow ....
noise response.
Description of the Prior Art:
Dipole hydrophones find extensive use in the underwater environment for listening to very low frequency noise as may be produced for example, by a submarine. The dipole hydrophone is positioned at some point in the water, either alone or as a part of an array, and provides an output signal in response to received acoustic signals in accordance with its beam pattern in the form of a figure eight.
Most dipole hydrophones respond directly to par-ticle velocity and any mechanical vibration acceleration --. .- . ... ..

:: . .
: :
.; , !
:
, '~ ' ' ' , ~ ' '` , l~6,983 from -the support struc-ture may tend to provide an unwan-ted output si~nal.
In U. S. Patent 4,160,231 issued July 3, 1979 to J. H. Thompson et al, there is described a dipole hydrophone which utilizes two masses having different ratios of actual mass to added radiation mass with each being connec-ted by means of a ~ulti~laminar magnetostrictive arm to a base member, with the unit including a number of pickups for providing an output signal. This hydrophone significantly reduces the effects of acceleration, however, it does require two matched multi-laminar arms and two matched pickup units.
To eliminate the particle velocity response, a dipole hydrophone has been proposed which responds to the pressure gradient of an acoustic wave by means of two mono-poles separated by a half wavelength and connected sotthat the signals from the monopoles subtract. Although the arrangement has very desirable inertia balancing properties, there are disadvantages. For example, the sensitivity is limited by the thermal noise of the preamplifiers utilized in the signal processing. A difference signal may be ex-tremely small compared with this thermal noise. Further, in order to obtain an accurate output, the monopoles and signal ;~ processing channels must be very accurately balanced. ~ ;
In a somewhat analogous art, a pressure gradient ~ microphone has been proposed which includes a housing con-`~ taining a differential pressure sensor and includes elon-gated first and second arms extending from the housing to spaced apart points where the respective pressures are communicated to either side of the differential pressure ,~

.. . . . . .

6 9~33 ~Yi~

sensor. Such arrangement, to be described in Figure 2, is air or gas filled and has a high acoustic sensltivity with .
low response to ~low noise. The arrangement, however, is not suitable for underwater use; however, even if filled with a liquid and operated underwater, the unit would be extremely sensitive to vibrations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A pressure gradient dipole hydrophone is provided which has a very low vibration sensitivity, a high acoustic sensitivity, and a low flow noise response. The hydrophone includes a liquid filled housing having a differential pres-sure sensing means within the housing. Liquid filled acou-stic waveguides are coupled to the housing and include respective pressure sensing ports whereby the respective pressures at said ports are communicated to respective sides of the differential pressure sensing means.
The construction of the hydrophone is such that when accelerated, the inertial response of the liquid on the sensing means is approximately equal and opposite to the inertial response of the sensing means due to its mass. In most instances, mass will be added to the sensing element and the distance between pressure sensing ports ad~usted until little or no voltage is provided by the sensing means when the hydrophone is vibrated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 illustrates the directivity pattern of a dipole hydrophone;
Figure 2 is an a~ial, cross-sectional view of a pressure gradient microphone of the prior art;

Figure 2A illustrates the deflection of the differ-, :, ~ f~ 3p~7~ 6, 983 ential pressure sensing element of Figure 2 as a result of its own mass, in response to acceleration of the unit in the direction illustrated, and Figure 2B illustrates its deflec-tion due to liquid inertial force;
Figure 3 is an axial cross-sectional view, in simplified form, of an embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 3A illustrates the differential pressure sensor deflection as a result of its own mass, in response to acceleration in the direction illustrated and F'igure 3B

illustrates its deflection due to liquid inertial force;
Figures 4A through 4E illustrate liquid filled containers to aid in an understanding of the pressure con-siderations herein;
Figure 5 is an exploded view of one embodiment of a differential pressure sensing means which may be utilized herein;
Figure 6 is a plan view, with a portion broken away, of one embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 7 is an exploded view of the hydrophone of : 20 Figure 6;
~` Figure 8 is a sectional view of -the portion of the .-~
- housing illustrated in Figures 6 and 7; ~:
Figure 9 illustrates an alternate embodiment of the acoustic waveguide extension ill.ustrated in Figures 6 and 7;
Figures 10 and lOA are simplified versions of another embodiment of the present invention; ~. :
Figure 11 is the beam pattern obtained with the ; apparatus of Figure 10;

Figure 12 is an axial cross-sectional view through : :

- - - . .

$L~ Ll6, 9~3 an acoustic waveguide for the embodiment of ~igure 10;
Figure 13 is an axial cross-sectional view of a simplified version of another embodiment of the present invention, and ~igure 13A is a view along line AA of Figure 13; and Figures 14 and 15 :Lllustrate another type of dif-ferential pressure sensing e:Lement in the form of a cylinder.
- DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to ~igure 1, the dipole hydrophone, also known as a doublet transducer3 may be represented by two small, closely spaced transducers indicated by points 10 and 10', having opposite polarity. The signals from these two points cancel for equal pressure, thus any net response is due to a pressure gradient across the dipole. If points 10 and 10' are small with respect to the operating wave-length, and if the distance d between them is also small in comparison with the wavelength, for example less than or equal to A/2~ the directivity pattern will be the figure - eight pattern, 12, also known as a cosine directivity pattern wherein the response is proportional to the cosine of the ; angle ~.
~ igure 2 illustrates a prior art pressure gradient microphone, as opposed to a hydrophone. The microphone in-cludes a housing 12 with a differential pressure sensor 14 `~ contained therein separating the housing into two distinct chambers 16 and 17. The differential pressure sensor 14 may be in the form of a multi-laminar bender~disc made up of a disc of metal sandwiched between two piezoelectric discs.
; First and second acoustic waveguides 20 and 21 are coupled to housing 12 and include respective pressure mea-. '~

. , ' `

L ~ 6, 9~3 suring ports 22 and 23 covered by cvmpliant members 24 and The housing and waveguides are filled with a gas having a high propagation velocity, hydrogen or helium being examples, and the pressures at ports 22 and 23 are communi-cated to respective sides of the differential pressure sensor 14, which then provides an electrical output signal indicative of any pressure difference.
The microphone has very high acoustic sensitivity with a very low response to flow noise. However, the unit could not be operated at deep ocean depths since the com-pliant covers would collapse. Replacing the gas with an electrically insulating liquid results in a dipole hydro-phone which has a low response to flow noise, good sensi-tivity, but is highly sensitive to vibrations. For example, let it be assumed that the unit is accelerated in the direc-tion indicated. The sensor deflection from its own mass is illustrated in Figure 2A. As a result of the accelerationg the liquid inertial pressure also operates on the sensor and deflects it as illustrated in Figure 2B. This deflection illustrated in Figures 2A and 2B will cause an unwanted output signal which is due solely to movement or vibration of the hydrophone and not to any meaningful slgnal.
- Figure 3 conceptually illustrates one embodiment of the present invention wherein the objectional effects of the liquid inertial pressure are minimized.
;. The hydrophone of Figure 3 includes a housing 30 having contained therein a differential pressure sensor 32, such as a multi-laminar bender disc, which separates the housing into two distinct chambers 33 and 34.

:..................................... .i'~ ` `

46,9~3 ~$p~t~ ~

~ COIlStiC waveguides 36 and 37 extend from the housing and include respect:ive pressure measuring ports 38 and 39 covered with compliant members 40 and 41. The unit is filled with a transducer f:Luid such as castor oil and the pressures at pressure measuring ports 38 and 39 are communi.-cated to respective sides of the differential pressure sensor. As opposed to the arrangement of Figure 2 however, the left acoustic waveguide 36 communicates with the right chamber 34 by means of passageway 44, and the right acoustic waveguide 37 communicates with the left chamber 33 by means i of passageway 45.
: If the unit is now accelerated in the direction indicated, the differential pressure sensor, due to its own mass, will deflect as illustrated in Figure 3A. Due to the novel arrangement, the liquid pressure buildup due to the accel,eration acts to deflect the differential pressure sensor in the direction as indicated in Figure 3B, a direc-tion opposite to that deflection of Figure 3A. In the present arrangement, the differential pressure measuring ` 20 device is given a certain mass such that the inertial res-ponse of the liquid on the sensor is approximately equal, and opposite, to the inertial response of the sensor due to its mass. When this condition is met, substantially no output signal will be provided by the sensor as a result of acceleration.
Figures 4A through 4F depict liquid filled con-tainers to illustrate the principle of fluid pressure. The `:~ vertical container of Figure 4A contains a liquid of height H meters. If the ambient pressure is P0, the pressure PH at the bottom of the container is 1~6,9~3 PH Po ~ gP~
where:
PH and P0 are measured in newtons/meter2 (Pascals);
g is gravitational acceleration ln meters/sec2;
p is the density of' the liquid in Kg/meter3.
Figure 4B illustrates a similar liquid filled con-` tainer tipped on its side ancl covered~ on its right side by a compliant member. If the container is accelerated with an acceleration a~ in the direction as illustrated, the pres-sure PX at the left end of the container will be X =`Po + apX (2) where:
P0 is the ambient pressure acting on the compliant member in Pascals;
X is the length of the fluid column in meters.
Figure 4C illustrates the container tipped to the left having a water column of length Y. If the container is accelerated in the same direction as was the case in Figure - 4B, the pressure Py at the right end of the container will be Py = P0 - apY (3) It is to be noted that the pressure measurement is not a function of the shape of the container. For example, ~-for the serpentine container illustrated in Figure 4D~ the ; pressure PX will be identical to that of Figure 4B and is defined by Equation (2).

If the two containers of Figure 4B and 4C are placed end to end as in Figure 4E, and the unit accelerated in the direction indicated, the resultant differential . . .~ ~ .

116,983 ,3~t7~4c pressure P at the interface due to the liqui.d lnerti.a will be Po -~ apX - (Po - apY) (4) which reduces to P = a p(X + Y) (5) If, in Figure LIE, the junction 50 were replaced by . a bender disc, the arrangement would be analogous to the prior art illustrated in Figure 2. I.~ the containers were curved as illustrated in ~igure IIF and the junctlon 52 between them replaced by a bender disc, the arrangement would be analogous to that illustrated in Figure 3.
;~ In the present invention, the tota]. liquid inertial force acting on the sensor is made equal to the inertial `~ force of the sensor assembly. That is, the liquid pressure times the area over which it acts is the force equal to the mass of the disc assembly times its acceleration. If a is the acceleration in meters/sec2, M the mass of the assembly ; in Kg, and A the area in meters2 over which the fluid is effective:
~ 20 a p(X + Y)(A) = Ma (6) ~ If a bender disc i.s used and its diameter is d, its effec-~ tive diameter will be 2/3 d, such that its area will be .~ 2 2 A = (3 d) ~ (7) ` Substituting into Equation (6) and cancelling the accelera-tion terms, the mass of the disc assembly required to counter-act the liquid inertia will be approximately M = p(X + y) d ~ (8) ~ Ll 6,983 In all probability the sensor assembly wi:Ll not have this exact mass so that indl~idual pieces of mass will be added to obtaln the quanti.ty derived in Equation (8). As a practical matter then, the resulting unit may be given a predetermined acceleration and if any output voltage is provided due to that acceleration~ the value o~ X and/or may be adjusted to trim the apparatus and to minimize any output signal due to vibration.
Figure 5 illustrates, in an exploded view, a bender disc sensing means which may be utilized herein. The bender disc is a multi-laminar unit including a central metallic disc 60 madè for example of aluminum and having a thickness in the order of 0.01 inch. Cemented to either side of disc 60 are piezoelectric discs 62 and 63 also of 0.01 inch thickness. Since the resulting unit in general would not have enough mass to satisfy the equality of Equa-tion (8), additional mass is added in the form of brass weights 65 and 66 and the assembly is held together by means of nut and bolt 67, 68 with the brass weight 65 and 66 being :- 20 spaced from piezoelectric discs 62 and 63 by means of stand-offs 70 and 71.
Figure 6 is a plan view, with a portion broken away, of a dipole hydrophone constructed in accordance with the teachings herein. The hydrophone includes a housing 74 containing a differential pressure sensing unit 76 identical to that described in Figure 5 and which divides the interior of housing 74 into two distinct .chambers 78 and 79.
First and second acoustic waveguides 82 and 83 extending along a central axis~ are coupled to housing 74 ; .~
by means of coupler portions 85 and 86. The ends of the Ll6,933 acoustic waveKuides 82 and 83 constitute pressure sensing ports which are covered by respective compliant members 88 and 89 held in place by securing rings 90 and 91.
The distance from the pressure measuring port at the end of waveguide 82 to the center of khe senslng unit is designated Y and the distance ~rom the pressure measuring port at the end of acoustic waveguide 83 to the center of the sensing unit is designated X. In order to balance the hydrophone in accordance with Equation (8), the apparatus is constructed and arranged so that distance X or Y or both may be varied. This is accomplished by the threaded engagement of each acoustic waveguide with respective coupler portions 85 and 86. Since the hydrophone is liquid filled, if one or both of the waveguides is~screwed in to shorten a distance, one of a plurality o~ machine screws 94 is removed ~o allow for liquid overflow. Conversely3 if one or both of the waveguides is moved to increase a distance, then additional liquid may be added. If X and Y are of equal lengths and (X+Y) < A/2, the resulting beam pattern will be a pure dipole as illustrated in Figure 1. I~ X and Y are of un-;~ equal lengths or if (X+Y) ~ A/2, other lobes begin to appear in the beam pattern.
For the plan view illustrated, coupler portion 85 includes an elongated horizontal chamber or opening 96 by means of which liquid in acoustic waveguide 82 is communica-tive with chamber 79 via passageways 98 and 99.
~lthough not illustrated in Figure 6, an elongated vertical chamber or opening in coupler portion 86 will com municate liquid in acoustic waveguide 83 through similar 30 passageways to chamber 78. Liquid baffles 102 and 103 in ~;

ll6,983 con~unction with gaskets 106 and 107 ensure that the liquid in the left waveguide is communicative with the right side of the sensor, and the liquid in the right waveguide is communicative with the left side of the sensor as was ex-plained with respect to ~igure 3.
Figure 7 illustrates an exploded view of the hydrophone of Figure 6 with a horizontal cross-section taken through housing 74; and Figure 8 illustrates the housing with a vertical cross-section. All o~ the elements of Figure 6 are identified in the exploded view o~ Figure 7 which additionally illustrates the mentioned elongated vertical chamber or opening designated 110 in coupler por-tion 86. Liquid in acoustic waveguide 83 is then communi-cative with left chamber 78 via passageways llLI and 115, better illustrated in Figure 8. As can be seen in Figure 7 gaskets 106 and 107 include elongated slits 118 and 120 which line up with the respective elongated horizontal chamber 96 and elongated vertical chamber 110.
In the actual construction of the hydrophone, the edge of the central metallic disc of the sensor unit 76 would be secured to the rim portion 122 such as by epoxy.
Electrical connection to the sensor unit would then be made through waterproof electrical connector 125 mounted on housing 74. Although the acoustic waveguides are illus-- trated as being threadedly engàged with the coupler portions 85 and 86 to vary the distance between an acoustic port and the sensing unit, other means of varying~this distance may be provided such as by telescopic sections or by a threadedly engaged end section of waveguide, by way of example.
If the hydrophbne is vibrated longitudinally, that : -12-,, .

46~983 ~ '7~ ~

is in an axial direction, there is a chance of acoustic pressure buildup at the pressure measuring ports ~8 and 8g.
In order to reduce this pressure buildup, the acoustic waveguide may be fabricated in accordance with the design illustrated in Figure 9. The end portion of an acoustic waveguide 128 is illustrated and includes measuring ports 130 covered by a compliant member 132. The waveguide in-cludes an extension 134 beyond the pressure measuring ports 30, and which extension minimizes, if not eliminates, the pressure buildup problem.
Figure 10 illustrates another embodiment of the invention wherein the hydrophone depicted has associated therewith the well known cardioid beam pattern as illus-trated in Figure 11. The hydrophone includes a housing 140 which contains a differential pressure sensing means as previously illustrated, and first and second acoustic wave-guides 142 and 143 extend from the housing to respective pressure measuring ports 146 and 147. The axial distance from measuring port 146 to the center of the sensing unit is Y and the axial distance from measuring port 147 to the center of the sensor unit is X. The acoustic path length, J~7 however, from measuring port 14~ to the senslng element ls greater than X by virtue of the U-shaped bend. Let it be assumed that ~rl ls the tlme it takes a pressure wave to travel in waveguide 143 from port 147 -to -the sensor and ~2 the time for a pressure wave to travel in waveguide 142 from port 146 to the sensor. If ~3 ls the tir~e it takes for a pressure wave to travel from port 147 to port 146 externally in the water (distance X-~Y) then in general a cardioid beam pattern will be provided if the waveguide liquid and wave-, -~ 7~ 6,983 guide lengths are chosen such that ~ + ~ Thus, as a variation, by eliminating one waveguide as ln Figure lOA, ~2 ls made substantlally equal to zero and a cardioid pattern wlll result, while still maintaining inertial bal-ancing.
Suppose by way of e~ample in Figure 10 that a pressure wave as indicated by line 150 is traveling in an axial direction relative to the hydrophone, from right to left as indicated by the arrow. X is chosen to be equal to Y and the length of waveguide 143 is chosen to be 3X (from port to sensor). The pressure wave must travel 3X within waveguide 143 until it reaches one side of the pressure differential sensor. After the pressure wave 150 passes measuring port 147~ it will travel a distance of 2X in the water until it reaches measuring port 146 after which the ~ pressure is communicated to the other side of the sensor ; after a travel of X in waveguide 142. It is seen therefore that the same pressure signal arrives at both sides of the differential pressure sensor at the same time due the chosen path lengths and therefore no output signal will be pro-vided. This is in conformance with the beam pattern of Figure 11 wherein the hydrophone is assumed positioned at point p. A wave emanating from the opposite direction as indicated by pressure wave 152 will cause a pressure differ-ential at the sensing unit and it will be a maximum. Waves emanating from various other directions will cause an output signal as governed by the beam pattern.
Although both acoustic waveguides 142 and 143 do not extend along the same axial line, the hydrophone will ~ 30 still provide inertial balancing as previously described.
:~ :
:`

,, 6 ~ 9 8 3 In determining the mass to be added to the differential pressure sensing arrangement; the form of Equatlon (8) may still be utilized with X = ~. Acoustic waveguide 143 is illustrated by way of e~ample as having a single U-shaped bend. A multiple bend arrangement is more practical to conserve space and the cardioid pattern will be provlded as long as the multiple bend waveguide is of a path length which will ensure cancellation of a pressure wave such as 150.
With the critical value between pakh lengths~
there is a possibility that a standing wave in an acoustic waveguide may be generated and degrade the response of the hydrophone. Accordingly, in order -to prevent these standing waves, the acoustic waveguides are terminated at their ports with an acoustic resistance which is made equal to the characteristic resistance of the waveguide. This is com-pletely analogous to terminating a transmission line in its characteristic impedance to prevent standing waves.
Figure 12 illustrates one e~ample of an acoustic resistance terminating an acoustic waveguideg waveguide 143.
The acoustic resistance is formed by a capillary opening 160 of a length 1 and of a diameter b. The characteristic `~ impedance of the waveguide is given by the relationship `~ Z = pc cr where:
Z is the characteristic impedance in ohms;
p is the density of the waveguide li~quid in Kg/meter3;
C is the speed of sound in the liquid in meters/sec;
and ~ is the cross-sectional area in meters .

.

~ 7 ~ 6,983 The acoustic resistance of the capillary 160 is given by the relationship R = ~ (10) where:
R is the acoustic resistance in ohms;
k is a constant;
is viscosity of the waveguide liquicl in Pascal-seconds;
- 1 is the length of the capillary in meters;
b is the diameter of the capillary in meters.
Thus, knowing the waveguide liquid characteristics and waveguide area, the characteristic impedance may be determined in accordance with Equation (9).
~ he capillary is then designed according to E~ua-tion (10) where the value of R is made equal to t.he value of ~- Z calculated from Equation (9).
The differential pressure sensor has been des-cribed by way of example as a multi-laminar bender disc.
The sensor however, can be any one of a variety of differen-tial pressure sensors such as a condenser microphone, avelocity sensor on a disc, a group of sensors, or even cylinders, to name a few. Figure 13, and Figure 13A which is a view along line A-A of Figure 13, illustrate a group of sensors. A metallic disc 162 having a central aperture includes a plurality of piezoelectric discs 164 on one side thereof and a similar plurality of piezoelectric discs 165 on the other side thereof. Disc 162 in con~unction with container 167 forms a compartment which is communicative with acoust;ic wave~uide 169. Another chamber 171 ls commu--16~

.

~ .

~6,983 ~L~ 7'~

nicative with the other acoustic wave~suide 173. The prin-ciple of operation is identical to that already described in that an axial acceleration or axial component of accelera~
tion to the right will tend to cause a deflection of the sensing unit to the right due to the liquid, whereas an axial acceleration or axial component of acceleration -to the left will tend to cause a deflectiorl of the sensing unit to the left. By proper choice of added weight, inertial bal-ancing may be accomplished.

Figure 14 illustrates an arrangemen-t which uti-lizes as the active element~ a piezoelectric cylinder 178.
By means of passageway 1803 the left acoustic waveguide 182 is communicative with the inside of cylinder 178 whereas the right acoustic waveguide 184 is commu~icative with the outside of the piezoelectric cylinder via passageway 186.
Piezoelectric cylinder is positioned between an end cap 188 and an added mass 190 supported by means of a spider 192.
Compliant rings 194 and 195 between the cylinder and mass 190 and end cap 188 allow for normal transducer action.

The operation of the embodiment of Figure 14 is such that when accelerated, the mass 190 generates an axial stress causing the generation of a voltage which is in opposition to the voltage generated by the circumferential stressing due to the liquid inertia force.
The voltage Eo produced as a resul-t of the liquid inertia is Eo = ~ Pdm g31 (11) where:

P is the pressure difference across the cylinder wall in Pascals;

l6,983 ~ 7 ~ ~

dm is the mean diameter of the cylinder in meters;
g31 is the piezoelectric constant for the radially P Y newton x 10 Substituting the value of P from Equation (5) Eo = ~ a p(X + Y) dm g31 (12) where:
X and Y are the respective linear distances from the right and left acoustic pressure measuring ports to the center of the cylinderO

The voltage Em generated from the acceleration a of the sensor unit i~ given by the relationship :: ~ Mag31 E a _ (13) where:
M is the value of mass in Kg of the cylinder 178 and mass 190.
The value of Eo is equated to Em so that the total output voltage due to the acceleration is zero. From Equa-tions (12) and (13) a p(X + Y) d~ ~31 ( ~ (14) Cancelling the "a" terms and solving for mass M

- M = ~ p(X + Y) ~dm2 (15) Equation (15) therefore gives the value, to a good approximation, of the total mass needed ~or complete iner-tial balancing and knowing the mass of the cylinder 178, the required added mass may then be determined. As was the case with respect to the embodiment previously described, the i unit may be given a predetermined acceleration and the -18~
'~
:~

.; , , :- :

~ 6,9~3 distance X or the distance Y be adJust;ed so that the total output voltage due to such acceleration is substantially zero.
Figure 15 illustrates another embodiment utilizing a piezoelectric cylinder 196 and wherein the left acoustic waveguide 197 is cornmunicative with the outslde of the cylinder and the right acoustic waveguide 198 is communica-tive with the inside of the cylinder by way of fluid ports 200. The cylinder is connected to an end cap 102 by way of - 10 compliant ring 103 and is connected to a mass 106 by way of compliant ring 107. A diaphragm 109 isolates the inside of the cylinder from fluid communication with the outside.
It is recognized that for certain deployments the -hydrophones may experience other than linear acceleration.
Thus where angular acceleration will be encountered the ~-hydrophones should be designed to be symmetrical about a longitudinal axis as for example would be the construction of the embodiments of Figures 6 , 13, 14 and 15 (but not that of Figure 10). -For optimum inertial balancing in the linear acceleration case, as is done in all embodiments described herein, there should be no section of waveguide which would cause a differential output signal due to uncompensated liquid pressure on the sensor. For example a single right angle turn in one waveguide but not the other would not necessarily cause an output when the hydrophone is acceler-ated longitudinally, but would cause an output if accelera-`~ tion were along a direction perpendicular to the longi-tudinal axis.

; , :

Claims (16)

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A hydrophone comprising:
A) a liquid filled housing;
B) differential pressure sensing means within said housing and having a certain mass;
C) liquid filled means in fluid communication with said sensing means for communicating the pressure at spaced apart locations to said sensing means; and D) said hydrophone being constructed and arranged that, when accelerated, the inertial response of said liquid on said sensing means is approximately equal and opposite to the inertial response of said sensing means due to said mass.

2. A hydrophone comprising:
A) a liquid filled housing extending along a central axis;
B) differential pressure sensing means within said housing, coaxial with said axis and having first and second pressure sensing sides;
C) liquid filled means for communicating the pressure at spaced apart locations to opposite sides of said sensing means; and D) said hydrophone being constructed and arranged that, when accelerated, the resultant inertial force of said liquid acts on one of said sides in the same direction as the axial component of said acceleration.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 which includes:
A) weight means added to said sensing means and being of such value as to balance said inertial force of said liquid.

4. A hydrophone comprising:
A) a housing;
B) a differential pressure sensing means within said housing defining left and right chambers;
C) said sensing means having left and right pressure sensing sides;
D) left and right acoustic waveguides coupled to said housing and having respective pressure sensing ports;
E) a liquid contained within said waveguides and housing; and F) said housing including passageways so as to communicate the liquid and sensed pressure of said right waveguide to said left chamber and left pressure sensing side, and to communicate the liquid and the sensed pressure of said left waveguide to said right chamber and right pressure sensing side.

5. A hydrophone comprising:
A) a housing;
B) a differential pressure sensing means within said housing and defining first and second separate chambers;
C) first and second acoustic waveguides coupled to said housing and having respective pressure sensing ports;
D) a liquid contained within said waveguides and housing communicating the pressures at said ports to respective ones of said separate chambers;
E) said sensing means having a certain mass that, when said hydrophone is accelerated said sensing means tends to provide a first output voltage of a first polarity;
F) said sensing means tending to provide a second output voltage of opposite polarity in response to the inertial force of said liquid, on said sensing means due to said accel-eration; and G) said mass being of such value that said first and second output voltages are approximately equal so as to tend to cancel the effect of said acceleration.

6. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) at least one of said waveguides is adjustable so as to vary the linear distance between its measuring port and said sensing means.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6 wherein:
A) said housing includes a liquid filled aperture to allow for overflow of said liquid when said distance is decreased and to allow for liquid addition when said distance is increased.

8. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) said pressure sensing port of a waveguide is at the end of said waveguide.

9. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) each said waveguide has a closed end; and B) said pressure sensing ports are displaced from said ends, toward said housing.

10. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) said sensing means is a multi-laminar bender disc and which includes weight added to either side of said disc.

11. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) said sensing means is a piezoelectric cylinder.

12. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) the linear distance from the port in one said waveguide to said sensing means is equal to the linear distance from the port in the other said waveguide to said sensing means.

13. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) the linear distance from the port in one said waveguide to said sensing means is greater than the linear distance from the port in the other said waveguide to said .
sensing means.

14. Apparatus according to claim 12 wherein:
A) the length of one said waveguide is greater than the length of the other said waveguide.

15. Apparatus according to claim 14 wherein:
A) said lengths are in the ratio of 3:1.

16. Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein:
A) said housing and waveguides are symmetrically disposed about a longitudinal axis.