Systems and methods for producing underwater pressure and acoustic waves

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for producing underwater pressure waves and/or acoustic waves. The systems include a spark gap and a pulsed power drive functionally coupled with the spark gap. The spark gap includes a pair of electrodes spaced apart from each other to define a gap therebetween that are configured to be submerged in water. The pulsed power drive is configured to generate a series of bursts of electrical energy and provide the bursts of electrical energy to the pair of electrodes. The series of the bursts of electrical energy produce a series of corresponding electrical arcs to form between the pair of electrodes and thereby allow current to flow through the gap while the pair of electrodes are submerged in the water. The series of the electrical arcs produces a corresponding series of pressure waves and/or acoustic waves in the water.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.