# US 7,609,586 B2 · Acoustic projector having minimized mechanical stresses > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,586 B2 - Document ID: US7609586B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/542,993 - Filed: 2004-10-12 - Published: 2008-09-11 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-12 - Assignees: BAE Systems Information and Electronic Systems Integration Inc. - Inventors: Jason W. Osborn; Matthew M. DeAngelis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609586B2 ## CPC - B06B 1/0655: {of cylindrical shape} - B06B: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, {e.g.} FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL (for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B07B1/40, B23Q17/12, B24B31/06; measurement of mechanical vibrations G01H; in direction finding, locating, distance or velocity measuring G01S; {generating seismic energy G01V1/02}; control of mechanical vibrations in general G05D; sound-producing devices, e.g. bells, sirens, whistles G10K, {e.g. methods or devices for transmitting, conducting, or directing sound in general G10K11/00}; generation of electrical oscillations H03B; electromechanical resonators in general H03H; electromechanical transducers {for communication techniques, e.g. microphones, speakers} H04R) ## Abstract An acoustic projector which includes an outer shell (8) formed of a reinforced epoxy resin having a longitudinal slot (14) has an inner reinforcing liner (20) formed of metal to reduce stress. The liner (20) extends throughout the length of the outer shell and has a longitudinal slot (22) aligned with the slot (14) formed in the shell (8). An arcuate shaped driver (10) is mounted along a portion of the I.D. of the metal liner (20) and separated therefrom by insulation (24). ## Claims ### Claim 1 An underwater acoustic projector comprising an outer shell formed of a graphite/epoxy material including wound resin impregnated graphite strips, an inner concentric acoustic driver, and an inner concentric insulative layer, a metallic liner located between the outer shell and insulative layer, and a longitudinal slot formed in the outer shell, metallic liner and driver. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The projector defined in claim 1 wherein the metallic liner is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, steel, titanium, and brass. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The projector defined in claim 1 wherein the metallic liner is tapered and increases in radial thickness toward a location diametrically opposite the longitudinal slot. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The projector defined in claim 1 wherein arcuate sections of a dielectric material extend longitudinally along each side of the slot and abut the driver to assist in retaining the driver within the outer shell and metallic liner. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The projector defined in claim 1 wherein certain of the wound strips of the outer shell are wound at approximately 90° to a longitudinal axis of the shell and other of said strips are wound at an angle of between 45° and 85° to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The projector defined in claim 5 wherein said other of said strips are wound at an angle of approximately ±70° to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The projector defined in claim 1 wherein the resin impregnated graphic strips are wound in overlapping relationship, said strips include inner and outer layers wound at approximately 90° to a longitudinal axis of the shell, and a plurality of intermediate layers wound at between 45° and 85° to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The projector defined in claim 7 wherein the intermediate strips alternate at ± approximately 70° to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 9 An acoustic projector comprising an outer cylindrical shell having an I.D. formed of wound resin impregnated graphite strips; a metallic liner concentrically mounted within the shell and extending along a portion of the I.D. of the outer shell to provide structural reinforcement thereto: a driver mounted within the metallic liner; and insulation separating the driver from the metallic liner. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The acoustic projector defined in claim 9 including aligned longitudinal slots found in the outer shell and metallic liner. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The acoustic projector defined in claim 9 including a pair of arcuate segments extending from opposite sides of the longitudinal slots within the outer shell and in edge abutment with the driver to assist in retaining the driver within the shell. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The acoustic projector defined in claim 9 wherein certain of the strips are wound at approximately 90° to a longitudinal axis of the shell and other of said strips being wound at an angle of between 45° and 85° to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The acoustic projector defined in claim 12 wherein said other of said strips are wound at an angle of approximately ±70° to the longitudinal axis. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The acoustic projector defined in claim 12 wherein the resin impregnated graphite strips of the outer shell are wound in overlapping relationship, said strips include inner and outer layers wound at approximately 90° to a longitudinal axis of the shell, and a plurality of intermediate layers wound at between 45° and 85°± to said longitudinal axis. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The acoustic projector defined in claim 14 wherein the intermediate strips alternate at ±approximately 70° to the longitudinal axis.