Osmotic pressure based cavitation suppression system

摘要

An acoustic source for use in a saltwater environment includes a transducer for projecting acoustic energy. The transducer is positioned within a semi-permeable membrane. The volume around the transducer within the membrane is filled with water having a lower concentration of a solute such as salt. When positioned in the saltwater environment, an osmotic pressure is created within the membrane. This osmotic pressure acts to suppress cavitation such as that which could be generated by the transducer. In further embodiments a support structure is used to support the membrane and the transducer could be an array of transducers.