Maximum length sequence and Bessel diffusers using active technologies

Active technologies can enable room acoustic diffusers to operate over a wider bandwidth than passive devices, by extending the bass response. Active impedance control can be used to generate surface impedance distributions which cause wavefront dispersion, as opposed to the more normal absorptive or pressure-cancelling target functions. This paper details the development of two new types of active diffusers which are difficult, if not impossible, to make as passive wide-band structures. The first type is a maximum length sequence diffuser where the well depths are designed to be frequency dependent to avoid the critical frequencies present in the passive device, and so achieve performance over a finite-bandwidth. The second is a Bessel diffuser, which exploits concepts developed for transducer arrays to form a hybrid absorber–diffuser. Details of the designs are given, and measurements of scattering and impedance used to show that the active diffusers are operating correctly over a bandwidth of about 100 Hz to 1.1 kHz. Boundary element method simulation is used to show how more application-realistic arrays of these devices would behave

Effects of variable resistance on smart structures of cubic reconnaissance satellites in various thermal and frequency shocking conditions

Piezoelectric materials are widely used as smart structures in cubic reconnaissance satellites because of their sensing, actuating, and energy-harvesting abilities. In this study, an analytical model is developed in specific mechanical thermal shocking conditions. A special circuit and apparatus is designed for experimentation on the basis of the inverse piezoelectric effect. An equivalent circuit method is used to establish the relationship between the resistance and peak-to-peak voltage of lead zirconate titanate used as smart materials for cubic reconnaissance satellites. Various frequencies and resistance were applied in different mechanical thermal shocking conditions. Moreover, numerical simulations are conducted in various mechanical loading conditions to determine the accumulative effect. The model provides a novel mechanism to characterize the smart structures in cubic reconnaissance satellites. A rise in temperature increases peak-to-peak voltage; a rise in frequency decreases peak-to-peak voltage; and intensified resistance decreases peak-to-peak voltage. Based on experimentation and simulation, the optimum resistance is predicted for the various frequencies and temperatures. The various conditions may correspond to the different applications of smart structures for cubic reconnaissance satellites. The analytical calculations are in good agreement with experimental and numerical calculations. © 2017, The Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers and Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany