APPLICATION OF PVDF FILM TECHNOLOGY TO ACTIVE CONTROL OF WATERBORNE NOISE

The application of PVDF (Polyvinylidene fluoride) film in the active c ontrol of waterborne noise is under investigation at the Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory (AMRL), Melbourne, Australia. The fil m is used in both sensor and actuator designs. The compliant nature of the film provides for ease of application to curved surfaces, however , its performance begins to deteriorate at temperatures above 70 degre es C to 80 degrees C, with a maximum operating temperature of 100 degr ees C. This may put a significant constraint on its application, parti cularly when used as an actuator where deleterious hot spots are easil y generated in the area of electrical contacts. In this paper, we main ly present the work on an actuator for the control of noise in water-f illed pipes, and briefly discuss a spatial sensor design for the contr ol of hydroacoustic noise radiated from a rib-stiffened panel.