Protection of ships from mine explosions through repurposing of acoustic system that injects air bubbles between ship's surface and the water.

Weidlinger Associates received a Small Business Innovative Research Phase II grant from the US Navy to demonstrate that the bubble screens produced by ship maskers offer protection against mines. These acoustic systems reduce the radiated noise from a surface ship by injecting air bubbles between the ship's surface and the water. It was assumed that the shock waves emanating from a mine detonation would be reflected by the bubbly liquid, which reduces the speed of sound by a factor of more than 20. The method, which can reduce the vulnerability of surface combatants to exploding mines, could also be applied to cargo ships transporting hazardous materials and supertankers carrying huge volumes of oil.

Completion Date: 2001
Location: United States
Owner or Client: US Department of the Navy
Prime Consultant(s): WAI Prime