Development of a high-power transducer DUMILOAD
W. A. Miller, S. E. Auyer · The Journal of the Acoustical Society of America · 1975
DUMILOAD (DUmmy Mechanical Impedance LOAD) devices have been used to test transducers for many years. In concept the DUMILOAD consists of another, specialized, piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to the transducer to be tested. By varying the electrical impedance placed across the DUMILOAD's electrical terminals, varying mechanical loads can be presented to the transducer being tested. Drawbacks to this approach have included the need for a cumbersome mechanical coupling device and the limited operating frequency band of the DUMILOAD. This paper describes some of the considerations involved in designing and constructing a DUMILOAD capable of operating at a power level of 1100 W in the frequency band from 3000 to 4000 Hz. Details of a “quick connect/disconnect” mechanical coupling device are also described.