Abstract:

The noise and vibration generated by a ship's propulsion system creates a distinct acoustic signature that can be detected with sonar equipment. Reducing or changing the acoustic signature of a ship reduces the chance that it will be detected. Active vibration isolation involves generating antivibration to cancel the vibration from a ship's engines, which in turn reduces the amount of noise radiated by the ship's hull. An investigation was conducted to assess the feasibility of applying active vibration control to the vibration isolation mounts that connect the engines on a Collins class submarine to the hull, and the results from that investigation are described here.