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EP0134346A1 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Ultrasonic transducers

Assignee: Analogic Corp
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Filing: 1983-08-25
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2003-08-25
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Abstract

Abstract An ultrasonic transducer providing a plurality of different focal lengths within a unitary structure and comprising a piezoelectric element 10 having a curved surface having varying or different radii of curvature with respective sections 10a, 10b, 10c.10d of the surface providing respective different focal lengths 0 1 ,0 2 , 0 3 , 0 4 . Each section of the curved surface can include electrodes 22 in the form of a Fresnel zone pattern to provide focussing in the orthogonal dimension.

Inventors

  • 👤 Henry Peter Beerman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 20:36
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0688; B06B1/0692; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/32

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim 65 words
An ultrasonic transducer comprising: a piezoelectric element having a curved surface, the surface having a plurality of sections along the length thereof, each having a different focal length; a rear electrode provided on the rear surface of the piezoelectric element; a front electrode provided on the front surface of each section of the piezoelectric element; and means for supporting the piezoelectric element and electrode layers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 65 words
An ultrasonic transducer comprising: a piezoelectric element having a curved surface, the surface having a plurality of sections along the length thereof, each having a different focal length; a rear electrode provided on the rear surface of the piezoelectric element; a front electrode provided on the front surface of each section of the piezoelectric element; and means for supporting the piezoelectric element and electrode layers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 58 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein the front electrode for each section includes: a Fresnel zone pattern of length substantially greater than width on the front surface and disposed along the length of the element. each section having a-Fresnel zone pattern of focal length corresponding to the focal length-of the respctive associated section of the curved surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 29 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein the Fresnel zone pattern for each section of the curved surface is symmetrically disposed about the centre line of the curved surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 26 words
A transducer according to claim 1, wherein the piezoelectric element is a piezoelectric film disposed in a path conforming with the shape of the curved surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 14 words
A transducer according to claim 4, wherein the piezoelectric film is of polyvinylidene fluoride.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 33 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein the Fresnel zone pattern for each section is provided by an array of spaced electrode areas, the array extending across the width of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 23 words
A transducer according to claim 6, wherein the electrode areas of each section are electrically interconnected to provide a predetermined capacitance and reactance.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 44 words
A transducer according to claim 2, wherein the Fresnel zone pattern includes electrode areas, each extending along the longitudinal axis of the curved surface, the pattern extending across the transverse axis, the electrode area being of defined width and spacing for the respective sections.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 30 words
A transducer according to claim 8, wherein the Fresnel zone pattern for each section of the curved surface is of different width and spacing to provide a respective focal length.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 14 words
A transducer according to claim 9, wherein the supporting means includes acoustic damping material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 36 words
A transducer according to claim 9, wherein the supporting means includes a block of acoustic damping material having a curved on which the piezoelectric element is disposed and conforming with the shape of the piezoelectric element.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 14 words
A transducer according to claim 11, wherein the piezoelectric element has a uniform width.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US3924453A Cited
DE2552643A1 Cited
FR2292978A1 Cited
FR2316608A1 Cited
EP0027542A2 Cited

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