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US4425525A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Ultrasonic transducer array shading
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-02-16
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Granted: 1984-01-10
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Expires: 2002-02-16
Abstract
Abstract A linear array for rectilinear and sector scan imaging has identical approximately diamond-shaped transducer elements fabricated by making two pairs of straight line cuts at small angles through a piezoelectric slab. The Y-axis radiation pattern (parallel to element length and perpendicular to the array length) has lower side lobe levels than equal sized rectangular elements. No changes in the imager electronics among channels is required, and the shading function may be modified by changing only the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Lowell S. Smith
- 👤 Axel F. Brisken
- 👤 Michael S. Horner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:31
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0622
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
68 words
A shaded linear ultrasonic transducer array comprising a plurality of elongated transducer elements which have electrodes on opposite surfaces and are all wider at the center and narrower at either end such that in the Y-axis direction parallel to the element length the intensity of emitted ultrasound is greater at the center than at the ends of the array and the radiation pattern has reduced side lobe levels.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
A shaded linear ultrasonic transducer array comprising a plurality of elongated transducer elements which have electrodes on opposite surfaces and are all wider at the center and narrower at either end such that in the Y-axis direction parallel to the element length the intensity of emitted ultrasound is greater at the center than at the ends of the array and the radiation pattern has reduced side lobe levels.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer array of claim 1 wherein said transducer elements are substantially identical.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer array of claim 2 wherein said transducer elements are approximately diamond-shaped.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
69 words
A shaded linear phased array ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of substantially identical, elongated, fully cut through piezoelectric transducer elements which have electrodes on opposite major surfaces and are approximately diamond-shaped so that in the Y-axis direction parallel to the element length the intensity of emitted ultrasound is greater at the center than at the ends of the array and the Y-axis radiation pattern has reduced side lobe levels.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
69 words
A shaded linear phased array ultrasonic transducer comprising a plurality of substantially identical, elongated, fully cut through piezoelectric transducer elements which have electrodes on opposite major surfaces and are approximately diamond-shaped so that in the Y-axis direction parallel to the element length the intensity of emitted ultrasound is greater at the center than at the ends of the array and the Y-axis radiation pattern has reduced side lobe levels.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer array of claim 4 wherein both ends of every element are flat and one electrode extends up the flat ends to the other surface and is separated from the other electrode.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer array of claim 5 wherein at least one fully cut through impedance matching layer is bonded to every element.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-01-09 | 1987-07-11 | 1988-01-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-01-09 | 1991-07-11 | 1992-01-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-01-09 | 1995-07-11 | 1996-01-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |