Ultrasonic Transducer Assembly Research Articles

Contact acoustics emission: a novel technique for spatial characterization of materialsurfaces

A new technique for spatial characterization of material and engineering surfacesusing contact acoustic emission is described. It uses an ultrasonic transducerassembly that is held in direct sliding contact with the test surface. The designconcept and system operation are discussed, and a preliminary evaluation of abreadboard system is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of the acoustics emissiontechnique. Measurement results are presented for both steel (elastic) and polymeric(viscoelastic) surfaces to illustrate the operation and performance. Reflectionamplitude data are correlated and calibrated with the surface roughness parameters(Ra and high spot count) obtained using established instruments. The study reveals that thenew technique is viable and should gainfully complement conventional instruments.An inherent advantage of the technique resides in the acoustic reflection datathat provide attendant information on the viscoelastic character of the polymericsurface.

Transducer Assembly with Acoustic Damping

An ultrasonic transducer assembly for generating and receiving ultrasonic vibrating forces comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a unitary housing for mounting to a marine vessel. The housing has a cavity formed therein for disposing the ultrasonic transducer. An acoustic window portion transmissive to the sonic vibrating forces is formed in the bottom of the housing. The ultrasonic transducer includes a transducer element having a cork layer on its sides and inner foam layer on its top surface. A potting material such as urethane encapsulates the ultrasonic transducer in the cavity. A portion of the potting material forms a potting layer between the bottom surface of the transducer element and the acoustic window portion of the housing. The ultrasonic transducer includes an electrostatic shielding enclosure which surrounds the top and sides of the transducer element and has an outer foam layer on its outer surface to impede and attenuate unwanted transmission of ultrasonic pressure waves toward the transducer element.

Insertion ultrasonic transducer with mode conversion and method for reducing multiple signal reception

An insertion type ultrasonic transducer assembly adapted to be mounted to a pipe for determining ultrasonic energy transit time through fluid in the pipe. The assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and a coupling rod having the ultrasonic transducer mounted on a first end thereof and having a second end thereof adapted for disposition through an opening in a fluid containing pipe. The first end has a surface formed at a first angle which ensures that substantially all ultrasonic energy emitted by the transducer in a primary beam is converted at least once from a first mode to a second mode at a boundary surface of the coupling rod, thereby resulting in emission of a longitudinal mode wave at the second end of the coupling rod into the fluid in the pipe. The second end is formed at a second angle which ensures that the emitted longitudinal mode wave is emitted orthogonally with respect to the surface of the second end without refraction as the emitted wave enters the fluid in the pipe. The device allows for more accurate determination of ultrasonic energy transit time through the fluid in the pipe by eliminating or substantially reducing multiple receive signals.

Method of manufacturing a curved array ultrasonic transducer assembly

A curved array ultrasonic transducer is manufactured by cutting a flat transducer plate, which is attached to a flexible support plate, into a plurality of segments, the segments being hingedly attached by the support plate. The support plate is bent to a radius and the conductive traces in a flexible circuit board are electrically connected to the transducer plate segments. The flexible circuit board, having a plurality of branches, is bent to a perpendicular position such that the traces in the plurality of branches become substantially aligned. The traces exiting the branches are then electrically connected to a pin and socket connector device.

Ultrasonic transducer method and apparatus

An ultrasonic transducer assembly comprising an injection-molded body member, a pair of piezoelectric ceramic members and a multi-pin connector is described. The piezoelectric ceramic members are electrically connected to the multi-pin connector by means of thin metallic ribbons. When assembled, the transducer assembly is detachably inserted in recesses provided therefor in the end of a hand-held probe.

Ultrasonic transducer assembly for medical diagnostic examinations

An ultrasonic transducer for medical diagnostic examinations which comprises a transducer element having one surface through ultrasonic waves are emitted, an acoustic impedance matcher, and a contact member brought to contact with an object being examined and formed on the one surface of the ultrasonic transducer element. The contact member includes at least a flat plate or an acoustic lens made of a-4-methylpentene-1-base polymer which has high mechanical strength. Transducer arrays and assemblies using such polymer as a member directly contacted with human body are also described.

Weatherproofed ultrasonic transducer assembly and systems incorporating same

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Ultrasonic transducer and attenuating material for use therein

An improved material for an ultrasonic transducer assembly having improved noise suppression characteristics comprising an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of surfaces, a housing for receiving said transducer whereby one surface of said transducer is free to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, and a material positioned about said transducer and between said transducer and the environment or housing for attenuating ultrasonic energy, said material comprising a heavily loaded resin based on an unfilled low viscosity potting gel and a filler selected from the group consisting of heavy oxides, metal powders, and density lowering fillers. In specific embodiments lead oxide, tungsten powder, and glass microspheres have been used as the filler in a silicone or flexible epoxy.