Abstract: A transducer assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer element having an acoustic radiative surface and configured to emit acoustic radiation over a drive frequency range with a center frequency fc, along a normal to the surface. The assembly also includes a divergent acoustic lens acoustically coupled to the surface at a proximal surface of the lens. The lens receives the radiation at the proximal surface and transmits it through a distal surface. The lens is characterized by a maximum height h, measured from the proximal surface to the distal surface in the direction of the normal, where ¾?c?h?2?c and ?c=clens/fc, where clens is a longitudinal sound speed of the center frequency fc. Alternatively or in addition, the acoustic lens may have an acoustic impedance in a range from 1.0 MegaRayls (MRayls) to 2.0 MRayls at fc.

Abstract: A method of optimizing acoustic transducer performance, and corresponding system, can include mechanically coupling a transducer to a fluid barrier, calibrating the acoustic transducer by measuring response as a function of drive frequency to determine one or more optimum drive frequencies, optimized for the transducer actually coupled to the fluid barrier, and storing the one or more optimum drive frequencies for use in operating the acoustic transducer. Shims may also be used between the transducer and fluid barrier, such as a boat hull, to optimize transducer performance. Embodiments can enable improved in-hull transducer depth sounding, as well as improved fluid level measurements in tanks.

Abstract: A method of optimizing acoustic transducer performance, and corresponding system, can include mechanically coupling a transducer to a fluid barrier, calibrating the acoustic transducer by measuring response as a function of drive frequency to determine one or more optimum drive frequencies, optimized for the transducer actually coupled to the fluid barrier, and storing the one or more optimum drive frequencies for use in operating the acoustic transducer. Shims may also be used between the transducer and fluid barrier, such as a boat hull, to optimize transducer performance. Embodiments can enable improved in-hull transducer depth sounding, as well as improved fluid level measurements in tanks.