Abstract: A spraying device comprises a spraying plate, having a plurality of tiny holes, a vibrating element, set on a periphery of the spraying plate, and driving a vibrating movement thereof, a wrapping layer, made of soft material and tightly surrounding the vibrating element, sealing the vibrating element from the liquid, and a fastening cap, allowing for quick mounting and dismounting of the spraying device; wherein the vibrating movement of the spraying plate causes liquid adjacent to a lower side of the spraying plate to be periodically compressed and thereby to be pressed through the holes of the spraying plate, and wherein the wrapping layer prevents external interference with the vibrating movement, at the same time minimizing transmission losses of vibrational energy, enhancing effectivity of spraying.

Abstract: A speaker system is installed in a helmet, and includes a pair of piezoelectric speakers, frames supporting the speakers around the peripheral edges thereof, and laminated films for protecting the piezoelectric film speakers. Each of the frames has its longer sides curved with a radius of curvature of 210 mm to 360 mm in order to support the piezoelectric film speakers in a curved state similarly to the frame.

Abstract: Composite materials comprising piezoelectric ceramic particulates dispersed in a metal matrix are capable of vibration damping. When the piezoelectric ceramic particulates are subjected to strain, such as the strain experienced during vibration of the material, they generate an electrical voltage that is converted into Joule heat in the surrounding metal matrix, thereby dissipating the vibrational energy. The piezoelectric ceramic particulates may also act as reinforcements to improve the mechanical properties of the composites. The composite materials may be used in various structural components in vehicles, aircraft, spacecraft, buildings and tools.

Abstract: A composite structure of a backing material with enhanced conductivity for use in a transducer is presented. The composite structure includes a plurality of layers of backing material alternatingly arranged with a plurality of thermal conductive elements, wherein the plurality of thermal conductive elements are configured to transfer heat from a center of the transducer to a plurality of points on the composite structure of backing material.

Abstract: A method is provided for making a backing layer for an ultrasonic matrix array transducer useful in medical imaging and the like. A conductive grid is provided which includes a plurality of micro-contacts each joined together by a common base so that spaces are provided between the free ends of the contacts. A mold for the grid is filled with an acoustically absorbent material such that the absorbent material fills the spaces between the contacts, so as to produce a block when cured. The common base is removed so as to separate the contacts from one another within the block. Further machining exposes the opposite ends of micro-contacts so that a like number of contact faces or pads are provided at opposed surfaces of the backing layer. Improved transducer constructions are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fragrance dispensing shower head apparatus includes a shower head including proximal and distal end portions and a central bore extending therebetween. The proximal end portion has a threaded inner surface. The shower head further includes a wire-mesh screen traversing water flow such that foreign debris can be sustained upstream of the distal end portion. A mechanism is included for ejecting a quantity of the fragrance into the bore and includes a plurality of reservoirs for holding the fragrance. The reservoirs introduce the fragrance adjacent to the distal end portion and have substantially similar shapes.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer comprises a piezoelectric layer and an adjacent layer of an acoustic impedance matching material having a plane face comprising a homogenous matrix material with embedded fibers, clusters of fibers, or rods of another material oriented perpendicular to the plane face.

Abstract: A gas sensor (10) including a measurement chamber (28) into which a gas GS is flown and a detection element main body (40) facing the measurement chamber (28). The detection element main body (40) includes an element case 42, and a protective film (48) is adhered to a bottom surface thereof. An acoustic matching plate (50) and a piezoelectric element (51) of a substantially columnar shape and a tube body (52) provided in a position surrounding the acoustic matching plate 50 and the piezoelectric element 51 are housed in the element case (42). A filler is then introduced into the element case (42), whereby the acoustic matching plate (50), the piezoelectric element (51), and the tube body (52) are sealed by a filled layer (99).

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer structure, comprising a first ultrasonic transducer element (1), arranged and operable for transmitting an ultrasonic signal from a front face of the structure, damping material (2) at the back of the first ultrasonic transducer element (1), and a second ultrasonic transducer element (3) in or on the damping material behind the first ultrasonic transducer element (1), arranged and operable to receive sound energy propagated through the damping material (2) when the first ultrasonic transducer element (1) is operated to transmit an ultrasonic signal from the front face.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric body 4 to set up ultrasonic vibrations; an acoustic matching layer 3 made of a material with a density of 50 kg/m3 to 1,000 kg/m3 and an acoustic impedance of 2.5×103 kg/m2/s to 1.0×106 kg/m2/s; a lower acoustic matching layer 9 provided between the piezoelectric body 4 and the acoustic matching layer 3; and a structure supporting member 6 that supports the lower acoustic matching layer 9 and the piezoelectric body 4 thereon and shields the piezoelectric body 4 from a fluid that propagates the ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer includes a protective portion, which contacts with at least a portion of a side surface of the acoustic matching layer 4. This protective portion is defined by a portion of the lower acoustic matching layer 9 and forms an integral part of the lower acoustic matching layer 9.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer comprises a piezoelectric component, an acoustic member attached to one of the surfaces of the piezoelectric component and a dampening material of low elastic modulus attached to one or both surfaces of the piezoelectric transducer. The piezoelectric component may comprise either an unimorph or a bimorph structure including a piezoceramic wafer made of lead zirconate titanate and a layer of dampening material sandwiched between the piezoelectric component and the acoustic member. The acoustic member comprises a surrounding wall portion and an end portion which form an acoustic chamber when the member is mounted on a surface of the piezoelectrie component. The end portion has an orifice to form a passageway from the chamber through the end portion to the outside of the member.

Abstract: An ultrasonic vibration apparatus includes a casing having a vibration face, a piezoelectric element mounted in the casing, and a disk-like vibration plate supported at a position along a concentric circle differentiating two regions, an inner region and an outer region. In the ultrasonic vibration apparatus, the disk-like vibration plate is constructed so as to be a part of the casing serving as the vibration face, and, the piezoelectric element is mounted in the central part of the disk-like vibration plate, thereby causing the inner region and the outer region to vibrate in substantially the same phase.

Abstract: A device for exhaust gas after treatment of motor vehicles has a pump device for supplying a solution to the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device is a metering pump having a connecting part that opens into the exhaust gas manifold. The pump device has a piston and a piezo element for actuating the piston. The pump device has a housing provided with a housing chamber. The connecting part is arranged in the housing chamber that is located at an end face of the housing. The pump device has a pressure chamber for receiving the solution. A first check valve closes off the pressure chamber relative to the connecting part. The housing of the pump device has a supply line, and the piston sucks in the solution from the supply line. The pump device has a second check valve for closing off the supply line.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor for use in a downhole measurement tool is provided. The acoustic sensor includes a piezoelectric transducer and a backing layer having at least one powder material disposed in an elastomeric matrix material. In various exemplary embodiments, the backing layer includes first and second tungsten powders disposed in a fluoroelastomer matrix material. Exemplary embodiments of this invention may advantageously withstand the extreme temperatures, pressures, and mechanical shocks frequent in downhole environments and thus may exhibit improved reliability. A method for fabricating an acoustic sensor is also provided.

Abstract: A composite transducer array comprises a piezoelectric polymer composite panel, a continuous electrode coupled to a first surface of the composite panel, and a plurality of electrically-isolated electrode segments coupled to a second surface of the composite panel. Each electrode segment is shaped as an angular segment of a circular ring. The electrode segments are arranged to define an array of concentric circular rings of electrode segments.

Abstract: A filter device comprises a substrate having a top surface and a bottom surface, and at least one acoustic wave situated on the top surface of the substrate, wherein the bottom surface of the substrate is roughened to reduce the reflection of an acoustic wave back to the acoustic wave filter. The effect achieved by the roughening of the bottom surface of the substrate that an acoustic wave which is generated by the acoustic wave filter and reaches the bottom surface of the substrate, is basically scattered so the acoustic wave that is actually reflected back to the acoustic wave device is reduced which, in turn, improves the performance characteristics of the acoustic wave filter.

Abstract: A resonator device includes a piezoelectric resonator having a detuning layer sequence arranged on the piezoelectric resonator. The detuning layer sequence includes at least a first layer having a high acoustic impedance and a second layer having a low acoustic impedance.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a matrix array ultrasonic transducer having an integrated interconnection assembly. A piezoelectric member, formed by a plurality of individual elemental transducers arranged in M×N matrix configuration, is provided and an interconnect interface device is joined to the rear face of the piezoelectric member. A plurality of printed circuits are then attached to the interconnect device so as to enable the resultant transducer array to be electrically connected to an external cable. The interconnect device is formed by an insulator member having dimensions in accordance with those of the piezoelectric member. A drilling operation is performed on the insulator member to form a corresponding array of through holes. The insulator member is then metallized and a resin used to provide filling of the through holes. Grooves are formed in at least one face of the insulator for receiving the printed circuits.

Abstract: A shock wave source has a coil carrier, a coil, having a metallic membrane separated from the coil in insulating fashion for generating shock waves. The coil carrier is formed of a material that damps the formation and/or the propagation of audible acoustic waves in the generation of shock waves.

Abstract: A shock wave source has a coil carrier, having a longitudinal axis, a coil and a metallic membrane separated from the coil in insulating fashion for generating shock waves. The coil carrier has a generated surface, a first cover surface facing toward the coil and a second cover surface facing away from the coil. For reducing the low-frequency sound generation when generating shock waves, a cross-sectional area of the coil carrier intersected at a right angle by the longitudinal axis has a non-circular contour. A reduction of the audible sound generation when generating shock waves can also be achieved when the second cover surface of the coil carrier is non-flat.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fabric treatment compositions comprising at least one or more cationic silicone polymers, comprising one or more polysiloxane units and one or more quaternary nitrogen moieties, and an nitrogen-free silicone polymer wherein the ratio by weight of the cationic silicone polymer to the nitrogen-free silicone polymer is from 10:1 to 0.01:1, preferably from 5:1 to 0.05:1, and more preferably from 1:1 to 0.1:1. A process for preparing such compositions, a method of treating substrates and the use of such compositions are also described.

Abstract: RD-28,709 22An ultrasonic transducer device comprising: an ultrasonic transducer array micromachined on a substrate; flexible electrical connections connected to the transducer array; and a body of acoustically attenuative material that supports the substrate and the flexible electrical connections. The acoustic backing material may contain additional features, such as tabs or notches, for use in positioning the transducer on fixtures during manufacturing or positioning the transducer within a housing during final assembly. Tabs or other features that are used only during manufacturing may be subsequently removed from the device. The MUT device itself may also be thinned so as to provide flexibility as desired. The backing material is preferably matched in acoustic impedance to the silicon wafer so as to prevent reflection at the interface of any acoustic energy propagating rearward, i.e., in the direction away from the device front surface.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a housing, in which an ultrasonic oscillator is secured with at least one of a nonpositive and positive fit and at least three layers with acoustic wave impedances that vary to alternating degrees. The layers are arranged such that the ultrasonic oscillator is embedded in a first relatively acoustically soft layer, a second layer, which includes at least one relatively acoustically hard material, surrounds the first layer, and a third relatively acoustically soft layer at least partially surrounds the second layer.

Abstract: An impact-reinforced piezocomposite transducer array comprises a load supporting structure having a plurality of cells, each of said cells comprises a piezocomposite transducer element. The load supporting structure comprises a honeycomb structure having a plurality of multi-sided cells or the structure comprises a plurality of cylindrical cells. The piezocomposite element includes a plurality of piezoceramic rods encapsulated in a polymeric matrix to form a 1-3 composite body. The transducer array may be used as a hydrophone or a transmitter in a rugged environment such as on the hull of an icebreaker ship.

Abstract: A piezoelectric loudspeaker includes: a piezoelectric vibrator including a diaphragm and a piezoelectric member provided on at least one face of the diaphragm, the diaphragm being vibrated by the piezoelectric member; a frame for supporting the piezoelectric vibrator; and a visco-elastic member provided on at least one face of the piezoelectric vibrator. The visco-elastic member is disposed in a substantial center of the piezoelectric vibrator. The visco-elastic member has a bottom face area which accounts for about 11% to about 80% of a bottom face area of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A fuel injection valve has a valve body and a valve member axially movable within the valve body. The opening stroke of the valve member is limited by a stroke stop face provided on a control piston which surrounds the valve member. A control chamber, which may be filled with fuel, is located at one end of the control piston. At a certain pressure in the control chamber, the control piston moves from a first to a second stroke position to limit the opening stroke motion of the valve member. Part of the control piston is embodied as a piezoelectric actuator which, when supplied with electric current, changes its axial length to further vary the stroke of the valve member.

Abstract: A composite vibration device includes a piezoelectric element defining a vibrating member, which is made of a material having a first acoustical impedance, first and second reflecting layers are connected to respective end surfaces of the piezoelectric element, each of the layers are made of a material having a second acoustical impedance lower than the first acoustical impedance, and first and second supporting members. Each of the first and second supporting members is made of a material having an acoustical impedance higher than the second acoustical impedance and is connected to the outer surface of each of the first and second reflecting layers. Vibrations propagated from the piezoelectric element are reflected at the interfaces between the reflecting layers and the supporting members.

Abstract: A broadband ultrasonic transducer has a layer of piezoelectric material sandwiched between respective layers of backing and matching material. The piezoelectric element is coupled to a pair of electrical terminals, across which a varying voltage is produced. The piezoelectric layer has a structure such that in response to the varying voltage, a forward-propagating wave emanating from its back surface does not destructively interfere with a forward-propagating wave emanating from its front surface when the frequency of the waves is an even multiple of the half-wave frequency of the particular piezoelectric layer. This effect can be attained by roughening the back surface of the piezoelectric layer or by spatially varying the piezoelectric coupling in the thickness direction in a portion of the piezoelectric layer which is proximate to the back surface.

Abstract: A fuel injector, in particular an injector for fuel injection systems in internal combustion engines, has a piezoelectric or magnetostrictive actuator. The actuator operates a valve closing body by means of a valve needle, working together with a valve seat face to from a sealing seat. A fuel line leads from a fuel inlet connection to the sealing seat. A fuel line leads from a fuel inlet connection to the sealing seat. The actuator is tubular and surrounds at least some sections of the fuel line.

Abstract: A method is provided for making an ultrasonic transducer particularly useful in medical imaging. The transducer includes a transducer body having a major front surface for radiating ultrasonic energy to a propagation medium and is formed by a piezoelectric member having a curved shape including a curved front surface. The curved shape is produced by deforming a planar piezoelectric composite member to produce the desired curvature and retaining the curvature using suction forces. A graded frequency region is created by grinding the curved front surface of the piezoelectric element along a grinding plane. This region is defined by the area of intersection of the grinding plane and the front surface of the curved piezoelectric member and in different implementations of the method, covers all or less than all of the total front surface.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for cleaning or etching wafers. The invention further provides a megasonic transducer designed to apply mechanical vibrations to a layer of fluid in contact with a wafer. The electromechanical transducer is housed in a quartz or sapphire lens which is chemically compatible with the layer of fluid, and sealed to protect the housing interior from fluids and chemical fumes. An electrical power source produces a signal that is sent to the transducer to generate a megasonic wave. The wave travels between the lens and the wafer, through the layer of fluid, dislodging small particles from the wafer which are then removed in the fluid stream. In one embodiment of the present invention, a wafer to be cleaned is placed on a rotatable support below a transducer assembly. A fluid is introduced through the transducer assembly to provide a layer of fluid between the lens and wafer.

Abstract: This invention is provided a method for making a backing layer for an ultrasonic matrix array transducer useful in diagnostic imaging, non-destructive material testing and treatment of human organs. The method includes placing the grid in a mold, filling the mold with an acoustically absorbent material such that the absorbent material fills the spaces between the contacts, curing the material in the mold so as to form a block formed by the cured absorbent material and the grid, and releasing the block from the mold.

Abstract: A piezoelectric resonator utilizes a thickness shear vibration mode, which allows for simplification of the manufacturing process, effectively suppresses ripples in the width mode, has superior frequency characteristics and is inexpensive. This piezoelectric resonator includes a pair of vibration electrodes provided on portions of first and second main surfaces, respectively, of a piezoelectric substrate, and a damping member arranged so as to cover a vibrating portion only on one main surface of the piezoelectric resonator and a pair of side surfaces connecting the first and second main surfaces.

Abstract: A wave transmission-reception element for use in an ultrasound probe includes a base member and a plurality of unit vibration elements embedded in the base member. Each of the unit vibration elements includes a piezoelectric ceramic piece having a front face and a back face and polarized in a direction extending between the front and back faces, a front electrode formed on the front face, and a back electrode formed on the back face. Thus, the unit vibration elements are uniformly held in place without involvement of an increase in the thickness of the wave transmission-reception element, so that the wave transmission-reception element can be miniaturized, and the angle of beam spread can be increased. The invention includes a method for manufacturing the wave transmission-reception element as well as an ultrasound probe incorporating the wave transmission-reception element.

Abstract: A resonant-type transducer providing a narrow band, high output or high sensitivity signal to a radiation medium, the resonant transducer comprising a vibrator body comprising piezoelectric or electrorestricitive material having a first acoustic impedance at a resonant condition, and a matching layer for acoustically matching the piezoelectric vibrator body at resonance to the radiation medium.

Abstract: The invention concerns a monitor head for ultrasound control by pulse echo process, in particular for producing a brief ultrasound pulse, unipolar as far as possible, comprising an oscillator/transmitter (26) and an oscillator/receiver (32), each provided with electrodes (28, 30, 34, 36). The oscillator/transmitter (26) and the oscillator/receiver (32) are made of the same material. The oscillator/transmitter (26) and the oscillator/receiver (32) are arranged directly one behind the other, in the sound propagation direction, in particular flat-bonded one on the other.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer is provided that includes a plurality of transducer elements having a first surface facing a region of examination when the transducer is in use and a second surface opposite of the first surface. The first surface or the second surface or both may be non-planar in an elevation direction. A nosepiece having an integrated faceplate is disposed over the transducer and a filler material may fill an area between the first surface of the transducer elements and the interior surface of the integrated faceplate. The filler material may have focusing or non-focusing properties.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe has strip-formed oscillators formed of a piezoelectric crystal material arranged in an array form. Metal layers are formed by a first layer of at least one of Ti, Ni and Cr, a second layer of at least one of Cu and Ni, and a third layer of at least one of Cu, Au, Pt, Ag and Pd. A backing material is fixed to the oscillators through the metal layers. With this structure, it is possible to manufacture an ultrasonic probe having a high sensitivity while maintaining a favorable dicing process, even while using a backing material having a low acoustic impedance and soft properties.

Abstract: A transducer backing material includes a sticky epoxy resin containing tungsten particles and silver particles. A method of applying a backing material to a transducer includes pouring a mixture of epoxy resin, tungsten particles, and silver particles into a mold containing a layer of piezoelectric material, degassing the mixture, and curing the mixture at a pressure of approximately one atmosphere until the mixture dries.

Abstract: An acoustic isolator is formed as a composite of a preform, preferably selected according to a fiber architecture, and an acoustically-attenuating matrix. Fibers in the preform exhibit a first acoustic impedance, and the matrix exhibits a second, lower, acoustic impedance. The preform includes fibers arranged in spaced relationship thus defining a plurality of openings which in turn provide voids that are filled by the matrix. An electroacoustic transducer includes an acoustic pulse generator having a front application face and a rear face mounted on a base having a support structure. The base includes an acoustic absorber attached to the rear face of the pulse generator and the acoustic isolator located between the acoustic absorber and a support structure preferably provided in the form of a heat sink.

Abstract: A connection assembly for use in a multiple aperture ultrasonic transducer including an array of elements for transmitting and receiving wherein each element includes a plurality of segments and the connection assembly interconnects the segments of the elements and the segments to transmit/receive circuits to form the apertures of the array. The connection assembly includes an isolating layer superimposed on the segments with at least one via opening located within the area of each segment and a conductive layer superimposed on the isolating layer with conductive paths interconnecting the segments and the segments to the transmit/receive circuits to form the apertures of the array. The conductive layer forms a continuous layer covering the isolating layer, the interior surfaces of the via openings and the areas of the segments exposed through the via openings and is scribed to divide the conductive layer into the conductive paths.

Abstract: An ultrasonic range finder which can effectively suppress the influence of direct transmission waves is provided. An ultrasonic range finder according to the present invention comprises a transmitting ultrasonic sensor, a receiving ultrasonic sensor, and a case which holds both ultrasonic sensors mounted and separated on the same surface, wherein a foam member fabricated to contain air bubbles is provided between the ultrasonic sensors within the case and the foam member is exposed to the surface of the case. Each of the sections of the transmitting and receiving ultrasonic sensors (which are held within the case) are covered with a second foam member and the matching layer sections of the transmitting and receiving ultrasonic sensors project beyond the surface of the case.

Abstract: A resonator (104) including a piezoelectric plate (102) with an electrode (108) having a random pattern (100) along a portion of an edge of the electrode (108). The random pattern (100) dampens or destructively interferes with undesirable and inharmonic vibrational modes. For example, a rectangular AT-cut quartz resonator, which vibrates in a thickness-shear mode may also possess undesirable flexure and face-shear modes. These modes not only present undesirable spurious frequencies, they also change over temperature, disturbing a frequency-ternperature response of the resonator. The random pattern (100) causes diffuse and/or specular scattering to reduce these undesirable modes, providing a more uniform frequency-temperature response which is beneficial in temperature compensated crystal oscillator applications.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements arrayed on acoustic absorption backing material with predetermined spaces, a plurality of acoustic matching members formed on the piezoelectric elements and arrayed with gaps smaller than array gaps of the piezoelectric elements, polymer resin with which only the gaps between the piezoelectric elements are filled and having hardness lower than material of the piezoelectric elements, and an acoustic lens formed on the plurality of acoustic matching members.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transformer element is wrapped together with primary lead members and secondary lead members by a thin soft insulating sheet, with the primary and secondary lead members being exposed outside the wrapping sheet, so that the transformer element is small in size, and easy in handling, and mounting operation on a circuit board. The primary and secondary lead members can be formed of a flexible flat cable. In an electric power supply device using the piezoelectric transformer element, the transformer element, and the flexible flat cable are wrapped by the wrapping sheet together with a portion of a circuit board on which the transformer element and other circuit elements are mounted.

Abstract: A fuel injection for internal combustion engines, having a valve member which is guided so that it moves axially in a valve body and uses a sealing face provided on a combustion chamber end to open and close an injection opening on the valve body. A piezoelectric actuator includes a piezoelectric stack, which changes in length with the action of a control voltage, is coupled to the combustion chamber end of the valve member to actuate the valve member. In order to prevent an interference with a precise adjustment motion of the valve member of an unwanted length change in the piezoelectric stack, a clamping device is provided which fixes the end of the piezoelectric stack remote from the valve member in its axial position during the injection phase of the fuel injection valve, and permits an axial compensation for play at the piezoelectric stack during an injection pause.

Abstract: An ink jet printing apparatus having an orifice plate at least in part defining a chamber, and at least in part defining a nozzle providing fluid communication out of the chamber, and an ink inlet connected between the chamber and a supply of ink. A multilayer flexible firing film is attached to the orifice plate and at least in part defines the chamber, such that the film provides a wall of the chamber. The film has a first layer facing the chamber and connected to the orifice plate, and a second layer laminated to the first layer and spaced apart at least slightly from the orifice plate.

Abstract: An environmentally sealed acoustic transducer that utilizes a semi-liquid, liquid or paste-like couplant material between a bottom surface of a transducer case and a structure that is to be acoustically vibrated. The transducer case fits into a chamber or well that provides a seal relative to the outer surfaces of the transducer case, and a weep or bleed passageway is provided and opens to the chamber or well. The bleed passageway permits excess couplant material to move out of the chamber through the passageway when the transducer case is inserted into the chamber or well. The bleed passageway has a seal so that the entire unit is environmentally sealed.

Abstract: A device for improving thermal transfer inside an ultrasound probe and reducing heat build-up near the transducer face. The cable components are used as heat conductors which conduct heat out of the probe handle. These heat pipes are coupled to an internal heat conductor which is in heat conductive relationship with the transducer pallet. Thus, heat generated by the transducer array can be transferred, via the internal heat conductor plate and the cable heat conductors, away from the probe surface which contacts the patient. A heat conductive structure can be embedded in the overall shield braid of the cable. Suitable heat conductive structures include thread or wire made of material having a high coefficient of thermal conductivity, as well as narrow tubing filled with heat conductive fluid. Alternatively, inlet and return flow paths for cooling fluid are incorporated in the cable.

Abstract: A method for designing ultrasonic transducers used in diagnostic ultrasonic imagers, in particular, transducers made up of at least one piezoelectric layer and at least one acoustic matching layer, plus various bonding and backing layers. The method of transducer design uses a particular family of spectra as the basis of the bandpass characteristic. The approach is to specify a transfer function from the Transitional Butterworth Thompson family of spectra. The specification is influenced by trade-offs in bandwidth, transient response and design feasibility. This family is indexed by a design parameter called M. Using the M factor, a designer can more readily make the engineering trade-offs needed. By adjusting this parameter, any dynamic response from maximally flat to Gaussian can be obtained.