Ultrasonic transducer array assembly and ultrasonic imaging system thereof

Abstract

The present application provides an ultrasonic transducer array combination and an ultrasonic imaging system thereof, comprising: a housing, a first layer of casing, a second layer of casing and a third layer of casing, each having a first setting surface, a second setting surface and a third setting surface, the first setting surface, the second setting surface and the third setting surface being arranged in a zipper Z shape; a first linear transducer array arranged in the first layer of casing corresponding to the position of the first setting surface; a second linear transducer array arranged in the second layer of casing corresponding to the position of the second setting surface; and a third linear transducer array arranged in the third layer of casing corresponding to the position of the third setting surface, so as to be separated from each other and not connected with the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array, and to form a zipper Z shape arrangement together. The present application can effectively improve the ultrasonic measurement range and the accuracy of the measurement results.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasound technology, and in particular to an ultrasonic transducer array assembly and its ultrasonic imaging system. Background Technology

[0002] Because ultrasound has the properties of not damaging material structures and not harming organisms, it is widely used in underwater measurements. Conventional ultrasonic devices for wide-angle measurements consist of multiple ultrasonic transducers, each independently emitting and receiving ultrasound waves. In other words, conventional ultrasonic devices use the measurement ranges of multiple ultrasonic transducers to form a wide-angle measurement range. However, when multiple ultrasonic transducers are connected together, a large number of measurement dead zones are created between them, affecting the accuracy of the measurement results.

[0003] Therefore, it is necessary to design a novel ultrasonic transducer array combination and its ultrasonic imaging system to overcome the above-mentioned defects. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to provide an ultrasonic transducer array combination and its ultrasonic imaging system, which can effectively expand the measurement range.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides an ultrasonic transducer array assembly, comprising: a housing including a first housing layer, a second housing layer, and a third housing layer, wherein the first housing layer, the second housing layer, and the third housing layer are stacked and connected to each other to jointly constitute the housing, and the first housing layer, the second housing layer, and the third housing layer have a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface, and a third mounting surface, wherein the first mounting surface, the second mounting surface, and the third mounting surface are arranged in a zipper-like Z-shape; a first linear transducer array disposed within the first housing layer at a position corresponding to the first mounting surface; a second linear transducer array disposed within the second housing layer at a position corresponding to the second mounting surface; and a third linear transducer array disposed within the third housing layer at a position corresponding to the third mounting surface, such that it is spaced apart from and not connected to the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array, and together they form a zipper-like Z-shape arrangement.

[0006] Preferably, the first shell layer, the second shell layer, and the third shell layer are stacked on top of each other to jointly form a shell with a quadrilateral profile.

[0007] Preferably, the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array have a first included angle between 10° and 30°; the second linear transducer array and the third linear transducer array have a second included angle between 10° and 30°.

[0008] Preferably, the first setting surface is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0009] Preferably, the second and third housing layers are located on the same side of the first housing layer and are stacked sequentially with the first housing layer.

[0010] Preferably, the second shell and the third shell are located on both sides of the first shell.

[0011] Preferably, the first mounting surface is the top or bottom surface of the first housing layer.

[0012] Preferably, the first linear transducer array has a first measurement range, the second linear transducer array has a second measurement range, and the third linear transducer array has a third measurement range, and the first measurement range, the second measurement range, and the third measurement range together form a wide-angle measurement range.

[0013] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer array assembly is fixed to the hull via the housing for underwater ultrasonic measurements.

[0014] Based on the above-mentioned ultrasonic transducer array combination, the present invention also provides an ultrasonic imaging system, the system comprising: an ultrasonic transducer array combination, comprising: a housing comprising a first housing layer, a second housing layer, and a third housing layer, the first housing layer, the second housing layer, and the third housing layer being stacked and connected to each other to jointly constitute the housing, and the first housing layer, the second housing layer, and the third housing layer respectively having a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface, and a third mounting surface, the first mounting surface, the second mounting surface, and the third mounting surface being arranged in a zipper-like Z-shape; a first linear transducer array disposed within the first housing layer corresponding to the first mounting surface; and a second linear transducer array disposed within the second housing layer corresponding to the second mounting surface. The location of the first, second, and third linear transducer arrays; and a third linear transducer array disposed within the third housing corresponding to the third mounting surface, so as to be separated from and not connected to the first and second linear transducer arrays and to form a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement; an ultrasonic controller electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array assembly, used to control the first, second, and third linear transducer arrays to perform ultrasonic measurements; and a display electrically connected to the ultrasonic controller, used to receive ultrasonic signals transmitted from the ultrasonic controller after performing ultrasonic measurements on the first, second, and third linear transducer arrays to display ultrasonic measurement images.

[0015] Preferably, the first shell layer, the second shell layer, and the third shell layer are stacked on top of each other to jointly form a shell with a quadrilateral profile.

[0016] Preferably, the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array have a first included angle between 10° and 30°; the second linear transducer array and the third linear transducer array have a second included angle between 10° and 30°.

[0017] Preferably, the first setting surface is parallel to the horizontal plane.

[0018] Preferably, the second and third housing layers are located on the same side of the first housing layer and are stacked sequentially with the first housing layer.

[0019] Preferably, the second shell and the third shell are located on both sides of the first shell.

[0020] Preferably, the first mounting surface is the top or bottom surface of the first housing layer.

[0021] Preferably, the first linear transducer array has a first measurement range, the second linear transducer array has a second measurement range, and the third linear transducer array has a third measurement range, and the first measurement range, the second measurement range, and the third measurement range together form a wide-angle measurement range.

[0022] Preferably, the ultrasonic transducer array assembly is fixed to the hull via the housing for underwater ultrasonic measurements.

[0023] Compared with the prior art, the ultrasonic transducer array combination and system provided by the present invention arranges the first, second and third linear transducer arrays respectively in the first, second and third shell layers that are stacked and connected to each other, in a layered and separated arrangement that forms a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement, thereby generating a wide-angle ultrasonic measurement effect. Therefore, the present invention can effectively solve the problem of measurement dead angles when multiple ultrasonic transducers are spliced ​​together, thereby greatly improving the ultrasonic measurement range and the accuracy of the measurement results. Attached Figure Description

[0024] Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of an ultrasonic imaging system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0025] Figure 2 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of an ultrasonic transducer array assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0026] Figure 3This is a schematic diagram of the internal configuration of an ultrasonic transducer array assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To provide a further understanding of the purpose, structure, features and functions of the present invention, detailed descriptions are provided below with reference to embodiments.

[0028] Certain terms are used in the specification and claims to refer to specific elements. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that manufacturers may use different names to refer to the same element. This specification and claims do not distinguish elements by differences in name, but rather by differences in function. The term "comprising" throughout the specification and claims is an open-ended term and should be interpreted as "comprising but not limited to".

[0029] Please see Figure 1 , Figure 3 ,as well as Figure 3 , Figure 1 This is a functional block diagram of the ultrasonic imaging system 10 proposed according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 for Figure 1 A three-dimensional schematic diagram of the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12. Figure 3 for Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the internal configuration of the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12. The ultrasonic imaging system 10 can be preferably installed below the bottom of the hull or under the rudder to measure the presence of underwater objects (such as schools of fish or terrain) by ultrasonic wave reflection. It can also be made into a stand-alone component for use in activities such as ice fishing, but is not limited thereto.

[0030] like Figures 1 to 3As shown, the ultrasonic imaging system 10 includes an ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12, an ultrasonic controller 14, and a display 16. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 includes a housing 18, a first linear transducer array 20, a second linear transducer array 22, and a third linear transducer array 24. The ultrasonic controller 14 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 to control the first linear transducer array 20, the second linear transducer array 22, and the third linear transducer array 24 to perform ultrasonic measurements. The display 16 is electrically connected to the ultrasonic controller 14 to receive ultrasonic signals transmitted from the ultrasonic controller 14 after performing ultrasonic measurements on the first linear transducer array 20, the second linear transducer array 22, and the third linear transducer array 24, and then displays the corresponding ultrasonic measurement images for subsequent ultrasonic measurement applications. It should be noted that the phasedarray ultrasonic transducer also belongs to the linear ultrasonic transducer array described in this invention. In addition, the relevant descriptions of the ultrasonic signal transmission and reception control design of the ultrasonic controller 14 and the ultrasonic image display design of the display 16 are common in the prior art and will not be repeated here.

[0031] More specifically, the outer casing 18 includes a first shell 26, a second shell 28, and a third shell 30. The second shell 28 and the third shell 30 are preferably located on the same side of the first shell 26 and are stacked sequentially with the first shell 26 to jointly form a shell 18 with a quadrilateral profile (e.g., ...). Figure 2 As shown, but not limited thereto), and the first shell 26, the second shell 28 and the third shell 30 respectively have a first setting surface 32, a second setting surface 34 and a third setting surface 36, wherein the first setting surface 32, the second setting surface 34 and the third setting surface 36 are arranged in a zipper-like Z-shape. A first linear transducer array 20 is disposed within the first housing 26 at a position corresponding to the first mounting surface 32 (e.g., attached to the first mounting surface 32, but not limited thereto). A second linear transducer array 22 is disposed within the second housing 28 at a position corresponding to the second mounting surface 34 (e.g., attached to the second mounting surface 34, but not limited thereto). A third linear transducer array 24 is disposed within the third housing 30 at a position corresponding to the third mounting surface 36 (e.g., attached to the third mounting surface 36, but not limited thereto). Thus, the third linear transducer array 24 can be separated from and not connected to the first linear transducer array 20 and the second linear transducer array 22, and together they form a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement (e.g., ...). Figure 3 (As shown).

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a first included angle θ1 is formed between the first linear transducer array 20 and the second linear transducer array 22, and a second included angle θ2 is formed between the second linear transducer array 22 and the third linear transducer array 24. The first included angle θ1 and the second included angle θ2 are preferably between 10° and 30°. In addition, in this embodiment, the first linear transducer array 20, the second linear transducer array 22, and the third linear transducer array 24 can each be used to emit multiple ultrasonic signals and can each be used to receive multiple reflected signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic signals. The first linear transducer array 20 preferably has a first measurement range A1 (within...). Figure 3 Two are shown in the image, but the number and range are not limited thereto. The second linear transducer array 22 can preferably have a second measurement range A2 (in the image). Figure 3 Two are shown in the image, but the number and range are not limited thereto), and the third linear transducer array 24 series can preferably have the first measurement range A3 (in Figure 3 (Two are shown in the image, but the quantity and range are not limited to this), thereby, by Figure 3 It can be seen that the first measurement range A1, the second measurement range A2, and the third measurement range A3 can together form a wide-angle measurement range (e.g., 120°, but not limited to this). It should be noted that the present invention can adjust the required wide-angle measurement range by increasing the number of linear transducer arrays according to the actual application requirements of the ultrasonic transducer array combination.

[0033] Through the above design, for example, the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 can be fixed to the hull via the housing 18. The first mounting surface 32 can be adjusted to a position substantially parallel to the horizontal plane, allowing the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 to perform underwater ultrasonic measurements on organisms (e.g., schools of fish) near the horizontal plane. In practical applications, the user can position the second mounting surface 34 horizontally downwards, allowing the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 to provide a symmetrical ultrasonic imaging range for subsequent targeted fishing. Furthermore, the ultrasonic transducer array assembly 12 can be designed with a relatively rotatable structure. In normal use, it detects underwater images downwards; when chasing schools of fish, it can be rotated upwards towards the water surface to bring the first linear transducer array 20 closer to the horizontal plane. This increases the imaging range near the horizontal plane, enabling ultrasonic image measurements of the waters in front of the hull or in the direction of the hull's movement, for subsequent fish tracking.

[0034] In summary, because the present invention employs a layered arrangement design in which the first, second, and third linear transducer arrays are respectively arranged in the first, second, and third shell layers that are stacked and connected to each other, and are separated from each other and together form a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement, thereby generating a wide-angle ultrasonic measurement effect, the present invention can effectively solve the problem of measurement dead zones that occur when multiple ultrasonic transducers are spliced ​​together, and greatly improve the ultrasonic measurement range and the accuracy of the measurement results.

[0035] It is worth mentioning that the housing design of the ultrasonic transducer array assembly is not limited to such Figure 2 The embodiment shown, where the second housing 28 and the third housing 30 are located on the same side of the first housing 26 and the first mounting surface 32 is the bottom surface of the first housing 26, enhances the design flexibility of the present invention in the configuration of linear transducer arrays. In other words, any housing design that can separate the first, second, and third linear transducer arrays into layers and arrange them in a zipper-like Z-shape can be adopted by the present invention. For example, in another embodiment, the second housing 28 and the third housing 30 can be located on the front and rear sides of the first housing 26, respectively, or the first mounting surface 32 can be changed to the top surface of the first housing 26. The relevant descriptions can be deduced by analogy with the above embodiments and will not be repeated here. The choice of design depends on the actual application of the ultrasonic transducer array combination of the present invention.

[0036] The present invention has been described in the above-described embodiments; however, these embodiments are merely examples for implementing the present invention. It must be noted that the disclosed embodiments do not limit the scope of the present invention. Conversely, any modifications and refinements made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention are within the scope of patent protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic transducer array assembly, characterized in that, This array combination includes: The outer shell includes a first shell, a second shell, and a third shell. The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell are stacked and connected to each other to form the shell. The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell each have a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface, and a third mounting surface. The first mounting surface, the second mounting surface, and the third mounting surface are arranged in a zipper-like Z-shape. A first linear transducer array is disposed within the first housing layer at a position corresponding to the first mounting surface; The second linear transducer array is disposed within the second housing at a position corresponding to the second mounting surface; as well as The third linear transducer array is disposed within the third housing layer at a position corresponding to the third mounting surface, so as to be separated from and not connected to the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array, and together forming a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement.

2. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell are stacked on top of each other to form a shell with a quadrilateral profile.

3. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array have a first included angle, which is between 10° and 30°. The second linear transducer array and the third linear transducer array have a second included angle, which is between 10° and 30°.

4. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first setting surface is parallel to the horizontal plane.

5. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second and third shells are located on the same side of the first shell and are stacked sequentially with the first shell.

6. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The second and third shell layers are located on either side of the first shell layer.

7. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first mounting surface is the top or bottom surface of the first housing layer.

8. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first linear transducer array has a first measurement range, the second linear transducer array has a second measurement range, and the third linear transducer array has a third measurement range. The first measurement range, the second measurement range, and the third measurement range together form a wide-angle measurement range.

9. The ultrasonic transducer array assembly as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The ultrasonic transducer array assembly is fixed to the hull via the housing for underwater ultrasonic measurements.

10. An ultrasonic imaging system, characterized in that, The system includes: An ultrasonic transducer array assembly comprising: The outer shell includes a first shell, a second shell, and a third shell. The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell are stacked and connected to each other to form the shell. The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell each have a first mounting surface, a second mounting surface, and a third mounting surface. The first mounting surface, the second mounting surface, and the third mounting surface are arranged in a zipper-like Z-shape. A first linear transducer array is disposed within the first housing layer at a position corresponding to the first mounting surface; The second linear transducer array is disposed within the second housing at a position corresponding to the second mounting surface; as well as The third linear transducer array is disposed within the third housing layer at a position corresponding to the third mounting surface, so as to be separated from and not connected to the first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array, and together form a zipper-like Z-shaped arrangement. An ultrasonic controller, electrically connected to the ultrasonic transducer array assembly, is used to control the first linear transducer array, the second linear transducer array, and the third linear transducer array to perform ultrasonic measurements; and The display, electrically connected to the ultrasonic controller, is used to receive ultrasonic signals transmitted from the ultrasonic controller after performing ultrasonic measurements on the first linear transducer array, the second linear transducer array, and the third linear transducer array, and to display ultrasonic measurement images.

11. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first shell, the second shell, and the third shell are stacked on top of each other to form a shell with a quadrilateral profile.

12. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first linear transducer array and the second linear transducer array have a first included angle, which is between 10° and 30°. The second linear transducer array and the third linear transducer array have a second included angle between 10° and 30°.

13. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first setting surface is parallel to the horizontal plane.

14. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The second and third shells are located on the same side of the first shell and are stacked sequentially with the first shell.

15. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The second and third shell layers are located on either side of the first shell layer.

16. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first mounting surface is the top or bottom surface of the first housing layer.

17. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The first linear transducer array has a first measurement range, the second linear transducer array has a second measurement range, and the third linear transducer array has a third measurement range. The first measurement range, the second measurement range, and the third measurement range together form a wide-angle measurement range.

18. The ultrasonic imaging system as described in claim 10, characterized in that, The ultrasonic transducer array assembly is fixed to the hull via the housing for underwater ultrasonic measurements.

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