Flexoelectric ultrasonic transducer imaging system

Abstract

To provide a flexoelectricity ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, a plurality of flexoelectricity UT transducers, and a multiplexer.SOLUTION: The PTFE layer includes a front surface and a back surface, and the flexoelectricity UT transducers are attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. Each UT transducer has a front end and a back end, and the front-end of each flexoelectricity UT transducer is attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The flexoelectricity UT transducers are arranged along the back surface of the PTFE layer as a two-dimensional array, and each flexoelectricity UT transducer is configured to vibrate in a direction normal to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The multiplexer is in signal communication with each flexoelectricity UT transducer, where the flexoelectricity UT transducers are sandwiched between the multiplexer and the PTFE layer.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] TECHNICAL FIELD This disclosure relates to imaging systems, and more particularly to ultrasound imaging systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Known ultrasonic nondestructive testing (UDT) applications utilize high-frequency sound waves for defect detection and thickness measurement of objects and / or material layers within the objects. These applications utilize inspection systems that include multiple ultrasonic transducers (UT transducers), each typically a small probe that generates and transmits high-frequency sound waves. These small probes may be combined to form a larger phased array of probes that generates a controlled acoustic beam to perform UDT.

[0003] Unfortunately, known UT transducers are made from piezoelectric crystal actuators. These actuators are ridge piezoelectric crystals that require high voltages to see the electric polarization changes due to motion. Furthermore, the stiffness and size of these known piezoelectric crystals limit the use of portable UT imaging systems that can be used for defect detection and thickness measurement of objects with varying surfaces. Therefore, a UT imaging sensor that addresses these issues is needed. Summary of the Invention

[0004] A flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system is disclosed, comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers, and a multiplexer. The PTFE layer includes a front surface and a back surface, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. Each UT transducer of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers has a front end and a back end, and the front end of each UT transducer is attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer, and the PTFE layer is configured as an audio membrane for the front end of each UT transducer. The plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface of the PTFE layer, and each UT transducer is configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The multiplexer is in signal communication with each UT transducer, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are sandwiched between the multiplexer and the PTFE layer.

[0005] In one example of operation, a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system is placed over a part under inspection, covering the part. A first set of voltages is applied to the multiplexer to generate vibrations in the multiplexer. The vibrations of the multiplexer and PTFE layer generate acoustic waves that are transmitted by the PTFE layer toward the part under inspection. The acoustic waves reflected from the part under inspection are then received by the PTFE layer, vibrating the flexoelectric UT transducers and generating a second set of voltages that are received by the multiplexer. The multiplexer then transmits pixel data corresponding to each UT transducer in the two-dimensional array to a controller to generate a full image of the part under inspection.

[0006] Other devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present invention will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following figures and detailed description, and it is intended that all such additional devices, apparatus, systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of this disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

[0007] The present invention can be better understood by reference to the following drawings, in which components are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles of the invention. In the drawings, like reference numbers refer to corresponding parts throughout the different views. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a system block diagram of one example implementation of a flexo-electric UT transducer imaging system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system shown in FIG. 1 positioned over a non-linear part under inspection in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of one example implementation of a distribution of multiple flexoelectric UT transducers along the backside of the polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 4A] FIG. 4 is a system block diagram of one example implementation of the UT transducer shown in FIGS. 1-3 in a stationary state according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4B] FIG. 4B is a system block diagram of the UT transducer shown in FIGS. 1-4A in an active low-frequency state according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4C] FIG. 4C is a system block diagram of the UT transducer shown in FIGS. 1-4B in an active high frequency state according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4D] FIG. 4D is a system block diagram of the UT transducer shown in FIGS. 1-4C in a passive receiving state according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of one example implementation of the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system shown in FIGS. 1-2 operating in a first mode of operation according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 3 is a system block diagram of the flexo-electric UT transducer imaging system shown in FIGS. 1-2 operating in another mode of operation in accordance with the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of one example implementation of a method performed by the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system shown in FIGS. 1-2 according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Disclosed is a flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer, a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers, and a multiplexer. The PTFE layer includes a front surface and a back surface, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer. Each of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers has a front end and a back end, and the front end of each UT transducer is attached to the back surface of the PTFE layer, and the PTFE layer is configured as an audio membrane for the front end of each UT transducer. The plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface of the PTFE layer, and each UT transducer is configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface of the PTFE layer. The multiplexer is in signal communication with each UT transducer, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers are sandwiched between the multiplexer and the PTFE layer.

[0010] In one example of operation, a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system is placed over and covers a part under inspection. A first set of voltages is applied to the multiplexer to cause the multiplexer to vibrate. The vibration of the multiplexer and PTFE layer generates acoustic waves that are transmitted by the PTFE layer toward the part under inspection. The multiplexer then receives the acoustic waves reflected from the part under inspection, vibrating the flexoelectric UT transducers and generating a second set of voltages that are received by the multiplexer. The multiplexer then transmits pixel data corresponding to each UT transducer in the two-dimensional array to a controller to generate a full image of the part under inspection.

[0011] Referring now to FIG. 1 , a system block diagram of one embodiment of an implementation of a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 according to the present disclosure is shown. In this embodiment, the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 is positioned over a part under inspection 102, which is a linear component. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 may include a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer 104, a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106, a multiplexer 108, and a controller 110. The PTFE layer 104 includes a front surface 112 and a back surface 114, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 are attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. In this embodiment, each UT transducer of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 has a front end and a back end, and the front end of each UT transducer is attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. The PTFE layer 104 is configured as an audio membrane at the front end of each UT transducer, and multiple flexoelectric UT transducers 106 are arranged in a two-dimensional array along a back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. In this example, each UT transducer is configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. In this example, the PTFE layer 104 may be placed over the part 102 under test utilizing a UT gel 116 to form a near-vacuum seal between the front surface 112 of the PTFE layer 104 and a surface 118 of the part 102 under test.

[0012] In this example, the controller 110 may be any device capable of receiving pixel data from each UT transducer of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 and, in response, generating a full image of the part 102 under inspection, which may be utilized for defect detection and thickness measurement of the part 102 under inspection. The controller 110 may be, for example, a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or may alternatively be a computing device including one or more processors, including a microprocessor, a single-core processor, a multi-core processor, a microcontroller, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a logic device (e.g., a programmable logic device configured to perform processing operations), a digital signal processing (DSP) device, etc., one or more memories for storing executable instructions (e.g., software, firmware, or other instructions), and / or any other suitable combination of processing devices and / or memories for executing instructions to perform any of the various operations described herein. The one or more processors are adapted to couple to and communicate with the memory and other devices via one or more communication interfaces to perform the methods and processing steps described herein. The one or more communication interfaces may include a wired or wireless communication bus.

[0013] In various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that the processing operations and / or instructions may be embodied in software and / or hardware as part of one or more processors or code (e.g., software or configuration data) stored in memory. Embodiments of the processing operations and / or instructions disclosed in this disclosure may be stored by a non-transitory machine-readable medium (e.g., memory, hard drive, compact disc, digital video disc, or flash memory) for execution by one or more processors (e.g., a computer, such as a logic or processor-based system) to perform the various methods disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the machine-readable medium may be in memory within the computing device, although those skilled in the art will understand that the machine-readable medium may also be located on other memory external to the controller.

[0014] In this example, the PTFE layer 104 may be implemented as part of a blanket for the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100. If the blanket is separate from the PTFE layer 104, the blanket layer may be attached to the PTFE layer 104 and include a front surface and a back surface, with the PTFE layer 104 attached to the back surface of the blanket layer and the front surface configured to be attached to the part under inspection 102. In this example, the blanket may be a separate component to simply protect the structural integrity of the PTFE layer 104 or a flexible portion of the PTFE layer 104 that extends beyond the physical footprint of the multiple UT transducers 106.

[0015] Additionally, the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 may include, or be in signal communication with, a power supply (not shown) that provides a set of excitation voltages to the flexoelectric UT transducers of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106. In this embodiment, the power supply provides a voltage of, for example, less than about 80 volts.

[0016] 2 is a side view of a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 positioned over a non-linear part 200 under inspection in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the controller 110 is shown separate from the combination of the PTFE layer 104, multiple flexoelectric UT transducers 106, and multiplexer 108, but continues to communicate signals via a signal path 202, which may be a wireless or wired connection.

[0017] Although circuits, components, modules, and / or devices of or associated with the flexoelectric UT100 transducer imaging system 100 have been described as being in signal communication with one another, those skilled in the art will understand that signal communication refers to any type of communication and / or connection between circuits, components, modules, and / or devices that allows a circuit, component, module, and / or device to send and receive signals and / or information from another circuit, component, module, and / or device. The communication and / or connection may be along any signal path between circuits, components, modules, and / or devices that allows signals and / or information to be sent from one circuit, component, module, and / or device to another, including wireless or wired signal paths. The signal path may be physical, such as, for example, a conductor, an electromagnetic waveguide, a cable, attached and / or electromagnetically or mechanically coupled terminals, a semiconductor or dielectric material or device, or other similar physical connection or coupling. Additionally, signal paths may be non-physical, such as free space (in the case of electromagnetic propagation) or information paths through digital components, where communication information is sent from one circuit, component, module, and / or device to another circuit, component, module, and / or device in various digital forms that do not pass through a direct electromagnetic connection.

[0018] 3 shows a system block diagram of an example implementation of a distribution of multiple flexoelectric UT transducers 106 along the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104 according to the present disclosure. In this example, multiple flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 are attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. The multiple flexoelectric UT transducers 300 correspond to pixel elements of the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 and may be oriented in rows and columns along the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. As an example, the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, and 306 may be oriented along a first row 318, and the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 308, 310, and 312 may be oriented along a first column 320. As previously mentioned, the front end of each flexoelectric UT transducer is attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. As an example, the first front end 322 of the first flexoelectric UT transducer 300, the second front end 324 of the second flexoelectric UT transducer 306, the third front end 326 of the third flexoelectric UT transducer 312, and the fourth front end 328 of the fourth flexoelectric UT transducer 316 are all attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. In this embodiment, the multiplexer 108 is in signal communication with each of the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 to apply a set of voltage signals to the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316, or receive another set of voltage signals from the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 when acoustic waves received at the PTFE layer 104 are detected by the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316.

[0019] As previously described, the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 are arranged in a two-dimensional array on the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, with each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 corresponding to a pixel in the two-dimensional array. In this embodiment, the size of the two-dimensional array can be varied as desired based on design preferences for the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100. In one example, the two-dimensional array can be as small as a 2 x 2 array, or as large as needed, for example, a 1,000 x 1,000 array or larger. Thus, the number of flexoelectric UT transducers can vary from four to millions of elements.

[0020] 4A-4D, a flexoelectric UT transducer 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 is shown. In this embodiment, the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 is shown in a quiescent state in FIG. 4A, an active low frequency state in FIG. 4B, an active high frequency state in FIG. 4C, and a passive receiving state in FIG. 4D. In this embodiment, the flexoelectric UT transducer includes a front end 402 and a back end 404. The front end 402 of the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 is attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. The flexoelectric UT transducer 400 may include or be composed of one or more flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412.

[0021] Although only four flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 are shown in this embodiment for purposes of illustration, one skilled in the art will appreciate that any number of flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 may be utilized to form the flexoelectric UT transducer 400, with multiple flexoelectric crystal elements arranged in a stacked-up structure as shown. Thus, in this embodiment, the front end 402 of the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 corresponds to the front end of the first flexoelectric crystal element 406. In this embodiment, each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, and 412 are in signal communication with the multiplexer 108 via a plurality of signal paths 414, 416, 418, and 420, respectively. Moreover, in this embodiment, each of the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 may be constructed from a polarized ceramic material such as, for example, barium titanate (BaTiO). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the front end 402 of the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 has a corresponding front end impedance that matches the PTFE impedance of the PTFE layer 104.

[0022] When a voltage is applied to the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412, the poled ceramic material of the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 responds to the applied voltage and aligns itself to the applied voltage such that the poled ceramic material of the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 aligns and extends in both the vertical direction 422 and the horizontal direction 424.

[0023] In one example of operation for transmission, flexoelectric UT transducer 400 is initially in a quiescent state with no voltages applied to flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412. Flexoelectric UT transducer 400 has an initial height 426 and an initial width 428. When a first set of voltages is applied in a low frequency mode, the polarized material within flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 aligns itself with the applied first set of voltages such that flexoelectric UT transducer 400 increases in height to a second height 430 and portions of flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 have widths greater than initial width 428. When the applied first set of voltages is removed, flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 return to the quiescent state shown in FIG. 4A . By applying alternating current (AC) voltages 401, 403, 405, and 407 to the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412, the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 can undergo vertical vibrations 432 (vertically, i.e., perpendicular to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104) and horizontal vibrations 434. These vertical vibrations 432 and horizontal vibrations 434 generate mechanical forces on the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, generating acoustic low frequency vibrations 436 that are transmitted by the PTFE layer 104 to the part 102 under inspection.

[0024] When the applied voltages are increased in the high frequency mode, a second set of voltages 409, 411, 413, and 415 are applied in the high frequency mode, causing the polarized material in the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 to further align themselves with the applied second set of voltages such that the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 increases in height to a third height 438 and the width of portions of the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 becomes greater than the initial width 428. Again, when the applied second set of voltages is removed, the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 return to the quiescent state shown in FIG. By applying AC voltages to the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, and 412 as the second set of applied voltages, the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 undergoes vertical vibrations 440 and horizontal vibrations 442 that are stronger than the embodiment of Figure 4B. These vertical vibrations 440 and horizontal vibrations 442 again generate mechanical forces on the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, generating sonic high frequency vibrations 444 that are transmitted by the PTFE layer 104 to the part under test 102.

[0025] In one embodiment of the operation of receiving the reflected sound waves 446, the reverse process occurs: the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 receives the reflected sound waves 446 received at the front surface 112 of the PTFE layer 104. The received reflected sound waves 446 cause a deflection in the PTFE layer 104, which in turn causes a deflection in the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 because the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 is attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. The deflection of the PTFE layer 104 causes the flexoelectric UT transducer 400 to vibrate in a vertical direction 448 and a horizontal direction 450, which induces a first voltage 452 from the first flexoelectric crystal element 406, a second voltage 454 from the second flexoelectric crystal element 408, a third voltage 456 from the third flexoelectric crystal element 410, and a fourth voltage 458 from the fourth flexoelectric crystal element 412. These voltages are received by the multiplexer 108 and passed to the controller 110.

[0026] It should be noted that in this embodiment, multiplexer 108 may be configured to drive or receive a very large number of voltages (possibly exceeding one million) because multiplexer 108 is in signal communication with each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, and 412 of each UT transducer 400 in the M×N two-dimensional array of flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316, where M is the number of flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, and 306 along rows 318 and N is the number of flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 306, 310, and 312 along columns 320.

[0027] 5 is a system block diagram of an example implementation of the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 operating in a first mode of operation in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 314, and 316 are arranged in sub-pluralities, where sub-plurality refers to rows along the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104. Further, in this example, the first sub-plurality 500 of flexoelectric UT transducers may include two rows 502 and 504 of flexoelectric UT transducers. The second sub-plurality 506 of flexoelectric UT transducers may include all of the other flexoelectric UT transducers not included in the flexoelectric UT transducers of the first sub-plurality 500. For ease of illustration, only two flexoelectric UT transducers 502 and 504 are shown in the first plurality of portions 500, however, it should be understood that the number of flexoelectric UT transducers in the first plurality of portions 500 may vary based on the design.

[0028] In this example, flexoelectric UT transducers 502 and 504 in combination with PTFE layer 104 generate a plurality of acoustic waves that are transmitted toward part under inspection 102. The resulting reflected acoustic waves from part under inspection 102 are received by the flexoelectric UT transducers of second portion plurality 506 and are not received by flexoelectric UT transducers 502 and 504 of flexoelectric UT transducers of first portion plurality 500. In this example, each individual flexoelectric UT transducer of flexoelectric UT transducers of second portion plurality 506 generates a set of voltages that are received by multiplexer 108.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 6, a system block diagram of a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 is shown operating in another mode of operation in accordance with the present disclosure. In this example, the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 are arranged as a two-dimensional array of flexoelectric UT transducers 600, with a portion of the flexoelectric UT transducers (e.g., a first portion plurality) being utilized to generate acoustic waves that are transmitted to the part 102 under inspection. The flexoelectric UT transducer 603 of this first portion plurality 602 is, for example, located at the center of the two-dimensional array of flexoelectric UT transducers 600. In this example, the flexoelectric UT transducer 605 of the second portion plurality 604 includes all of the flexoelectric UT transducers of the two-dimensional array of flexoelectric UT transducers 600, excluding the flexoelectric UT transducers of the first portion plurality 602.

[0030] Similar to the previous embodiment, in this embodiment the flexoelectric UT transducers of the first portion plurality 602 of flexoelectric UT transducers in combination with the PTFE layer 104 generate a plurality of acoustic waves that are transmitted towards the part under inspection 102. The resulting reflected acoustic waves from the part under inspection 102 are received by the flexoelectric UT transducers of the second portion plurality 604 and are not received by the flexoelectric UT transducers of the first portion plurality 602. Again, each individual flexoelectric UT transducer of the flexoelectric UT transducers of the second portion plurality 602 generates a set of voltages that are received by the multiplexer 108.

[0031] It should be understood that other combinations may be utilized by the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100. In these embodiments, the controller 110 may be programmed to utilize different combinations for different measurements based on the part 102 under inspection or other factors.

[0032] 7, a flow diagram of one example implementation of a method 700 performed by a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 according to the present disclosure is shown. The method 700 begins by covering 702 a part under inspection 102 with the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 and applying 704 a first set of voltages 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 to the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 via the multiplexer 108 to induce vibrations in the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106. The method 700 then includes transmitting 706 a plurality of acoustic waves 436 or 444 toward the part under inspection 102 via the PTFE layer 104; The plurality of acoustic waves 436 or 444 are generated by a combination of the PTFE layer 104 and the vibrations of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106. The method 700 then includes receiving 708 the plurality of reflected acoustic waves 446 from the part under inspection 102 by the PTFE layer 104 and generating 710 a second set of voltages by the multiplexer 108 from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 that were received 712. The method 700 then includes transmitting 714 pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, or 400 to the controller 110 to generate a full image of the part under inspection 102, and generating 716 the full image by the controller 110. The method then ends.

[0033] In this embodiment, generating 710 the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 includes generating a subset of voltages 452, 454, 456, and 458 from each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, and 412 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, or 400. Further, receiving 712 the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 by the multiplexer 108 includes receiving the subset of voltages 452, 454, 456, and 458 from each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, and 412 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, or 400.

[0034] In method 700, the transmitting step 706 may also include generating a plurality of sound waves 436 or 444 from a combination of the PTFE layer 104 and vibrations of the first portion plurality 500 or 602 of flexoelectric UT transducers 106, receiving a plurality of reflected sound waves 446 from the part under inspection 102 by the PTFE layer 104 and the second portion plurality 506 or 602 of flexoelectric UT transducers 106, and generating a second set of voltages from the second portion plurality 506 or 602 of flexoelectric UT transducers 106. In this example, the flexoelectric UT transducers 106 of the first portion plurality 500 or 602 have a pattern in the two-dimensional array 600. In this example, the first set of voltages 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 may be less than approximately 80 volts.

[0035] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes the following examples, and the scope of protection is provided by the claims.

[0036] Example 1. A flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system 100 comprising a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer 104 having a front surface 112 and a back surface 114, and a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, Each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 has a front end 322, 324, 326, 328, 402 and a back end 404. The front ends 322, 324, 326, 328, 402 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 are attached to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, and the PTFE layer 104 is connected to the audio flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system 100, configured as a membrane, the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, a multiplexer 108 in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400, and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 sandwiched between the multiplexer 108 and the PTFE layer 104.

[0037] Example 2. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 1, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 is comprised of a flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, 412.

[0038] Example 3. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 2, wherein the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, 412 are barium titanate (BaTiO3) crystal elements.

[0039] Example 4. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 2 or 3, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, 412 arranged in a stacked configuration.

[0040] Example 5. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 4, wherein the multiplexer 108 is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106.

[0041] Example 6. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 5, wherein the multiplexer 108 is in signal communication with each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, 412 of the plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400.

[0042] Example 7. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of Example 1, wherein the front ends 322, 324, 326, 328, 402 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 have corresponding front end impedances, and the PTFE layer 104 has a PTFE impedance, and the corresponding front end impedance and the PTFE impedance for each flexoelectric UT transducer match.

[0043] Example 8. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 1, further comprising a blanket layer attached to the PTFE layer 104, the blanket layer including a front surface and a back surface, the PTFE layer 104 attached to the back surface of the blanket layer, and the front surface configured to be attached to a part 102 under inspection.

[0044] Example 9. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of example 1, further comprising a controller 110 in signal communication with said multiplexer 108.

[0045] Example 10. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of Example 9, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 corresponds to a pixel of the two-dimensional array, and the controller 110 is configured to receive pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 and, in response, generate a full image of the part 102 under inspection.

[0046] Example 11. A method for inspecting a part under inspection 102 utilizing the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 of Example 1.

[0047] Example 12. A method 700 for inspecting a part 102 with a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100, comprising: covering the part 102 with the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100, the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system 100 having a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer 104, a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 attached to a back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, and a multiplexer 108 in signal communication with each of the flexoelectric UT transducers 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106; 702, covering the part 102, wherein the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 are sandwiched between the multiplexer 108 and the PTFE layer 104, the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 being arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface 114 of the PTFE layer 104, and each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 corresponding to a pixel of the two-dimensional array; applying 704 a first set of voltages 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 to the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 by the multiplexer 108 to generate vibrations in the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106; transmitting 706 a plurality of acoustic waves 436, 444 by the PTFE layer 104 toward the part 102, the plurality of acoustic waves 436, 444 being generated by a combination of the PTFE layer 104 and the vibrations of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106; receiving 708, by the PTFE layer 104, multiple reflected acoustic waves 446 from the part 102; generating 710 a second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106; receiving 712 the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 by the multiplexer 108; transmitting 714 pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 to a controller 110 to generate a full image of the part 102; The method 700 includes:

[0048] Example 13. The method 700 of example 12, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 comprises a flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, 412.

[0049] Example 14. The method 700 of example 13, wherein the flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, 412 are barium titanate (BaTiO3) crystal elements.

[0050] Example 15. The method 700 of example 13, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements 406, 408, 410, 412 arranged in a stacked configuration, and generating the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 includes generating a subset of voltages 452, 454, 456, 458 from each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, 412 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400.

[0051] Example 16. The method 700 of example 15, wherein the multiplexer 108 is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400 of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106, and wherein receiving the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers 106 by the multiplexer 108 includes receiving the subset of voltages 452, 454, 456, 458 from each flexoelectric crystal element 406, 408, 410, 412 of each flexoelectric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400.

[0052] Example 17. The method 700 of Example 12, wherein transmitting a plurality of acoustic waves 436, 444 by the PTFE layer 104 toward the part 102 includes generating the plurality of acoustic waves 436, 444 from a combination of the PTFE layer 104 and vibrations of a first portion 500 of the flexoelectric UT transducers 106, receiving the plurality of reflected acoustic waves 446 from the part 102 by the PTFE layer 104, and generating the second set of voltages from a second portion 500 of the flexoelectric UT transducers 106.

[0053] Example 18. The method 700 of example 17, wherein the first plurality of portions of the flexoelectric UT transducers 106 have a pattern in a two-dimensional array.

[0054] Example 19. The method 700 of example 12, further comprising receiving, by the controller 110, pixel data from each flexo-electric UT transducer 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400, and responsively generating a full image of the part under inspection 102.

[0055] Example 20. The method 700 of example 12, wherein the first set of voltages 401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415 is less than about 80 volts.

[0056] Further illustrative and non-limiting examples according to the present disclosure are described in the following paragraphs.

[0057] In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, a flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducer imaging system (100) includes a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer (104) having a front surface (112) and a back surface (114), and a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) attached to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 306) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) is a flexoelectric UT transducer. 2, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) have a front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) and a back end (404), and the front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) is attached to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and the PTFE layer (104) is configured as an audio membrane at the front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400), and a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) are configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each of the flexoelectric UT transducers (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400), and the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are sandwiched between the multiplexer (108) and the PTFE layer (104).

[0058] Optionally, in the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) is comprised of a flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412).

[0059] Optionally, in one flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, the flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) are barium titanate (BaTiO3) crystal elements.

[0060] Optionally, in one flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) arranged in a stacked configuration.

[0061] Optionally, in the single flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106).

[0062] Optionally, in one flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of the plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400).

[0063] Optionally, in one flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, the front ends (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) have corresponding front end impedances, and the PTFE layer (104) has a PTFE impedance, and the front end impedance and the PTFE impedance corresponding to each flexoelectric UT transducer match.

[0064] Optionally, the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph further comprises a blanket layer attached to the PTFE layer (104), the blanket layer including a front surface and a back surface, the PTFE layer (104) being attached to the back surface of the blanket layer, the front surface being configured to be attached to the part (102) under inspection.

[0065] Optionally, the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph further comprises a controller (110) in signal communication with the multiplexer (108).

[0066] Optionally, in one flexo-electric UT transducer imaging system (100) of the previous paragraph, each flexo-electric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexo-electric UT transducers (106) corresponds to a pixel in the two-dimensional array, and the controller (110) receives pixel data from each flexo-electric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) and, in response, generates a full image of the part (102) under inspection.

[0067] In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, a method for inspecting a part under inspection (102) utilizes one of the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging systems (100) of the previous paragraph.

[0068] In another embodiment according to the present disclosure, there is provided a method (700) for inspecting a part (102) with a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100), the method (700) comprising: The part (102) is covered by a flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) having a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer (104), a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) attached to a back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and a multiplexer (108) in signal communication with each of the flexoelectric UT transducers (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106). covering (702) a part (102) in which a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are sandwiched between a multiplexer (108) and a PTFE layer (104), the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) being arranged in a two-dimensional array along a back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) corresponding to a pixel of the two-dimensional array; applying (704) a first set of voltages (401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415) to the plurality of flexo-electric UT transducers (106) by the multiplexer (108) to generate vibrations in the plurality of flexo-electric UT transducers (106); transmitting (706) a plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) toward the component (102) through the PTFE layer (104), the plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) being generated by a combination of the PTFE layer (104) and vibrations of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); receiving (708) a plurality of reflected acoustic waves (446) from the part (102) by the PTFE layer (104); generating (710) a second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); receiving (712) a second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) by a multiplexer (108); transmitting (714) pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) to a controller (110) to generate a full image of the part (102); Includes.

[0069] Optionally, in the method (700) of the previous paragraph, each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) is comprised of a flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412).

[0070] Optionally, in one method (700) of the previous paragraph, the flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) are barium titanate (BaTiO3) crystal elements.

[0071] Optionally, in the method (700) of the previous paragraph, each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) arranged in a stacked configuration, and generating the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) includes generating a subset of voltages (452, 454, 456, 458) from each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400).

[0072] Optionally, in the method (700) of the previous paragraph, the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106), and receiving the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) by the multiplexer (108) includes receiving a subset of voltages (452, 454, 456, 458) from each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400).

[0073] Optionally, in one method (700) of the previous paragraph, transmitting the plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) toward the part (102) through the PTFE layer (104) includes: generating a plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) from a combination of the PTFE layer (104) and vibrations of the first portion plurality (500) of the flexoelectric UT transducer (106); receiving, by the PTFE layer (104), a plurality of reflected acoustic waves (446) from the component (102); generating a second set of voltages from a second plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); Includes:

[0074] Optionally, in one method (700) of the previous paragraph, the first portion plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) has a pattern in a two-dimensional array.

[0075] Optionally, the method (700) of the previous paragraph further includes receiving, by the controller (110), pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) and, in response thereto, generating a full image of the part (102) under inspection.

[0076] Optionally, in one method (700) of the previous paragraph, the first set of voltages (401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415) is less than about 80 volts.

[0077] It will be understood that changes in various aspects or details of the present disclosure can be made without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This disclosure is not exhaustive and does not limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Moreover, the foregoing description is merely illustrative and not limiting. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above description or may be realized by practicing the present disclosure. The claims and their equivalents define the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, although technology has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it will be understood that the appended claims are not necessarily limited to such features or acts. Rather, the features and acts are described as exemplary implementations of such technology.

[0078] To the extent that the words "includes / including," "has," "contains," and variations thereof are used herein, these words, like the word "comprises," are intended to be inclusive as open transition words that do not exclude any additional or other elements. Furthermore, conditional language, such as "can," "could," "might," "may," etc., is understood to indicate that certain embodiments include certain features, components, and / or steps, but that other embodiments do not include certain features, components, and / or steps, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, such conditional language generally does not intend that certain features, components, and / or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments, or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for determining whether those features, components, and / or steps are included in or should be performed in any particular embodiment (with or without user input or prompting). Transitional phrases such as "at least one of X, Y, or Z" should be understood to refer to items, terms, etc. that can be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof, unless expressly stated otherwise.

[0079] In some alternative implementations, one or more functions noted in a block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown in succession may be executed substantially concurrently or in the reverse order, depending on the functionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition to the blocks depicted in a flow diagram or block diagram. Furthermore, operations of processes in the embodiments are illustrated in or summarized with reference to individual blocks. The processes are illustrated as a logical flow of blocks, each of which may represent one or more operations that can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. In the context of software, the operations represent computer-executable instructions stored on one or more computer-readable storage media. The computer-executable instructions, when executed by one or more processing units, cause the processing units to perform the described operations. Generally, computer-executable instructions include routines, programs, objects, modules, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular functions or implement particular abstract data types. The order in which operations are described is not intended to be construed as a constraint, and any number of the described operations can be performed in any order, in any combination of orders, subdivided into multiple sub-operations, and / or performed in parallel to implement the described process. The described process can be performed by resources associated with one or more internal or external devices, such as CPUs or GPUs, and / or one or more hardware logic, such as FPGAs, DSPs, or other types of accelerators.

[0080] All of the above-described methods and processes may be embodied in software code modules executed by one or more general-purpose computers or processors, and may be fully automated. The code modules may be stored on any type of computer-readable storage medium or other computer storage device. Some or all of the methods may alternatively be embodied in dedicated computer hardware.

Claims

1. a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer (104) having a front surface (112) and a back surface (114); a plurality of flexoelectric ultrasonic (UT) transducers (106) attached to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104); A flexo-electric UT transducer imaging system (100) comprising: each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) has a front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) and a back end (404); the front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) is attached to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and the PTFE layer (104) is configured as an audio membrane for the front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400); the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104); each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) configured to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104); 1. A flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100), wherein a multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each of the flexoelectric UT transducers (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400), the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) being sandwiched between the multiplexer (108) and the PTFE layer (104).

2. 2. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 1, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) is comprised of a flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412).

3. The flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) are made of barium titanate (BaTiO ３ 3. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 2, wherein the UT transducer is a crystalline element.

4. 3. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 2, wherein each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) arranged in a stacked configuration.

5. 5. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 4, wherein the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106).

6. 6. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 5, wherein the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of the plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400).

7. the front end (322, 324, 326, 328, 402) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) having a corresponding front end impedance; The PTFE layer (104) has a PTFE impedance; the corresponding front-end impedance for each flexoelectric UT transducer and the PTFE impedance are matched; 7. A flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. further comprising a blanket layer attached to said PTFE layer (104); the blanket layer includes a front surface and a back surface; the PTFE layer (104) is attached to the back surface of the blanket layer; the front surface is configured to be attached to a part (102) under inspection; 8. A flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a controller (110) in signal communication with the multiplexer (108).

10. each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) corresponds to a pixel of the two-dimensional array; the controller (110) is configured to receive pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) and, in response thereto, generate a full image of the part (102) under inspection; 10. The flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) of claim 9.

11. 1. A method (700) for inspecting a part (102) with a flexo-electric UT transducer imaging system (100), comprising: and covering the part (102) with the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100), the flexoelectric UT transducer imaging system (100) having a polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) layer (104), a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) attached to a back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and a multiplexer (108) in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106). covering (702) the component (102), wherein the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are sandwiched between the multiplexer (108) and the PTFE layer (104), the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) are arranged in a two-dimensional array along the back surface (114) of the PTFE layer (104), and each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) corresponds to a pixel of the two-dimensional array; applying (704) a first set of voltages (401, 403, 405, 407, 409, 411, 413, 415) to the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) by the multiplexer (108) to generate vibrations in the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); transmitting (706) a plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) by the PTFE layer (104) toward the component (102), the plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) being generated by a combination of the PTFE layer (104) and the vibrations of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); receiving (708) a plurality of reflected acoustic waves (446) from the component (102) by the PTFE layer (104); generating (710) a second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); receiving (712) the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) by the multiplexer (108); transmitting (714) pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) to a controller (110) to generate a full image of the part (102); A method (700) comprising:

12. Each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) is constructed from a flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412), and comprises a plurality of flexoelectric crystal elements (406, 408, 410, 412) arranged in a stacked configuration; generating a second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) includes generating a subset of voltages (452, 454, 456, 458) from each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400); 12. The method (700) of claim 11.

13. the multiplexer (108) is in signal communication with each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) of the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); receiving, by the multiplexer (108), the second set of voltages from the plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106) includes receiving the subset of voltages (452, 454, 456, 458) from each flexoelectric crystal element (406, 408, 410, 412) of each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400); 13. The method (700) of claim 12.

14. transmitting a plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) through the PTFE layer (104) toward the component (102) comprises: generating the plurality of acoustic waves (436, 444) from a combination of the PTFE layer (104) and the vibrations of the first plurality of portions (500) of the flexoelectric UT transducer (106); receiving, by the PTFE layer (104), the plurality of reflected acoustic waves (446) from the component (102); generating said second set of voltages from a second portion of a plurality of flexoelectric UT transducers (106); 14. The method (700) of any one of claims 11 to 13, comprising:

15. 15. The method (700) of any one of claims 11 to 14, further comprising receiving, by the controller (110), pixel data from each flexoelectric UT transducer (300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, 316, 400) and responsively generating a full image of the part (102) under inspection.

Images