Acoustic Waveguide Array for Ultrasonic Transducer Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current phased array rangefinders face challenges in reducing the size and cost of transducer arrays due to the need for increased spacing between transducers while maintaining a desired acoustic beam pattern, and existing solutions do not effectively utilize acoustic waveguides in combination with transducer arrays.
Innovation Solution
The use of acoustic waveguides and electronic delays in a phased array system allows for reduced transducer array size while maintaining a desired acoustic radiation and reception pattern, achieved by designing the waveguide array to increase effective spacing between transducers and optimizing the spacing and length of acoustic ports.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If transducers are spaced closer together to reduce array size, then manufacturing cost and chip area are reduced, but the beamwidth increases and imaging properties deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
Acoustic waveguides serve as intermediaries between the transducers and the acoustic ports. The waveguides channel the acoustic energy from closely-spaced transducers to effectively spaced ports, allowing the transducers to be positioned close together on the chip while maintaining the acoustic equivalent of larger spacing at the output ports for improved beamwidth and imaging.
2Measurement precision
If transducers are spaced farther apart to improve beamwidth, then imaging properties improve, but manufacturing cost and chip area increase
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic waveguides introduce a vertical dimension to the spacing problem. By routing waveguides at different heights or paths, the system achieves effective horizontal spacing for beamwidth control while keeping the physical transducer spacing small on the chip surface, thus resolving the area constraint.
3Productivity
If transducer diameter is reduced to fit closer spacing requirements, then array density increases, but the inactive area between transducers increases
Solution Approach 1:
The acoustic coupling function is segmented from the transducer itself and implemented through separate waveguide structures. This allows the transducers to be packed densely while the waveguides provide the necessary acoustic coupling and spacing, eliminating the inactive area problem by making the coupling structure distinct from the active transducer elements.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach significantly reduces manufacturing costs and improves imaging properties by allowing for a smaller transducer array size while maintaining the desired beam pattern, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the phased array rangefinder system.
Implementation Method 1
acoustic waveguides and electronic delays in a phased array system allows for reduced transducer array size while maintaining a desired acoustic radiation and reception pattern
Implementation Method 2
membrane structures which are driven into flexural vibration using piezoelectric or capacitive actuation
Implementation Method 3
this motion is sensed by an electronic amplifier through piezoelectric or capacitive sensing techniques
Implementation Method 4
The vibration of the membrane creates air motion which propagates as sound away from the transducer
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method use an array of ultrasonic transducers to emit and receive sound in a phased array fashion by using acoustic waveguides to achieve a desired acoustic radiation and reception pattern. A chip package attached to an acoustic transducer array includes acoustic waveguides coupled to acoustic ports. Each waveguide is coupled between a corresponding acoustic transducer and a corresponding acoustic port. A spacing of a pair of acoustic ports is different than a spacing of a corresponding pair of acoustic transducers.