Composite Ultrasound Transducer Backing for Acoustic Attenuation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound transducer backing materials face a challenge in balancing rigidity and acoustic absorption, as they are either not highly absorptive or not particularly rigid, leading to marginal functionality in absorbing undesired acoustic energy and providing structural support.
Innovation Solution
A composite backing block material is created using incompatible materials, such as silicone spheres mixed with a polyester or epoxy resin, where the silicone does not adhere to the resin, allowing for frictional attenuation of acoustic energy and providing structural support through a non-bonding matrix.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If plasticized resins are used for backing blocks, then rigidity is improved, but acoustic absorption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a composite material consisting of a resin matrix containing dispersed particles or voids. The resin provides rigidity while the particles/voids create interfaces that dissipate acoustic energy through friction and relative motion, achieving both rigidity and acoustic absorption simultaneously.
2Strength
If rigid materials are used for backing blocks, then structural support is improved, but acoustic attenuation is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by having different regions of the backing block serve different functions: the resin matrix provides overall structural support and rigidity, while the dispersed particles or voids create localized regions of high acoustic attenuation through friction and relative motion at their interfaces.
3Ease of manufacture
If plasticizers are added to resins, then processability is improved, but acoustic absorption is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts or removes the plasticizer from the resin formulation. Instead of using plasticizers to improve processability, the invention achieves the desired acoustic absorption and structural properties through the resin matrix combined with dispersed particles or voids, eliminating the need for plasticizers that would compromise acoustic performance.
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
The composite material achieves high attenuation of acoustic energy with low creep and maintains rigidity, reducing scattering and deformation, while maintaining compatibility in acoustic impedance, thus enhancing the performance of ultrasound transducers.
Implementation Method 1
the silicone does not adhere to the resin, the silicone may vibrate or otherwise move relative to the resin, causing friction between the two materials. As acoustic energy propagates into the backing material, the composite structure of incompatible materials attenuates the acoustic energy through friction between the two materials
Implementation Method 2
an acoustically absorptive backing block connects to the transducer. Backing blocks include attenuative material for absorbing acoustic energy
Data Source
AI summary
A backing block composite is provided. A transducer is manufactured to include the backing block of composite material. One constituent material provides a skeleton or matrix for enclosing volumes or pockets of another material. The materials are incompatible for bonding, so do not adhere to each other. For example, silicone microspheres are mixed with a nonsilicone resin, forming silicone pockets within the resin. Since the silicone does not adhere to the resin, the silicone may vibrate or otherwise move relative to the cured resin matrix, causing friction between the two materials. As acoustic energy propagates into the backing material, the composite structure of incompatible materials attenuates the acoustic energy as frictionally generated heat between the two material, or through other processes.