Folded Transducer Array for Compact Wave-Energy Guiding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wave-energy guiding systems based on phase delays face significant computational burdens and physical size issues, making them unsuitable for mobile applications that require compact and portable solutions for intense acoustic wave confinement and focusing.
Innovation Solution
The use of an origami-based folded-pattern topology for transducer arrays, where planar facets with transducers are adjusted by folding to control directional and spectral sensitivities, allowing for compact deployment and tunable performance with a single drive signal, utilizing folding patterns like Miura-ori and other tessellations to steer wave energy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If phase delay techniques are used to control spatial distribution of acoustic energy, then directional and spectral sensitivities are enhanced, but computational burden increases massively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the computational/electronic phase delay control system with a mechanical folding structure. The physical configuration of transducers on folded surfaces automatically provides the desired spatial distribution and directional sensitivity without requiring complex real-time computational control of individual transducer phases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the control parameter from electrical phase delays to mechanical folding angles. By adjusting the physical geometry of the folded structure, the directional and spectral sensitivities are tuned without computational processing, converting an electronic control problem into a mechanical configuration problem.
2Measurement precision
If arrays of acoustic sources/receivers are used to enhance directional sensitivities, then acoustic wave confinement is improved, but physical platform size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent folds the transducer array into a compact configuration where transducers are arranged on nested folded surfaces. This nesting allows a large number of transducers to be positioned in a small physical footprint, maintaining the required array size for directional sensitivity while reducing the overall platform area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional planar array to a three-dimensional folded structure. By utilizing the third dimension through folding, the transducers are distributed in space to achieve directional sensitivity while the projected footprint area is minimized, effectively packing more elements into a smaller base area.
3Measurement precision
If conventional fixed arrays are used for wave energy guiding, then sensitivity is maintained, but portability is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces dynamic reconfigurability to the transducer array through folding mechanisms. The structure can transition between deployed and compact states, allowing the system to maintain high sensitivity when deployed while achieving portability during transport. This dynamic transformation resolves the contradiction between fixed sensitivity requirements and mobile portability needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent divides the transducer array into multiple foldable segments or facets. Each segment can be independently positioned or folded, allowing the overall structure to be compacted for transport while maintaining the complete array configuration for operation. This segmentation enables the system to satisfy both portability and sensitivity requirements at different operational states.
Data Source
AI summary
A wave energy guiding system is described that includes a structural substrate formed according to a folded-pattern topology including, for example, an origami-type folded-pattern topology such as Miura-ori. The structural substrate includes a plurality of planar facets each positionable at an angle relative to adjacent planar facets. Each transducer of the plurality of transducers is positioned on a different one of the plurality of planar facets to form a transducer array. Adjustments to the angle of the adjacent planar facets cause a corresponding adjustment to a performance characteristic of the transducer array. In this way, the performance of the wave-energy guiding system can be adjusted and modified by adjusting the degree to which the structural substrate is folded in the folded-pattern topology.