Piezoelectric Pressure Wave Analysis for Acoustic Transducer Testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing acoustic imaging systems face challenges in efficiently detecting and analyzing pressure waves, particularly in identifying defective transducer elements or channels, which can degrade performance, especially in modes like Doppler or near-field imaging, due to complex and costly testing methods that require direct electrical connections and reverse engineering.
Innovation Solution
A system utilizing a pressure sensor with a piezoelectric layer and a controller to generate images representing pressure waves, allowing users to identify missing or defective elements by analyzing energy distribution, eliminating the need for adapters and reverse engineering, and providing a cost-effective, easy-to-use solution for various acoustic devices, including two-dimensional matrix array probes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If direct electrical connection methods are used to test transducer elements, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces direct electrical connection methods with acoustic wave detection. Instead of using electrical probes to test transducer elements, the system uses a piezoelectric sensor to detect acoustic waves generated by the transducer elements during operation. This substitution eliminates the need for complex electrical connection systems while maintaining the ability to identify defective elements through acoustic signal analysis.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an acoustic wave as an intermediary medium to transfer information from the transducer elements to the detection system. The piezoelectric sensor detects acoustic waves that carry information about the operational status of each transducer element, serving as a mediator between the tested device and the measurement system without requiring direct electrical contact.
2Measurement precision
If reverse engineering of probe models is performed to support direct electrical-connection-based testing, then measurement precision is improved, but manufacturing cost and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal testing system that works with different probe models without requiring model-specific reverse engineering. The acoustic wave detection method is model-agnostic, as it detects the physical acoustic signals generated by transducer elements regardless of their electrical configuration. This universal approach eliminates the need for custom adapter development for each probe type.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the reverse engineering process with a standardized acoustic detection approach. Instead of manually adapting electrical connection methods to each probe model, the system uses acoustic wave detection that naturally works with all probe types, eliminating the time-consuming and expensive reverse engineering process entirely.
3Device complexity
If single sensor linear array solutions are used, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to manual scanning requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional linear array sensor to a two-dimensional matrix array sensor. This dimensional upgrade allows the system to capture acoustic signals from multiple transducer elements simultaneously across a two-dimensional plane, eliminating the need for manual scanning while maintaining system simplicity. The 2D arrangement enables parallel detection of multiple elements at once.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple sensing functions into a single matrix array sensor that can detect acoustic waves from numerous transducer elements simultaneously. By merging the detection capability across a two-dimensional array, the system achieves comprehensive coverage without requiring manual scanning operations, improving ease of operation while keeping the device relatively simple.
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
Enables convenient and economical analysis of pressure waves, improving the detection of defective elements and channels, enhancing the performance of acoustic imaging systems by providing clear, dynamic images of energy distribution, and reducing the complexity and cost associated with testing.
Implementation Method 1
The sensor includes a piezoelectric layer or film (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) that has been substantially uniformly poled in the thickness direction prior to interconnection with electrodes
Data Source
AI summary
Appliances, methods, and systems (e.g., utilities) for use in analyzing received pressure waves to obtain and deduce various types of meaningful information therefrom (e.g., testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy). A pressure sensor in the disclosed system makes use of a piezoelectric layer or film (e.g., polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)) that has been substantially uniformly poled prior to interconnection with electrodes that are configured to send electrical signals to a controller or the like for generation of a dynamic, image (e.g., 2D) representing the received pressure waves. Among other advantages, the disclosed system leverages excellent economy of scale, can be configured in different arrangements with reduced cost, and limits the need for adapters or reverse engineering (e.g., as it can operate independently of the design of a probe or system under test.