Porous Amorphous Carbon Backing for Ultrasonic Probes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing backing members for ultrasonic probes composed of resin and filler materials face challenges with deformation during material chopping, requiring separate thermal conductivity elements and lacking in combining good attenuation, workability, and aging resistance.
Innovation Solution
A backing member made substantially of porous amorphous carbon with a carbonaceous filler, manufactured by dispersing a pore forming material in a carbon precursor and heat-treating under a non-oxidizing atmosphere, achieving the desired properties of ultrasonic wave attenuation, thermal conductivity, and workability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If a backing member is composed of resin and filler to achieve good attenuation property for ultrasonic waves, then attenuation performance is improved, but the material deforms during chopping and workability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention changes the material composition from resin-based to carbon-based (amorphous carbon with carbonaceous filler), fundamentally altering the material's thermal and mechanical properties. This parameter change eliminates the heat deformation issue during chopping while maintaining the attenuation performance, as carbon materials have superior thermal stability and appropriate acoustic impedance for ultrasonic wave attenuation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention uses a composite structure of amorphous carbon combined with carbonaceous filler (such as carbon black or graphite particles). This composite material achieves both good attenuation property for ultrasonic waves and excellent workability, as the carbonaceous filler enhances the mechanical strength and thermal stability of the amorphous carbon matrix, preventing deformation during processing.
2Loss of energy
If a backing member is composed of resin and filler to achieve good attenuation property, then attenuation performance is improved, but separate thermal conductivity elements must be added
Solution Approach 1:
The carbon-based backing member simultaneously provides multiple functions: ultrasonic wave attenuation, thermal conductivity, and structural support. The amorphous carbon matrix with carbonaceous filler creates a material that inherently conducts heat well while also attenuating ultrasonic waves, eliminating the need for separate thermal conductivity elements and simplifying the overall probe structure.
3Loss of energy
If resin-based materials are used for backing member to achieve attenuation, then attenuation property is improved, but aging resistance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention transitions from organic resin-based materials to inorganic carbon-based materials. This fundamental parameter change dramatically improves aging resistance, as carbon materials are chemically stable, resistant to degradation from moisture and temperature variations, and do not undergo the aging processes that affect resin performance over time.
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 porous amorphous carbon backing member provides effective ultrasonic wave attenuation, high thermal conductivity, and improved workability, while maintaining aging resistance, as demonstrated by its performance in attenuation and thermal conductivity measurements.
Implementation Method 1
The backing member is required to have performance such as good attenuation property for ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
high thermal conductivity for preventing overheating of the piezoelectric element
Data Source
AI summary
This backing material for ultrasonic probes substantially comprises porous amorphous carbon.