Ultrasonic Transducer Membrane Reinforcement Bandwidth
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic transducers have limited bandwidth, which restricts their ability to meet the high spatial resolution and depth penetration requirements in applications like medical imaging, especially when using encoded signals such as frequency chirps.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates ultrasonic transducer elements with membranes of different resonant frequencies, utilizing membrane reinforcements such as pistons to increase bandwidth, allowing for a larger range of resonant frequencies to merge into a resonance band, thereby enhancing transmission and reception capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional ultrasonic transducer elements with identical membranes are used, then manufacturing is simplified and individual element performance is consistent, but bandwidth is limited and cannot meet high spatial resolution and depth penetration requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the membrane properties (such as thickness, material composition, or reinforcement structure) of individual ultrasonic transducer elements within the array. This allows each element to have customized resonant frequencies, enabling the overall system to achieve a broader bandwidth while maintaining manufacturing feasibility through localized modifications rather than complete redesign of all elements
2Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic transducer elements with different resonant frequencies are used, then bandwidth is increased and frequency range is expanded, but device complexity increases due to varied membrane designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the ultrasonic transducer array into multiple elements with differentiated membrane characteristics. By dividing the system into modular elements that can be independently designed with different resonant frequencies, the patent achieves expanded bandwidth while managing complexity through standardized modular units rather than a completely custom-designed array
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by systematically varying specific membrane parameters (such as thickness, material properties, or reinforcement geometry) to adjust resonant frequencies. This approach allows bandwidth expansion through controlled parameter variation rather than fundamental design changes, thereby managing structural complexity while achieving the desired frequency diversity
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 increases the bandwidth of ultrasonic transducers, enabling them to operate effectively in higher frequency ranges, such as over 4 MHz, and improves efficiency by allowing for greater design flexibility in adapting frequency characteristics to specific application needs.
Implementation Method 1
A resonant frequency of the first membrane is different from the resonant frequency of the second membrane
Implementation Method 2
The first membrane has a first membrane reinforcement and the second membrane has a second membrane reinforcement
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic transducer includes an arrangement of ultrasonic transducer elements, wherein the ultrasonic transducer elements include a first ultrasonic transducer element and a second ultrasonic transducer element. The first ultrasonic transducer element has a first membrane having a first membrane reinforcement and a first membrane electrode, and a first counter-electrode. The second ultrasonic transducer element has a second membrane having a second membrane reinforcement and a second membrane electrode, and a second counter-electrode. Additionally, a resonant frequency of the first membrane differs from a resonant frequency of the second membrane.