Curved shape piezoelectric transducer and method for manufacturing the same

Abstract

Transducer assembly transmits ultrasonic energy towards a zone acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, and comprises a piezoelectric subassembly matching a curved support layer disposed behind said subassembly. Piezoelectric subassembly comprises piezoelectric elements and metal connections. Piezoelectric elements are disposed along a first azimuth direction to form parallel curved segments of piezoelectric elements extending in a second elevation direction, each being in contact with a corresponding metal connection extending in the elevation direction for transmitting/receiving electric signals to/from each piezoelectric segment. The subassembly has a a central part comprising piezoelectric material and a lateral part comprising resin material incorporating the metal connections so that each curved segment results in a sequence of resin/piezoelectric/resin materials disposed along the elevation direction with the extension and curvature of the piezoelectric material in the central part defining the elevation focussing of the transducer assembly. A corresponding manufacturing process is also disclosed.