The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 15, 1976
Filed:
Oct. 15, 1974
Stephen W Tehon, Clay, NY (US);
General Electric Company, Syracuse, NY (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to a transducer array having a resolution suitable for imaging objects disposed in a liquid medium and illuminated with sonic energy of short wavelength. The array consists of a plurality of piezoelectric transducers sensing the sonic waves at their extremities and designed to produce corresponding electrical voltages suitable for image formation. While the individual transducers are fabricated from a common monolithic block, a geometry is used which reduces the coupling between the individual transducers. The individual transducers, which vibrate in a longitudinal mode with antinodes at either extremity and nodal regions at the center, are supported at their nodes by a thin web. The thin web then is the means for attaching the array to the frame of the apparatus. Central nodal support of the transducers minimizes stresses on the web from transducer vibration, reduces crosstalk, and improves the resolution of the array. Monolithic assembly permits large numbers of like transducers to be efficiently formed in an economical batch process.