Ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer using a rubber mounting

Abstract

An ultrasonic transducer device is disclosed, comprising an elongated front end mass, an elongated tail mass, a pair of piezoelectric elements disposed between said front end mass and said tail mass, an electrode disposed between said piezoelectric elements, means for clamping said front end mass and said tail mass together with said piezoelectric elements and said electrode clamped therebetween, and a mounting member having an opening therein slidably receiving said piezoelectric elements and portions of said front end mass and said tail mass, said opening having a sufficiently loose fit with said piezoelectric elements and said masses to obviate any substantial damping of ultrasonic vibrations. Preferably, said electrode comprises a plate projecting outwardly beyond said piezoelectric elements, said mounting member having an internal peripheral slot within said opening and slidably receiving said electrode plate to restrain said piezoelectric elements and said masses against longitudinal movement. The electrode is preferably in the form of a plate which projects outwardly beyond the piezoelectric elements and is slidably received in a peripheral slot formed within the mounting member. In one embodiment, the mounting member is made of silicone rubber, preferably molded around the piezoelectric elements and the masses, so that the mounting member interlocks with the electrode plate. When the silicone rubber mounting member is cured, it debonds and shrinks away from the piezoelectric elements, the electrode plate and the masses to provide the desired sliding fit. In another embodiment, the mounting member is split into a plurality of complementary components to facilitate the installation of the piezoelectric elements, the masses and the electrode plate within the opening in the mounting member.