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. 13, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 27, 2003
Hidetomo Nagahara, Kyoto, JP;
Masahiko Hashimoto, Shijonawate, JP;
Masaaki Suzuki, Osaka, JP;
Kazuhiko Hashimoto, Moriguchi, JP;
Takashi Hashida, Osaka, JP;
Seigo Shiraishi, Neyagawa, JP;
Norihisa Takahara, Ibaraki, JP;
Hidetomo Nagahara, Kyoto, JP;
Masahiko Hashimoto, Shijonawate, JP;
Masaaki Suzuki, Osaka, JP;
Kazuhiko Hashimoto, Moriguchi, JP;
Takashi Hashida, Osaka, JP;
Seigo Shiraishi, Neyagawa, JP;
Norihisa Takahara, Ibaraki, JP;
Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd., Osaka, JP;
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer according to the present invention includes: a piezoelectric bodyto set up ultrasonic vibrations; an acoustic matching layermade of a material with a density of 50 kg/mto 1,000 kg/mand an acoustic impedance of 2.5×10kg/m/s to 1.0×10kg/m/s; a lower acoustic matching layerprovided between the piezoelectric bodyand the acoustic matching layer; and a structure supporting memberthat supports the lower acoustic matching layerand the piezoelectric bodythereon and shields the piezoelectric bodyfrom a fluid that propagates the ultrasonic vibrations. The ultrasonic transducer includes a protective portion, which contacts with at least a portion of a side surface of the acoustic matching layer. This protective portion is defined by a portion of the lower acoustic matching layerand forms an integral part of the lower acoustic matching layer