Multielement sound probe comprising a composite electrically conducting coating and method for making same
First Claim
1. An acoustic probe comprising:
- a plurality of elementary transducers, wherein each of the elementary transducers comprises, an electrical circuit, comprising at least one metal track, piezoelectric subelements, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated and connected to the same track, and a film of composite conducting material between the electrical circuit and the elementary transducers, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated by gaps extending into the film of composite conducting material.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention relates to a multielement acoustic probe comprising an acoustic support and an electrical circuit with conducting tracks connected to elementary piezoelectric transducers.
In addition, the probe comprises a film of composite conducting material placed between the piezoelectric transducers and the conducting tracks.
Conventionally, the piezoelectric transducers are subcut in order to obtain elements which are acoustically uncoupled and electrically coupled.
The presence of the film of composite conducting material favours the dimensioning of the track with respect to the subelements and constitutes an intermediate element with respect to the differences in thermal expansion between the acoustic support and the piezoelectric transducers.
Application: medical and underwater imaging.
33 Citations
13 Claims
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1. An acoustic probe comprising:
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a plurality of elementary transducers, wherein each of the elementary transducers comprises, an electrical circuit, comprising at least one metal track, piezoelectric subelements, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated and connected to the same track, and a film of composite conducting material between the electrical circuit and the elementary transducers, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated by gaps extending into the film of composite conducting material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A process for fabricating an acoustic probe comprising a plurality of elementary transducers, wherein each of the elementary transducers comprises an electrical circuit, comprising at least one metal track, piezoelectric subelements, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated and connected to the same track, and a film of composite conducting material between the electrical circuit and the elementary transducers, wherein the piezoelectric subelements are mechanically separated by gaps extending into the film of composite conducting material, the process comprising:
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assembling at least one plate of piezoelectric material, at least one film of composite conducting material, and at least one electrical circuit comprising metal tracks;
cutting the plate of piezoelectric material and the film of composite conducting material to define elementary piezoelectric transducers which are electrically separated; and
subcutting the elementary transducers and part of the film of composite material, to define piezoelectric subelements which are mechanically separated and electrically connected. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13)
placing the electrical circuit on a surface of an acoustic support; and
cutting into the acoustic support to define the elementary piezoelectric transducers.
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Specification