Ultrasonic transducer assembly and system for monitoring structural integrity
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic transducer assembly useful for monitoring a component having a curved outer surface, the transducer comprising:
- a piezoelectric film having top and bottom surfaces, the film having a flexibility to conform to said curved outer surface and being oriented to excite and detect ultrasonic pulses in a direction orthogonal to the film bottom surface;
top electrode adjacent to the top surface of the piezoelectric film to make the piezoelectric film able to act as an ultrasonic transducer in said direction orthogonal to the film bottom surface when a voltage is applied to said top electrode;
a first electrical connector extending from the top electrode;
a flexible insulating layer covering the top electrode and at least part of the first electrical connector, the insulating layer having a shape and size to substantially surround a section of a component to be monitored; and
a clamp configured to apply at least a 0.2 MPa compressive stress on a region of the component, the clamp being aligned with the top electrode.
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Abstract
In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.
44 Citations
17 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic transducer assembly useful for monitoring a component having a curved outer surface, the transducer comprising:
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a piezoelectric film having top and bottom surfaces, the film having a flexibility to conform to said curved outer surface and being oriented to excite and detect ultrasonic pulses in a direction orthogonal to the film bottom surface; top electrode adjacent to the top surface of the piezoelectric film to make the piezoelectric film able to act as an ultrasonic transducer in said direction orthogonal to the film bottom surface when a voltage is applied to said top electrode; a first electrical connector extending from the top electrode; a flexible insulating layer covering the top electrode and at least part of the first electrical connector, the insulating layer having a shape and size to substantially surround a section of a component to be monitored; and a clamp configured to apply at least a 0.2 MPa compressive stress on a region of the component, the clamp being aligned with the top electrode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification