Patent ID: 7230368
Filing Date: 2007-06-12
Classification: B06B

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic transducer comprising: a stack having a first face, an opposed second face and a longitudinal axis extending therebetween, wherein the stack comprises a plurality of layers, each layer having a top surface and an opposed bottom surface, wherein the plurality of layers of the stack comprises a piezoelectric layer and a dielectric layer; and a plurality of first kerf slots defined therein the stack, each first kerf slot extending a predetermined depth therein the stack and a first predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis, wherein the top surface of the dielectric layer is connected to and underlies a portion of the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer and defines an opening extending a second predetermined length in a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the stack, and wherein the first predetermined length of each first kerf slot is at least as long as the second predetermined length of the opening defined by the dielectric layer and is shorter than the longitudinal distance between the first face and the opposed second face of the stack in a lengthwise direction substantially parallel to the axis.