Patent ID: 6671230
Filing Date: 2003-12-30
Classification: B06B

Abstract:
A volumetric transducer array comprising:at least one layer of transducer elements having a plurality of transducer columns, a first exposed surface and a second exposed surface, each said transducer column extending from said first exposed surface to said second exposed surface and having a first contact surface on said first exposed surface and a second contact surface on said second exposed surface, said layer of transducer elements comprising at least one acoustically transparent transducer material layer having a first side and a second side opposite said first side, a plurality of first side electrically conductive portions mounted on said first side of each said acoustically transparent transducer material layer such that each first side electrically conductive portion is electrically isolated from other first side electrically conductive portions, and said first side electrically conductive portions having a first polarity, said acoustically transparent transducer material layer further including a plurality of second side electrically conductive portions mounted on said second side of each acoustically transparent transducer material layer such that each second side electrically conductive portion is substantially aligned with a corresponding one of said first side electrically conductive portions, each second side being electrically isolated from other second side electrically conductive portions, and said second side electrically conductive portions having a second polarity opposite said first polarity; at least one pair of circuit support layers, one circuit support layer positioned on said transducer element first exposed surface and being in electrical contact with said first contact surface of each said transducer column and the other circuit support layer positioned on said transducer element second exposed surface and being in electrical contact with said second contact surface of each said transducer column; said plurality of first side electrically conductive portions being arranged on said layer of acoustically transparent transducer material such that each shares a two-dimensional position with corresponding first side electrically conductive portions on other acoustically transparent transducer material layers, all of said first side electrically conductive portions at a corresponding position being electrically joined together and joined to one of said pair of circuit support layers; and said plurality of second side electrically conductive portions being arranged on said layers of acoustically transparent transducer material such that each shares a two-dimensional position with corresponding second side electrically conductive portions on other acoustically transparent transducer material layers, all of said second side electrically conductive portions at a corresponding position being electrically joined together and joined to another of said pair of circuit support layers.