Patent ID: 6919669

Claim:
A sonic transducer, comprising: a ferroelectric material defining a first surface and a second surface opposing said first surface, wherein said first surface and said second surface lie in substantially parallel planes; a first electrode pattern coupled to a portion of said first surface to define a first side of a piezo-diaphragm; a second electrode pattern coupled to said second surface to define a second side of said piezo-diaphragm; and means, coupled to said piezo-diaphragm, for attaching said piezo-diaphragm about its perimeter to a housing, said means for attaching comprising a dielectric material, said means for attaching encasing said ferroelectric material with said first electrode pattern and second electrode pattern thereto, wherein said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern are configured to introduce an electric field into said ferroelectric material when said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern have voltage applied thereto, said electric field originating at a region of said ferroelectric material between said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern, said electric field extending radially outward from said region of said ferroelectric material and substantially parallel to said first surface and said second surface, whereby said ferroelectric material correspondingly deflects symmetrically about said region in a direction substantially perpendicular to said electric field, and wherein said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern are configured to produce an induced electric field in said ferroelectric material when said ferroelectric material experiences deflection in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first surface and said second surface, said induced electric field originating at said region of said ferroelectric material between said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern, said induced electric field extending radially outward from said region of said ferroelectric material and substantially parallel to said first surface and said second surface, whereby a current induced in each of said first electrode pattern and said second electrode pattern is indicative of said deflection.