Patent ID: 7037268

Claim:
A low profile acoustic sensor array, comprising: a plurality of discrete aligned spaced apart conformable acoustic sensor element pads, each including an active sensing element comprising piezoelectric material, wherein each sensor element pad is conformable to a shape of an underlying structure, and wherein, in operation, the sensor element pads are configured to generate a respective electrical signal in response to flexure induced by acoustic signals; and at least one longitudinally extending elongate strip integrally attached to at least one of the plurality of acoustic sensor pads, the elongate strip having a length with opposing first and second end portions, the elongate strip comprising at least one discrete electrical transmission path thereon, the second end portion of the elongate strip adapted to connect to an output device, wherein a respective elongate strip is configured so that the at least one integrally attached acoustic sensor element pad extends outwardly away from the primary direction of the strip, the number of discrete electrical transmission paths on the strip corresponding to the number of acoustic sensor element pads held by the strip with a respective acoustic sensor element configured to be in electrical communication with a respective electrical transmission path.