# US 12,005,476 B2 · Methods and systems for a multi-frequency transducer array > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,005,476 B2 - Document ID: US12005476B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/306,895 - Filed: 2023-04-25 - Published: 2023-08-24 - Granted: 2024-06-11 - Earliest claimed: 2019-12-02 - Assignees: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Applicants: GE Precision Healthcare LLC - Inventors: Edouard Dacruz; Flavien Daloz; Jason Barrett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12005476B2 ## CPC - B06B 1/0269: {for generating multiple frequencies} - G01H 11/08: using piezoelectric devices - A61B 8/4488: {the transducer being a phased array} - B06B 1/0607: {using multiple elements (B06B1/064 and B06B1/0688 take precedence)} - B06B 1/0614: {for generating several frequencies} - B06B 1/0622: {on one surface} - H10N 30/03: Assembling devices that include piezoelectric or electrostrictive parts - B06B 2201/76: Medical, dental - H10N 30/20: with electrical input and mechanical output, e.g. functioning as actuators or vibrators - B06B: METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, {e.g.} FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL (for particular applications, see the relevant subclasses, e.g. B07B1/40, B23Q17/12, B24B31/06; measurement of mechanical vibrations G01H; in direction finding, locating, distance or velocity measuring G01S; {generating seismic energy G01V1/02}; control of mechanical vibrations in general G05D; sound-producing devices, e.g. bells, sirens, whistles G10K, {e.g. methods or devices for transmitting, conducting, or directing sound in general G10K11/00}; generation of electrical oscillations H03B; electromechanical resonators in general H03H; electromechanical transducers {for communication techniques, e.g. microphones, speakers} H04R) - G01H: MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES - A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D) - H10N: ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR ## Abstract Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-frequency transducer array. In one example, the transducer array includes an element formed of one or more sub-elements, at least one sub-element having a different resonance frequency. A frequency range of the transducer array may thereby be broadened. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A transducer array, comprising: a plurality of piezoelectric elements, wherein at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements comprise a first sub-element and a second sub-element, wherein the first sub-element is a first piezoelectric material having a first resonant frequency and the second sub-element is a second piezoelectric material having a second resonant frequency that is different than the first resonant frequency, wherein the at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements include a first piezoelectric element and a second piezoelectric element, wherein the first piezoelectric element comprises a first relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material, wherein the second piezoelectric element comprises a second relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material, and wherein the first relative proportion is different as compared to the second relative proportion such that a relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material varies between the at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements in a center region of the transducer array are only a single frequency. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements at an edge region of the transducer array are only a single frequency. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The transducer array of claim 3, wherein at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements at a center region of the transducer array are only a single frequency that is one of a high frequency and a low frequency, and wherein the other single frequency is the other of the high frequency and the low frequency. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the at least some of the plurality of piezoelectric elements further comprise a third sub-element, wherein the third sub-element is a third piezoelectric material having a third resonant frequency that is different than the first and second resonant frequencies. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The transducer array of claim 5, wherein the first resonant frequency is higher than the second and third resonant frequencies, and further wherein the second resonant frequency is higher than the third resonant frequency. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements is arranged in a single row as a one-dimensional (1D) array. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements is arranged as a 1.25D array. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements is arranged as a 1.5D array. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements is arranged as a 1.75D array. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein the plurality of piezoelectric elements is arranged as a two-dimensional (2D) array. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The transducer array of claim 1, wherein variance between the relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material varies from an edge region of the transducer array to a center region of the transducer array. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The transducer array of claim 12, wherein the variance between the relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material varies from the center region of the transducer array to another edge region of the transducer array. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The transducer array of claim 12, wherein the variance between the relative proportion of the first piezoelectric material and the second piezoelectric material varies linearly from the edge region of the transducer array to the center region of the transducer array.