Method of making shaped piezoelectric composite transducer

A piezoelectric composite transducer array, comprising:

• a plurality of uniform-length piezoelectric rods spaced apart from one another and arranged in an array, wherein a first surface region and a second surface region are defined at opposite ends of said plurality or piezoelectric rods and wherein a side region is defined about the periphery of said array between said first surface region and said second surface region, said first surface region and said second surface region defining complementary curved surfaces;
• a viscoelastic material filling spaces between said first surface region and said second surface region;
• a plurality of electric conductors passed through said side region, routed through said viscoelastic material to extend substantially parallel to said plurality of piezoelectric rods, and terminated at different areas of said first surface region;
• a plurality of electrodes positioned at said first surface region, each of said plurality of electrodes in contact with at least one of said plurality of piezoelectric rods and in electrical contact with at least one of said plurality of electric conductors;
• and
• at least one ground electrode positioned at said second surface region and in contact with said plurality of piezoelectric rods.

A method of fabricating a piezoelectric composite transducer, comprising the steps of:

• providing a block of piezoelectric material having a common base and a plurality of uniform-length rods extending from said common base in a parallel spaced-apart fashion to define an array, wherein a first surface region is defined at outboard ends of said plurality of rods and wherein a side region is defined about the periphery of said array;
• positioning at least one electric conductor to extend through said side region and substantially parallel to said first surface region before being shaped to extend substantially parallel to said plurality of rods, wherein said electric conductor extends at least to said first surface region;
• filling spaces between said plurality of rods up to said first surface region with a viscoelastic material;
• removing said common base of said block wherein a second surface region parallel and opposite to said first surface region is defined;
• depositing at least one electrode at said first surface region to be in contact with at least a portion of said plurality of rods and in electrical contact with said electric conductor;
• and
• depositing at least one ground electrode at said second surface region to be in contact with said plurality of rods, wherein a piezoelectric composite transducer is formed.