US 7,017,245 B2 · Method for making multi-layer ceramic acoustic transducer

Abstract

A method for manufacturing a multi-layer acoustic transducer with reduced total electrical impedance. The method is based on the bonding of two piezoelectric ceramic layers with confronting metallized surfaces to a thin electrical conductor, then electrically connecting the top and bottom surfaces to form a wrap-around electrode while a center conductor forms a second electrode. The total electrical impedance of a two-layer ceramic stack comprised of piezoelectric layers connected in this manner is one-fourth that of a solid ceramic element of the same size. This provides for better matching of the acoustic stack impedance to that of the electrical cable, increased penetration depth for imaging within the body, and improved acoustic element sensitivity.

Claims24

Dependent claims

A method of manufacturing a workpiece, comprising the following steps:

constructing a laminated structure comprising two pieces of ceramic material with a metal electrode therebetween;
cutting the laminated structure along parallel planes perpendicular to the electrode to form a multiplicity of laminated pieces with respective electrodes;
bonding the laminated pieces in sequence to form a bonded stack in which the electrodes are spaced apart and substantially mutually parallel;
and
placing a layer of dielectric material on a surface on one side of the bonded stack where the edges of the electrodes are exposed.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method for making multi-layer ceramic acoustic transducer

Life of this patent

Method for making multi-layer ceramic acoustic transducer

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims24