PVDF Ultrasound Transducer Design Concepts and Applications

摘要

Unlike the traditional materials used for air ultrasound transducers, PVDF is a thin, flexible and tough piezoelectric plastic material. Its mechanical flexibility enables a new family of high performance air ultrasound transducers. Curved, cylindrical, corrugated, and dimpled shapes can be employed to provide desired operating frequency, directivity, and beam shape. PVDF transducers have a low mechanical Q, offering enhanced bandwidth and higher spatial resolution. These transducers also offer the advantages of impact resistance and low cost. In this paper, basic ultrasound transducer design concepts are outlined for typical applications for PVDF ultrasound transducers, including ultrasound digitizers, object detection, ultrasound speakers, and air flow meters.