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(11) | EP 0 637 470 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Backing layer for acoustic transducer array |
| (57) The invention provides an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic wave energy
in response to an electrical signal and for converting the received acoustic wave
energy into an electric signal. The transducer includes an array of piezoelectric
elements (52), a backing layer (30) attached at a rearward face of the piezoelectric
elements, a circuit element (54) spaced apart from the piezoelectric elements (52)
by the backing layer (30), and at least one electrical conductor (24) for each of
the piezoelectric elements (52) to connect the elements to the circuit element (54).
The backing layer (30) comprises a plurality of layers (10) of acoustic attenuating
material integrally formed into a laminate structure. The electrical conductors (24)
extend along a surface of each of the layers (10) and have a predetermined pitch.
Each of the layers (10) has a thickness substantially equivalent to the pitch of the
electrical conductors (24). Individual piezoelectric elements (52) are formed on the
upper surface (32) of the laminate structure (30), and conductive pads (46) are formed
on the lower surface (34) of the laminate structure. The electrical conductors (24)
provide electrical connection through the backing layer (30) between the piezoelectric
elements (52) and the associated conductive pads (46). |