Electromechanical Finite Element Models for Ultrasound Transducer Analysis and Design

医学超声的工作原理是用短的高频声脉冲照射人体内部，接收回波，对其进行数字处理，并在CTR屏幕上实时显示运动图像。 超声波的核心是一个相当复杂的复合换能器。 由于这种复杂性，传统的设计方法正在接近实际的有效性极限。 全面的计算机建模被视为答案。 该行业目前仅使用频域有限元代码，部分由于建模信号的瞬态特性，成功有限。 一个更好的选择是显式时域仿真。 在我们的第一阶段项目中，我们开发并验证了这样一个时域有限元代码，FLEX，压电换能器和一般波传播的瞬态分析。 它包括完整的和可操作的压电，声学和弹性元件。 建议的第二阶段项目将扩展和修改代码，以满足执业设计工程师的特殊需求。 如果我们要在目前的机会之窗实现这种计算机建模系统的技术和市场潜力，这项研究和开发是必不可少的。 我们正在与超声波公司合作，以指导这些使用增强。

Medical ultrasound works by illuminating the body's interior with short, high frequency sound pulses, receiving the echoes, processing them numerically, and displaying the moving image in real-time on a CTR screen. The heart of ultrasound is a rather sophisticated composite transducer. With this sophistication, conventional design methods are approaching practical limits of effectiveness. Comprehensive computer modeling is seen as the answer. The industry is currently using frequency-domain finite element codes exclusively, with limited success due in part to the transient character of the signals modeled. A much better alternative is explicit time-domain simulation. In our Phase I project we developed and validated such a time-domain finite element code, FLEX, for transient analysis of piezoelectric transducers and general wave propagation. It includes complete and operational piezoelectric, acoustic, and elastic elements. the Proposed Phase II project will extend and tailor the code to the very special needs of practicing design engineers. This research and development is essential if we are to achieve the technical and marketing potential of this computer modeling system during the present window of opportunity. We are working with ultrasound companies in order to guide these usage enhancements.