Performance optimization of the waveguides with double parabolic reflectors for high power transmission

Abstract

Acoustic waveguides are utilized for guiding sound waves and have been exploited for non-destructive evaluation and structural health monitoring applications. For ultrasound imaging transducers utilizing waveguides, conventional configurations are suffering from low energy or energy transmission efficiency. In this research, we examine high power transmission by reducing the difference of contact surface areas between piezoelectric element and waveguide and by introducing parabolic guiding and focusing mechanism. Based on the proposed mechanism, general design procedure is presented. In general, after choosing the prior parameters including PZT ring material, dimension, and waveguide material according to the practical requirements, radius of the waveguide is the key parameter left to be seriously determined. It is also found that trade-off design of the input parameters exists to balance the output performance that includes acoustic pressure and output power. Therefore, important input parameters, especially the radius of cylindrical waveguide are eventually selected to satisfy the needs in practical applications.