Ultrasonics, 3rd Edition

5    Basic Design of Ultrasonic Transducers

5.1      INTRODUCTION

Ultrasonic energy is generated and detected by devices called transducers. By definition, a transducer is a “device that is actuated by power from one system to supply power in any other form to a second system”; that is, a transducer converts energy from one form to another. In ultrasonics, the most typical conversions are electrical to ultrasonic energy (transmitters) or ultrasonic to electrical energy (receivers). Transducers most often used for generating ultrasonics are piezoelectric, magnetostrictive, electromagnetic, pneumatic (whistles), and mechanical devices. Transducers most often used for detecting or receiving ultrasonic energy are piezoelectric, capacitive or ...