A tri-modal directional transducer

Acoustic transducers made from piezoelectric ceramic cylinders usually exploit the breathing or omnidirectional (omni) mode of vibration. However, with suitable voltage distribution, higher order extensional modes of the cylinder can be excited which produce directional radiation patterns. These modal radiation patterns can then be combined to synthesize desired beam patterns which may be steered by incrementing the excitation. This paper describes a model for the combined acoustic response of the extensional modes of vibration of a piezoelectric ceramic cylinder, a method of synthesizing a desired radiation pattern, and an experimental implementation of a directional transducer that uses these techniques. This tri-modal transducer is broadband and directional with a frequency independent beam pattern yet simple, small, and lightweight. (C) 2004 Acoustical Society of America.