NON-PLANAR TRANSDUCER ARRAYS

摘要

Non-planar acoustic arrays are disclosed in which the plurality of transducers lie on a curved surface. The curved surface preferably subtends at least 90° and, in a preferred embodiment of the invention is a closed convex surface such as a cylinder. The curvature of the surface allows beams to be directed in a greater variety of directions. Apparatus and methods are disclosed in which only certain of the transducers are used for beam-forming, in accordance with the position of the transducer relative to the desired beam.