Ultrasonic Sensors with Mechanical Couplers： Simulation and Validation

The use of ultrasonic sensors has varied applications, but the sensor operation frequency limits the operating distance. An easy way to increase this distance is to couple a mechanical element （horn）, but it is necessary to characterize this technique. In this paper the results obtained in a study of the behaviour of mechanical elements coupled to an ultrasonic sensor using finite element techniques are presented. These results have been obtained using Comsol Multiphysics modelling. Also, the effect caused by the sensor size on the radiation acoustic pressure has also been evaluated. In other way, in this paper it is presented the results obtained in the laboratory measurements. First, it is studied the influence of a straight horn attached to the ultrasonic sensor. Later, it is presented the variation in the sound pressure on the radiation axis when the sensor varies its size. In the final part of the paper, the experimental validation of the simulations is presented.