Ultraschallwandlerarray mit einer reduzierten Anzahl von Wandlerelementen

PURPOSE: To reduce the number of converter elements by increasing the (x) coordinate of the central point of a converter element outward between the central points of adjacent converter elements so as to keep the definite integral of a function f(x) over (x) is constant. CONSTITUTION: A row (i) and a column (j) of an MXN matrix located in an orthogonal coordinate system provided with an origin S, (x) and (y) axes are formed by the converter element Tij. The row (i) is extended in the (x) direction and the column (j) is extended in the (y) direction. Intervals between the centers of the adjacent converter elements, e.g. (Mij and Mij+1), (Mij+1 and Mij+2), and (Mij+2 and Mij+3) monotonically increases outward. Consequently, a function f(x) for the row (i) and a function g(y) for the column (j) may be selected such that they are, respectively an even function with respect to the center S of, symmetry i.e., f(x)=f(-x) and g(y)=g(-y), and decreases strictly monotonously with the increase in the absolute values |x| and |y|.