Rapid Fabrication Techniques for Arbitrary Shape Piezoelectric Transducer Sensors

The present invention provides methods for making an acoustic transducer. In one possible embodiment, a rigid inner shell is provided with a conductive exterior surface. Masking material is applied onto a first location on the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell. Piezoelectric material is deposited over the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell and the masking material. Conductive material is deposited onto the piezoelectric material. The masking material is removed. A first signal lead is attached to the first location on the conductive exterior surface of the rigid inner shell. A second signal lead is attached to the conductive material.