Ultrasonic transducer probe drive mechanism with position sensor

Claim 2

An ultrasonsic transducer probe comprising: a housing having an acoustic aperture; a pivotally mounted transducer assembly, located within said housing so as to direct beams of ultrasonic energy in a plurality of radially disposed directions through said acoustic aperture as said transducer pivots about a pivot axis; a motor, located within said housing, and including a reciprocating member; and a single connecting member having a first end connected to said reciprocating motor member and a second end connected to said transducer assembly at a point offset from said pivot axis for translating the reciprocating motion of said motor into pivoting motion of said transducer.

Claim 3

The ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 1, wherein said connecting member comprises a crank shaft having one end pivotally connected to said reciprocating motor member, and the other end pivotally connected to said point of said transducer assembly.

Claim 4

In an ultrasonic transducer probe, in which an ultrasonic transducer is to be arcuately moved through translation of reciprocal motion; a motor for providing said reciprocal motion comprising: an electromagnet assembly, including a plurality of axially aligned coils, and each coil having a central aperture; a magnet stack assembly, generally located within said electromaqnet assembly aperture, and including a plurality of magnets, ones of which are correspondingly disposed with respect to ones of said coils; bearinq means for allowing said magnet stack assembly to slideably move in a reciprocating manner within said electromagnet assembly; and means for connecting said magnet stack assembly to said ultrasonic transducer so that motion of said magnet stack assembly is translated into motion of said transducer.

Claim 5

In an ultrasonic transducer probe, in which an ultrasonic transducer is to be arcuately moved through translation of reciprocal motion; a motor for providing said reciprocal motion comprising: an electromagnet assembly, including a plurality of axially aligned coils, and each coil having a central aperture; a magnet stack assembly, generally located within said electromaqnet assembly aperture, and including a plurality of magnets, ones of which are correspondingly disposed with respect to ones of said coils; bearinq means for allowing said magnet stack assembly to slideably move in a reciprocating manner within said electromagnet assembly; and means for connecting said magnet stack assembly to said ultrasonic transducer so that motion of said magnet stack assembly is translated into motion of said transducer.

Claim 6

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 3, further including: return spring means for locating said magnet stack assembly in a predetermined position within said electromagnet assembly when said electromagnet assembly is not energized.

Claim 7

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 4, wherein said return spring means comprises first and second springs located at opposite ends of said magnet stack assembly, respectively.

Claim 8

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of any one of claims 3 to 5 wherein said magnet stack assembly includes a plurality of spacers exhibiting high magnetic permeability located between ones of said magnets and correspondingly disposed with respect to said coils.

Claim 9

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 6, wherein ones of said spacers separate pairs of magnets, and each is in contact with like magnetic poles of two magnets.

Claim 10

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 6,orrClaim 7 wherein said magnets and spacers are located within a nonmagnetic compression tube.

Claim 11

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of any one of Claims 3 to 8 wherein said electromagnet assembly includes a hollow coil former about which said coils are wound.

Claim 12

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 9, wherein successive ones of said coils along said coil former are wound in alternate directions with respect to the intended direction of current flow therethrough.

Claim 13

In the ultrasonic transducer probe of any one of Claims 3 to 10, further comprising a magnetic return tube located about said coils.

Claim 14

In an ultrasonic transducer probe, including a housing, and a pivotally mounted transducer located within said housing; a motor, located within said housing for producing a reciprocating motion comprising: an electromagnetic coil assembly, fixedly mounted within said housing, for producing a changing magnetic field; and a permanent magnet assembly, slideably located within said coil assembly, and exhibiting a magnetic field for interaction with said changing magnetic field; wherein said probe further includes means, coupled between said magnet assembly and said transducer, for translating reciprocating motion of said magnet assembly into pivoting motion of said transducer.

Claim 15

In an ultrasonic transducer probe, including a housing, and a pivotally mounted transducer located within said housing; a motor, located within said housing for producing a reciprocating motion comprising: an electromagnetic coil assembly, fixedly mounted within said housing, for producing a changing magnetic field; and a permanent magnet assembly, slideably located within said coil assembly, and exhibiting a magnetic field for interaction with said changing magnetic field; wherein said probe further includes means, coupled between said magnet assembly and said transducer, for translating reciprocating motion of said magnet assembly into pivoting motion of said transducer.

Claim 16

An ultrasonic transducer probe comprising: an ultrasonic transducer pivotally mounted for oscillatory movement; motive means, connected to said transducer, for moving said transducer in an oscillatory manner; and a position sensor, including a bimetallic element and a coil, one of which is connected to move in correspondence to the oscillatory movement of said transducer, wherein the relative motion of said bimetallic element and said coil changes the inductance exhibited by said coil.

Claim 17

An ultrasonic transducer probe comprising: an ultrasonic transducer pivotally mounted for oscillatory movement; motive means, connected to said transducer, for moving said transducer in an oscillatory manner; and a position sensor, including a bimetallic element and a coil, one of which is connected to move in correspondence to the oscillatory movement of said transducer, wherein the relative motion of said bimetallic element and said coil changes the inductance exhibited by said coil.

Claim 18

The ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 13, wherein said bimetallic element includes first and second metallic portions with an interface therebetween.

Claim 19

The ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 14, wherein said coil is toroidal in shape, and said interface of said bimetallic element moves through said coil when said transducer is oscillated.

Claim 20

The ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 15, wherein said first metallic portion is composed of a ferrous metal, and said second metallic portion is composed of a non-ferrous metal.

Claim 21

The ultrasonic transducer probe of Claim 16, wherein said bimetallic element is composed of a steel portion and an aluminum portion.