US3568079A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic signal amplifier
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1969-04-24
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Granted: 1971-03-02
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Expires: 1989-04-24
Abstract
Abstract There is disclosed a microwave ultrasonic amplifier employing a piezoelectric semiconductor element fabricated with alternate amplifying and insulating sections. The insulating sections are included to periodically attenuate undesired, higher frequency, out of band phonon signals which would otherwise build up and saturate the amplifier. The coherent signals, because of their lower frequency, are not appreciably attenuated in these sections and, consequently, their amplitude is progressively increased in each amplifying section.
Inventors
- 👤 Max N Yoder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 04:33
CPC Classifications
H; H03; H03F; H03F13/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
An acoustic signal amplifier comprising, in combination: a piezoelectric semiconductor element having a planar surface; said piezoelectric semiconductor element being modified to have a multiplicity of spaced zones containing current carriers; means for launching an acoustic signal along said planar surface of said piezoelectric semiconductor element in a direction such that said acoustic signal travels through said zones; means for thereafter detecting said acoustic signal; and means for applying a potential across each zone so as to cause the current carriers therein to drift in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of said acoustic signal at a velocity sufficient to cause amplification of said acoustic signal in each zone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
An acoustic signal amplifier comprising, in combination: a piezoelectric semiconductor element having a planar surface; said piezoelectric semiconductor element being modified to have a multiplicity of spaced zones containing current carriers; means for launching an acoustic signal along said planar surface of said piezoelectric semiconductor element in a direction such that said acoustic signal travels through said zones; means for thereafter detecting said acoustic signal; and means for applying a potential across each zone so as to cause the current carriers therein to drift in a direction parallel to the direction of travel of said acoustic signal at a velocity sufficient to cause amplification of said acoustic signal in each zone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said zones have as one boundary preselected areas of said planar surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
An acoustic signal amplifier comprising, in combination; a piezoelectric semiconductor element having a planar surface; said element being modified so as to have a multiplicity of spaced zones containing mobile charge carriers; said zones being bounded on one side with said planar surface and extending into said element a finite distance only sufficient to permit the coherent photons of a Raleigh surface wave propagating along said planar surface to interact with said mobile charge carriers; a transducer mounted of said piezoelectric semiconductor element and adapted, when excited by an electrical signal, to launch a corresponding acoustic signal in the form of a Raleigh wave along said planar surface and through said zones; means for detecting said acoustic signal after it has passed through said zones; and means for applying a DC potential across each zone so as to cause the mobile charge carriers therein to drift in a direction parallel to the direction of propogation of said acoustic signal at a velocity sufficient to cause amplification of said acoustic signal in each zone.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
An acoustic signal amplifier comprising, in combination; a piezoelectric semiconductor element having a planar surface; said element being modified so as to have a multiplicity of spaced zones containing mobile charge carriers; said zones being bounded on one side with said planar surface and extending into said element a finite distance only sufficient to permit the coherent photons of a Raleigh surface wave propagating along said planar surface to interact with said mobile charge carriers; a transducer mounted of said piezoelectric semiconductor element and adapted, when excited by an electrical signal, to launch a corresponding acoustic signal in the form of a Raleigh wave along said planar surface and through said zones; means for detecting said acoustic signal after it has passed through said zones; and means for applying a DC potential across each zone so as to cause the mobile charge carriers therein to drift in a direction parallel to the direction of propogation of said acoustic signal at a velocity sufficient to cause amplification of said acoustic signal in each zone.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
In an arrangement as defined in claim 3 wherein selected portions of said piezoelectric semiconductor elements are modified by ion bombardment to have the mobile charge carriers present therein.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-03-01 | 1974-08-31 | 1975-03-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-03-01 | 1978-08-31 | 1979-03-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-03-01 | 1982-08-31 | 1983-03-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |