Patent US3604251A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3604251A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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A capacitive ultrasonic device for nondestructively testing a sample
Assignee: United States Atomic Energy Commission
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Filing: 1969-04-18
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Granted: 1971-09-14
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Expires: 1989-04-18
Abstract
Abstract In an apparatus for ultrasonically testing a sample, a plurality of electrodes and dielectric members are mounted in alternate layered arrangement in pressure engagement with the sample. The electrodes adjacent the sample are maintained at a reference potential and means apply a bias voltage relative said reference potential to the electrode furthermost of said sample. A plurality of amplifiers combine the output voltages relative said reference potential of the others of said electrodes to provide a measure of ultrasound in the sample.
Inventors
- 👤 Norman E Dixon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 17:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H11/00; G01H11/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A capacitive ultrasonic device for nondestructively testing a sample comprising: means for generating ultrasound within said sample, a transducer coupled to said sample to detect ultrasound and including a plurality of electrodes and a plurality of dielectric members in alternate layered arrangement with said electrodes. means for maintaining one of said electrodes at a reference potential, means for applying a bias voltage relative said reference potential to another of said electrodes, said ultrasound coupling to said transducer to generate voltages on the remainder of said electrodes, and means for combining said voltages generated on said remaining electrodes relative said reference potential to provide a measure of said ultrasound. 2. The apparatus of claim l wherein: said reference potential electrode is the electrode of said transducer adjacent said sample, said bias voltage electrode is the electrode of said transducer furthermost of said sample, and said remaining electrodes are the electrodes of said transducer between said adjacent and furthermost electrodes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein: said reference potential means maintains a first and third of said electrodes adjacent said specimen at a reference potential, said ultrasound-generating means applies an excitation signal to a second of said electrodes mediate said first and third electrodes to generate ultrasound in said sample, and said bias means applies said bias voltage relative said reference potential to the electrode of said transducer furthermost of said sample.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
65 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sample is electrically conductive and said reference potential means maintains said sample at a reference potential, said bias means applies a bias potential relative said reference potential to one of said electrodes, and said combining means combines the output voltages relative said reference potential of the remainder of said electrodes to provide a measure of said ultrasound.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
106 words
The apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said sample is electrically conductive and said ultrasound-generating means applies an excitation signal to a first electrode of said transducer adjacent said sample to generate ultrasound in said sample, said reference potential means maintains said sample and a second electrode of said transducer adjacent Said excited first electrode at a reference potential, said bias means applies a bias voltage relative said reference potential to the electrode of said transducer furthermost of said sample, and said combining means combines the output voltages relative said reference potential of the remaining electrodes of said transducer to provide a measure of said ultrasound.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for ultrasonically testing a sample: a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of dielectric members in alternate layered arrangement with said electrodes, said dielectric members and electrodes being in pressure engagement with said sample, means for maintaining one of said electrodes at a reference potential, means for applying a bias voltage to another of said electrodes relative said reference potential, and means for combining the output voltages relative said reference potential of the remainder of said electrodes to provide a measure of ultrasound in said sample.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
88 words
In an apparatus for ultrasonically testing a sample: a plurality of electrodes, a plurality of dielectric members in alternate layered arrangement with said electrodes, said dielectric members and electrodes being in pressure engagement with said sample, means for maintaining one of said electrodes at a reference potential, means for applying a bias voltage to another of said electrodes relative said reference potential, and means for combining the output voltages relative said reference potential of the remainder of said electrodes to provide a measure of ultrasound in said sample.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein: said reference potential electrode is adjacent said sample and is electrically grounded, said bias voltage electrode is furthermost of said sample, and said combining means comprise a plurality of amplifiers having their inputs connected to additively combine the output voltages of said remaining electrodes relative electrical ground and means for measuring the combined output voltages of said amplifiers to provide a measure of ultrasound in said sample.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
The apparatus according to claim 6 wherein said sample is electrically conductive and said dielectric members are interposed of each of said electrodes and said sample in alternate layered arrangement and together with said electrodes in pressure engagement with said sample, said reference potential means maintain said sample at reference potential, said bias voltage means apply a bias voltage relative said sample reference potential to the one of said electrodes furthermost of said sample, and said combining means combine the output voltages relative said sample reference potential of the remainder of said electrodes to provide a measure of ultrasound in said sample.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrostatic transducer comprising a plurality of thin-film electrodes, a plurality of thin-film dielectric members in alternate-layered intimate-contact arrangement with said electrodes, and means ultrasonically coupling said electrodes to a sample.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An electrostatic transducer comprising a plurality of thin-film electrodes, a plurality of thin-film dielectric members in alternate-layered intimate-contact arrangement with said electrodes, and means ultrasonically coupling said electrodes to a sample.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer of claim 9 further including a substrate and wherein said electrodes and dielectric members comprise a plurality of thin-film layers of electrode and dielectric material alternately deposited on said substrate.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transducer of claim 10 wherein said electrodes have a thickness between 800 and 1500 A. and said dielectric members have a thickness between 1500 and 3000 A.
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) | 1974-09-13 | 1975-03-15 | 1975-09-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-09-13 | 1979-03-15 | 1979-09-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-09-13 | 1983-03-15 | 1983-09-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |