Abstract This device is a magnetostrictive transducer having several magnetostrictive elements spaced one from the other and having two end bodies, one mounted at each end of the magnetostrictive elements and attached to each magnetostrictive element so as to be moved by the contraction and expansion of the magnetostrictive elements. The mass of the end bodies is large compared to that of the magnetostrictive elements. A series of coils are wound around the magnetostrictive elements in such a way that when pulsating current is conducted through the coils, the magnetostrictive elements contract and expand in accordance with the strength of the pulsating current and move the end bodies. The magnetostrictive elements and end bodies resonate at a predetermined frequency and the pulsating current actuates the transducer at the frequency to give a greater power and efficiency to the transducer output.
A mass loaded magnetostrictive transducer comprising: a plurality of flat strips of magnetostrictive material having a plurality of longitudinal slots extending part way along the length of each strip to form said strip into magnetostrictive legs; a first and a second weighted mass, each having slots spaced from each other in one side whereby said flat strips may be fastened into said slots and as said strips expand and contract said masses may be moved; means for fastening opposite ends of said magnetostrictive means to said first and second weighted mass in said slots along said body means; and conductor means wrapped about each Said leg and connected in series whereby when pulsating current is passed through said coils, the length of each said elongate magnetostrictive means and said transducer is changed by each variation of current and the flux polarity in adjacent legs is opposed and a closed flux path is established through adjacent legs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
156 words
A mass loaded magnetostrictive transducer comprising: a plurality of flat strips of magnetostrictive material having a plurality of longitudinal slots extending part way along the length of each strip to form said strip into magnetostrictive legs; a first and a second weighted mass, each having slots spaced from each other in one side whereby said flat strips may be fastened into said slots and as said strips expand and contract said masses may be moved; means for fastening opposite ends of said magnetostrictive means to said first and second weighted mass in said slots along said body means; and conductor means wrapped about each Said leg and connected in series whereby when pulsating current is passed through said coils, the length of each said elongate magnetostrictive means and said transducer is changed by each variation of current and the flux polarity in adjacent legs is opposed and a closed flux path is established through adjacent legs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
81 words
A mass-loaded magnetostrictive transducer as set forth in claim 1 in which said first and second weighted mass each comprises: a plurality of flat oblong elements having greater mass than said plurality of flat strips, said flat oblong elements being each attached to at least one side of a flat strip of magnetostrictive material whereby said oblong elements form slots between them and the flat strips of magnetostrictive material fit into these slots and are fastened to said flat oblong elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
A mass loaded magnetostrictive transducer as set forth in claim 1 in which: said slots are spaced from each other a distance greater than the thickness of the smallest dimension of the strips.