US3683679A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic interference pattern detector
Assignee: BNY Mellon NA
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Filing: 1969-08-22
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Granted: 1972-08-15
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Expires: 1989-08-22
Abstract
Abstract A thin cell is disclosed which utilizes a pair of membranes transparent to both ultrasonic and light energy and containing therebetween particles suspended in a liquid matrix, the particles migrating from areas of high ultrasonic pressure to areas of low ultrasonic pressure when the medium is irradiated with ultrasonic energy. The intersection of two coherent ultrasonic beams at a finite angle therebetween generates an interference pattern containing fixed pressure nodes which may be detected by placing the suspended particle cell at the area of beam intersection. If one of the intersecting ultrasonic beams is modified by an object, the diffraction pattern formed in the cell is an ultrasonic hologram from which an optical image of the object, as viewed by ultrasound, is formed in a diffracted order of coherent light passed through the cell.
Inventors
- 👤 Byron B Brenden
- 👤 Russell B Kidman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 16:31
CPC Classifications
G; G03; G03H; G03H3/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said means for illuminating said detector with light energy includes means for directing a beam of coherent light through both of said pair of membranes of said detector, whereby said coherent light beam is diffracted into various orders depending upon the nature of the interference pattern.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
26 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said matrix phase of said area detector consists of a liquid which is characterized by substantial optical clarity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 3 wherein said dispersed phase of said area detector includes a large number of opaque finely divided solid particles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 2 wherein one of said intersecting ultrasonic beams has an object placed in the beam path, whereby said area detector displays an ultrasonic hologram which causes said coherent light beam passing through said cell to be diffracted in a manner that at least one diffracted order contains an optical image of said object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
48 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein an object is located in the path of one of said intersecting ultrasonic beams, whereby an ultrasonic hologram including alternate areas of different optical properties is formed upon said area detector, and a camera positioned to record said ultrasonic hologram.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
124 words
A method of forming an optical image of an object illumination by ultrasonic energy, comprising the steps of: directing an illuminating beam of ultrasonic energy toward an object and thence as an object-modified energy beam toward a hologram detecting plane, simultaneously directing a beam of reference ultrasonic energy toward said detecting plane to intersect with said object-modified ultrasonic energy at a finite angle, said reference energy being mutually coherent with the object illuminating energy, positioning at said detecting plane a contained layer of opaque solid particles suspended in a liquid, whereby said opaque suspended solid particles migrate to nodes of an interference pattern generated at the intersection of said object-modified and reference ultrasonic beams, and illuminaTing said contained layer of suspended particles with light.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
137 words
A method of forming an optical image of an object illuminating by ultrasonic energy, comprising the steps of: directing an illuminating beam of ultrasonic energy toward an object and thence to produce object-modified energy, imaging the object-modified energy onto a hologram detecting plane, simultaneously directing a beam of reference ultrasonic energy toward said detecting plane to intersect with the imaged object-modified ultrasonic energy at a finite angle, said reference energy being mutually coherent with the object illuminating energy, positioning at said detecting plane a contained layer of reflecting solid particles suspended in a liquid, whereby said opaque suspended solid particles migrate to nodes of an interference pattern generated at the intersection of said object-modified and reference ultrasonic beams, and reflecting light energy from said particles, whereby an optical image of the object appears in the reflected light.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said membranes and frame form only one cavity therebetween, and wherein said dispersed phase is capable of moving within the matrix phase throughout the entire said only one cavity.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
38 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said matrix phase consists of a liquid and said dispersed phase includes a plurality of opaque solid particles that are free to move in the liquid matrix throughout said cavity.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 10 wherein said solid particles include thin flakes having an aspect ratio of about five to one.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
An area detector according to claim 10 wherein said solid particles include thin aluminum flakes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein a minimum distance across said cavity between said membranes is less than ten times the wavelength of said mutually coherent ultrasonic energy beams.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein each of said pair of membranes is stretched within an elastic region of the membrane.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said matrix consists of a liquid characterized by a ratio of its dipole moment to its viscosity that is greater than that of water.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
39 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 which additionally comprises means for detecting said light energy after passing through the area detector, said detecting means and said light energy illuminating means being positioned on opposite sides of said detector.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasonic system according to claim 1 wherein said area detector is oriented with said pair of membranes in generally a vertical position.
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) | 1975-08-15 | 1976-02-14 | 1976-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-08-15 | 1980-02-14 | 1980-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-08-15 | 1984-02-14 | 1984-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |