Patent US3691516A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3691516A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic pulse generator utilizing a mechanism for changing the natural frequency of oscillation
Assignee: Control Data Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-21
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Granted: 1972-09-12
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Expires: 1989-11-21
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic pulse generator for generating acoustic pulses of varying frequency in water is disclosed including a mechanically resonant structure, a drive mechanism for causing the mechanically resonant structure to oscillate, a mechanism for changing the natural frequency of oscillation of the mechanically resonant structure, and one or more transducers for transmitting the oscillations of the mechanically resonant structure to the water in which the acoustic pulse is to be generated.
Inventors
- 👤 Walton Graham
- 👤 Irving E Melnick
- 👤 Tullio De Filippis
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 05:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/143; G01V1/145
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 31
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
An acoustic pulse generator for generating acoustic pulses in a medium which acts as a reactive load, each acoustic pulse comprising an acoustic wave having a frequency which varies over a predetermined range during the period of said pulse, said acoustic pulse generator comprising: a mechanically resonant structure capable of storing mechanical energy in the form of oscillatory movements; a transducer connected to said mechanically resonant structure, said transducer being in contact with said medium to convert the oscillatory movements of said mechanically resonant structure into acoustic waves in said medium; drive means for imparting sufficient energy to said mechanically resonant structure to produce an acoustic pulse; and means for changing the natural of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure over a predetermined range during the period of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
An acoustic pulse generator for generating acoustic pulses in a medium which acts as a reactive load, each acoustic pulse comprising an acoustic wave having a frequency which varies over a predetermined range during the period of said pulse, said acoustic pulse generator comprising: a mechanically resonant structure capable of storing mechanical energy in the form of oscillatory movements; a transducer connected to said mechanically resonant structure, said transducer being in contact with said medium to convert the oscillatory movements of said mechanically resonant structure into acoustic waves in said medium; drive means for imparting sufficient energy to said mechanically resonant structure to produce an acoustic pulse; and means for changing the natural of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure over a predetermined range during the period of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 1 wherein said drive means comprises an actuator for imparting oscillatory motions to said mechanically resonant structure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
46 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 2 wherein said transducer comprises a piston connected to said mechanically resonant structure, the face of said piston being in contact with said medium to convert the oscillatory movements of said mechanically resonant structure into acoustic waves in said meDium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 3 further comprising means responsive to the motions of said system for controlling the frequency of operation of said actuator.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
54 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 1 wherein said mechanically resonant structure comprises a pneumatic spring system including an air cylinder, a piston disposed within said air cylinder so that when said piston is displaced from a neutral position, a differential pressure is created which tends to return said piston to said neutral position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 5 further comprising a beam pivotally connected to said piston of said pneumatic spring system so that the action of said piston is substantially transverse to said beam, said transducer and said drive means being connected to said beam at different points along the length thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
82 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 6 wherein said means for changing the natural frequency of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure comprises means for changing the ratio of the distance between the point of connection of said pneumatic spring system to said beam and the point of connection of said drive means to said beam, and the distance between the point of connection of said transducer and said beam and the point of connection of said drive means and said beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
92 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 7 wherein said means for changing the natural frequency of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure comprises a ball screw mounted on said beam along a portion of the length thereof, a motor for driving said ball screw, and a cross-slide engaging said ball screw, said drive means being connected to said ball screw so that, upon operation of said motor, said cross-slide is caused to move along the length of said beam, thereby changing the point of application of said drive means to said beam.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
34 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 1 wherein said mechanically resonant structure comprises an elastic beam capable of storing mechanical energy when elastically deformed and releasing said energy in the form of oscillatory movements.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 9 wherein said transducer is connected by a mechanical linkage to a free end of said elastic beam.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 10 wherein said drive means comprises an actuator for imparting oscillatory motions to said elastic beam.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
62 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 11 wherein said means for changing the frequency of oscillatory of said elastic beam comprises a support member engaging said elastic beam, said support member being stationary in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of said elastic beam but movable along the length of said elastic beam to change the natural frequency of oscillatory thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 11 wherein said actuator engages said elastic beam at approximately right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof so as to impart bending oscillations thereto.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 11 wherein said actuator engages a crank arm extending at right angles to the longitudinal axis of said elastic beam so as to impart torsional oscillatory to said elastic beam.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
133 words
Acoustic pulse generating apparatus for generating acoustic pulses in water, each acoustic pulse comprising an acoustic wave having a frequency which varies over a predetermined range during the period of said pulse, said acoustic pulse generating apparatus comprising: a mechanically resonant structure capable of storing mechanical energy in the form of oscillatory movements; a pair of acoustic pistons connected to said mechanically resonant structure, the faces of said acoustic pistons being in contact with the water to convert the oscillatory movements of said mechanically resonant structure into acoustic waves in the water; drive means for imparting sufficient energy to said mechanically resonant structure to produce an acoustic pulse; and means for changing the natural frequency of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure over a predetermined range during the period of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
133 words
Acoustic pulse generating apparatus for generating acoustic pulses in water, each acoustic pulse comprising an acoustic wave having a frequency which varies over a predetermined range during the period of said pulse, said acoustic pulse generating apparatus comprising: a mechanically resonant structure capable of storing mechanical energy in the form of oscillatory movements; a pair of acoustic pistons connected to said mechanically resonant structure, the faces of said acoustic pistons being in contact with the water to convert the oscillatory movements of said mechanically resonant structure into acoustic waves in the water; drive means for imparting sufficient energy to said mechanically resonant structure to produce an acoustic pulse; and means for changing the natural frequency of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure over a predetermined range during the period of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
51 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 15 wherein said acoustic pistons are connected to travel in opposite directions, the axes of travel of said acoustic pistons being colinear so that there is no net force or torque on the apparatus as a result of the operation of said acoustic pistons.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
55 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 16 further comprising a watertight capsule enclosing said mechanically resonant structure, said drive means, and said means for changing the natural frequency of oscillatory of said mechanically resonant structure so that said acoustic pulse generating apparatus may be operated at a depth below the surface of the water.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 17 further comprising means for compensating the effect of static water pressure on said acoustic pistons during the generating of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
74 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 18 wherein said pressure compensating means comprises an air chamber associated with each of said acoustic pistons, the inner surface of each of said acoustic pistons comprising one wall of its associated air chamber, each of said air chambers containing air under pressure sufficient to balance the static pressure of the water on the outer faces of said acoustic pistons during the generating of an acoustic pulse.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
56 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 19 wherein said means for storing energy in said mechanically resonant structure comprises a source of high pressure air and means for introducing said high pressure air into each of said chambers before the start of an acoustic pulse to move said acoustic pistons outwardly of their neutral positions.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 20 wherein the pressure of the air provided by said source is sufficient to move said pistons to the outwardmost limits of their strokes.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
59 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 20 wherein said means for releasing the energy stored in said mechanically resonant structure comprises means associated with each of said air chambers for quickly reducing the air pressure in said air chambers to a level which substantially balances the static pressure of the water on the outer faces of said pistons.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
57 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 22 wherein said means for quickly reducing the air pressure in said air chambers comprises a quick release valve connected to each of said air chambers and an air tank connected to each of said quick release valves to receive air through said quick release valves from said air chambers.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
25 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 15 wherein said drive means comprises an hydraulic actuator for imparting oscillatory motions to said mechanically resonant structure.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 24 further comprising control means responsive to the oscillations of said acoustic pistons for controlling said hydraulic actuator.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
58 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 25 wherein said control means comprises motion sensing means for producing a signal in response to the motions of said acoustic pistons, delay means for delaying said signals from said motion sensing means, and a servo control valve for controlling said hydraulic actuator in response to signals from said delay means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
34 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 26 wherein said motion sensing means comprises acceleration sensing means mounted on said acoustic pistons for producing output signals corresponding to the acceleration of said acoustic pistons.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
89 words
The acoustic pulse generating apparatus of claim 27 further comprising means responsive to the difference between the magnitude of said signal from said acceleration sensing means and a reference signal for controlling said servo vAlve to cause said actuator to apply greater force to said mechanically resonant structure when said signal from said acceleration sensing means is less than said reference signal, and to apply less force to said mechanically resonant structure when the magnitude of said signal from said acceleration sensing means is greater than said reference signal.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
60 words
The acoustic pulse generator of claim 1, further comprising means for storing energy in said mechanically resonant structure prior to the start of an acoustic pulse, and means for releasing the energy stored in said mechanically resonant structure at the start of an acoustic pulse so as to cause said acoustic pulse to start at a high output power level.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3392369A
Cited
US3229784A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-09-12 | 1976-03-13 | 1976-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-09-12 | 1980-03-13 | 1980-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-09-12 | 1984-03-13 | 1984-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |