Patent US3748637A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3748637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Sonar transducer assembly
Assignee: STEVENS CHARLES W JR
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Filing: 1971-10-22
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Granted: 1973-07-24
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Expires: 1991-10-22
Abstract
Abstract The sonar transducer assembly described includes a seamless diaphragm having a hollow cylindrical cavity closed at one end, an axis perpendicular to the plane of the diaphragm, an annular 45* reflector, and an annular decoupling ring between the cavity and the reflector. A cylindrical sound transducer is positioned within the cavity such that when it is energized, the sound waves are generated radially outward through the cavity wall until reflected by the reflector along the axis of the diaphragm. This diaphragm may be positioned within a flange mounted in the nozzle or exhaust pipes of bulk storage bins or tanks. The seamless diaphragm insulates the transducer from any corrosive effects of the material stored therein and at the same time permits the sound waves to travel down to the storage enclosure for determination of the level of the material stored therein.
Inventors
- 👤 R Larson
- 👤 C Stevens
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:47
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/004
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A sonar transducer assembly comprising: a seamless plastic diaphragm defining a central hollow cylindrical portion having an axis and closed at one end, an outer flange, and an annular reflector section joining the other end of said cylindrical portion and said outer flange and opening in the direction of said closed end, a cylindrical transducer positioned coaxially in the cylindrical portion of said diaphragm in radial alignment with at least a portion of said reflector section, and means to energize said transducer into radial vibrations, thereby to produce sonic energy which is transmitted through the cylindrical portion and reflected by said reflector section in a direction substantially parallel to said axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A sonar transducer assembly comprising: a seamless plastic diaphragm defining a central hollow cylindrical portion having an axis and closed at one end, an outer flange, and an annular reflector section joining the other end of said cylindrical portion and said outer flange and opening in the direction of said closed end, a cylindrical transducer positioned coaxially in the cylindrical portion of said diaphragm in radial alignment with at least a portion of said reflector section, and means to energize said transducer into radial vibrations, thereby to produce sonic energy which is transmitted through the cylindrical portion and reflected by said reflector section in a direction substantially parallel to said axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the reflector section lies at about a 45* angle relative to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
49 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said transducer is ring-like, is an electrostrictive material, radiates sound waves radially of said axis, and the mass per unit outer radial surface area of said transducer is more than ten times the mass per unit surface area of said cylindrical portion.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein the other end of said cylindrical portion is curved outwardly back on itself to form an annular ring-like decoupling section between said reflector section and said cylindrical portion.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the curved portion of said decoupling section has a thickness that is less than the thickness of adjoining reflector sections of said diaphragm, thereby to increase its compliance and reduce sound conductivity between said reflector and said transducer.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein the ratio of the axial length of said decoupling section to the annulus of said decoupling section is less than 5 to 1.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein said transducer is ring-like, is secured in said diaphragm by cement, and which also includes damping means positioned on the interior of said transducer.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
An assembly according to claim 4 wherein: said transducer is ring-like, is an electrostrictive material, radiates sound waves radially of said axis, and the mass per unit outer surface area of said crystal is more than ten times the mass per unit surface area of said cylindrical portion; the curved portion of said decoupling section has a thickness that is less than the thickness of the reflecting portion of said diaphragm, thereby to increase its compliance and reduce sound conductivity between said reflector and said transducer; and the ratio of the axial length of said decoupling section to the annulus of said decoupling section is less than 5 to 1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
56 words
An assembly according to claim 1 which also includes a mounting flange having a central bore therein, said diaphragm being positioned coaxially in said bore and supported by said outer flange, the interior of said bore being filled with a low density, rigid, cellular material thereby to render said reflector more rigid and protect said transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
An assembly according to claim 9 which also includes an impedance matching transformer positioned within said transducer means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
31 words
An assembly according to claim 9 wherein said transducer is ring-like, is secured in said diaphragm by cement, and which also includes damping means positioned on the interior of said transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
An assembly according to claim 1 wherein said diaphragm is made of polytetrafluoroethylene.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An assembly according to claim 1 which includes means coupled tO said transducer and to said energizing means for determining the time lapse between transmitted sonic energy and echos therefrom returning to said transducer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sonar transducer assembly comprising: an integral diaphragm defining a central cavity portion having an axis and closed at one end and an annular reflector section about said cavity portion and opening in the direction of said closed end, and a transducer positioned in said cavity portion and adapted to direct sonic energy radially of said axis through said cavity portion to be generally reflected along said axis by said reflector section.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sonar transducer assembly comprising: an integral diaphragm defining a central cavity portion having an axis and closed at one end and an annular reflector section about said cavity portion and opening in the direction of said closed end, and a transducer positioned in said cavity portion and adapted to direct sonic energy radially of said axis through said cavity portion to be generally reflected along said axis by said reflector section.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-07-23 | 1977-01-22 | 1977-07-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-07-23 | 1981-01-22 | 1981-07-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-07-23 | 1985-01-22 | 1985-07-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |