Patent US3752255A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3752255A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1972-04-04
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Granted: 1973-08-14
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Expires: 1992-04-04
Abstract
Abstract A pulse-echo method of ultrasonic scanning to investigate the interior of a body involves contacting the body with an ultrasonic transducer at a fixed point having a first axis therethrough which is fixed relative to the body, projecting a pulsed ultrasonic beam through the fixed point along a second axis which is fixed relative to the transducer, and rotating the transducer about the first axis while progressively varying the angular inclination of the second axis to the first axis. The beam path then describes a spirally wrapped conical surface with its apex at the fixed point, which means that the transducer does not track across the body, but simply rolls on it at the fixed point, and this alleviates the transducer/body coupling problems which otherwise arise. Apparatus for this purposes comprises a support structure to define the first axis, a circular arcuate carriageway rotatable about this axis to produce the wrapping motion and to define by its centre of curvature the fixed point, a carriage extending transversely from the carriageway to define the second axis and movable along the carriageway to produce the progressive angular variation or spiral effect, and a transducer with its periphery at the fixed point, its beam path along the second axis, and rotatably mounted in the carriage to effect a rolling action on the body.
Inventors
- 👤 C Hill
- 👤 V Mccready
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:11
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/19; Y10T74/19642; Y10T74/1967
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of investigating the interior of a body which comprises: bringing an ultrasonic transducer into engagement with said body at one point thereon to project an ultrasonic beam into said body along a first axis which is fixed relative to said transducer and passes through said point; rotating said transducer about a second axis which is fixed relative to said body and passes through said point, and at the same time progressively changing the angular relationship between said first and second axes, whereby said first axis describes a spirally wrapped conical surface about said second axis, which surface has said point as its apex; energising said transducer in pulsed manner; detecting with said transducer echo signals arising from within said body in response to said pulsed energisation; and displaying or recording selected components of said echo signals to represent data relating to a predetermined surface within said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method of investigating the interior of a body which comprises: bringing an ultrasonic transducer into engagement with said body at one point thereon to project an ultrasonic beam into said body along a first axis which is fixed relative to said transducer and passes through said point; rotating said transducer about a second axis which is fixed relative to said body and passes through said point, and at the same time progressively changing the angular relationship between said first and second axes, whereby said first axis describes a spirally wrapped conical surface about said second axis, which surface has said point as its apex; energising said transducer in pulsed manner; detecting with said transducer echo signals arising from within said body in response to said pulsed energisation; and displaying or recording selected components of said echo signals to represent data relating to a predetermined surface within said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
211 words
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus for investigating the interior of a body, comprising: a support structure having a first axis fixed relative thereto and passing longitudinally therethrough; an elongate carriageway rotatably supported by said structure for rotation about said first axis, and extending transversely from said first axis; a first carriage depending from and carried by said carriageway for movement therealong; a rotary bearing connected with said first carriage for rotation about a second axis which is fixed relative to said first carriage and intersects said first axis in a predetermined point; first transmission means to rotate said carriageway about said first axis; second transmission means to move said first carriage along said carriageway and, at the same time, to progressively vary the angular inclination of said first carriage to maintain intersection of said first and second axes at said point; an ultrasonic transducer journalled in said rotary bearing with the periphery of said transducer passing through said point, to generate and project an ultrasonic beam along said second axis, and to detect echo signals resulting from reflection of said beam from within said body; and positional transducer means coupled with said first and second transmission means to provide co-ordinate signals representing the position of said first carriage relative to said first axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
211 words
Ultrasonic scanning apparatus for investigating the interior of a body, comprising: a support structure having a first axis fixed relative thereto and passing longitudinally therethrough; an elongate carriageway rotatably supported by said structure for rotation about said first axis, and extending transversely from said first axis; a first carriage depending from and carried by said carriageway for movement therealong; a rotary bearing connected with said first carriage for rotation about a second axis which is fixed relative to said first carriage and intersects said first axis in a predetermined point; first transmission means to rotate said carriageway about said first axis; second transmission means to move said first carriage along said carriageway and, at the same time, to progressively vary the angular inclination of said first carriage to maintain intersection of said first and second axes at said point; an ultrasonic transducer journalled in said rotary bearing with the periphery of said transducer passing through said point, to generate and project an ultrasonic beam along said second axis, and to detect echo signals resulting from reflection of said beam from within said body; and positional transducer means coupled with said first and second transmission means to provide co-ordinate signals representing the position of said first carriage relative to said first axis.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
50 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein: said carriageway is of circular arcuate form having said first and secnd axes radially directed relative thereto, and said point as centre of curvature; and said first carriage is tracked with said carriageway to effect said progressive variation of angular inclination between said axes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
Apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said second transmission means comprises: a first gear member; securing means to hold said first gear member against movement relative to said support structure; a second gear member connected with said carriageway for rotation therewith, and drivably coupled with said first gear member; and a third gear member connected with said first carriage for movement therewith, and drivably coupled with said second gear member.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
172 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: said first gear member is rotatably mounted relative to said support structure and said carriageway; said securing means comprises a clutch assembly connected between said first gear member and said support structure, and between said first gear member and said first transmission means, and which assembly is operable to alternatively connect said first gear member with said support structure, and to drivably couple said first gear member with said first transmission means; and said positional transducer means comprises a first positional transducer drivably coupled with said first transmission means to provide a signal representing the angular position of said first carriage about said first axis, and a second positional transducer drivably coupled between said first transmission means and said first gear member to provide a signal representing the radial position of said first carriage relative to said first axis; and comprising limit switch means operable to provide signals representing predetermined positions for said first carriage along said carriageway and to cause operation of said clutch assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
Apparatus according to claim 5 wherein said first and second position transducers are of rotary form.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: said first gear member comprises a helical worm gear and said second gear member comprises a helical gear wheel.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
Apparatus according to claim 4 wherein: said second gear member comprises a pinion wheel; and said third gear member comprises a circular arcuate rack connected with said first carriage in parallel and concentric disposition with said carriageway.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising a second carriage depending from and carried by said carriageway for movement therealong, and coupled with said second transmission means in like manner to said first carriage for equal and opposite movement along said carriageway to balance said first carriage.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
56 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 comprising: means for energising said ultrasonic transducer to generate said beam in pulsed manner; means for selecting components of said echo signals to represent data concerning a predetermined surface within said body; and means responsive to said co-ordinate signals and said selected echo signal components to display or record said data.
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) | 1976-08-13 | 1977-02-12 | 1977-08-14 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-08-13 | 1981-02-12 | 1981-08-14 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-08-13 | 1985-02-12 | 1985-08-14 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |