Patent US1890476A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US3770080A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3770080A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Device for generating acoustic waves by implosion
Assignee: IFP Energies nouvelles
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Filing: 1971-09-20
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Granted: 1973-11-06
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Expires: 1991-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Device for generating pressure waves in a liquid medium comprising a hollow cylinder closed at one end by a bottom and at the other hand by an inflatable membrane pressing against the inner cylinder wall in the position of closure of the cylinder and capable to collapse abruptly when deflated, thereby giving passage to the liquid medium. For operating the device a substantial vacuum is created in the cylinder when closed by the membrane in inflated position and, by controlling the gas pressure in the enclosure formed by the membrane, the latter is allowed to collapse abruptly, so that the subsequent abrupt rush of liquid in the cylinder generates sound waves.
Inventors
- 👤 J Laurent
- 👤 P Magneville
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 08:55
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/02; G01V1/133
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for generating pressure waves in a liquid medium, comprising a hollow body immersed in the liquid medium for operation and having a wall and a closed bottom, means for introducing a fluid into the hollow body to remove the liquid medium from within the hollow body, a retractable sealing member associated with means for pressing the sealing member intermittently against the wall of the hollow body so as to effect a closure of the hollow body and seal the body from the surrounding liquid medium, and means for discharging the fluid introduced into the hollow body from a space inside the body between the bottom and the sealing member during the period when the sealing member effects the closure of the body, whereby upon retracting of the sealing member, the liquid medium surrounding the hollow body enters the hollow body for generating a pressure wave in the liquid medium.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
151 words
A device for generating pressure waves in a liquid medium, comprising a hollow body immersed in the liquid medium for operation and having a wall and a closed bottom, means for introducing a fluid into the hollow body to remove the liquid medium from within the hollow body, a retractable sealing member associated with means for pressing the sealing member intermittently against the wall of the hollow body so as to effect a closure of the hollow body and seal the body from the surrounding liquid medium, and means for discharging the fluid introduced into the hollow body from a space inside the body between the bottom and the sealing member during the period when the sealing member effects the closure of the body, whereby upon retracting of the sealing member, the liquid medium surrounding the hollow body enters the hollow body for generating a pressure wave in the liquid medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the sealing member is a flexible membrane forming an inflatable enclosure.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the means for intermittently pressing the membrane against the wall of the hollow body consists of a tube, a part of which, provided with orifices, penetrates in said enclosure, associated with means for compression and suction of the fluid contained in said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein said fluid is air.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the means for introducing fluid and the means for discharging fluid from the space includes a tube opening in said space and associated with means for compression and suction of said fluid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A device according to claim 5, wherein said fluid is air.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for generating pressure waves in a liquid medium, comprising a hollow body immersed in the liquid medium for operation, said hollow body having a closed bottom end portion, a wall portion extending therefrom and an open end portion open toward the liquid medium, a retractable sealing member arranged proximate to the open end portion for alternately closing and opening the open end portion, means for controlling said sealing member for intermittently pressing the sealing member against the wall portion of the body for closing the open end portion to seal the hollow body from the surrounding liquid medium; and means for establishing in the hollow body when closed by the sealing member a pressure which is substantially lower than that of the liquid medium surrounding the immersed body, whereby upon retracting of the sealing member, the surrounding liquid medium rushes into hollow body for impacting on the closed bottom end portion to generate a pressure wave in the liquid medium.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
162 words
A device for generating pressure waves in a liquid medium, comprising a hollow body immersed in the liquid medium for operation, said hollow body having a closed bottom end portion, a wall portion extending therefrom and an open end portion open toward the liquid medium, a retractable sealing member arranged proximate to the open end portion for alternately closing and opening the open end portion, means for controlling said sealing member for intermittently pressing the sealing member against the wall portion of the body for closing the open end portion to seal the hollow body from the surrounding liquid medium; and means for establishing in the hollow body when closed by the sealing member a pressure which is substantially lower than that of the liquid medium surrounding the immersed body, whereby upon retracting of the sealing member, the surrounding liquid medium rushes into hollow body for impacting on the closed bottom end portion to generate a pressure wave in the liquid medium.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the sealing member is a flexible membrane forming an inflatable enclosure.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
A device according to claim 8, wherein the means for intermittently pressing the membrane against the wall of the hollow body consists of a tube, a part of which is provided with orifices penetrating in said enclosure, associated with means for inflating and abruptly deflating the membrane through said tube.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A device according to claim 9, wherein the means for inflating and deflating the membrane is a pneumatic system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
60 words
A device according to claim 7, wherein the means for establishing a pressure substantially lower than that of the liquid medium consists of means for discharging a fluid into the hollow body for removing from the body the liquid medium and for sucking the fluid out of the hollow body when the sealing member closes the open end portion thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A device according to claim 11, wherein the means for discharging and sucking the fluid is a pneumatic circuit associated with a tube opening in said hollow body.
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) | 1976-11-05 | 1977-05-07 | 1977-11-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-11-05 | 1981-05-07 | 1981-11-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-11-05 | 1985-05-07 | 1985-11-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |