Patent US4321038A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3776361A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Acoustic lens
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1972-04-06
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Granted: 1973-12-04
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Expires: 1992-04-06
Abstract
Abstract An acoustical lens doublet of the type particularly useful for focusing sonic energy on the energy converter array of an electroacoustical transducer having image resolution powers that are substantially unaffected by varying temperatures and pressures ambient thereto is disclosed. Included therein is a rearward shell containing a low density polyethylene acoustically clear forward wall-hemispherical lens combination. A forward shell is telescopically mounted on the front end of said rearward shell, with the forward end of said forward shell having a thin low density polyethylene acoustically clear window located therein. An interface fluid, preferably consisting of a predetermined quantity of m-chloroanoline (ClC6H4NH2), is located under a predetermined pressure within a chamber effected between the forward ends of said rearward and forward shells, as a result of the telescopic relationship thereof.
Inventors
- 👤 A Rolle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 23:10
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
209 words
An acoustical lens, comprising in combinatIon: a first open-ended cylinder; a first acoustically clear wall integrally connected to one of the open ends of said first open-ended cylinder; an aperture centrally located within and through said first acoustically clear wall; a second acoustically clear wall, having a convexley curved configuration, integrally connected to said first acoustically clear wall around the periphery of said apertures; a second cylinder telescopically mounted in a fluid tight manner on and extending from that end of said first cylinder which is connected to said first acoustically clear wall; a third acoustically clear wall, having a first predetermined thickness near the periphery thereof and a second predetermined thickness that is less than said first predetermined thickness which forms a substantially circular acoustically clear window near the center thereof, integrally connected to the periphery of the extended end of said second cylinder in such manner as to be spatially disposed from said first acoustically clear wall and the larger curved surface of the aforesaid convexley curved second acoustically clear wall, thereby effecting a closed chamber therebetween; and an interface fluid, having an index of refraction that varies in an inverse proportion with that of water over a predetermined range of temperatures, disposed within said closed chamber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
209 words
An acoustical lens, comprising in combinatIon: a first open-ended cylinder; a first acoustically clear wall integrally connected to one of the open ends of said first open-ended cylinder; an aperture centrally located within and through said first acoustically clear wall; a second acoustically clear wall, having a convexley curved configuration, integrally connected to said first acoustically clear wall around the periphery of said apertures; a second cylinder telescopically mounted in a fluid tight manner on and extending from that end of said first cylinder which is connected to said first acoustically clear wall; a third acoustically clear wall, having a first predetermined thickness near the periphery thereof and a second predetermined thickness that is less than said first predetermined thickness which forms a substantially circular acoustically clear window near the center thereof, integrally connected to the periphery of the extended end of said second cylinder in such manner as to be spatially disposed from said first acoustically clear wall and the larger curved surface of the aforesaid convexley curved second acoustically clear wall, thereby effecting a closed chamber therebetween; and an interface fluid, having an index of refraction that varies in an inverse proportion with that of water over a predetermined range of temperatures, disposed within said closed chamber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 whrein said first, second, and third acoustically clear walls consist of a low density polyethylene material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said first acoustically clear wall has thickness of the order of 0.070 inches.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said second acoustically clear wall, having a convexley curved configuration, integrally connected to said first acoustically clear wall around the periphery of said aperture comprises a hemispherical acoustical lens.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
73 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said second acoustically clear wall having a convexley curved configuration, integrally connected to said first acoustically clear wall around the periphery of said aperture comprises a low density polyethylene acoustical lens having a thickness of the order of 0.070 inches and a radius of curvature of such dimension as to refract acoustical energy passing therethrough and focus it at a spot having a predetermined focal length therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
110 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said third acoustically clear wall, having a first predetermined thickness near the periphery thereof and a second predetermined thickness that is less than said first predetermined thickness which forms a substantially circular acoustically clear window near the center thereof, integrally connected to the periphery of the extended one of said second cylinder in such manner as to be spatially disposed from said first acoustically clear wall and the larger curved surface of the aforesaid convexley curved second acoustically clear wall, thereby effecting a closed chamber therebetween, comprises an acoustical lens with the window portion thereof having a thickness of the order of 0.025 inches.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
The device of claim 1, wherein said interface fluid, having an index of refraction that varies in an inverse proportion with that of water over a predetermined range of temperatures, disposed within said closed chamber comprises ClC6H4NH2.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
54 words
The invention of claim 1, further characterized by: a groove extending around the inner surface periphery of said second cylinder; and a resilient O-ring located in said groove in such manner as to be urged thereagainst and against the outer surface of said first cylinder, so as to thereby effect a fluid-tight seal therebetween.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
The invention of claim 1, further characterized by: a threaded filler hole extending through the longitudinal wall of said second cylinder; and a threaded plug screwed into the aforesaid filler hole.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
45 words
The invention of claim 1, further characterized by a fourth acoustically clear wall connected to the end of said first cylinder that is opposite said first and second acoustically clear walls in such manner as to effect another closed chamber therebetween within said first cylinder.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention of claim 10, further characterized by an acoustical energy conducting and refracting fluid disposed within said another closed chamber.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 11, wherein said acoustical energy conducting fluid disposed within said another closed chamber comprises a fluid having predetermined sound velocity-temperature characteristics.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
146 words
The invention of claim 1, further characterized by: a first flange connected to the outside diameter of said first cylinder at the end thereof opposite said first and second acoustically clear walls; a first plurality of bolt holes extending through and around said first flange, the axes of which are parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of said first cylinder; a second flange connected to the outside diameter of said second cylinder at the end thereof opposite said third acoustically clear wall; and a second plurality of bolt holes of like number as said first plurality of bolt holes extending through and around said second flange, the axes of which are parallel to each other and the longitudinal axis of said second cylinder, and the axes of which are respectively in alignment with the axes of the aforesaid first plurality of bolt holes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention of claim 13, further characterized by means respectively extending through said first and second pluralities of bolt holes for the securing of said first and second flanges in a fixed relationship together.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
39 words
The invention of claim 13, further characterized by means respectively extending through said first and second pluralities of bolt holes for securing said first and second flanges in fixed relationship together and to the housing of an electroacoustical transducer.
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) | 1976-12-03 | 1977-06-04 | 1977-12-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-12-03 | 1981-06-04 | 1981-12-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-12-03 | 1985-06-04 | 1985-12-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |