US3783967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Focusing protective enclosure for ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: United States Department of Health and Human Services
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Filing: 1972-02-24
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Granted: 1974-01-08
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Expires: 1992-02-24
Abstract
Abstract Disclosed is an enclosure for ultrasonic transducers that can either project a narrow beam of energy or receive energy within a narrow cone of angles and also protect the transducer from damage. The enclosure defines an opening that is covered with a screen mesh that permits ingress and egress of wave energy. Within the enclosure the wave energy is subjected to a plurality of reflections from conically shaped reflective surfaces that provide optical shielding for the transducer, yet maintain the planar wave characteristics. An embodiment is disclosed that passes the wave energy through a honeycomb structure to further enhance directional properties. The subject enclosure can be used as a transmitter of wave energy or a directional receiver of wave energy.
Inventors
- 👤 E Apgar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:24
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
Wave energy focusing apparatus for focusing wave energy and comprising: a housing means defining an opening; a plurality of reflector surfaces within said housing means that are radially symmetrical about a center axis and focus propagating wave energy into a beam parallel to the axis by subjecting the energy to a plurality of reflections from said reflector surfaces; and transducer means at a focal plane within said housing means; each of said reflector surfaces being concentric and having a conical reflecting surface arranged to reflect wave energy transmitted parallel to the center axis accurately from one set of reflector surfaces to another with a mininum loss of wave energy; and each of said reflector surfaces being disposed at an angle of 45* with respect to said center axis.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
Wave energy focusing apparatus for focusing wave energy and comprising: a housing means defining an opening; a plurality of reflector surfaces within said housing means that are radially symmetrical about a center axis and focus propagating wave energy into a beam parallel to the axis by subjecting the energy to a plurality of reflections from said reflector surfaces; and transducer means at a focal plane within said housing means; each of said reflector surfaces being concentric and having a conical reflecting surface arranged to reflect wave energy transmitted parallel to the center axis accurately from one set of reflector surfaces to another with a mininum loss of wave energy; and each of said reflector surfaces being disposed at an angle of 45* with respect to said center axis.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said apparatus further includes a plurality of walls parallel to said axis and defining a plurality of passages parallel to said axis.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein the geometry of said transducer means and said opening relative to said reflecting surfaces and parallel passages is arranged such that the focusing effect occurs with equal efficiency for wave motion in either dIrection of transmitting and receiving.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said walls comprise a sound absorbent material.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising mesh means across said opening and other openings through which the wave energy passes.
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) | 1977-01-07 | 1977-07-09 | 1978-01-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-01-07 | 1981-07-09 | 1982-01-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-01-07 | 1985-07-09 | 1986-01-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |