US3812345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic strain transducing system
Assignee: Honeywell Inc
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Filing: 1972-04-19
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Granted: 1974-05-21
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Expires: 1992-04-19
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic strain transducing system has a hollow shell with a reference surface therein, the shell being positioned in a hole in a body in which the strain is to be measured. A crystal driven by electronic circuitry produces acoustical wave energy which is reflected back to the crystal by the reference surface. Motion of the reference surface in response to strain occurring in the body causes the crystal to change its complex electrical impedance which is sensed by the electronic circuit to provide an indication of the strain occurring.
Inventors
- 👤 A Stone
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 01:52
CPC Classifications
B; B61; B61L; B61L1/00; B61L1/02; B61L1/025; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
169 words
A strain transducing system for providing a conditioned signal indicative of strain in a first body by use of acoustical standing wave energy which comprises: acoustic transducer means to propagate direct acoustical wave energy located in a second body, a reference surface located in said second body which is placed in motion with respect to said acoustic transducer means in response to alterations of strain occurring within said first body, said reference surface capable of and positioned to reflect said direct acoustical wave energy to thereby provide reflected acoustical wave energy impinging on said acoustic transducer means resulting in substantially a standing wave pattern having a complex acoustic impedance associated therewith loading said acoustic transducer means, whereby said motion causes a corresponding change in a complex electrical impedance characterizing said acoustic transducer means through a corresponding change in said complex acoustical impedance, and circuit means operably connecTed to said acoustic transducer means to provide a first signal representing changes of said complex electrical impedance of said acoustic transducer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
169 words
A strain transducing system for providing a conditioned signal indicative of strain in a first body by use of acoustical standing wave energy which comprises: acoustic transducer means to propagate direct acoustical wave energy located in a second body, a reference surface located in said second body which is placed in motion with respect to said acoustic transducer means in response to alterations of strain occurring within said first body, said reference surface capable of and positioned to reflect said direct acoustical wave energy to thereby provide reflected acoustical wave energy impinging on said acoustic transducer means resulting in substantially a standing wave pattern having a complex acoustic impedance associated therewith loading said acoustic transducer means, whereby said motion causes a corresponding change in a complex electrical impedance characterizing said acoustic transducer means through a corresponding change in said complex acoustical impedance, and circuit means operably connecTed to said acoustic transducer means to provide a first signal representing changes of said complex electrical impedance of said acoustic transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first body is a railroad rail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
54 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first signal is applied to an input of a signal selector whereby components of said first signal having a rate of change less than a cut-off value are substantially removed from said first signal to thereby provide at an output of said signal selector said conditioned signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said acoustic transducer means includes a piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 3 wherein said conditioned signal is applied to an input of a threshold device whereby a second signal is provided on an output of said threshold device whenever said condition signal has an amplitude satisfying a set of predetermined conditions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said first body is a railroad rail having a hole therein and said second body is a shell structure which is positioned in said hole in a slight interference fit to thereby be compressed upon the imposition of strain in said first body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
53 words
The system of claim 6 wherein said first signal is applied to an input of a signal selector whereby components of said first signal having a rate of change less than a cutoff value are removed from said first signal to thereby provide at an output of said signal selector said condition signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said conditioned signal is applied to an input of a thresehold device whereby a second signal is provided on an output of said threshold device whenever said condition signal has an amplitude satisfying a set of predetermined conditions.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
138 words
A strain transducer to indicate strain in a first body, for use in a strain detection system which detects an output of said strain transducer, by use of acoustical standing wave energy, said transducer comprising: acoustic transducer means to propagate direct acoustical wave energy located in a second body, and a reference surface located in said second body which is placed in motion with respect to said acoustic transducer means in response to alterations of strain occurring within said first body, said reference surface capable of and positioned to reflect direct acoustical wave energy to thereby provide reflected acoustical wave energy impinging on said acoustic transducer means resulting in substantially a standing wave pattern having a complex acoustic impedance associated therewith loading said acoustic transducer means, whereby said motion causes a corresponding change in said complex acoustical impedance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
138 words
A strain transducer to indicate strain in a first body, for use in a strain detection system which detects an output of said strain transducer, by use of acoustical standing wave energy, said transducer comprising: acoustic transducer means to propagate direct acoustical wave energy located in a second body, and a reference surface located in said second body which is placed in motion with respect to said acoustic transducer means in response to alterations of strain occurring within said first body, said reference surface capable of and positioned to reflect direct acoustical wave energy to thereby provide reflected acoustical wave energy impinging on said acoustic transducer means resulting in substantially a standing wave pattern having a complex acoustic impedance associated therewith loading said acoustic transducer means, whereby said motion causes a corresponding change in said complex acoustical impedance.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first body is a railroad rail.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
The system of claim 9 wherein said first body is a railroad rail having a hole therein and said second body is a shell structure which is positioned in said hole in a slight interference fit to thereby be compressed upon the imposition of strain in said first body.
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) | 1977-05-20 | 1977-11-19 | 1978-05-21 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-05-20 | 1981-11-19 | 1982-05-21 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-05-20 | 1985-11-19 | 1986-05-21 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |