US3884325A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Circuit for energizing piezoelectric crystal and detecting peak amplitude of a reflected signal
Assignee: Shell USA Inc
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Filing: 1974-01-14
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Granted: 1975-05-20
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Expires: 1994-01-14
Abstract
Abstract A circuit for exciting a piezoelectric transducer and detecting the peak amplitude of a reflected signal arriving after the transducer is excited.
Inventors
- 👤 Christopher S Cowles
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 06:23
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/0207; B06B1/0215; G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/40; G01V1/52; B06B2201/00; B06B2201/50; B06B2201/55; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/903
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
A circuit for exciting a piezoelectric transducer and detecting the peak amplitude of a reflected signal, said circuit comprising: a resonance circuit, said transducer being coupled to said resonance circuit; a signal source having a voltage of predetermined polarity; a diode circuit having a breakdown voltage in one direction that exceeds the peak amplitude of the reflected signal to be detected, said voltage drop being less than the amplitude of the signal source, said diode circuit coupling said signal source to said resonant circuit; and a capacitor, said capacitor being coupled to said resonant circuit by a blocking diode disposed to pass to said capacitor only signals having a polarity opposite that of said signal source.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
A circuit for exciting a piezoelectric transducer and detecting the peak amplitude of a reflected signal, said circuit comprising: a resonance circuit, said transducer being coupled to said resonance circuit; a signal source having a voltage of predetermined polarity; a diode circuit having a breakdown voltage in one direction that exceeds the peak amplitude of the reflected signal to be detected, said voltage drop being less than the amplitude of the signal source, said diode circuit coupling said signal source to said resonant circuit; and a capacitor, said capacitor being coupled to said resonant circuit by a blocking diode disposed to pass to said capacitor only signals having a polarity opposite that of said signal source.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The circuit of claim 1 where said signal source comprises a capacitor and switch means for discharging the capacitor to produce a voltage pulse in said resonant circuit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The circuit of claim 1 where said diode circuit comprises a zener diode whose breakdown voltage exceeds the peak amplitude of the reflected signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The circuit of claim 1 where said diode circuit comprises a series of diodes whose combined breakdown voltage exceeds the peak amplitude of the reflected signal.
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) | 1978-05-19 | 1978-11-18 | 1979-05-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-19 | 1982-11-18 | 1983-05-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-19 | 1986-11-18 | 1987-05-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |