US3905235A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic device for measuring rotation rates
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1973-12-03
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Granted: 1975-09-16
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Expires: 1993-12-03
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic sensing device for measuring the angular velocity of a spherical body; preferably comprised of at least one input transducer and at least one output transducer. The acoustic wave column traverses the periphery of the spherical body from the input transducer to the output transducer when the spherical body is rotated. The rate of rotation is determined by the output signal received by the output transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Herbert J Shaw
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 08:59
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01P; G01P3/00; G01P3/42; G01P3/44
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
173 words
An acoustic sensing device for measuring the angular velocity of a rotating spherical body comprising: a. at least one input transducer; b. at least one output transducer; c. a housing radially encompassing and spaced from the periphery of said spherical body; d. said input transducer and said output transducer located in said housing respectively at first and second positions; e. the outer surface of said spherical body comprising piezoelectric material; f. first means for applying RF energy to said input transducer; g. second means for detecting RF signals sensed by said output transducer; whereby h. said RF energy applied to said input transducer results in RF electric fields in the space immediately surrounding said input transducer that couple with said piezoelectric material adjacent said first position that causes the formation of an acoustic wave that propagates towards the interior of said spherical body and impinges upon said piezoelectric material of said spherical body adjacent said second position that is sensed by said output transducer thereby denoting the angular velocity of said spherical body.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
173 words
An acoustic sensing device for measuring the angular velocity of a rotating spherical body comprising: a. at least one input transducer; b. at least one output transducer; c. a housing radially encompassing and spaced from the periphery of said spherical body; d. said input transducer and said output transducer located in said housing respectively at first and second positions; e. the outer surface of said spherical body comprising piezoelectric material; f. first means for applying RF energy to said input transducer; g. second means for detecting RF signals sensed by said output transducer; whereby h. said RF energy applied to said input transducer results in RF electric fields in the space immediately surrounding said input transducer that couple with said piezoelectric material adjacent said first position that causes the formation of an acoustic wave that propagates towards the interior of said spherical body and impinges upon said piezoelectric material of said spherical body adjacent said second position that is sensed by said output transducer thereby denoting the angular velocity of said spherical body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: a. said input transducer has a wide aperture and generates an acoustic columned beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: a. said input transducer has a narrow aperture and generates a radially diverging acoustic beam.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
The device of claim 3 wherein: a. said second means is a phase detector device having first and second inputs; b. the output of said first means being connected to said first input and the output of said output transducer connected to said second input.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein: a. said input transducer has a columated beam whose direction of propagation is a function of input frequency.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 5 wherein: a. said first means ia a variable frequency RF generator; and b. said second means is a frequency detector.
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) | 1978-09-15 | 1979-03-17 | 1979-09-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-15 | 1983-03-17 | 1983-09-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-15 | 1987-03-17 | 1987-09-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |