US3992693A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Underwater transducer and projector therefor
Assignee: Bendix Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-04
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Granted: 1976-11-16
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Expires: 1992-12-04
Abstract
Abstract An underwater transducer having both projector and hydrophone elements utilizes a new technique permitting the annular projector rings of a given piezoelectric material and resonant frequency to be tailored in diameter to accommodate various requirements, such as a need for more interior space. Where the projector rings can be expanded to the diameter of an accompanying hydrophone array, this makes possible a more compact and, in particular, a shorter structure than has been used for transducers of similar capability before. In the transducer the projector rings are positioned axially along a central support tube alternating with the hydrophones arranged in annular groups. Each projector ring is formed of a plurality of segments of alternately active material and inactive material having a sound velocity differing from (usually faster than) that of the active material. Thus the diameter of the annular elements for a given active material and a desired resonant frequency may be varied since the resonant frequency is related to the velocity of sound in the composite material used in the elements.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph E. Martin
- 👤 Gene Zilinskas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:55
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
124 words
An underwater transducer for projecting and receiving acoustic signals comprising: a container of generally cylindrical configuration containing electronic equipment; a plurality of annular spacers of flexible material around the outside of said container and axially spaced from each other, each of said spacers having a plurality of outwardly facing recesses positioned around its periphery; a group of piezoelectric hydrophone elements positioned in said recesses; a plurality of annular projector elements spaced from said container and supported on said spacers, said projector elements being axially spaced from each other alternately with said groups of hydrophone elements, each said projector element comprising a plurality of alternate segments of active piezoelectric material and other material having a sound velocity greater than that of said active piezoelectric material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
124 words
An underwater transducer for projecting and receiving acoustic signals comprising: a container of generally cylindrical configuration containing electronic equipment; a plurality of annular spacers of flexible material around the outside of said container and axially spaced from each other, each of said spacers having a plurality of outwardly facing recesses positioned around its periphery; a group of piezoelectric hydrophone elements positioned in said recesses; a plurality of annular projector elements spaced from said container and supported on said spacers, said projector elements being axially spaced from each other alternately with said groups of hydrophone elements, each said projector element comprising a plurality of alternate segments of active piezoelectric material and other material having a sound velocity greater than that of said active piezoelectric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An underwater transducer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said segments are bonded together with electrodes on the bonded surfaces of said active segments.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A underwater transducer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said active material is barium titanate and said other material is alumina.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An underwater transducer as set forth in claim 1 wherein said electronic equipment includes a transmitter connected to said projectors and receiving means connected to said hydrophone elements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
152 words
An underwater transducer for projecting and receiving acoustic signals comprising: a core section comprising a metal container of generally cylindrical configuration, said section containing electronic transmitting and receiving equipment; a plurality of annular spacers of flexible material around the outside of said container and axially spaced from each other, each of said spacers including a plurality of recesses positioned around its periphery; a group of piezoelectric hydrophone elements positioned in the recesses of each of said spacers; a plurality of annular projector elements spaced from said container and supported on said spacers, said projector elements being axially spaced from each other alternately with said groups of hydrophone elements, each said projector element comprising a plurality of alternate segments of active piezoelectric material and inactive material having a sound velocity greater than that of the active material, said segments being bonded together and with electrodes on the bonded surfaces of said active segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
152 words
An underwater transducer for projecting and receiving acoustic signals comprising: a core section comprising a metal container of generally cylindrical configuration, said section containing electronic transmitting and receiving equipment; a plurality of annular spacers of flexible material around the outside of said container and axially spaced from each other, each of said spacers including a plurality of recesses positioned around its periphery; a group of piezoelectric hydrophone elements positioned in the recesses of each of said spacers; a plurality of annular projector elements spaced from said container and supported on said spacers, said projector elements being axially spaced from each other alternately with said groups of hydrophone elements, each said projector element comprising a plurality of alternate segments of active piezoelectric material and inactive material having a sound velocity greater than that of the active material, said segments being bonded together and with electrodes on the bonded surfaces of said active segments.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-16 | 1980-05-17 | 1980-11-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-16 | 1984-05-17 | 1984-11-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-16 | 1988-05-17 | 1988-11-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |