US4072871A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electroacoustic transducer
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1974-05-20
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Granted: 1978-02-07
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Expires: 1994-05-20
Abstract
Abstract A transducer for transmitting and/or receiving acoustic energy under water includes a head mass, a tail mass, and an active motor/generator section which includes piezoelectric elements active in the shear mode of operation. Another embodiment illustrates a transducer of a bender configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Charles R. Wilson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:03
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0611; B06B1/0618; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
116 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. a first support member coupled to said head mass; F. a second support member coupled to said tail mass; G. said first and second support members having shoulder portions for respective engagement with a first and second one of said piezoelectric rings; and H. a third support member common to both said first and second piezoelectric rings.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
116 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. a first support member coupled to said head mass; F. a second support member coupled to said tail mass; G. said first and second support members having shoulder portions for respective engagement with a first and second one of said piezoelectric rings; and H. a third support member common to both said first and second piezoelectric rings.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electro-acoustic transducer comprising: A. a cylindrical housing; B. first and second bender discs connected to said housing at opposite ends thereof and defining an interior; and C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said first and second bender discs, within said interior.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An electro-acoustic transducer comprising: A. a cylindrical housing; B. first and second bender discs connected to said housing at opposite ends thereof and defining an interior; and C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said first and second bender discs, within said interior.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electro-acoustic transducer comprising: A. first and second end sections spaced apart along a longitudinal axis; B. an outside wall extending between and coupled to said end sections; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between, said first and second end sections; D. said outside wall completely surrounding said longitudinal axis and said oscillatory material, and being curved from said first end section to said second end section.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
79 words
An electro-acoustic transducer comprising: A. first and second end sections spaced apart along a longitudinal axis; B. an outside wall extending between and coupled to said end sections; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between, said first and second end sections; D. said outside wall completely surrounding said longitudinal axis and said oscillatory material, and being curved from said first end section to said second end section.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. at least two of said plurality of piezoelectric rings being adjacent and spaced apart with an end planar surface of one facing an end planar surface of the other; F. electrode means connected to respective inner and outer surfaces of said plurality of piezoelectric rings; G. means connecting a first of said two piezoelectric rings to said head mass; H. means connecting the other of said two piezoelectric rings to said tail mass; and I. a support member common to both said two piezoelectric rings.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. at least two of said plurality of piezoelectric rings being adjacent and spaced apart with an end planar surface of one facing an end planar surface of the other; F. electrode means connected to respective inner and outer surfaces of said plurality of piezoelectric rings; G. means connecting a first of said two piezoelectric rings to said head mass; H. means connecting the other of said two piezoelectric rings to said tail mass; and I. a support member common to both said two piezoelectric rings.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. at least two of said plurality of piezoelectric rings being spaced apart and concentrically arranged with the inner surface of one facing the outer surface of the other; F. electrode means connected to respective inner and outer surfaces of said plurality of piezoelectric rings; G. means connecting a first of said two piezoelectric rings to said head mass; H. means connecting the other of said two piezoelectric rings to said tail mass; and I. a support member common to both said two piezoelectric rings.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
143 words
An electroacoustic transducer comprising: A. a head mass; B. a tail mass; C. piezoelectric type oscillatory material which is active in the shear mode of operation coupled to and supported between said head and tail masses; D. said oscillatory material being in the form of a plurality of piezoelectric rings each having inner, outer and end planar surfaces; E. at least two of said plurality of piezoelectric rings being spaced apart and concentrically arranged with the inner surface of one facing the outer surface of the other; F. electrode means connected to respective inner and outer surfaces of said plurality of piezoelectric rings; G. means connecting a first of said two piezoelectric rings to said head mass; H. means connecting the other of said two piezoelectric rings to said tail mass; and I. a support member common to both said two piezoelectric rings.
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) | 1981-02-06 | 1981-08-08 | 1982-02-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-02-06 | 1985-08-08 | 1986-02-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-02-06 | 1989-08-08 | 1990-02-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |