US4145680A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic imaging system
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1977-10-18
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Granted: 1979-03-20
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Expires: 1997-10-18
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic imaging system for displaying an object viewed by a moving array of transducers as the array is pivoted about a fixed point within a given plane. A plurality of transducers are fixedly positioned and equally spaced within a laterally extending array and operatively directed to transmit and receive acoustic signals along substantially parallel transmission paths. The transducers are sequentially activated along the array to transmit and receive acoustic signals according to a preestablished sequence. Means are provided for generating output voltages for each reception of an acoustic signal, corresponding to the coordinate position of the object viewed as the array is pivoted. Receptions from each of the transducers are presented on the same display at coordinates corresponding to the actual position of the object viewed to form a plane view of the object scanned.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard W. Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 02:44
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; G10K11/355; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01N29/0645; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8909; G01S15/8915; G01S15/8918; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
An acoustic imaging system for displaying a viewed object comprising: a laterally extending array of a plurality of acoustic transducers respectively spaced at a known distance from a given point and directed to transmit and receive acoustic signals along preestablished transmission paths substantially parallel to a preselected plane; means for pivoting the array within the preselected plane about the given point; means for activating the transducers along the array to transmit and receive acoustic signals; means for generating output voltages for each respective reception of an acoustic signal corresponding to the coordinate position of the object viewed as the array is pivoted; and means for presenting the reception of each transducer on the same display at its corresponding coordinate position.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
An acoustic imaging system for displaying a viewed object comprising: a laterally extending array of a plurality of acoustic transducers respectively spaced at a known distance from a given point and directed to transmit and receive acoustic signals along preestablished transmission paths substantially parallel to a preselected plane; means for pivoting the array within the preselected plane about the given point; means for activating the transducers along the array to transmit and receive acoustic signals; means for generating output voltages for each respective reception of an acoustic signal corresponding to the coordinate position of the object viewed as the array is pivoted; and means for presenting the reception of each transducer on the same display at its corresponding coordinate position.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the means for activating the transducers sequentially activates the transducers along the array to transmit and receive acoustic signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imaging system of claim 1 including means for pivoting the array within a given plane substantially perpendicular to the preselected plane.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the transducers are spaced from the pivot point.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the transducers are equally spaced along the lateral extension of the array.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the means for generating output voltages establishes the coordinate position of the viewed object from the time of flight of the reception, the distance from the pivot point of the transducer receiving the signal and the corresponding angle of rotation about the pivot of the receiving transducer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The imaging system of claim 1 wherein the transducers are directed to transmit and receive acoustic signals along substantially parallel transmission paths.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3792423A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-03-19 | 1982-09-18 | 1983-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-03-19 | 1986-09-18 | 1987-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-03-19 | 1990-09-18 | 1991-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |