Patent US4155065A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4155065A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optic scattering acoustic transducer
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1977-09-12
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Granted: 1979-05-15
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Expires: 1997-09-12
Abstract
Abstract An omnidirectional hydrophone using particles suspended in a liquid acoustically coupled to a conducting environment for detecting acoustic waves by providing scattering of internally generated electromagnetic radiation from particles driven by the acoustic waves.
Inventors
- 👤 Morton Stimler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:11
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H9/00; G01S; G01S1/00; G01S1/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 61
Claim 1
Independent Claim
52 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium, comprising: a closed particle system discrete from the conducting medium; compliant diaphragm for acoustically coupling the particle system with the conducting medium; a source projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation into the system; and, a detector sensitive to backscatter of the coherent beam.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
52 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium, comprising: a closed particle system discrete from the conducting medium; compliant diaphragm for acoustically coupling the particle system with the conducting medium; a source projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation into the system; and, a detector sensitive to backscatter of the coherent beam.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein the system is a dispersion of particles not less then 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein said means comprises a compliant diaphragm having opposed surfaces in contact with a different one of the medium and the system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer set forth in claim 3 wherein the beam is normal to the diaphragm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 4 wherein the detector is sensitive to backscatter occurring within one degree of an 180° angle of observation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
76 words
A transducer deployable in a dynamic acoustically conducting medium, comprising: coupling means exposed to the conducting medium; a closed particle system limiting the speed of propagation of acoustic waves to a value less than the speed of propagation of acoustic waves in the conducting medium, acoustically coupled to the medium only via the coupling means; a source projecting a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation into the system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
A transducer deployable in a dynamic acoustically conducting medium, comprising: coupling means exposed to the conducting medium; a closed particle system limiting the speed of propagation of acoustic waves to a value less than the speed of propagation of acoustic waves in the conducting medium, acoustically coupled to the medium only via the coupling means; a source projecting a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation into the system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the system is a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the system is comprised of of particles having diameters within one order of magnitude of one micron.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the coupling means defines a plane and the beam is normal to the plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein the particle system restricts the speed of acoustic waves in the system to a value less than the speed of acoustic waves in the conducting medium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 9 wherein the detector is positioned to respond to backscatter occurring within one degree of an 180° angle of observation.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer set forth in claim 11 wherein the beam is comprised of monochromatic light.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein the particle system is comprised of sea water with a colloid of particles having diameters less than ten microns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
34 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the particle system restricts the speed of acoustic waves in the system to between one-half and two-thirds of the speed of acoustic waves in the medium.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer set forth in claim 11 wherein the detector comprises at least one photovoltaic cell.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
98 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a closed particle system filling the cavity; the particle system limiting the speed of propagation of acoustic waves to a value less than the speed of propagation of acoustic waves in the conducting medium; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating a liquid phase of the conducting medium from the system; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
98 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a closed particle system filling the cavity; the particle system limiting the speed of propagation of acoustic waves to a value less than the speed of propagation of acoustic waves in the conducting medium; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating a liquid phase of the conducting medium from the system; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein the particle system is a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the system is comprised of particles having diameters within one order of magnitude of one micron.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the source is positioned opposite the acoustic coupling.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the acoustic coupling defines a plane having opposed surfaces exposed to the medium and the system, and the beam is normal to the plane.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transducer set forth in claim 20 wherein the particle system is comprised of particles having diameters of about 1.2 microns.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1 wherein the particle system is comprised of sea water.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the particle system is comprised of a colloid of particles having diameters less than ten microns.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
33 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the particle system restricts the speed of acoustic waves in the system to between one-half and two-thirds of the speed of the passing acoustic waves.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein particles in the particle system are selected from the group consisting of ceramic, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, latex, or clay.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the particle system is comprised of an emulsion of immiscible liquids.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the particle system comprises a mixture of solid particles uniformly distributed in a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the particle system comprises a mixture of solid particles uniformly distributed in a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the detector comprises at least one photovoltaic cell.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
39 words
The transducer set forth in claim 6 wherein the particle system propagates acoustic waves impingent upon the acoustic coupling, as transverse waves having velocities of propagation between one-half and two-thirds of the velocities of progagation of the acoustic waves.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transducer set forth in claim 16 wherein the particle system propagates acoustic waves impingent upon the acoustic coupling, as transverse waves having velocities of propagation between one-half and two-thirds of the velocities of propagation of the passing acoustic waves.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1, wherein the closed particle system comprises a mixture of solid particles uniformly distributed in a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1, wherein the particle system has an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
23 words
The transducer set forth in claim 33 wherein the particle system is a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer set forth in claim 1, wherein the particle system propagates acoustic waves impingent upon the means for acoustically coupling, as transverse waves having velocities of propagation between one-half and two-thirds of the velocities of propagation of the impingent acoustic waves.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
80 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium, comprising: a rigid container; a particle system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium; a complient diaphragm for enclosing the particle system within the rigid container; the particle system being acoustically coupled to the conducting medium only via the a complient diaphragm; a source projecting a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation into the particle system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
80 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium, comprising: a rigid container; a particle system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium; a complient diaphragm for enclosing the particle system within the rigid container; the particle system being acoustically coupled to the conducting medium only via the a complient diaphragm; a source projecting a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation into the particle system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
86 words
A transducer deployed in a dynamic acoustically conducting medium comprising: coupling means defining a plane, exposed to the medium; a particle system where the speed of acoustic waves is between one-half and two-thirds of speed of acoustic waves in the medium, acoustically coupled to the medium only via the coupling means; a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation projecting a beam normal to the plane into the system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam occurring within one degree of an 180° angle of observation.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
86 words
A transducer deployed in a dynamic acoustically conducting medium comprising: coupling means defining a plane, exposed to the medium; a particle system where the speed of acoustic waves is between one-half and two-thirds of speed of acoustic waves in the medium, acoustically coupled to the medium only via the coupling means; a source of coherent electromagnetic radiation projecting a beam normal to the plane into the system; and a detector responsive to backscatter of the beam occurring within one degree of an 180° angle of observation.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 37 wherein the particle system is comprised of a colloid of particles having diameters less than ten microns.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer set forth in claim 37 wherein the particle system is comprised of a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer set forth in claim 37 wherein the particle system is comprised of an emulsion of immiscible liquids.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 37 wherein particles in the particle system are selected from the group consisting of ceramic, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, latex, or clay.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer set forth in claim 37 wherein the particle system comprises a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
92 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a particle system filling the cavity; the particle system limiting the speed of acoustic waves in the system to between one-half and two-thirds of the speed of the passing acoustic waves; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating the conducting medium from the particle system; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means repsonsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
92 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a particle system filling the cavity; the particle system limiting the speed of acoustic waves in the system to between one-half and two-thirds of the speed of the passing acoustic waves; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating the conducting medium from the particle system; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means repsonsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 43 wherein the particle system is comprised of a colloid of particles having diameters less than ten microns.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer set forth in claim 43 wherein the particle system is comprised of a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer set forth in claim 43 wherein the particle system is comprised of an emulsion of immiscible liquids.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 43 wherein particles in the particle system are selected from the group consisting of ceramic, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, latex, or clay.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer set forth in claim 43 wherein the particle system comprises a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
100 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a particle system filling the cavity; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating the conducting medium from the particle system; the particle system propagating passing acoustic waves impingent upon the acoustic coupling, as transverse waves having velocities of propagation between one-half and two-thirds of the velocities of propagation of the passing acoustic waves; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
100 words
A transducer deployable in an acoustically conducting medium for providing response to passing acoustic waves, comprising: a housing having an orifice opening into an interior cavity; a particle system filling the cavity; an acoustic coupling at the orifice separating the conducting medium from the particle system; the particle system propagating passing acoustic waves impingent upon the acoustic coupling, as transverse waves having velocities of propagation between one-half and two-thirds of the velocities of propagation of the passing acoustic waves; a source in the cavity projecting a coherent beam of electromagnetic radiation; and detector means responsive to backscatter of the beam.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transducer set forth in claim 49 wherein the particle system is comprised of a colloid of particles having diameters less than ten microns.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer set forth in claim 49 wherein the particle system is comprised of a dispersion of particles not less than 0.25 microns in diameter.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer set forth in claim 49 wherein the particle system is comprised of an emulsion of immiscible liquids.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer set forth in claim 49 wherein particles in the particle system are selected from the group consisting of ceramic, polystyrene, polymethylmethacrylate, latex, or clay.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer set forth in claim 49 wherein the particle system comprises a dispersion medium, the system having an index of refraction greater than the index of refraction of the conducting medium.
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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) | 1982-05-14 | 1982-11-13 | 1983-05-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-05-14 | 1986-11-13 | 1987-05-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-05-14 | 1990-11-13 | 1991-05-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |