US4260928A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electro-acoustic transducer with horn and reflector
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1978-11-09
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Granted: 1981-04-07
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Expires: 1998-11-09
Abstract
Abstract An electrical-acoustical ultrasonic transducer horn arrangement for operating in a transmit or receive mode at a predetermined frequency (f c ) is described. The transducer horn arrangement includes a horn and an acoustical coupling means positioned within the horn for coupling acoustical energy between the horn and a limited area of a vibratory surface of the transducer.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert J. Salem
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 20:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04R; H04R1/00; H04R1/20; H04R1/32; H04R1/34; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/02; G10K11/025; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
An improved electrical-acoustical transducer and horn arrangement comprising: a. an electrical-acoustical transducer having a vibratory surface thereof and having a characteristic whereby electrical/acoustical transduction is accomplished relatively more efficiently over a limited segment of area of the vibratory surface than over other areas of the surface; b. said transducer adapted to vibrate said surface at an ultrasonic frequency (f c ) responsive to an electrical signal applied thereto and to generate an electrical signal at a frequency (f c ) responsive to acoustical energy incident on said surface; c. an elongated conically shaped horn body having a first aperture thereof; d. means positioning said vibratory surface adjacent said first aperture; and e. acoustical coupling means positioned within the horn body for coupling acoustical energy between the horn and the limited segment area of the vibratory surface and including reflective means having a focal point in the limited segment area.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
An improved electrical-acoustical transducer and horn arrangement comprising: a. an electrical-acoustical transducer having a vibratory surface thereof and having a characteristic whereby electrical/acoustical transduction is accomplished relatively more efficiently over a limited segment of area of the vibratory surface than over other areas of the surface; b. said transducer adapted to vibrate said surface at an ultrasonic frequency (f c ) responsive to an electrical signal applied thereto and to generate an electrical signal at a frequency (f c ) responsive to acoustical energy incident on said surface; c. an elongated conically shaped horn body having a first aperture thereof; d. means positioning said vibratory surface adjacent said first aperture; and e. acoustical coupling means positioned within the horn body for coupling acoustical energy between the horn and the limited segment area of the vibratory surface and including reflective means having a focal point in the limited segment area.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 1 wherein said reflective means is spaced apart from said vibratory surface by a distance of (λ c /4) where λ c is the wavelength of acoustical energy at the frequency (f c ).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 2 wherein said vibratory surface is planar.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 1 wherein said transducer comprises a piezoelectric transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 1 wherein said reflective means comprises a reflective body and means for supporting said reflective body in said horn.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 5 wherein said horn body includes a frusto-conically shaped segment.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 6 wherein said reflective body includes a concave surface positioned for reflecting acoustical energy projected or reflected from said vibratory surface toward said vibratory surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 7 wherein said concave surface comprises a segment of a hollow sphere.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 7 wherein said frusto-conically shaped segment has a plurality of slots spaced about said segment and said reflective body support means includes a plurality of support legs extending from said reflective body and engaging said slots.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 9 wherein said legs are integrally formed with said reflective body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 9 wherein said horn body includes a surface thereof and said support legs include segments for engaging said surface for spacing said reflective body a predetermined distance from said vibratory surface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The transducer and horn arrangement of claim 5 wherein said horn body has a longitudinal axis, said vibratory surface is circular, said limited area of said vibratory surface is centrally located and said vibratory surface and said reflective body is concentrically located with respect to said axis.
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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) | 1984-04-06 | 1984-10-06 | 1985-04-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1988-04-06 | 1988-10-06 | 1989-04-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1992-04-06 | 1992-10-06 | 1993-04-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |