US4309576A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Listening device for localizing underground water leakages
Assignee: Heath Consultants Inc
•
Filing: 1979-07-16
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Granted: 1982-01-05
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Expires: 1999-07-16
Abstract
Abstract A listening device for pinpointing water leakages, which includes a manually operated rod having a handle at one end for manually positioning of the listening device. An acoustic pick-up apparatus is mounted on the other end of the rod, and it comprises a ceramic audio tone transducer which is operatively connected to an amplifier-receiver which has a level meter on which visual leak signals may be seen. The acoustic pick-up apparatus is also connected to a head phone set to allow hearing of the leaks. The transducer includes a brass diaphragm directly attached to a threaded stud for mounting in the rod.
Inventors
- 👤 James E. Corrigan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 14:46
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M3/00; G01M3/02; G01M3/04; G01M3/24; G01M3/243; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/91; Y10S73/00; Y10S73/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A listening device for pinpointing undergound water leakage sounds, and which includes an elongated rod with a handle on one end for manual positioning of the listening device, and which includes an acoustic pick-up means, on the other end of the rod, which is connected to an amplifier-receiver that receives the leakage sounds from the pick-up means and visual leakage signals may be seen on a level meter on the amplifier-receiver, and the leakage sounds may be heard through head-phones connected to the amplifier-receiver, characterized in that: (a) the acoustic pick-up means comprises a ceramic audio tone transducer; (b) the ceramic audio tone transducer comprises a brass diaphragm which is bonded to a metallized piezo-ceramic wafer by a conductive bonding agent; (c) the brass diaphragm and metallized piezo-ceramic wafers are each circular in plan view, with the brass diaphragm having a larger diameter; (d) a threaded attachment stud is directly attached to the brass diaphragm for attaching the acoustic pick-up means to said other end of said elongated rod; and, (e) the assembly of the brass diaphragm and metallized piezo-ceramic wafer is potted in a waterproof elastomeric material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A listening device for pinpointing undergound water leakage sounds, and which includes an elongated rod with a handle on one end for manual positioning of the listening device, and which includes an acoustic pick-up means, on the other end of the rod, which is connected to an amplifier-receiver that receives the leakage sounds from the pick-up means and visual leakage signals may be seen on a level meter on the amplifier-receiver, and the leakage sounds may be heard through head-phones connected to the amplifier-receiver, characterized in that: (a) the acoustic pick-up means comprises a ceramic audio tone transducer; (b) the ceramic audio tone transducer comprises a brass diaphragm which is bonded to a metallized piezo-ceramic wafer by a conductive bonding agent; (c) the brass diaphragm and metallized piezo-ceramic wafers are each circular in plan view, with the brass diaphragm having a larger diameter; (d) a threaded attachment stud is directly attached to the brass diaphragm for attaching the acoustic pick-up means to said other end of said elongated rod; and, (e) the assembly of the brass diaphragm and metallized piezo-ceramic wafer is potted in a waterproof elastomeric material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
A listening device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: the elastomeric waterproof material comprises a urethane rubber.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A listening device as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: (a) a first output lead wire has one end connected to the brass diaphragm, and the other end to the amplifier-receiver; (b) a second output lead wire has one end connected to the piezo-ceramic wafer and the other end to the amplifier-receiver; and, (c) said first and second output lead wires have a resistor connected therebetween in parallel with the brass diaphragm and piezo-ceramic wafer.
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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) | 1985-01-04 | 1985-07-06 | 1986-01-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-01-04 | 1989-07-06 | 1990-01-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-01-04 | 1993-07-06 | 1994-01-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |