Patent US4384231A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4384231A
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Piezoelectric acoustic transducer with spherical lens
Assignee: Hitachi Ltd
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Filing: 1980-04-30
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Granted: 1983-05-17
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Expires: 2000-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic spherical lens wherein a hemispherical hole is formed from a bubble which appears owing to the expansion of resudual gases in a lens material employing silica, and the hemispherical hole is used as a lens surface.
Inventors
- 👤 Isao Ishikawa
- 👤 Hiroshi Kanda
- 👤 Toshio Kondo
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 19:30
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T29/00; Y10T29/42; Y10T29/49; Y10T29/49805; Y10T29/4981
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
74 words
An acoustic spherical lens comprising: propagating means for forming a solid acoustic energy propagating medium; and piezoelectric transducer means for generating acoustic energy disposed on one side of the propagating means, wherein the other side of the propagating means is provided with the shape of a concave spherical surface comprising a bubble surface formed by gaseous expansion in said propagating means and a taper surface except in the region of the concave spherical surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
74 words
An acoustic spherical lens comprising: propagating means for forming a solid acoustic energy propagating medium; and piezoelectric transducer means for generating acoustic energy disposed on one side of the propagating means, wherein the other side of the propagating means is provided with the shape of a concave spherical surface comprising a bubble surface formed by gaseous expansion in said propagating means and a taper surface except in the region of the concave spherical surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
An acoustic spherical lens according to claim 1, wherein said concave spherical surface is a hemispherical surface.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
An acoustic spherical lens according to claim 1, wherein said propagating medium is made of a material selected from the group consisting of silica, fused silica, quartz, glassy carbon, flint glass, Kovar glass, crown glass and T-40 glass.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
An acoustic spherical lens according to claim 1, wherein a diameter of said concave spherical surface is designed between 10 microns and 500 microns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An acoustic spherical lens according to claim 1, wherein a fluid acoustic energy propagating medium is filled between said solid acoustic energy propagating medium and an object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
An acoustic spherical lens according to claim 5, wherein said fluid medium is water.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1986-05-16 | 1986-11-15 | 1987-05-17 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-05-16 | 1990-11-15 | 1991-05-17 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-05-16 | 1994-11-15 | 1995-05-17 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |