US4413331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Broad beam transducer
Assignee: Northrop Grumman Corp
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Filing: 1976-04-26
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Granted: 1983-11-01
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Expires: 1996-04-26
Abstract
Abstract A transducer made up of a plurality of piezoceramic tubes arranged in end to end relationship with elastomeric material between tubes. The tubes are poled and driven axially; however, the hoop mode of operation is utilized to obtain a fan-shaped beam extremely narrow in one direction and extremely broad in the direction perpendicular thereto. A suitable backing arrangement is provided for the transducer when mounted on a support body to prevent degradation of the beam pattern.
Inventors
- 👤 Linwood M. Rowe, Jr.
- 👤 Dale D. Skinner
- 👤 John H. Thompson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:26
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0622; B06B1/0633
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
132 words
Electroacoustic transducer apparatus comprising: (A) a carrier vehicle; (B) a plurality of tubular electrostrictive transducer elements carried by said vehicle and being axially arranged along, and all symmetrically disposed about, a common axis and all operable at the same radial resonant frequency; (C) isolation means separating adjacent ones of said elements for axially decoupling said elements from one another; (D) each said element including electrode means on the end surfaces thereof and being poled in said axial direction; (E) backing means positioned between said carrier vehicle and said plurality of elements to prevent unwanted reflections of acoustic energy and distortion of the beam pattern of said apparatus; (F) said backing means being an acoustic absorbing material; and (G) said backing means including an acoustic reflecting layer disposed over said acoustic absorbing material.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
132 words
Electroacoustic transducer apparatus comprising: (A) a carrier vehicle; (B) a plurality of tubular electrostrictive transducer elements carried by said vehicle and being axially arranged along, and all symmetrically disposed about, a common axis and all operable at the same radial resonant frequency; (C) isolation means separating adjacent ones of said elements for axially decoupling said elements from one another; (D) each said element including electrode means on the end surfaces thereof and being poled in said axial direction; (E) backing means positioned between said carrier vehicle and said plurality of elements to prevent unwanted reflections of acoustic energy and distortion of the beam pattern of said apparatus; (F) said backing means being an acoustic absorbing material; and (G) said backing means including an acoustic reflecting layer disposed over said acoustic absorbing material.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
Electroacoustic transducer apparatus comprising: (A) a carrier vehicle; (B) a plurality of tubular electrostrictive transducer elements carried by said vehicle and being axially arranged along, and all symmetrically disposed about, a common axis and all operable at the same radial resonant frequency; (C) isolation means separating adjacent ones of said elements for axially decoupling said elements from one another; (D) each said element including electrode means on the end surfaces thereof and being poled in said axial direction; (E) backing means positioned between said carrier vehicle and said plurality of elements to prevent unwanted reflections of acoustic energy and distortion of the beam pattern of said apparatus; (F) said backing means being an acoustic directional reflector; and (G) said reflector including an acoustic absorbing material covering the outside surface of said reflector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
Electroacoustic transducer apparatus comprising: (A) a carrier vehicle; (B) a plurality of tubular electrostrictive transducer elements carried by said vehicle and being axially arranged along, and all symmetrically disposed about, a common axis and all operable at the same radial resonant frequency; (C) isolation means separating adjacent ones of said elements for axially decoupling said elements from one another; (D) each said element including electrode means on the end surfaces thereof and being poled in said axial direction; (E) backing means positioned between said carrier vehicle and said plurality of elements to prevent unwanted reflections of acoustic energy and distortion of the beam pattern of said apparatus; (F) said backing means being an acoustic directional reflector; and (G) said reflector including an acoustic absorbing material covering the outside surface of said reflector.
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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) | 1986-10-31 | 1987-05-02 | 1987-11-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-10-31 | 1991-05-02 | 1991-11-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-10-31 | 1995-05-02 | 1995-11-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |