Patent US892765A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4435985A
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US
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Acoustic coupling device
Assignee: NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Corp 66-74 VICTORIA ST LONDON SW1 ENGLAND BRITISH CORP
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Filing: 1982-04-15
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Granted: 1984-03-13
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Expires: 2002-04-15
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic coupling device for use in a scanning acoustic microscope consists of an acoustic lens which has a concave focusing surface, and an acoustic coupler having a convex surface on which a convergent beam of acoustic radiation is normally incident. The coupler has a coupling surface which conforms to the shape of a test object; the coupler may be disposable. The spacing between the concave and convex surfaces may be varied to give a variable-focus device.
Inventors
- 👤 Hemantha K. Wickramasinghe
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 20:23
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/22; G01N29/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An acoustic coupling device comprising: an acoustic lens arranged to provide a convergent beam of acoustic radiation; and an acoustic coupler having adjacent and spaced from the acoustic lens a convex surface over which the convergent beam of radiation is incident in an approximately normal direction, the coupler having opposite the convex surface a coupling surface which conforms to the surface of an object to be investigated and the beam converging beyond said coupling surface; there being between the acoustic lens and the acoustic coupler a first coupling liquid such that the ratio of the velocity of sound in the acoustic lens and the velocity of sound in the liquid is greater than 3, the device also having between the acoustic coupler and the object a layer of a second, low acoustic loss, coupling liquid.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An acoustic coupling device comprising: an acoustic lens arranged to provide a convergent beam of acoustic radiation; and an acoustic coupler having adjacent and spaced from the acoustic lens a convex surface over which the convergent beam of radiation is incident in an approximately normal direction, the coupler having opposite the convex surface a coupling surface which conforms to the surface of an object to be investigated and the beam converging beyond said coupling surface; there being between the acoustic lens and the acoustic coupler a first coupling liquid such that the ratio of the velocity of sound in the acoustic lens and the velocity of sound in the liquid is greater than 3, the device also having between the acoustic coupler and the object a layer of a second, low acoustic loss, coupling liquid.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
37 words
A coupling device according to claim 1 in which the acoustic coupler is made of a material in which the velocity of sound is approximately equal to the velocity of sound in the object to be investigated.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
A coupling device according to claim 1 which the acoustic lens has a concave focusing surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A coupling device according to claim 1 in which the first coupling liquid is water or gallium or glycerine or mercury.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
A coupling device according to claim 1 in which the layer of the second coupling liquid is of a thickness which is less than the wavelength of the acoustic radiation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A coupling device according to claim 5 in which the second coupling liquid is water or gallium or glycerine or mercury.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
36 words
A variable focus acoustic coupling device comprises an acoustic coupling device according to claim 1 further comprising variable support means for supporting the acoustic coupler adjacent to and at a variable distance from the acoustic lens.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
A variable focus acoustic coupling device according to claim 7 in which the variable support is a scanning device which can repeatedly vary the distance of the acoustic coupler from the acoustic lens.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
127 words
A scanning acoustic microscope comprising at least one acoustic coupling device which comprises, an acoustic lens arranged to provide a convergent beam of acoustic radiation; and an acoustic coupler having adjacent and spaced from the acoustic lens a convex surface over which the convergent beam of radiation is incident in an approximately normal direction, the coupler having opposite the convex surface a coupling surface which conforms to the surface of an object to be investigated, and the beam converging beyond said coupling surface; scaning means for causing relative movement between the object and the convergent beam in a plane transverse to the axis of the beam; and conversion means for converting acoustic radiation received from the sample to an electrical signal which is then stored or displaced.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
127 words
A scanning acoustic microscope comprising at least one acoustic coupling device which comprises, an acoustic lens arranged to provide a convergent beam of acoustic radiation; and an acoustic coupler having adjacent and spaced from the acoustic lens a convex surface over which the convergent beam of radiation is incident in an approximately normal direction, the coupler having opposite the convex surface a coupling surface which conforms to the surface of an object to be investigated, and the beam converging beyond said coupling surface; scaning means for causing relative movement between the object and the convergent beam in a plane transverse to the axis of the beam; and conversion means for converting acoustic radiation received from the sample to an electrical signal which is then stored or displaced.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |