US4488271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Deep ocean wide band acoustic baffle
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
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Filing: 1983-06-20
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Granted: 1984-12-11
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Expires: 2003-06-20
Abstract
Abstract A hydroacoustic transducer provides an improved hemispherical radiation pern throughout a wide range of operating depths. A can-shaped transducer is nestled in the inside of a hat-shaped array of hollow spheres. Resiliently mounting the spheres with respect to each other and a hat-shaped shell holds the array away from the surface of the transducer and layering the hollow spheres assures the hemispherical pattern. Fashioning the spheres from hemispherical shells of aluminum and bonding them together makes the array insensitive to greater or lesser hydrostatic pressures and potting the array in polyurethane presents a more rugged structure capable of withstanding the routine abuses of the ocean environment.
Inventors
- 👤 Jimmy L. Held
- 👤 Kenneth D. Collins
- 👤 Gerald R. Mackelburg
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 16:48
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/20; G10K11/205
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for blocking and reflecting acoustic energy projected by a transducer comprising: means nestling the transducer therein providing an array of hollow spherically-shaped elements for blocking and reflecting acoustic energy arranged in a hat-shaped configuration and arranged to at least one-layer thickness of hollow spherically-shaped elements throughout the hat-shaped array; means coupled to the hollow spherically-shaped elements for resiliently mounting the hollow spherically-shaped elements with respect to each other; and means disposed in contact with the hollow spherically-shaped elements and the resiliently mounting means for maintaining the hat-shaped array configuration and the nestled transducer therein, the transducer is essentially cylindrical in shape and the hollow spherically-shaped elements are arranged in a one-layer thickness where a crown area of the hat-shaped array would be located, a two-layer thickness coaxially from the transducer and a four-layer coaxial, coplanar arrangement where a brim of the hat-shaped array would be located.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
148 words
An apparatus for blocking and reflecting acoustic energy projected by a transducer comprising: means nestling the transducer therein providing an array of hollow spherically-shaped elements for blocking and reflecting acoustic energy arranged in a hat-shaped configuration and arranged to at least one-layer thickness of hollow spherically-shaped elements throughout the hat-shaped array; means coupled to the hollow spherically-shaped elements for resiliently mounting the hollow spherically-shaped elements with respect to each other; and means disposed in contact with the hollow spherically-shaped elements and the resiliently mounting means for maintaining the hat-shaped array configuration and the nestled transducer therein, the transducer is essentially cylindrical in shape and the hollow spherically-shaped elements are arranged in a one-layer thickness where a crown area of the hat-shaped array would be located, a two-layer thickness coaxially from the transducer and a four-layer coaxial, coplanar arrangement where a brim of the hat-shaped array would be located.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the acostic energy is between eight and fourteen kilohertz and the hollow spherically-shaped elements are hollow aluminum spheres each having a three-quarter of an inch diameter.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 2 in which each of the hollow aluminum spheres are fabricated from two hemispherically-shaped shells bonded together and having a wall thickness of about five-hundredths of an inch.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 further including: means for defining a hat-shaped form disposed about the arrangement of hollow spherically-shaped elements and the transducer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 4 in which the resiliently mounting means is a silicon rubber compound interposed between adjacent hollow spherically-shaped elements and the hat-shaped form defining means to resiliently position and acoustically separate one from the other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 5 further including: means coupled to the hat-shaped form defining means for positioning the transducer separated from the hat-shaped array of hollow spherically shaped elements.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 6 in which the hat-shaped form defining means and the transducer positioning means are fabricated from materials which approximates the acoustic properties of water.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
22 words
An apparatus according to claim 7 in which the hat-shaped form defining means is a polyvinylchloride shell disposed about the hat-shaped array.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 8 in which the transducer positioning means is at least one rod coupled to the transducer and the polyvinylchloride shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 9 in which the maintain means is a cured polyurethane potting compound that holds the arrangement of hollow spherically-shaped elements about the transducer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 in which the hollow spherically-shaped elements optionally are suitably dimensioned steel, titanium, glass, and ceramic hollow spheres.
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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) | 1987-12-11 | 1988-06-11 | 1988-12-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-12-11 | 1992-06-11 | 1992-12-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-12-11 | 1996-06-11 | 1996-12-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |