Patent US4544859A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4544859A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Non-bonded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer
Assignee: United States, ENERGY THE, Secretary of, Department of
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Filing: 1984-07-06
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Granted: 1985-10-01
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Expires: 2004-07-06
Abstract
Abstract A mechanically assembled non-bonded ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a piezoelectric film, a wetting agent, a thin metal electrode, and a lens held in intimate contact by a mechanical clamp. No epoxy or glue is used in the assembly of this device.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Eoff
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 19:41
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0651; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
140 words
A mechanically assembled non-bonded ultrasonic transducer comprising: a substrate having a polished, electrically conductive, end surface; a piezoelectric film having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said surface; a first wetting agent covering said second side of said film; a thin metal electrode having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said second side of said film through said first wetting agent; a second wetting agent covering said second side of said electrode; and a lens assembly comprising: a lens having a polished first surface in contact with said second side of said electrode through said second wetting agent and clamp means for mechanically clamping said lens against said electrode, said electrode against said film and said film against said substrate.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
140 words
A mechanically assembled non-bonded ultrasonic transducer comprising: a substrate having a polished, electrically conductive, end surface; a piezoelectric film having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said surface; a first wetting agent covering said second side of said film; a thin metal electrode having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said second side of said film through said first wetting agent; a second wetting agent covering said second side of said electrode; and a lens assembly comprising: a lens having a polished first surface in contact with said second side of said electrode through said second wetting agent and clamp means for mechanically clamping said lens against said electrode, said electrode against said film and said film against said substrate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said lens has a continuous outer edge surface and said clamp means has an opening having a continuous inner edge surface contiguous with said outer edge surface of said lens, said clamp surface retaining said lens against said electrode.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
89 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said film has a continuous outer edge surrounding an area, said transducer further comprising: an electrically insulating material surrounding said substrate and having an end portion adjoining said end surface, the combined area of the end portion of said insulating material and said end surface being larger than the area of said film, the entire edge of said film adjoining the end portion of said insulating material; and a housing surrounding said insulating material; said clamp means being releaseably attached to said housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein said housing has a first surface adjoining a combined surface defined by said polished end surface of said substrate and the end portion of said insulating material; said clamp being releaseably attached to said first surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 4 wherein said combined surface is within one plane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein the area of said film, the area of said substrate end surface, and said lens edge surface each define a circle.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein the diameter of said lens is less than 8 millimeters.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
57 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein said substrate, said housing and said clamp means are made of rigid material having electrically conductive surfaces, said first side of said film being electrically connected to said substrate and insulated from said housing, said second side of said film being electrically connected to said housing and insulated from said substrate.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transducer of claim 8 further comprising an electrical connector having two conductors electrically insulated from each other, the first conductor being electrically connected to said substrate and the second conductor being electrically connected to said housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 8 wherein said substrate, said housing and said clamp are made of brass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said film is PVDF and is less than 11 microns thick.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
91 words
A mechanically assembled ultrasonic transducer comprising: a substrate having a polished end surface; a piezoelectric film having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said surface; a wetting agent covering said second side of said film; and a lens assembly comprising: a lens having a polished first surface; a thin metal electrode bonded to said polished first surface; clamp means for mechanically clamping said electrode against said second side of said film through said wetting agent and said film against said substrate.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A mechanically assembled ultrasonic transducer comprising: a substrate having a polished end surface; a piezoelectric film having first and second opposed sides, said first side being in contact with, but not adhered to, said surface; a wetting agent covering said second side of said film; and a lens assembly comprising: a lens having a polished first surface; a thin metal electrode bonded to said polished first surface; clamp means for mechanically clamping said electrode against said second side of said film through said wetting agent and said film against said substrate.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
89 words
The transducer of claim 12 wherein said film has a continuous outer edge surrounding an area, said transducer further comprising: an electrically insulating material surrounding said substrate and having an end portion adjoining said end surface, the combined area of the end portion of said insulating material and said end surface being larger than the area of said film, the entire edge of said film adjoining the end portion of said insulating material; and a housing surrounding said insulating material; said clamp means being releaseably attached to said housing.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
42 words
The transducer of claim 13 wherein said housing has a first surface adjoining a combined surface defined by said polished end surface of said substrate and the end portion of said insulating material; said clamp being releaseably attached to said first surface.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
58 words
The transducer of claim 13 wherein said substrate, said housing and said clamp means are made of a rigid material having electrically conductive surfaces, said first side of said film being electrically connected to said substrate and insulated from said housing, said second side of said film being electrically connected to said housing and insulated from said substrate.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The transducer of claim 15 further comprising an electrical connector having two conductors electrically insulated from each other, the first conductor being electrically connected to said substrate and the second conductor being electrically connected to said housing.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 15 wherein said substrate, said housing and said clamp are made of brass.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
The transducer of claim 13 wherein said lens has a continuous outer edge surface and said clamp means has an opening having a continuous inner edge surface contiguous with said outer edge surface of said lens, said clamp surface retaining said lens against said electrode.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transducer of claim 13 wherein the area of said film, the area of said substrate end surface, and said lens edge surface each define a circle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein said film is PVDF and is less than 11 microns thick.
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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) | 1988-09-30 | 1989-04-01 | 1989-10-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-09-30 | 1993-04-01 | 1993-10-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-09-30 | 1997-04-01 | 1997-10-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |