US4550609A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic lens
Assignee: NATIONAL RESEARCH DEVELOPMENT Corp A BRITISH Co
•
Filing: 1983-09-16
•
Granted: 1985-11-05
•
Expires: 2003-09-16
Abstract
Abstract A device for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation comprises a body of acoustically transmissive material having first endface (12) coupled to a source of acoustic radiation (16, 18). The radiation is internally reflected by the side surface 20 of the body, this surface being of a shape such that it brings the radiation to a focus F after transmission through a second surface (14).
Inventors
- 👤 Nicholas D. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 18:53
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of high frequency acoustic radiation comprising a solid body of material capable of transmitting acoustic radiation, having a first surface with an electroacoustic transducer coupled thereto to generate acoustic radiation therein, a second surface remote from said first surface for propagation of acoustic radiation between said body and an acoustic transmission medium in contact with said surface and a third internally-reflecting surface cooperable with said first surface to focus said acoustic radiation externally to said body and beyond said second surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
88 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of high frequency acoustic radiation comprising a solid body of material capable of transmitting acoustic radiation, having a first surface with an electroacoustic transducer coupled thereto to generate acoustic radiation therein, a second surface remote from said first surface for propagation of acoustic radiation between said body and an acoustic transmission medium in contact with said surface and a third internally-reflecting surface cooperable with said first surface to focus said acoustic radiation externally to said body and beyond said second surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electro-acoustic transducer is adapted to generate acoustic radiation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said electro-acoustic transducer is adapted to receive acoustic radiation.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first surface is substantially plane and parallel to said second surface and said third surface is substantially parabaloid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in any one of claim 1 wherein said first surface is concave and has an outer annulus of frusto-conical form and said third surface is also frusto-conical.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
35 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said first surface is convex and of smaller area than the second surface and said third surface is frusto-conical.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
Apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is aluminium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is sapphire.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is quartz.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein said material is a high polymeric plastics material.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
A scanning acoustic microscope including apparatus for focussing or collimating a beam of acoustic radiation as claimed in claim 1.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
33 words
A transmission-mode scanning acoustic microscope as claimed in claim 11 incorporating a first device for generating and focussing a beam of acoustic radition and a second device for collimating a receiving said beam.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
30 words
A reflection-mode scanning acoustic microscope as claimed in claim 11 incorporating a common device for generating a focussing beam of acoustic radiation and also for collimating and receiving said beam.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US965326A
Cited
US2033337A
Cited
US3269173A
Cited
US3262307A
Cited
US3379902A
Cited
US3895188A
Cited
US3965455A
Cited
US3927557A
Cited
US4435985A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1988-11-04 | 1989-05-06 | 1989-11-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-11-04 | 1993-05-06 | 1993-11-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-11-04 | 1997-05-06 | 1997-11-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |