Ultrasonic transducer probe drive mechanism with position sensor

Claim 1

An ultrasonic transducer probe comprising: a transducer assembly: means for structurally mounting said transducer assembly within said housing; said transducer assembly further including a transducer located in a transducer cup, said transducer cup having a first pivot axis passing therethrough which is stationary with respect to said housing so as to direct beams of ultrasonic energy in a pluraity of radially disposed directions through said acoustic aperture as said transducer and said transducer cup pivot about said first pivot axis; a motor, including a reciprocating member; means for structurally mounting said motor within said housing so that said transducer assembly is located between said motor and said acoustic aperture; and a single rigid connecting member having a first end pivotally connected to said reciprocating motor member and a second end connected to said transducer assembly at a second pivot axis located parallel to and offset from said first pivot axis, which second pivot axis is capable of movement about said first pivot axis for translating the reciprocating motion of said motor into pivoting motion of said transducer about an actual pivot axis.