US4716556A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Magnetostrictive acoustic transducer
Assignee: Honeywell International Inc
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Filing: 1981-07-23
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Granted: 1987-12-29
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Expires: 2001-07-23
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic transducer is provided that uses a layer of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic material having high magneto-mechanical coupling. The ferromagnetic material is adhered to a part of the outer surface of a resilient rod, so that an incident acoustic signal causes a change in stress in the magnetic material and, in turn, a change in the material's magnetization. An electrical coil surrounds the magnetic material and converts the changing magnetization into an electrical signal. A plurality of transducers may be assembled into an array and towed behind a ship to detect underwater acoustic signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Donald Raskin
- 👤 James E. Kearney
- 👤 Errol A. Haznedar
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 01:40
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/08; G; G01; G01V; G01V1/00; G01V1/16; G01V1/20; G01V1/201
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 17
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
An acoustic transducer comprising support means, having disposed on at least a portion of their surface at least one layer of helically-wound ribbon of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic alloy that is at least 50% amorphous, a solenoidal wire coil associated with the ferromagnetic alloy for detecting a change in magnetization therein, and a magnetic shield surrounding the coil and adapted to shield the coil from external magnetic fields.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
An acoustic transducer comprising support means, having disposed on at least a portion of their surface at least one layer of helically-wound ribbon of magnetostrictive ferromagnetic alloy that is at least 50% amorphous, a solenoidal wire coil associated with the ferromagnetic alloy for detecting a change in magnetization therein, and a magnetic shield surrounding the coil and adapted to shield the coil from external magnetic fields.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
14 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the support means comprises an elongated resilient rod.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The transducer of claim 2 wherein the support means has an axial cavity, closed at both ends and filled with a fluid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
11 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein the fluid is a liquid.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer of claim 3 wherein the fluid is at an elevated pressure.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
57 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the ferro-magnetic alloy comprises paired, oppositely-magnetized half-elements and the coil comprises paired half-coils joined at about the middle point between the ends of the transducer; whereby acoustic signals incident on the half-elements provide electrical signals that are added and any effects of external magnetic signals incident on the half-elements are subtracted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising a thin interlayer surrounding the layer of ferro-magnetic alloy and adapted to provide electrical and mechanical separation between that layer and the coil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising a coating enclosing the transducer and adapted to exclude water therefrom.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer of claim 1 further comprising means for applying a magnetic bias to the transducer.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
An array comprising a plurality of the transducers of claim 2, joined end-to-end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
90 words
The transducer of claim 1 wherein the alloy comprises about 60-90 atom percent iron, from 0 to about 33% of which may be replaced by an element selected from the group consisting of nickel and cobalt; from 0 to about 25 atom percent boron; from 0 to about 20 atom percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of phosphorus, carbon and silicon; and from 0 to about 10 atom percent of at least one element selected from the group consisting of aluminum, molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
The transducer of claim 11 wherein the alloy comprises about 60 to 85 atom percent iron, from 0 to about 20 atom percent nickel, about 12 to 22 atom percent boron, and from 0 to about 12 atom percent silicon.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
38 words
The transducer of claim 11 wherein the alloy comprises about 65-85 atom percent iron, from 0 to about 20 atom percent cobalt, about 10 to 22 atom percent boron, and from 0 to about 12 atom percent silicon.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transducer of claim 11 wherein the alloy comprises about 70-85 atom percent iron, about 10 to 22 atom percent boron, and about 5-12 atom percent silicon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer of claim 13 wherein the alloy composition is nominally Fe 67 Co 18 B 14 Si 1 .
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
The transducer of claim 14 wherein the alloy composition is nominally Fe 82 B 12 Si 6 .
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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) | 1990-12-28 | 1991-06-29 | 1991-12-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-28 | 1995-06-29 | 1995-12-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-28 | 1999-06-29 | 1999-12-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |