Patent US4907209A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4907209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Low frequency sound transducer
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
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Filing: 1989-04-10
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Granted: 1990-03-06
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Expires: 2009-04-10
Abstract
Abstract A low frequency sound producer including a plurality of magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end to end to define a ring. Each vibrator unit includes a plurality of laterally related magnetostrictive rods which, in the illustrated embodiment, are formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material. Structure is provided for compressively prestressing the rods. The prestressing structure includes permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnetic bias in the rods. Coils are magnetically coupled to the rods for causing the desired magnetostriction thereof corresponding to an input AC signal applied to the coils. Opposite ends of the individual vibrator units define facial abutments in defining the continuous ring configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the ring configuration is polygonal and the facial abutment surfaces at the ends of the units define a 60° included angle. The entire sound producer is provided with an outward enclosure of synthetic resin whereby each vibrator unit defines an enclosed water-sealed assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 John M. Sewell
- 👤 William F. Werner
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:24
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/08; B06B1/085
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each having a cross section; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; and coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each having a cross section; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; and coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The magnetostrictive vibrator of claim 1 wherein said rods are substantially rectilinear.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The magnetostrictive vibrator of claim 1 wherein said rods are formed of a compound comprising Tb.sub..28 Dy.sub..72 Fe 2 .
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The magnetostrictive vibrator of claim 1 wherein said prestressing means comprises resilient prestressing means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The magnetostrictive vibrator of claim 1 wherein said vibrator is enclosed in a synthetic resin.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
79 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means for compressively prestressing said rods, said prestressing means including magnetic keepers for conducting flux between said coil means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
79 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means for compressively prestressing said rods, said prestressing means including magnetic keepers for conducting flux between said coil means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
82 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means for compressively prestressing said rods, prestressing means including magnetic keepers for conducting flux between said coil means through said permanent magnets.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
82 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator for producing low frequency sound, said vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnet bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means for compressively prestressing said rods, prestressing means including magnetic keepers for conducting flux between said coil means through said permanent magnets.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
A low frequency sound producer, comprising: at least three magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a ring, each vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each having a cross section; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means defining facial abutments at opposite ends of successive vibrators; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
A low frequency sound producer, comprising: at least three magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a ring, each vibrator comprising: a plurality of laterally related rods each formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each having a cross section; permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and means defining facial abutments at opposite ends of successive vibrators; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
13 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 8 wherein said ring is polygonal.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 8 wherein said ring is polygonal and said facial abutment means also define a 60° included angle.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
21 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 8 wherein said sound producer is provided with an enclosure coating of synthetic resin.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 8 wherein each said vibrator comprises a water-sealed assembly.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 8 wherein said rods are formed of a compound comprising Tb.sub..28 Dy.sub..72 Fe 2 .
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
107 words
A low frequency sound producer, comprising: at least three magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of spaced apart rods in parallel with one another formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each rod having a cross section; rare-earth permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; and coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
107 words
A low frequency sound producer, comprising: at least three magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of spaced apart rods in parallel with one another formed of rare-earth magnetostrictive material and each rod having a cross section; rare-earth permanent magnets for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; and coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and wherein said permanent magnets comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rods for transmitting to the rods compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 14 wherein each vibrator further includes means for coupling the coil means in series.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The low frequency sound producer of claim 14 wherein said rods are spaced in the axial direction of the ring.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
88 words
A low frequency sound producer comprising a plurality of magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of parallel spaced rods formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; means for compressively prestressing said rods; rare earth permanent magnet means for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and keeper means for coupling the coil means in series.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
88 words
A low frequency sound producer comprising a plurality of magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of parallel spaced rods formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; means for compressively prestressing said rods; rare earth permanent magnet means for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and keeper means for coupling the coil means in series.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
104 words
A low frequency sound producer comprising a plurality of magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of parallel spaced rods formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; means for compressively prestressing said rods; rare earth permanent magnet means for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and keeper means for coupling the coil means in series, said keeper means being arranged to direct compressive forces against the opposite ends of the rods.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
104 words
A low frequency sound producer comprising a plurality of magnetostrictive vibrators arranged seriatim end-to-end to define a polyhedral ring, each vibrator comprising: a pair of parallel spaced rods formed of rare earth magnetostrictive material; means for compressively prestressing said rods; rare earth permanent magnet means for providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rods; coil means magnetically coupled to said rods for causing magnetostriction of the rods corresponding to an input AC signal applied to said coil means; and keeper means for coupling the coil means in series, said keeper means being arranged to direct compressive forces against the opposite ends of the rods.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
75 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator, comprising: a rare earth rod having a first cross section; a permanent magnet urged against at least one end of said rod, providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rod; and a coil coupled to said rod causing magnetostriction of said rod corresponding to an input signal; and wherein said permanent magnet comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rod for transmitting to the rod compressive pre-stressing forces.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
75 words
A magnetostrictive vibrator, comprising: a rare earth rod having a first cross section; a permanent magnet urged against at least one end of said rod, providing a permanent magnetic bias in said rod; and a coil coupled to said rod causing magnetostriction of said rod corresponding to an input signal; and wherein said permanent magnet comprise means compressively urged against at least one end of the rod for transmitting to the rod compressive pre-stressing forces.
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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) | 1993-03-05 | 1993-09-04 | 1994-03-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-05 | 1997-09-04 | 1998-03-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-05 | 2001-09-04 | 2002-03-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |