US5214343A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fluoroether grease acoustic couplant
Assignee: Siemens Energy and Automation Inc
•
Filing: 1991-03-11
•
Granted: 1993-05-25
•
Expires: 2011-03-11
Abstract
Abstract A couplant material for establishing a sonic path of good acoustical impedance between an ultrasonic transducer housing and its crystal, and the housing and a pipe to which the housing is attached. The material is capable of being easily applied at room temperature and withstanding vibration and thermal cycling from cryogenic temperatures to over 500° F. while substantially maintaining its chemical, physical and acoustical properties. A preferred couplant material is a polytetrafluoroethylene grease or perfluoropolyalkylether grease, which have been used previously as lubricants.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph Baumoel
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 05:43
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
66 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer comprising a housing and a crystal, a conduit for carrying fluid, a clamping structure for clamping a surface of said housing to the exterior surface of said conduit, and a sonic coupling fluid disposed between said surface of said transducer housing and said exterior surface; said coupling fluid comprising a fluoroether grease and also disposed between said crystal and said housing.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
66 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer comprising a housing and a crystal, a conduit for carrying fluid, a clamping structure for clamping a surface of said housing to the exterior surface of said conduit, and a sonic coupling fluid disposed between said surface of said transducer housing and said exterior surface; said coupling fluid comprising a fluoroether grease and also disposed between said crystal and said housing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said fluoroether grease is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene grease and perfluoropolyalkylether grease.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein the fluoroether grease is a polytetrafluoroethylene grease.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1, wherein said fluoroether grease is a perfluoropolyalkylether grease.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 4, wherein said perfluoropolyalkylether grease is a fluorine-end-capped homopolymer of hexafluoropropylene epoxide containing a thickening agent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
52 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer for clamping to a conduit for carrying fluid and for measuring the flow of said fluid; said ultrasonic transducer comprising a crystal and a housing; and a sonic coupling fluid disposed between said surface of said crystal and said housing; said coupling fluid comprising a fluoroether grease.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer for clamping to a conduit for carrying fluid and for measuring the flow of said fluid; said ultrasonic transducer comprising a crystal and a housing; and a sonic coupling fluid disposed between said surface of said crystal and said housing; said coupling fluid comprising a fluoroether grease.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said fluoroether grease is selected from the group consisting of polytetrafluoroethylene grease and perfluoropolyalkylether grease.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein the fluoroether grease is a polytetrafluoroethylene grease.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 6, wherein said fluoroether grease is a perfluoropolyalkylether grease.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The combination of claim 9, wherein said perfluoropolyalkylether grease is a fluorine-end-capped homopolymer of hexafluoropropylene epoxide containing a thickening agent.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
56 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer co a housing adapted for coupling to a conduit which carries fluid; a flat thin ultrasonic crystal; and a layer of viscous sonic coupling fluid disposed and extending between a flat surface portion of said transducer housing and a surface of said crystal; said coupling fluid comprising a homogeneous fluoroether grease.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
In combination; an ultrasonic transducer co a housing adapted for coupling to a conduit which carries fluid; a flat thin ultrasonic crystal; and a layer of viscous sonic coupling fluid disposed and extending between a flat surface portion of said transducer housing and a surface of said crystal; said coupling fluid comprising a homogeneous fluoroether grease.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3942381A
Cited
US3987674A
Cited
US4144517A
Cited
US4326274A
Cited
US4373401A
Cited
US4523122A
Cited
US4647413A
Cited
US4962330A
Cited
US4929368A
Cited
US5040415A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-05-24 | 1996-11-23 | 1997-05-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-05-24 | 2000-11-23 | 2001-05-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-05-24 | 2004-11-23 | 2005-05-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |