US5998908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Transducer assembly having ceramic structure
Assignee: Crest Ultrasonics Corp
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Filing: 1997-05-09
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasonic transducer for generating and transmitting ultrasonic wave energy of a predetermined frequency to the surface of an object. The head mass and the tail mass are made from ceramic materials such as silicon carbide or alumina. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the transducer stack includes a resonance enhancing disc also made from ceramic material.
Inventors
- 👤 J. Michael Goodson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:15
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0611; B06B1/0618; H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
84 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal, a head mass made from ceramic material and positioned between the piezoelectric crystal and the surface of interest, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystal, a tail mass made from ceramic material and positioned adjacent to the piezoelectric crystal opposite the head mass, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystal, and tail mass.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
84 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a piezoelectric crystal, a head mass made from ceramic material and positioned between the piezoelectric crystal and the surface of interest, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystal, a tail mass made from ceramic material and positioned adjacent to the piezoelectric crystal opposite the head mass, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystal, and tail mass.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasonic transducer as in claim 1, further comprising an insulator made from ceramic material and positioned between the tail mass and the piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer stack as in claim 1, wherein the ceramic material is silicon carbide or alumina oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer stack as in claim 2, wherein the ceramic material is silicon carbide or alumina oxide.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
A transducer stack as in claim 1, further comprising a first electrode positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystal and a second electrode positioned between the tail mass and the piezoelectric crystal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a head mass made from ceramic material and coupled to the surface of interest, a tail mass made from ceramic material, at least two piezoelectric crystals positioned between the head mass and the tail mass, an electrode positioned between the at least two piezoelectric crystals, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystals, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystals, electrode, and tail mass.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
91 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a head mass made from ceramic material and coupled to the surface of interest, a tail mass made from ceramic material, at least two piezoelectric crystals positioned between the head mass and the tail mass, an electrode positioned between the at least two piezoelectric crystals, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystals, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystals, electrode, and tail mass.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer stack as in claim 6, wherein the ceramic material is silicon carbide or alumina oxide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a head mass made from ceramic material and coupled to the surface of interest, a tail mass made from ceramic material, a plurality of piezoelectric crystals positioned between the head mass and the tail mass, an electrode positioned between at least two of the piezoelectric crystals, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystals, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystals, electrode, and tail mass.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
92 words
An ultrasonic transducer stack for generating and transmitting sonic energy to a surface of interest, comprising: a head mass made from ceramic material and coupled to the surface of interest, a tail mass made from ceramic material, a plurality of piezoelectric crystals positioned between the head mass and the tail mass, an electrode positioned between at least two of the piezoelectric crystals, a resonator made from ceramic material and positioned between the head mass and the piezoelectric crystals, and means for compressing the head mass, resonator, piezoelectric crystals, electrode, and tail mass.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
A transducer stack as in claim 8, wherein the ceramic material is silicon carbide or alumina oxide.
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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) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |