US6504286B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Piezoelectric transducer
Assignee: Remon Medical Technologies Ltd USA
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Filing: 2000-10-20
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Granted: 2003-01-07
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Expires: 2020-10-20
Abstract
Abstract A miniature piezoelectric transducer element is provided, comprising: (a) a cell element having a cavity; (b) a flexible piezoelectric layer attached to the cell member, the piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, the piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations thereof at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic wave; and (c) a first electrode attached to the external surface and a second electrode attached to the internal surface of the piezoelectric layer. At least one of the electrodes may be specifically shaped so as to provide a maximal electrical output, wherein the electrical output may be current, voltage or power. A preferred shape of the electrodes includes two cores interconnected by a connecting member. The transducer element may function as a transmitter. When used as a transmitter, the electrodes are electrically connected to an electrical circuit including a switching element for modulating the reflected acoustic wave by controllably changing the mechanical impedance of the piezoelectric layer according to the frequency of an electrical message signal arriving from an electronic member, such as a sensor. Third and fourth electrodes may be attached to the piezoelectric layer and the electrical circuit, such that the switching element alternately connects the electrodes in parallel and anti-parallel electrical connections so as to controllably change the mechanical impedance of the piezoelectric layer.
Inventors
- 👤 Yariv Porat
- 👤 Yoseph Tsaliah
- 👤 Eyal Doron
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 12:58
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/41; A61B5/413; A61B5/0002; A61B5/0031; G; G01; G01F; G01F1/00; G01F1/05; G01F1/34; G01F1/36; G01F1/72; H; H04; H04R; H04R17/00; H10; H10N; H10N30/00; H10N30/30; H10N30/302; A61B2562/00; A61B2562/02; A61B2562/028; A61N; A61N1/00; A61N1/18; A61N1/32; A61N1/36; A61N1/372; A61N1/37211; A61N1/37252; A61N1/37288; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S310/00; Y10S310/80
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
120 words
A transducer element, comprising: (a) a cell member having a cavity; (b) a substantially flexible piezoelectric layer attached to said cell member so as to isolate said cavity from an external medium, said cavity having a substantially lower acoustic impedance than said external medium, said piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, said cavity and said piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations of said piezoelectric layer at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an acoustic wave transmitted through the external medium, wherein the wavelength of said acoustic wave is substantially larger than said dimensions; and (c) a first electrode attached to said external surface and a second electrode attached to said internal surface.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
120 words
A transducer element, comprising: (a) a cell member having a cavity; (b) a substantially flexible piezoelectric layer attached to said cell member so as to isolate said cavity from an external medium, said cavity having a substantially lower acoustic impedance than said external medium, said piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, said cavity and said piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations of said piezoelectric layer at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an acoustic wave transmitted through the external medium, wherein the wavelength of said acoustic wave is substantially larger than said dimensions; and (c) a first electrode attached to said external surface and a second electrode attached to said internal surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer element of claim 1 , wherein said cavity is etched into a substrate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer element of claim 2 , where said substrate includes an electrically insulating layer and an electrically conducting layer.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer element of claim 3 , wherein said first electrode is integrally made with a substantially thin electrically conducting layer disposed on said substrate.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The transducer element of claim 4 , wherein said substantially thin electrically conducting layer is connected to said substrate by means of a sealing connection.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer element of claim 2 , wherein said substrate includes a plurality of cell members.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The transducer element of claim 1 , wherein said cavity includes a gas.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transducer element of claim 7 , wherein said gas is of substantially low pressure.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The transducer element of claim 1 , wherein said transducer element is used as a transmitter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
27 words
The transducer element of claim 9 , further including a switching element electrically connected thereto so as to controllably change the mechanical impedance of said piezoelectric layer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
138 words
A transmitter element, comprising: (a) a cell member having a cavity; (b) a substantially flexible piezoelectric layer attached to said cell member so as to isolate said cavity from an external medium, said cavity having a substantially lower acoustic impedance than said external medium, said piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, said cavity and said piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations of said piezoelectric layer at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic field transmitted through said external medium; and (c) a first electrode attached to said external surface and a second electrode attached to said internal surface, said electrodes coupled to an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit having a switching element, whereby a switching frequency of said switching element controls the mechanical impedance of the piezoelectric layer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
138 words
A transmitter element, comprising: (a) a cell member having a cavity; (b) a substantially flexible piezoelectric layer attached to said cell member so as to isolate said cavity from an external medium, said cavity having a substantially lower acoustic impedance than said external medium, said piezoelectric layer having an external surface and an internal surface, said cavity and said piezoelectric layer featuring such dimensions so as to enable fluctuations of said piezoelectric layer at its resonance frequency upon impinging of an external acoustic field transmitted through said external medium; and (c) a first electrode attached to said external surface and a second electrode attached to said internal surface, said electrodes coupled to an electrical circuit, said electrical circuit having a switching element, whereby a switching frequency of said switching element controls the mechanical impedance of the piezoelectric layer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
The transmitter element of claim 11 , wherein the switching frequency of said switching element equals the frequency of an electrical message signal generated by an electric member.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The transmitter element of claim 12 , wherein said electronic member is a sensor.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The transmitter element of claim 12 , wherein said switching element is configured for modulating a reflected acoustic wave according to the message signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The transmitter element of claim 11 , further including a third electrode attached to said external surface and a fourth electrode attached to said internal surface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The transmitter element of claim 15 , wherein said switching element alternately connects said electrodes in parallel and anti-parallel connections, thereby controllably changing the mechanical impedance of said piezoelectric layer.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transmitter element of claim 15 , wherein said electrodes are electrically interconnected by means of a substantially built-in anti-parallel connection.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
21 words
The transmitter element of claim 15 , wherein said electrodes are electrically interconnected by means of a substantially built-in parallel connection.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The transmitter element of claim 15 , wherein said switching element is an on/off switch.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The transmitter element of claim 15 , wherein said piezoelectric layer includes first and second portions having opposite polarities.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transmitter element of claim 11 , wherein said transmitter element is used for converting acoustic energy into electrical energy.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
20 words
The transducer element of claim 1 , wherein said transducer element is used for converting acoustic energy into electrical energy.
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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) | 2006-01-06 | 2006-07-08 | 2007-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2010-01-06 | 2010-07-08 | 2011-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2014-01-06 | 2014-07-08 | 2015-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |