US3618696A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic lens system
Assignee: Westinghouse Electric Corp
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Filing: 1969-05-07
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Granted: 1971-11-09
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Expires: 1989-05-07
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic lens system having a plurality of acoustic lens elements with the lens elements having respective thermal dispersion factors. The acoustic lens elements are fabricated in accordance with a predetermined relationship of the respective thermal dispersion factors such that the focal length of the acoustic lens system is maintained at a substantially constant value throughout a wise temperature variation. This temperature insensitive result is additionally achieved by a lens system wherein the lens elements are spaced at a precalculated distance from one another.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J Hurwitz
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:04
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/30; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S367/00; Y10S367/902
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
An acoustic lens system having a focal length, comprising: a. a plurality of acoustic lens elements serially arranged for the passage of acoustic energy; b. each said lens element having a focal length and an index of refraction; c. each said lens element having a thermal dispersion factor dependent upon the rate of change of its index of refraction with respect to changes in temperature; and d. the thermal dispersion factors of, and the distance between, said lens elements being of values to maintain the focal length of said acoustic lens system substantially constant throughout a temperature range wherein said index of refraction would vary by at least 1 percent.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
An acoustic lens system having a focal length, comprising: a. a plurality of acoustic lens elements serially arranged for the passage of acoustic energy; b. each said lens element having a focal length and an index of refraction; c. each said lens element having a thermal dispersion factor dependent upon the rate of change of its index of refraction with respect to changes in temperature; and d. the thermal dispersion factors of, and the distance between, said lens elements being of values to maintain the focal length of said acoustic lens system substantially constant throughout a temperature range wherein said index of refraction would vary by at least 1 percent.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
71 words
A system according to claim 1 which includes a. a first lens element having a focal length f'' and a thermal dispersion factor phi ''; b. a second lens element having a focal length f'''' and a thermal dispersion factor phi ''''; c. the separation between said first and second elements being negligible; and d. said focal lengths and thermal dispersion factors having the relationship - phi ''/ phi '''' f''/f''''.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
53 words
A system according to claim 1 wherein a. each lens element has substantially the same thermal dispersion factor and index of refraction; b. the separation between at least two lens elements is L; and c. L f'' + f''''/2 where f'' and f'''' are the respective focal lengths of said two lens elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
116 words
An acoustic lens system having a focal length, comprising: a. a plurality of acoustic lens elements serially arranged for the passage of acoustic energy; b. each said lens element having a focal length and an index of refraction; c. each said lens element having a thermal dispersion factor dependent upon the rate of change of its index of refraction with respect to changes in temperature; and d. the thermal dispersion factors of, and the distance between, said lens elements being chosen that the focal length of said acoustic lens system has a value at a first temperature and has substantially that same value at a second temperature more than 5* C. greater than said first temperature.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
116 words
An acoustic lens system having a focal length, comprising: a. a plurality of acoustic lens elements serially arranged for the passage of acoustic energy; b. each said lens element having a focal length and an index of refraction; c. each said lens element having a thermal dispersion factor dependent upon the rate of change of its index of refraction with respect to changes in temperature; and d. the thermal dispersion factors of, and the distance between, said lens elements being chosen that the focal length of said acoustic lens system has a value at a first temperature and has substantially that same value at a second temperature more than 5* C. greater than said first temperature.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3017608A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-08 | 1975-05-10 | 1975-11-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-08 | 1979-05-10 | 1979-11-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-08 | 1983-05-10 | 1983-11-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |