US3886490A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for coupling an array of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasonic compressional image field and scanning the image field
Assignee: SRI International Inc
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Filing: 1973-05-25
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Granted: 1975-05-27
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Expires: 1993-05-25
Abstract
Abstract A compressional acoustic image field propagating in a fluid filled container is converted to electrical impulses which in turn provide a means for converting the incident compressional image field to a visual representation by locating a linear array of piezoelectric elements in intimate coupling contact with a thin, acoustically transparent window upon which the acoustic image field impinges. Coupling between the acoustic image field and the array of transducers is improved by providing a thin layer of coupling liquid on the outside of the window (the side in contact with the transducer array). The linear array effectively sweeps the entire compressional acoustic image field of interest mechanically moving the entire array back and forth (in a direction orthogonal to the linear array) across the window.
Inventors
- 👤 Philip S Green
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H3/00; G01H3/10; G01H3/12; G01H3/125
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
100 words
In a system for providing a visual representation of a compressional acoustic image field traveling in a fluid medium, an acoustically transparent window located in the path of said compressional acoustic image field and acting to contain said fluid, a transducer array located on the opposite side of said window from said fluid medium and in intimate contact with the said window, whereby the said compressional acoustic image field impinges upon said transducer array and is translated into electrical energy, and a thin layer of coupling liquid on the side of the said window contacted by the said transducer array.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
100 words
In a system for providing a visual representation of a compressional acoustic image field traveling in a fluid medium, an acoustically transparent window located in the path of said compressional acoustic image field and acting to contain said fluid, a transducer array located on the opposite side of said window from said fluid medium and in intimate contact with the said window, whereby the said compressional acoustic image field impinges upon said transducer array and is translated into electrical energy, and a thin layer of coupling liquid on the side of the said window contacted by the said transducer array.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein the said thin layer of coupling liquid is applied to the surface of said window in a continuous stream while said transducer array is translating an incident compressional acoustic image field into electrical energy.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
A system for providing a visual representation of a compressional acoustic image field traveling in a fluid medium, as defined in claim 1, wherein said transducer array comprises at least one linear array extending across the portion of the window impinged upon by the said compressional acoustic image field of interest.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A system as defined in claim 3, wherein the said layer of coupling liquid is applied to the surface of said window in a continuous stream.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing a visual representation of a compressional acoustic image field traveling in a fluid mEdium, an acoustically transparent window located in the path of said compressional acoustic image field and acting to contain said fluid, a transducer array located on the opposite side of said window from said fluid medium and in intimate contact with the said window, whereby the said compressional acoustic image field impinges upon said transducer array and is translated into electrical energy, and means for sweeping said linear transducer array back and forth along the surface of the said window in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the array and over the full extent of the said compressional acoustic image field, whereby the said linear transducer array is exposed to the full compressional acoustic image field a line at a time.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
141 words
A system for providing a visual representation of a compressional acoustic image field traveling in a fluid mEdium, an acoustically transparent window located in the path of said compressional acoustic image field and acting to contain said fluid, a transducer array located on the opposite side of said window from said fluid medium and in intimate contact with the said window, whereby the said compressional acoustic image field impinges upon said transducer array and is translated into electrical energy, and means for sweeping said linear transducer array back and forth along the surface of the said window in a direction substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal dimension of the array and over the full extent of the said compressional acoustic image field, whereby the said linear transducer array is exposed to the full compressional acoustic image field a line at a time.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
28 words
A system as defined in claim 5 wherein a thin layer of coupling liquid is provided on the side of said window contacted by the said transducer array.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
A system as defined in claim 6, wherein the said thin layer of coupling liquid is applied to the surface of said window in a continuous stream.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3409869A
Cited
US3548642A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-05-26 | 1978-11-25 | 1979-05-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-05-26 | 1982-11-25 | 1983-05-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-05-26 | 1986-11-25 | 1987-05-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |