Patent US4065976A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4065976A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mechanical scanning method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging, or the like
Assignee: SRI International Inc
•
Filing: 1976-09-20
•
Granted: 1978-01-03
•
Expires: 1996-09-20
Abstract
Abstract Mechanical scanning apparatus is shown which includes a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms and parallel first and second connecting links adjacent opposite ends of the arms pivotally connected thereto. Transducer means, such as an ultrasonic transducer or transducer array, included in the ultrasonic imaging system, or the like, are attached to said first connecting link for movement therewith. First supporting means, adjacent the arm ends opposite the transducer means, support the parallelogram linkage thereat for movement along an arcuate path which closely approximates a portion of an ellipse adjacent a focus thereof. Constraining means, intermediate the first supporting means and transducer means, limit an intermediate portion of the parallelogram linkage to generally straight line movement along a path which extends substantially along a portion of the major axis of the ellipse. Upon drive operation of the linkage the transducer means, which are located at the minor axis of the ellipse, are moved with a linear translational motion along said minor axis. The constraining means may include a third connecting link extending between the arms which link is connected to a shaft constrained to move along a straight-line path. By pivoting the shaft and attached connecting link, sector scanning motion of the transducer means is provided, and by simultaneously pivoting the connecting link and driving the upper end of the parallelogram linkage along said arcuate path, a compound linear-sector scanning transducer motion is provided.
Inventors
- 👤 Jon C. Taenzer
- 👤 Steven H. Johnson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:15
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/35; G10K11/352; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; B; B23; B23Q; B23Q1/00; B23Q1/25; B23Q1/44; B23Q1/50; B23Q1/54; B23Q1/5468; B23Q1/5481; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T74/00; Y10T74/18; Y10T74/18056
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising, a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by a pair of parallel connecting links pivotally connected thereto, means for rigidly attaching transducer means to one of the connecting links, and means for driving the parallelogram linkage with relative pivotal movement of the parallel arms and connecting links in the plane of the linkage for scanning movement of the one connecting link and attached transducer means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising, a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by a pair of parallel connecting links pivotally connected thereto, means for rigidly attaching transducer means to one of the connecting links, and means for driving the parallelogram linkage with relative pivotal movement of the parallel arms and connecting links in the plane of the linkage for scanning movement of the one connecting link and attached transducer means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
54 words
The scanning mechanism as defined in claim 1 wherein said driving means includes, means for driving the other of said connecting links along an arcuate path, and means for constraining the parallelogram linkage intermediate the connecting links to substantially straight line motion in the direction of the center of curvature of said arcuate path.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The scanning mechanism as defined in claim 2 wherein said constraining means comprises a leaf spring.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
114 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by a pair of parallel connecting links, means for attaching transducer means, or the like, to one of the connecting links, means for driving the parallelogram linkage opposite said one connecting link along a portion of an ellipse adjacent a focus thereof, and means for constraining the parallelogram linkage intermediate the one connecting link and focus to substantially straight-line movement along a portion of the major axis of the ellipse, said one connecting link being driven with translational movement along a straight-line path extending along the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
114 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by a pair of parallel connecting links, means for attaching transducer means, or the like, to one of the connecting links, means for driving the parallelogram linkage opposite said one connecting link along a portion of an ellipse adjacent a focus thereof, and means for constraining the parallelogram linkage intermediate the one connecting link and focus to substantially straight-line movement along a portion of the major axis of the ellipse, said one connecting link being driven with translational movement along a straight-line path extending along the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
86 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, an arm, means for supporting the arm adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along a portion of a generally elliptical path adjacent a focus of the ellipse, means for constraining the arm intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along a substantially straight line path along the major axis of the ellipse whereby the arm opposite said one end is movable along a substantially straight line path along the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
86 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, an arm, means for supporting the arm adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along a portion of a generally elliptical path adjacent a focus of the ellipse, means for constraining the arm intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along a substantially straight line path along the major axis of the ellipse whereby the arm opposite said one end is movable along a substantially straight line path along the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 5 including, means for oscillating said supporting means back and forth.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 5 wherein, said arm comprises one arm of a parallelogram mechanism which includes a second arm parallel thereto and first and second parallel connecting links pivotally connected to said arms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein, said supporting means comprise a pair of equal-length pivotally mounted supporting links pivotally attached to the parallel arms of said parallelogram mechanism for pivotal support of the arms along portions of parallel circular paths which closely approximate elliptical path portions.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
64 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 7 wherein said constraining means comprises leaf spring means extending generally parallel to the minor axis of the ellipse, means connecting the leaf spring to an intermediate portion of at least one of said parallelogram arms to limit movement thereat to an arcuate path which closely approximates a straight line path along the major axis of the ellipse.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
178 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, a parallelogram mechanism which comprises first and a second parallel arms and first and second parallel connecting links pivotally connected to said arms, means for supporting said parallel arms adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along portions of generally elliptical paths adjacent focii of ellipses, means for constraining the parallel arms intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along substantially straight line paths along the major axes of the elipses whereby the arms opposite said one end thereof are movable along substantially straight line paths along the minor axes of the ellipses, weight means for establishing the center of mass of said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the constraining means where the mechanism is limited to substantially straight line motion, a balance bar pivotally supported at a pivot axis extending adjacent the center of mass of said parallelogram, and means for simultaneously driving said parallelogram mechanism and balance bar at the same rate but opposite rotary direction to substantially balance reaction torques produced by the resultant movements thereof.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
178 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, a parallelogram mechanism which comprises first and a second parallel arms and first and second parallel connecting links pivotally connected to said arms, means for supporting said parallel arms adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along portions of generally elliptical paths adjacent focii of ellipses, means for constraining the parallel arms intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along substantially straight line paths along the major axes of the elipses whereby the arms opposite said one end thereof are movable along substantially straight line paths along the minor axes of the ellipses, weight means for establishing the center of mass of said parallelogram mechanism adjacent the constraining means where the mechanism is limited to substantially straight line motion, a balance bar pivotally supported at a pivot axis extending adjacent the center of mass of said parallelogram, and means for simultaneously driving said parallelogram mechanism and balance bar at the same rate but opposite rotary direction to substantially balance reaction torques produced by the resultant movements thereof.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
50 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 7 including, transducer means attached to said first connecting link for operation in a liquid acoustic transmission medium, and a flexible sleeve attached to the transducer and surrounding a portion of the parallelogram mechanism for separating the mechanism from the liquid acoustic transmission medium.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 11 including, a tube surrounding said flexible sleeve, and a flexible boot attached to the tube for confining the liquid acoustic transmission medium to a volume adjacent the transducer means.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, a parallelogram mechanism which comprises first and second parallel arms and first and second parallel connecting links pivotally connected to said arms, means for supporting said parallel arms adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along portions of generally elliptical paths adjacent focii of ellipses, means for constraining the parallel arms intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along substantially straight line paths along the major axes of the ellipses whereby the arms opposite said one end thereof are movable along substantially straight line paths along the minor axes of the ellipses, said supporting means comprising a pivotally mounted supporting link pivotally attached to said first connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said constraining means comprising a third connecting link pivotally connected to said arms parallel with and intermediate of said first and second connecting links, a pivotally mounted shaft attached to said third connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and said constraining means being attached to said shaft for pivotal support thereof while constraining shaft movement in a radial direction along a substantially straight line path.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
190 words
A mechanism for converting arcuate motion to straight line motion comprising, a parallelogram mechanism which comprises first and second parallel arms and first and second parallel connecting links pivotally connected to said arms, means for supporting said parallel arms adjacent one end thereof for arcuate motion along portions of generally elliptical paths adjacent focii of ellipses, means for constraining the parallel arms intermediate the opposite ends thereof to movement along substantially straight line paths along the major axes of the ellipses whereby the arms opposite said one end thereof are movable along substantially straight line paths along the minor axes of the ellipses, said supporting means comprising a pivotally mounted supporting link pivotally attached to said first connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof, said constraining means comprising a third connecting link pivotally connected to said arms parallel with and intermediate of said first and second connecting links, a pivotally mounted shaft attached to said third connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof, and said constraining means being attached to said shaft for pivotal support thereof while constraining shaft movement in a radial direction along a substantially straight line path.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 13 including, means for pivoting said shaft and attached third connecting link about the shaft axis for pivoting said connecting links about their center points.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
139 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising, a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by first and second connecting links adjacent opposite arm ends and a third connecting link intermediate thereof, a supporting link pivotally attached to the first connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof for supporting one end of the parallelogram linkage for arcuate motion along a portion of a generally elliptical path adjacent a focus of the ellipse, a shaft attached to said third connecting link intermediate opposite ends and extending from opposite faces thereof, means for pivotally mounting said shaft including means for constraining radial shaft movement to a substantially straightline path extending along the major axis of the ellipse, and transducer means attached to said second connecting link at the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
139 words
A scanning mechanism for mechanically scanning ultrasonic transducer means, or the like, comprising, a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms interconnected by first and second connecting links adjacent opposite arm ends and a third connecting link intermediate thereof, a supporting link pivotally attached to the first connecting link intermediate the opposite ends thereof for supporting one end of the parallelogram linkage for arcuate motion along a portion of a generally elliptical path adjacent a focus of the ellipse, a shaft attached to said third connecting link intermediate opposite ends and extending from opposite faces thereof, means for pivotally mounting said shaft including means for constraining radial shaft movement to a substantially straightline path extending along the major axis of the ellipse, and transducer means attached to said second connecting link at the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 15 including means for rocking said supporting link to impart a substantially straightline motion to the transducer means along the minor axis.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
27 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 15 including means for pivoting said shaft about its rotational axis to impart a sector scanning motion to the transducer means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The mechanism as defined in claim 17 including means for simultaneously rocking said supporting link to impart a combination linear and sector scanning motion to the transducer means.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
113 words
A motion converting method employing a parallelogram linkage which includes a pair of parallel arms pivotally connected by a pair of connecting links, said method comprising mounting one of said connecting links, adjacent one end of the parallelogram linkage, for travel along an arcuate path which closely approximates the path of an ellipse adjacent one focus thereof, and constraining movement of an intermediate portion of the parallelogram linkage to substantially strainght-line movement along a path at the major axis of the ellipse for substantially straight-line motion of the parallelogram linkage adjacent the other end thereof along the minor axis of the ellipse upon movement of said one connecting link along said arcuate path.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
113 words
A motion converting method employing a parallelogram linkage which includes a pair of parallel arms pivotally connected by a pair of connecting links, said method comprising mounting one of said connecting links, adjacent one end of the parallelogram linkage, for travel along an arcuate path which closely approximates the path of an ellipse adjacent one focus thereof, and constraining movement of an intermediate portion of the parallelogram linkage to substantially strainght-line movement along a path at the major axis of the ellipse for substantially straight-line motion of the parallelogram linkage adjacent the other end thereof along the minor axis of the ellipse upon movement of said one connecting link along said arcuate path.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as defined in claim 19 including, rocking said parallelogram linkage about an axis normal to the path of travel along the major axis of the ellipse to provide the linkage adjacent the other end thereof with a simultaneous rocking motion during movement along the minor axis of the ellipse.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method as defined in claim 20 including, mounting transducer means at the other said connecting link for simultaneous linear and sector scanning motion thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3913388A
Cited
US3921440A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1981-01-02 | 1981-07-04 | 1982-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1985-01-02 | 1985-07-04 | 1986-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1989-01-02 | 1989-07-04 | 1990-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |