US4714846A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for the examination of objects with ultra-sound, comprising an array of piezo-electric transducer elements
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1986-10-22
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Granted: 1987-12-22
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Expires: 2006-10-22
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for the examination of objects with ultrasound, comprising a linear or two-dimensional array (10) of piezo-electric transducer elements (10 (1), . . . , 10 (n)) with a length L and a width W, a stage for the repeated transmission of ultrasonic signals and a stage for the reception and processing of the ultrasonic echoes received. The thickness T of the elements is equal to half the wavelength corresponding to a first frequency F for which there exists, on the two-dimensional diagram of the curves F·T=f(W/T), or respectively, on the three-dimensional diagram of the curves F·T=f(W/T, L/T) of the distribution of the resonance frequencies, a first vibratory mode at the said first frequency F and a second vibratory mode at a second frequency equal to or near 2F. The transmission stage incorporates a generator (20) of excitation signals at the first frequency F, the spectrum of these excitation signals excluding at least the second frequency.
Inventors
- 👤 Patrick R. Pesque
- 👤 Jean-Marie C. Nicolas
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 15:41
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0607; B06B1/0622; G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52025; G01S7/52036; G01N; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/0289
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for the examination of objects with ultrasound, comprising: a linear array of piezo-electric transducer elements each having a width W and a thickness T, wherein the thickness T of each of the transducer elements is equal to one half of a wavelength corresponding to a first frequency F for which on a diagram of curves F·T=f(W/T) of the distribution of the resonant frequencies there exists a first vibratory mode at the said first frequency F and a second vibratory mode at or near a second frequency equal to 2F; transmission means which excite the elements at the first frequency F using excitation signals having a spectrum which excludes the second frequency 2F; and means functionally connected to the elements for receiving and processing echo signals which are received by the elements at said frequency 2F.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
137 words
An apparatus for the examination of objects with ultrasound, comprising: a linear array of piezo-electric transducer elements each having a width W and a thickness T, wherein the thickness T of each of the transducer elements is equal to one half of a wavelength corresponding to a first frequency F for which on a diagram of curves F·T=f(W/T) of the distribution of the resonant frequencies there exists a first vibratory mode at the said first frequency F and a second vibratory mode at or near a second frequency equal to 2F; transmission means which excite the elements at the first frequency F using excitation signals having a spectrum which excludes the second frequency 2F; and means functionally connected to the elements for receiving and processing echo signals which are received by the elements at said frequency 2F.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for the examination of objects with ultrasound, comprising: a two-dimensional array of parallelepipedic piezo-electric transducer elements each having a length L, a width W, and a thickness T, wherein the thickness T of each of the transducer elements is equal to one half of a wavelength corresponding to a first frequency F for which on a three-dimensional diagram of the curves F·T=f(W/T, L/T) of the distribution of the resonant frequencies there exists a first vibratory mode at the said first frequency F and a second vibratory mode at or near a second frequency equal to 2F; transmission means which excite the elements at the first frequency F using excitation signals having a spectrum which excludes the second frequency 2F; and means functionally connected to the elements for receiving and processing echo signals which are received by the elements at said frequency 2F.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
144 words
An apparatus for the examination of objects with ultrasound, comprising: a two-dimensional array of parallelepipedic piezo-electric transducer elements each having a length L, a width W, and a thickness T, wherein the thickness T of each of the transducer elements is equal to one half of a wavelength corresponding to a first frequency F for which on a three-dimensional diagram of the curves F·T=f(W/T, L/T) of the distribution of the resonant frequencies there exists a first vibratory mode at the said first frequency F and a second vibratory mode at or near a second frequency equal to 2F; transmission means which excite the elements at the first frequency F using excitation signals having a spectrum which excludes the second frequency 2F; and means functionally connected to the elements for receiving and processing echo signals which are received by the elements at said frequency 2F.
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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) | 1990-12-21 | 1991-06-22 | 1991-12-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-12-21 | 1995-06-22 | 1995-12-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-12-21 | 1999-06-22 | 1999-12-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |