US4870970A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic investigation apparatus
Assignee: JACK CANTEWELL Inc
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Filing: 1987-08-12
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Granted: 1989-10-03
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Expires: 2007-08-12
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for transmitting acoustic ultrasonic pulses and for receiving "echos" of the transmitted pulses, comprises a housing, an upstanding wall mounted on the housing defining the mouth of a well, and a transducer mounted in the housing so that the operative part of the transducer is located in the well. The well is substantially watertight and is provided with a jet for introducing water or other fluids to the well, or is pre-filled with fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Nigel Gray
- 👤 Simon Knibbs
- 👤 Patrick A. Finlay
- 👤 Robert L. Crocker
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:00
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0825; A61B8/0866; A61B8/40; A61B8/406; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/915
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for transmitting acoustic ultrasonic pulses and for receiving "echos" of the transmitted pulses, said apparatus comprising a first housing, an upstanding wall mounted on the housing defining the mouth of a well, the well having an upper region adjacent the mouth and a lower region, a transducer located in the first housing so that the operative part of the transducer is located in the well, the transducer being mounted in a moveable housing which is moveable linearly relative to said upstanding walls and which is provided with controllable means to move the housing, a flexible membrane being provided in the lower region of the well and being sealingly connected to the said wall defining the well and being sealingly connected to part of the moveable housing so that the membrane forms the bottom of the well, the well being substantially water-tight and being provided with means for introducing water or other fluids to the well, or being pre-filled with fluid, the means to move the housing engaging the housing at a point separated from said well by said membrane.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
181 words
An apparatus for transmitting acoustic ultrasonic pulses and for receiving "echos" of the transmitted pulses, said apparatus comprising a first housing, an upstanding wall mounted on the housing defining the mouth of a well, the well having an upper region adjacent the mouth and a lower region, a transducer located in the first housing so that the operative part of the transducer is located in the well, the transducer being mounted in a moveable housing which is moveable linearly relative to said upstanding walls and which is provided with controllable means to move the housing, a flexible membrane being provided in the lower region of the well and being sealingly connected to the said wall defining the well and being sealingly connected to part of the moveable housing so that the membrane forms the bottom of the well, the well being substantially water-tight and being provided with means for introducing water or other fluids to the well, or being pre-filled with fluid, the means to move the housing engaging the housing at a point separated from said well by said membrane.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the well is provided with said means for introducing fluid to the well in the form of a pump and a conduit to direct fluid from the pump into the well.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the well is pre-filled with fluid and wherein the well is provided with a sealable bore in the wall thereof to permit said fluid to be introduced to the well.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparataus according to claim 1 wherein means are provided for withdrawing fluid from the well.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the well is sealed at the mouth by a flexible membrane.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said membrane is sealingly connected to the upstanding wall by means of a sealing ring received in an annular recess formed in the wall, the sealing ring sealingly trapping the said membrane.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the said membrane is sealingly connected to a part of the moveable housing mounting the trandsucer, by means of a sealing ring.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the transducer is mounted in a bore formed in the moveable housing accommodating the transducer, the transducer being sealed by at least one sealing ring mounted between the wall defining the bore and the transducer.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein the housing accommodating the transducer is mounted on a linear bearings so that the housing, together with the transducer, can move relative to said upstanding wall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein an electric motor is provided adapted to drive a threaded rod which passes through a threaded aperture formed in part of the housing accommodating the transducer, actuation of the motor causing rotation of the threaded rod, thus driving the said housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein limit switch means are provided for detecting predetermined limit positions of the housing mounting the transducer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
29 words
An apparatus according to claim 11 wherein the limit switch means comprise a microswitch co-operating with a cam surface formed or mounted on the movable housing mounting the transducer.
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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) | 1992-10-02 | 1993-04-03 | 1993-10-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-10-02 | 1997-04-03 | 1997-10-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-10-02 | 2001-04-03 | 2001-10-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |