Communications – electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices – Signal transducers – Underwater type
Reissue Patent
1999-12-13
2001-06-05
Pihulic, Daniel T. (Department: 3662)
Communications, electrical: acoustic wave systems and devices
Signal transducers
Underwater type
C367S162000, C310S321000, C310S337000
Reissue Patent
active
RE037204
ABSTRACT:
This invention relates to electromechanical transducers and more particularly relates to electromechanical transducers which respond to electrical energy to produce mechanical or acoustic vibrations at particular frequencies. The invention particularly relates to electromechanical transducers which are impervious to corrosive and erosive effects in the atmosphere.
Electromechanical transducers have been in use for decades to convert electrical energy to mechanical or acoustic energy at a particular frequency. The transducers include a transducer member made from a particular material such as a piezoelectric material which expands and contracts at the particular frequency when alternating electrical signals are introduced to the transducer member.
One particular embodiment of an electromechanical transducer includes a transducer member disposed in a looped configuration and having a gap at one position in the loop. This embodiment also includes a support member enveloping the transducer member and having a gap at a position corresponding to the gap in the transducer member. When the transducer member receives alternating electrical signals, the transducer member and the support member vibrate at a particular frequency in a direction to decrease and increase the dimensions of the gap.
Electromechanical transducers are advantageous because they provide an efficient conversion between electrical energy and electromechanical or acoustic energy. The conversion of electrical energy to electromechanical energy or acoustic energy in electromechanical transducers has a number of different uses. For example, they may be used to separate solids from a liquid in a slurry, to clean tubing such as in an oil well, to obtain an enhanced recovery of oil such as in an oil well, to determine the existence of oil in a particular underground location and to mix different chemicals acoustically.
In many uses of electromechanical transducers, the transducers are subjected to corrosive or erosive atmospheres. Furthermore, the transducers are not completely enclosed. This causes the life of the transducers in such corrosive or erosive atmospheres to be limited. For example, depending upon the use made of the transducers, the transducers may be subjected to strong acids, sulfur or strong hydroxides.
The problem discussed in the previous paragraph has existed for decades. During this period of time, a considerable effort has been made, and significant amounts of money have been expended, to solve the problem. In spite of this, no satisfactory solution to the problem has been provided to this time.
This invention provides a transducer assembly which provides an efficient conversion of electrical energy such as alternating electrical signals to electromechanical energy or acoustical energy at a preselected frequency. The transducer assembly can be fabricated to provide the assembly with a controlled Q such that a sharp waveband of frequencies or a wide band of frequencies can be provided. The transducer assembly is enclosed so that it is impervious to corrosion or erosion from the surrounding atmosphere.
In one embodiment of the invention, a support member preferably made of a metal such as cold rolled steel is disposed in a looped configuration and is provided with a gap. A transducer member preferably made of a piezoelectric material such as a ceramic is disposed within the support member. The transducer member is provided with a gap at a position corresponding to the gap in the support member.
A closure member made from a suitable springlike material such as an alloy steel is attached to the opposite ends of the support member at the position of the gap as by welding. The closure member extends in a U-shaped configuration into the looped configurations defined by the support member and the ceramic member. The axial length of the closure member defines the bandwidth of the frequency vibrations generated by the transducer member. When the U-shaped springlike member extends from the gap into the looped configuration to a position near the end of the transducer member and the support member opposite the gap, a bracing member may be disposed between the springlike member and the transducer member to brace the springlike member. The opposite ends of the closure member are closed as by end caps.
REFERENCES:
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patent: 3230504 (1966-01-01), Horan et al.
patent: 4651044 (1987-03-01), Kompanek
patent: 4682070 (1987-07-01), Plambeck
patent: 4887247 (1989-12-01), Black et al.
patent: 5020035 (1991-05-01), Kompanek
patent: 5103130 (1992-04-01), Rolt et al.
patent: 5122992 (1992-06-01), Kompanek
Burns, Doane, Swecker & Swecker, L.L.P.
Piezo Sona-Tool Corporation
Pihulic Daniel T.
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