US 12,330,964 B2Granted

Enhanced algae control system transducer

OwnerAntonio Davido Trigianiinventor

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Abstract

Apparatus for controlling bio-organisms in bodies of water. The algae control system includes a power unit and a transducer unit that radiates in multiple directions. The transducer unit includes a variable power driver and a transducer subassembly. The power from the driver varies to maintain a maximum, constant transducer sonic output over its bandwidth. The transducer assembly includes at least one transducer that includes a pair of blocks with at least one piezoelectric element therebetween. One embodiment has a single, disc-shaped element adhesively secured between said blocks. The transducer is excited by applying power to the pair of blocks. Another embodiment has at least one ring-shaped elements compressed between the two blocks by way of a fastener. The transducer is excited by applying power, in one embodiment, between the blocks and a conductor between a pair of ring-shaped elements, or in another embodiment, between the pair of blocks.

Claims20

Dependent claims

An apparatus for controlling bio-organisms in a body of water, said apparatus comprising:

a transducer assembly configured to emit sonic waves in opposite directions along a first axis and in opposite directions along a second axis, said first axis perpendicular to said second axis, said first and second axes defining a plane substantially parallel with a surface of the body of water, said transducer assembly configured to be supported a specified distance below a surface of the body of water;
said transducer assembly including a first transducer and a second transducer, said first transducer emitting sonic waves in opposing directions along said first axis, said second transducer emitting sonic waves in opposing directions along said second axis,
said first transducer having a first sonic element disposed between a first pair of blocks, said first sonic element being piezoelectric, said first sonic element having opposing element faces, said opposing first element faces of said first sonic element in electrical communication with said first pair of blocks, said first transducer defining said first axis normal to and through said first sonic element and said first pair of blocks,
said first transducer including a first fastener engaging a first through-opening in said first sonic element and through-opening in each of said first pair of blocks whereby said first fastener compresses said first sonic element between said first pair of blocks, and
said second transducer having a second sonic element disposed between a second pair of blocks, said second sonic element being piezoelectric, said second sonic element having opposing element faces, said opposing second element faces of said first second element in electrical communication with said second pair of blocks, said second transducer defining said second axis normal to and through said second sonic element and second first pair of blocks,
said second transducer including a second fastener engaging a through-opening in said second sonic element and a through-opening in each of said second pair of blocks whereby said second fastener compresses said second sonic element between said second pair of blocks;
and
a driver including an exciter electrically connected to said first and second transducers.

5 more elements

An apparatus for controlling bio-organisms in a body of water, said apparatus comprising:

a transducer assembly configured to emit sonic waves in opposite directions along a first axis and in opposite directions along a second axis, said first axis perpendicular to said second axis, said first and second axes defining a plane substantially parallel with a surface of the body of water, said transducer assembly configured to be supported a specified distance below a surface of the body of water;
said transducer assembly including a first transducer and a second transducer,
said first transducer having a first sonic element disposed between a first pair of blocks, said first sonic element being piezoelectric, said first sonic element having opposing element faces, said opposing first element faces of said first sonic element in electrical communication with said first pair of blocks, said first transducer defining said first axis normal to and through said first sonic element and said first pair of blocks, and
said second transducer having a second sonic element disposed between a second pair of blocks, said second sonic element being piezoelectric, said second sonic element having opposing element faces, said opposing second element faces of said first second element in electrical communication with said second pair of blocks, said second transducer defining said second axis normal to and through said second sonic element and second first pair of blocks;
and
a driver including an exciter electrically connected to said first and second transducers.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 17/718,187Filed 11 Apr 2022 · continuation in part
Priority: 3 May 2016
Published: US 2022/0242755 A14 Aug 2022
Granted: 17 Jun 2025
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification11 codes

C02F 1/36
With mechanical oscillations: ultrasonic vibrations
B06B 1/0215
Driving circuits: for generating pulses, e.g. bursts of oscillations, envelopes
B06B 1/0651
Using a single piezoelectric element: of circular shape
B06B 2201/74
Specific application: underwater

Family

Application62/331,151Us provisional application · filed 3 May 2016
Application62/348,265Us provisional application · filed 10 Jun 2016
Application15/586,261Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 May 2017
Application16/559,308Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Sep 2019
US 10,399,867 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Sep 2019
US 2022/0242755 A1Pre-grant publication · published 4 Aug 2022
US 11,299,406 B2Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 2017/0320756 A1Published application
US 2019/0389746 A1Published application
US 12,330,964 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.