US 4,178,578 A · Pest control apparatus

Abstract

Ultrasonic pest control apparatus comprising a pair of transducers, one in the form of a ring and the other in the form of a disc positioned within the ring, carried by a housing, a pair of oscillators operatively connected to the transducers, a timer controlling the oscillators, and a reflector extending from the housing. The oscillators apply to the transducers electrical signals having frequencies different from the natural frequencies of the transducers, and the timer controls the oscillator duty cycle. The generated sound waves are a composite output in the form of a random pattern of harmonics in the ultrasonic frequency range noramlly inaudible to humans and intolerable by pests such as rodents. A system includes a pair of units in opposed alignment whereby sound waves of one unit work against sound waves of the other. A gas-tight sealing arrangement associated with transducer and housing permits safe operation in explosive atmospheres. The transducers, oscillators and timer are removable as a unit from the housing which is frusto-conical in shape permitting a plurality of units to be nested during storage and shipment.

Claims19

Dependent claims

Apparatus for generating and radiating ultrasonic sound waves for the control of pests comprising:

(a) supporting means;
(b) sound generating means carried by said supporting means and comprising first and second transducer means for providing sound waves when driven by corresponding electrical signals, each of said first and second transducer means having a natural frequency of oscillation, said sound waves being at frequencies normally inaudible to humans and intolerable by pests as rodents and the like, and driver means connected to said first and second transducer means for applying electrical signals to said first and second transducer means in a manner causing said first and second transducer means each to seek the natural frequency of oscillation thereof but never to stabilize at such natural frequencies so as to provide a composite output in the form of an unstable pattern of frequencies and amplitude peaking in the ultrasonic frequency range;
and
(c) a reflector extending from said supporting means and positioned relative to said first and second transducer means in a manner providing directional concentration of said output waves.

1 more element

Apparatus for generating and radiating ultrasonic sound waves for control of pests comprising:

(a) supporting means;
(b) sound generating means carried by said supporting means and comprising first and second transducer means for providing sound waves when driven by corresponding electrical signals, each of said first and second transducer means having a natural frequency of oscillation, said sound waves being at frequencies normally inaudible to humans and intolerable by by pests such as rodents and the like, and driver means connected to said first and second transducer means for applying electrical signals to said first and second transducer means in a manner causing said first and second transducer means to provide a composite output in the form of an unstable pattern of frequencies and amplitude peaking in the ultrasonic frequency range, said driver means comprising first oscillator means drivingly coupled to said first transducer means for applying to said transducer an electrical signal having a frequency different from the natural frequency of said first transducer means and second oscillator means drivingly coupled to said second transducer means for applying to said transducer an electrical signal having a frequency different from the natural frequency of said second transducer means;
and
(c) a reflector extending from said supporting means and positioned relative to said first and second transducer means in a manner providing directional concentration of said output waves.

1 more element

Apparatus for generating and radiating ultrasonic sound waves for the control of pests comprising:

(a) supporting means;
(b) sound generating means carried by said supporting means and comprising first and second transducer means for providing sound waves when driven by corresponding electrical signals, said sound waves being at frequencies normally inaudible to humans and intolerable by pests such as rodents and the like, said first transducer means being in the form of a ring having a natural frequency of oscillation, said second transducer means being in the form of a disc having a natural frequency of oscillation, said second transducer means being positioned within said first transducer means, and driver means connected to said first and second transducer means for applying electrical signals to said first and second transducer means in a manner causing said first and second transducer means to provide a composite output in the form of an unstable pattern of frequencies and amplitude peaking in the ultrasonic frequency range, said driving means including a first oscillator for applying to said first transducer means an electrical signal having a frequency different from the natural frequency of said first transducer means, a second oscillator for applying to said second transducer means an electrical signal having a frequency different from the natural frequency of said second transducer means, and timer means connected in controlling relation to said first and second oscillators for switching said oscillators on and off at a predetermined rate;
and
(c) a reflector extending from said supporting means and positioned relative to said first and second transducer means in a manner providing directional concentration of said output waves.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Pest control apparatus

Life of this patent

Pest control apparatus

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19