Flextensional transducer
AssigneeImage Acoustics, Inc.
InventorJohn L. Butler
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An acoustic transducer for providing large displacements particularly at low acoustic frequencies is formed from a minimum of three curved shells which are attached to each other at their ends. The shells are driven by a ring or corresponding number of attached piezoelectric or magnetostrictive type rod or bar drivers. The curved shells are attached to the ends of the driver and vibrate with a magnified motion as the rods execute extensional motion. As the polygon expands the curved shells deform and produce additional motion in the same radial direction resulting in a large total displacement and corresponding large acoustic output.
Claims33
A flextensional transducer comprising,
- a hollow resilient closed housing including at least three inwardly curved shells each having opposite ends,
- a transduction drive means including at least three drive members each having opposite ends,
- means commonly securing ends of the drive members to ends of the curved shells at at least three connection points corresponding to said at least three shells and drive members,
- said means commonly securing including electrical insulation means for electrically isolating the drive members from said shells,
- said connection points defining therebetween a locus of polygon configuration,
- and means for exciting said transduction drive means to cause the curved shells to move additively with both translational and bending motions in the same direction to enhance acoustic output.
A flextensional transducer comprising,
- a hollow resilient closed housing including at least three inwardly curved shells having opposite ends,
- a transduction drive means including at least three drive members each having opposite ends,
- means commonly securing ends of the drive members to ends of the curved shells at at least three connection points corresponding to said at least three shells and drive members,
- said connection points defining therebetween a locus of polygon configuration,
- means for exciting said transduction drive means to cause the curved shells to move additively with both translational and bending motions in the same direction to enhance acoustic output,
- and means at opposite open ends of said closed housing for closing the open ends to provide a fluid tight housing.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.