US 5,350,352 AGranted

Acoustic pressure pulse generator

AssigneeSiemens Aktiengesellschaft

InventorsGerhard Buchholtz, Matthias Mahler

Life of this patent

Estimating the term…

Loading patent…

Abstract

A pressure pulse generator has a pressure pulse source with a membrane that is rapidly displaceable from an initial position for generating acoustic pressure pulses in an acoustic propagation medium. For returning the membrane to its initial position, the acoustic propagation medium adjoining the membrane is maintained at an elevated static pressure in comparison to the ambient pressure. Additionally, a cooling arrangement for the pressure pulse source is provided for eliminating the dissipated heat arising during operation of the pressure pulse source. The cooling system contains a coolant that flows in a closed circulation path through a channel integrated into the pressure pulse source and through a cooling unit.

Claims10

Dependent claims

A pressure pulse generator comprising:

a housing having a pressure-tight space terminated at one side by a membrane and containing an acoustic propagation medium, said membrane normally being disposed in an initial position in said housing;
means for rapidly displacing said membrane from said initial position causing said membrane to interact with said acoustic propagation medium to generate a pressure pulse therein;
means for maintaining said acoustic propagation medium in said space at a static pressure which is greater than the ambient pressure for returning said membrane to said initial position after displacement of said membrane;
and
means for cooling said membrane and said means for rapidly displacing said membrane containing a coolant which is separated from said acoustic propagation medium.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.