Stress relief for flextensional transducer
US4420826A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 6, 1981 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 6, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB06B1/0611
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
This invention is a device that permits a flextensional transducer to function after the flextensional transducer experiences a pressure equal to or greater than the pressure found at the survival depth of prior art flextensional transducers. The foregoing is achieved by not bonding at least one end of the transducer's piezoelectric stack to the transducer's shell and having the other end or ends of the piezoelectric stack held in the vicinity of the transducer's shell by a pair of guide rails, etc. This permits the transducer's shell to move away from at least one end of the piezoelectric stack at pressures equal to or greater than the pressure at which the stack would experience tensile stresses in a conventional flextensional design. Thus, the piezoelectric stack will not fracture since it receives no tensile stress. Hence, when the transducer experiences a hydrostatic pressure less than the pressure at the survival depth, the shell of the transducer will recontact the free end of the piezoelectric stack permitting the transducer to function.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.