Patents by Inventor John L. Butler

John L. Butler has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12087263
    Abstract: An electro mechanical piezoelectric under water sound acoustic projector transducer which does not interfere with adjacent hydrophone reception and is mainly controlled at the electrical input is presented here. The method recognizes that the main interference with the adjacent hydrophone is mostly due to the resonance of the projector when not transmitting and is excited by the incoming acoustic wave reflected from the target signal originally initiated by the projector. Means for accomplishing this are shown to be simple to implement on current or new projector systems. The process uses an electrical resistor that absorbs the incoming acoustic wave as if the resistor were a mechanical damper and the projector transducer were acoustically transparent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Frank D. Fratantonio
  • Patent number: 11911793
    Abstract: A low frequency underwater sound electro-mechanical transduction bender apparatus for radiating sound at deep submergence depths and including at least one piezoelectric bilaminar or trilaminar beam or disc having opposed support ends; a pair of piezoelectric structures that each have sides that are respectively connected at the opposed support ends of the beam or disc. The piezoelectric bilaminar or trilaminar beam or disc is driven by the pair of piezoelectric structures. The apparatus further includes a housing that contains the piezoelectric bilaminar or trilaminar beam or disc and the pair of piezoelectric structures, as well as an internal fill of a fluid substance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Frank D. Fratantonio, Jethro H. Tannis
  • Patent number: 10744532
    Abstract: An underwater acoustic transducer that is capable of radiating acoustic energy at low frequencies. A transducer which is a resonant low frequency bender-type transducer driven at its end supports by a piezoelectric stack of material operating with inner and outer parts driven in opposite directions creating a bending motion of a radiating beam, plate or disc. The small piezoelectric motions at the beam supports are magnified by the leveraged motion of the bending beam(s) creating significant output at low frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 9036029
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical transducers are used to actively cloak a targeted object in a way that absorbs incoming waves without reflection, sends them out the opposite side of the target and returns the wave without leaving a shadow behind the target. The present invention pertains to an improvement in the cloaking of an object without requiring the use of special materials for the object itself and allows the use of SONAR and other possible transducer systems that would be covered and rendered ineffective with passive cloaking materials. Other means are also provided for extending the bandwidth as well as increasing the efficiency for cloaking or other transducers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Butler
  • Publication number: 20140369160
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical transducers are used to actively cloak a targeted object in a way that absorbs incoming waves without reflection, sends them out the opposite side of the target and returns the wave without leaving a shadow behind the target. The present invention pertains to an improvement in the cloaking of an object without requiring the use of special materials for the object itself and allows the use of SONAR and other possible transducer systems that would be covered and rendered ineffective with passive cloaking materials. Other means are also provided for extending the bandwidth as well as increasing the efficiency for cloaking or other transducers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: IMAGE ACOUSTICS INC.
    Inventor: John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8836792
    Abstract: Electro-mechanical transducers are used to actively cloak a targeted object in a way that absorbs incoming waves without reflection, sends them out the opposite side of the target and returns the wave without leaving a shadow behind the target. The present invention pertains to an improvement in the cloaking of an object without requiring the use of special materials for the object itself and allows the use of SONAR and other possible transducer systems that would be covered and rendered ineffective with passive cloaking materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8659211
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer is disclosed, which provides a very low frequency wide band response from a bender (or benders) using piezoelectric cantilevers or center mounted free edge disc, providing additive output between the resonant frequencies achieving this response at great depths under equivalent free flooded conditions with additionally improved response with silicone rubber to reduce the acoustic cancellation associated with the dipole mode of vibration of the bender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2014
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8599648
    Abstract: A modal piezoelectric transducer that is constructed with at least three multi section piezoelectric structures to which a shell with equal concave or indentation sections is attached at the intersections of the piezoelectric structures providing magnified displacement to attached pistons and greater loading of the medium on to the piezoelectric structures producing greater output and a lower resonance frequency. A doubly steered array of steerable modal piezoelectric transducers is steered in the same direction as the array is steered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8552625
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer provides a very low frequency wide band response by using a quad configuration of piezoelectric cantilevers, providing additive output between the resonant frequencies of the cantilevers and achieves this at great depths under free flooded or oil filled conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 8072843
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer is disclosed, which provides a wideband response by activating successive multiple resonant frequencies in a way which provides additive output between the resonant frequencies with reduced cancellation below the first resonance and means for controlling the response by reducing the voltage drive. A multiply resonant wideband high output transducer is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2011
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7692363
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides dipole motion from its housing which is driven by a bender transducer attached to the housing at the outer edge and attached to an inertial mass at its center providing a lower resonance frequency, lower mechanical Q and enhanced motion and acoustical source level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7453186
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer which provides orthogonal translated motion to a piston through an attached lever arm connected to and driven by at least two electromechanical cantilever members, mounted on a separate inertial tail mass, and which under full array loading conditions provide a reduced resonance frequency that yields velocity control in the vicinity of that resonance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2008
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7372776
    Abstract: A transduction apparatus, which employs an array of individual transducers that generates multiple acoustic radiation modes, is described. These modes are used together to yield directional steered beam patterns. In one embodiment separate transducers, clustered in the form of a ring array, are used together to generate wide and narrow cardioid type beam patterns through combined monopole, dipole and quadrupole radiation modes in the medium, along with at least one tail mass.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2008
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Publication number: 20080079331
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer, which provides dipole motion from its housing which is driven by a bender transducer attached to the housing at the outer edge and attached to an inertial mass at its center providing a lower resonance frequency, lower mechanical Q and enhanced motion and acoustical source level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Publication date: April 3, 2008
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 7292503
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides radial amplified multiple piston motion is formed from attached multiple lever arms and multiple electro-mechanical drivers. The piston motion is amplified by lever arms, which are attached to electro-mechanical drivers, such as piezoelectric or magnetostrictive drivers, which oscillate in a radial direction in unison with the applied voltage. A minimum of three pistons, three lever arms (or shells) and three drivers may be used. A preferred embodiment, uses four pistons, four lever arms (or shells) and four drivers. As a result of both the magnified motion of the lever arms (or shells) and the large acoustic radiating area of the multiple pistons, the transducer provides a means for a high-source level from a compact low-frequency broadband transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2007
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 6950373
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer is disclosed, which provides a wideband response by activating successive multiple resonant frequencies in a way which provides additive output between the resonant frequencies. A three mode wideband high output transducer is also disclosed along with an electro-mechanical feedback system which provides a smoothed response as well as array control under multiple element usage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Publication number: 20040228216
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer is disclosed, which provides a wideband response by activating successive multiple resonant frequencies in a way which provides additive output between the resonant frequencies. A three mode wideband high output transducer is also disclosed along with an electro-mechanical feedback system which provides a smoothed response as well as array control under multiple element usage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Publication date: November 18, 2004
    Inventors: Alexander L. Butler, John L. Butler
  • Patent number: 6734604
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides beam patterns synthesized from the vibration modes of the transducer. A preferred form of the transducer is a short piezoelectric tube or ring with separate electrodes spaced around the ring for specific excitation of the monopole, dipole and quadrupole modes of vibration. Operation of the transducer in the region between the dipole and quadrupole modes yields a system with a nearly constant beam pattern and transmitting response. The arrangement allows a simple directional steered beam pattern from a single transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Patent number: 6654316
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides amplified piston motion from an orthogonal drive direction wherein the electro-mechanical drive additionally provides the inertial reactive mass for the moving mass of the piston. The piston motion is amplified by lever arms, which are typically attached to a piezoelectric or electrostrictive drive system. The arrangement allows a compact, high output transducer design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2003
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler
  • Publication number: 20030206490
    Abstract: An electro-mechanical transducer, which provides amplified piston motion from an orthogonal drive direction wherein the electro-mechanical drive additionally provides the inertial reactive mass for the moving mass of the piston. The piston motion is amplified by lever arms, which are typically attached to a piezoelectric or electrostrictive drive system. The arrangement allows a compact, high output transducer design.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Applicant: Image Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventors: John L. Butler, Alexander L. Butler