Abstract: A phased ultrasonic transducer and method for transmitting sound or ultrasound through a gaseous medium into a solid spectrum with ultrasound beam steering and focusing.

Abstract: A phased ultrasonic transducer and method for transmitting sound or ultrasound through a gaseous medium into a solid spectrum with ultrasound beam steering and focusing.

Abstract: A phased ultrasonic transducer and method for transmitting sound or ultrasound through a gaseous medium into a solid spectrum with ultrasound beam steering and focusing.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the speed of sound through a specimen comprises an ultrasound sending transducer, an ultrasound receiving transducer, a pair of laser distance sensors, a display device, a controller in communication with the ultrasound sending transducer, the ultrasound receiving transducer and the pair of laser distance sensors and the display device. The ultrasound sending transducer and one laser distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a first plane. The ultrasound receiving transducer and one last distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a second plane parallel with the first plane. A support for a specimen is provided between the first and second planes. The controller is programmed for gathering data from the ultrasound transducers and the laser distance sensors for calculating the speed of ultrasound in the specimen and displaying the results.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (10) includes (a) a first gas matrix piezoelectric composite (12) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); (b) a second gas matrix piezoelectric composite (14) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); and (c) a substrate (28) having a first side (22) and a second side (24), wherein the substrate is positioned between the first gas matrix piezoelectric composite and the second gas matrix piezoelectric composite. Either the first or second gas matrix piezoelectric composite may include a plurality of piezoelectric rods (15), wherein each piezoelectric rod includes at least one positive pole (16) end and at least one negative pole end (18).

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the speed of sound through a specimen comprises an ultrasound sending transducer, an ultrasound receiving transducer, a pair of laser distance sensors, a display device, a controller in communication with the ultrasound sending transducer, the ultrasound receiving transducer and the pair of laser distance sensors and the display device. The ultrasound sending transducer and one laser distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a first plane. The ultrasound receiving transducer and one last distance sensor are supported with a transducer surface in a second plane parallel with the first plane. A support for a specimen is provided between the first and second planes. The controller is programmed for gathering data from the ultrasound transducers and the laser distance sensors for calculating the speed of ultrasound in the specimen and displaying the results.

Abstract: A method of characterizing the surface of a CMP pad by directing an ultrasound pulse at the surface from an ultrasound transducer that is not in contact with the surface and observing the frequency spectrum of the reflected pulse which is indicative of properties of the surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the lungs by adding ultrasound energy to the inspiration air or gas.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises an ultrasound intensifier having an air/gas inlet, and a high powered non-contact ultrasound transducer, the ultrasound transducer directing ultrasound energy into the intensifier and methods of using the apparatus to increase the physical and/or chemical reactivity of a liquid or surface.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer (10) includes (a) a first gas matrix piezoelectric composite (12) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); (b) a second gas matrix piezoelectric composite (14) having a side including at least one positive pole (+) and another side including at least one negative pole (?); and (c) a substrate (28) having a first side (22) and a second side (24), wherein the substrate is positioned between the first gas matrix piezoelectric composite and the second gas matrix piezoelectric composite. Either the first or second gas matrix piezoelectric composite may include a plurality of piezoelectric rods (15), wherein each piezoelectric rod includes at least one positive pole (16) end and at least one negative pole end (18).

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer defined by two faces comprises a plurality of piezoelectric cylinders. The axial length and composition of the piezoelectric cylinders determines the frequency of the transducer when excited. The axial ends of the piezoelectric cylinders are aligned with the faces. The piezoelectric cylinders are separated from each other and the space therebetween is fully or partially empty such that crosstalk between piezoelectric cylinders is substantially eliminated. Electrodes are produced at the faces of the transducer for simultaneously exciting the piezoelectric cylinders.

Abstract: Method of making a gas matrix composite ultrasound transducer comprises aligning piezoelectric rods or fibers substantially parallel to each other on an adhesive side of a plurality of curable adhesive-faced sheets, stacking the sheets so as to maintain the gaps between the rods or fibers, curing the adhesive, cutting the cured structure perpendicular to the rods or fibers into narrow slices, and applying a conductive layer to each cut face to form electrical contacts with both ends of the rods or fibers.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer comprises a piezoelectric layer and an adjacent layer of an acoustic impedance matching material having a plane face comprising a homogenous matrix material with embedded fibers, clusters of fibers, or rods of another material oriented perpendicular to the plane face.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer comprises a piezoelectric layer and an adjacent layer of an acoustic impedance matching material having a plane face comprising a homogenous matrix material with embedded fibers, clusters of fibers, or rods of another material oriented perpendicular to the plane face.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer defined by two faces comprises a plurality of piezoelectric cylinders. The axial length and composition of the piezoelectric cylinders determines the frequency of the transducer when excited. The axial ends of the piezoelectric cylinders are aligned with the faces. The piezoelectric cylinders are separated from each other and the space therebetween is fully or partially empty such that crosstalk between piezoelectric cylinders is substantially eliminated.. Electrodes are produced at the faces of the transducer for simultaneously exciting the piezoelectric cylinders.

Abstract: A method for destroying bacterial spores, germs, and the like is disclosed, comprised of a non-contact ultrasound device that produces ultrasonic beams transferred in ambient air without the use of a liquid medium in frequencies ranging between 50 kHz to 5 MHz. The method of the present invention can be used as a germicide for destroying anthrax spores and other highly toxic microbes that may be used as an agent of bioterrorism.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic energy to and from a gaseous medium comprises a piezoelectric element having front and back sides, an electrically conductive plating over the front side of the piezoelectric element, a transmission layer of lower acoustic impedance materials abutting the plating, a facing layer of a fibrous material bonded to the transmission layer without substantial penetration of the bonding agent and electrical connections for applying an exciting electrical signal to the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: An ultrasound source for transmitting ultrasound along a fiber or rod comprises a thin piezoelectric element having two closely spaced apart concave and convex surfaces and an acoustic intensifier abutting the concave surface. The acoustic intensifier tapers from the concave surface to a narrow cross section. A cylindrical fiber or rod extends from the acoustic intensifier at the narrow cross section.

Abstract: A hard faced contact ultrasound transducer device for transmitting ultrasound pulses into a workstructure at temperatures substantially above room temperature comprises a ceramic protection block, a piezoelectric element bonded to the protecting block, a damping substrate adjacent the piezoelectric element, a ceramic clamping block with standoff portions that limit the approach of the clamping block toward the ceramic protecting block, and fasteners to draw the clamping block toward the protecting block forcing the damping substrate against the piezoelectric element and the protecting block.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer device for use below and above room temperature comprises a case secured to a cup-shaped ceramic piece having a substantially flat end wall. The outer surface of the end wall comprises a face through which ultrasound is transmitted and received by the transducer device. The cup-shaped ceramic piece has sidewalls extending along the entire periphery of the end face and back into the case. A piezoelectrically active element is bonded to the inner surface of the end wall of the cup-shaped ceramic piece.