Liquid-filled acoustic probe system with preservoir and loss detection means
First Claim
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1. An acoustic system comprising:
- a liquid-filled coupling module comprising an acoustic coupling fluid and a housing encasing the coupling fluid;
a fluid reservoir comprising an amount of the acoustic coupling fluid;
a path in fluid communication between the liquid-filled coupling module component and the fluid reservoir; and
a bubble detector coupled to the path and configured to monitor the coupling fluid in the path.
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Abstract
An acoustic system can include a liquid-filled coupling component comprising an acoustic coupling fluid and a housing encasing the coupling fluid; a fluid reservoir comprising an amount of the coupling fluid; a path in fluid communication between the coupling component and the fluid reservoir; and a bubble detector coupled to the path and configured to monitor the coupling fluid in the path.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. An acoustic system comprising:
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a liquid-filled coupling module comprising an acoustic coupling fluid and a housing encasing the coupling fluid; a fluid reservoir comprising an amount of the acoustic coupling fluid; a path in fluid communication between the liquid-filled coupling module component and the fluid reservoir; and a bubble detector coupled to the path and configured to monitor the coupling fluid in the path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of monitoring a liquid-filled coupling module, the method comprising:
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providing an acoustic probe comprising an amount of a coupling fluid distributed in a liquid-filled coupling module, a fluid reservoir, and a path in fluid communication between the coupling component liquid-filled coupling module and the fluid reservoir; operating emitting acoustic energy from the probe to emit acoustic energy through the liquid-filled coupling module; monitoring an amount of air or the amount of the coupling fluid in at least one of the liquid-filled coupling module, the fluid reservoir, the path, or a combination thereof; determining the amount of air and comparing the amount of air to a threshold; and in response to the monitored amount of air or amount of the coupling fluid in the liquid-filled coupling module, the fluid reservoir, the path, or a combination thereof being above or below a threshold, adjusting a fluid pressure in the liquid-filled coupling module, the fluid reservoir, the path, or a combination thereof or stopping the emitting acoustic energy if the threshold is reached. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of monitoring a liquid-filled coupling module, the method comprising:
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providing an acoustic probe comprising an amount of a coupling fluid distributed in a liquid-filled coupling module, a fluid reservoir, and a path in fluid communication between the coupling component liquid-filled coupling module and the fluid reservoir; operating emitting acoustic energy from the probe to emit acoustic energy through the liquid-filled coupling module; monitoring the amount of time that an amount of air the coupling fluid in at least one of the liquid-filled coupling module, the fluid reservoir, the path, or a combination thereof; determining if the amount of air is above a threshold; and in response to the monitoring determining that the amount of the coupling fluid is decreased, introducing a positive pressure to the liquid-filled coupling module, the fluid reservoir, the path, or a combination thereof or stopping the emitting acoustic energy if the threshold is reached. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification