Transmitter-receiver of ultrasonic distance measuring device

• US 4,825,116 A
• Filed: 03/23/1988
• Issued: 04/25/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Original Assignee: Yokogawa Electric Corporation
• Inventors: Fujii, Toru, Owada, Hiroshi, Itoh, Ichizo
• Primary Examiner(s): Budd, Mark O.
• Application Number:
  US07/171,963
• Time in Patent Office: 398 Days
• Field of Search: 310/800, 310/326, 310/327, 310/334-337, 310/367, 310/369, 73/597, 73/627, 73/629, 73/632, 73/642, 73/644, 367/151, 367/157, 367/159, 367/162, 367/165, 367/167
• US Class Current: 310/335
• CPC Class Codes: B06B 1/0688 with foil-type piezoelectric elements, e.g. PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/521 Constructional features
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/524 Transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: G10K 11/28 using reflection, e.g. parabolic reflectors
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 17/08 signals being recorded or played back by vibration of a stylus in two orthogonal directions simultaneously
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 310/80 Piezoelectric polymers, e.g. PVDF

Abstract

A transmitter- receiver of an ultrasonic distance measuring device comprising a cylindrical piezoelectric element made of a polymer in place of a piezoelectric vibrator of a ceramic material or the like which has heretofore been used. The cylindrical piezoelectric element is secured to a columnar supporter in such a manner as to define a chamber in cooperation with a recess which is provided in the peripheral surface of the supporter. The supporter is provided with a pressure equalizing bore which provides communication between the chamber and the outside. In addition, a conical reflector is provided so as to impart directivity to the ultasonic wave transmitted from the piezoelectric element.

Claims

1. A transmitter-receiver of an ultrasonic distance measuring device comprising

a columnar supporter;

an annular recess provided in the peripheral surface of said supporter with both end portions thereof remaining;

a cylindrical piezoelectric polymer film secured to said end portions of said peripheral surface of said supporter to cooperate with said recess to define a chamber;

electrodes provided on the outer and inner peripheral surfaces, respectively, of said piezoelectric polymer film;

a conical reflector connected at its top to one end of said supporter to impart directivity to ultrasonic waves transmitted and received so that the transmitted ultrasonic wave travels in the axial direction of said supporter; and

a pressure equalizing bore provided in said supporter to provide communication between said chamber and the outside.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said electrodes are provided with openings and spaced apart from said piezoelectric polymer film, whereby a driving voltage is applied to said electrodes to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a surface of measurement and an induced charge which is produced on said electrodes is detected on the basis of the electric charge generated on said piezoelectric polymer film by the reflected ultrasonic wave from the surface of measurement.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising lead wires led out from said electrodes, respectively;

and protective films entirely covering said electrodes, said protective films being formed using polymono-, di-, or tri-fluoroethylene, and said protective films being bonded together at their respective peripheral edge portions by means of fusion welding.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising lead wires led out from said electrodes, respectively;

and protective films entirely covering said electrodes, said protective films being formed using polymono-, di-, or tri-fluoroethylene, and said protective films being bonded together at their respective peripheral edge portions by means of fusion welding.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said piezoelectric polymer film has a vibrating surface which has various curvatures to radiate an ultrasonic wave toward a surface of measurement and to receive the reflected ultrasonic wave therefrom, whereby the distance to the surface of measurement is measured on the basis of the time interval from the radiation of the ultrasonic wave to the reception of the reflected wave.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein said piezoelectric polymer film has a vibrating surface which has various curvatures to radiate an ultrasonice wave toward a surface of measurement and receive the reflected ultrasonic wave therefrom, whereby the distance to the surface of measurement is measured on the basis of the time interval from the radiation of the ultrasonic wave to the reception of the reflected wave.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said piezoelectric polymer film has a vibrating surface which has various curvatures to radiate an ultrasonic wave toward a surface of measurement and receive the reflected ultrasonic wave therefrom, whereby the distance to the surface of measurement is measured on the basis of the time interval from the radiation of the ultrasonic wave to the reception of the reflected wave.