Acoustic sensor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An acoustic sensor comprising:
- a plate having a first distal end opposite a second distal end, the plate configured to rotate about an axis disposed between the first distal end and the second distal end; and
a detector configured to detect a torque of the plate about the axis in response to received acoustic energy and to indicate a direction of a source of the acoustic energy relative to the sensor; and
a first spring attached to the plate, wherein at least a portion of the first spring contains piezoelectric material.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of designing and manufacturing an acoustic sensor having a high degree of directivity is disclosed. The sensor includes a rotatable plate that is attached to a substrate with mounts. In one aspect the mounts are freely rotatable and the torque on the plate is measured using detectors disposed on springs that provide a resistance to rotation of the plate. In another aspect the plate is mounted to the substrate with mounts that torsionally deform during rotation of the plate. These detectors measure the torque on the plate according to the torsional deformation of the mounts. Methods of improving the signal to noise ratio of acoustic sensors having multiple detectors are also disclosed.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. An acoustic sensor comprising:
-
a plate having a first distal end opposite a second distal end, the plate configured to rotate about an axis disposed between the first distal end and the second distal end; and a detector configured to detect a torque of the plate about the axis in response to received acoustic energy and to indicate a direction of a source of the acoustic energy relative to the sensor; and a first spring attached to the plate, wherein at least a portion of the first spring contains piezoelectric material. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
-
-
10. An acoustic sensor comprising:
-
a rotatable plate affixed to a substrate via one or more mounts; the plate configured to apply a torque to the one or more mounts, the torque corresponding to a direction of a source of acoustic energy relative to the sensor; and at least one detector configured to detect a torque of the plate about an axis. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of sensing a direction of acoustic energy comprising:
-
receiving acoustic energy on a first distal end and a second distal end of a plate wherein the direction of the source of acoustic energy causes a difference in force applied to the first distal end and the second distal end; allowing the plate to rotate about an axis in response to the difference in force applied to the first distal end and the second distal end, wherein a spring is attached to the plate, wherein at least a portion of the spring contains piezoelectric material; measuring the torque causing the plate to rotate with a detector.
-
-
16. An acoustic sensor, comprising:
-
a plate having a first distal end opposite a second distal end, the plate configured to rotate about an axis disposed between the first distal end and the second distal end; and a plurality of detectors configured to detect a torque of the plate about the axis in response to received acoustic energy and to indicate a direction of a source of the acoustic energy relative to the sensor, wherein each of said detectors are read individually, wherein said readings are added or subtracted to selectively measure modes of said sensor.
-
-
17. An acoustic sensor, comprising:
-
a plate having a first distal end opposite a second distal end, the plate configured to rotate about an axis that is oriented parallel to a y-axis of said sensor; a substrate affixed to the plate via one or more mounts that torsionally deform during torque of the plate, wherein the one or more mounts deform when the plate is rotated, wherein the one or more mounts impart resistance to rotation of the plate; and one or more detectors configured to detect the torque of the plate. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
Specification