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US4635198A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Apparatus for measuring cross-sections on objects, more especially on parts of the body

Assignee: Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt eV
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Filing: 1984-08-09
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Granted: 1987-01-06
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Expires: 2004-08-09
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Abstract

Abstract Sound heads (SK1 to SK3) are fixed, distributed peripherally, on the part of the body, e.g. an arm or leg. Each of the sound heads is able to transmit ultrasonic signals along a measuring section (MS1 to MS3) leading to another sound head, which signals are received by the other sound head. The sound heads can consist of angularly arranged sound members (14). In this way, all three sides of a polygon formed by the sound heads are measured, from which measurements the surface area of the polygon can be determined.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hans Hohlweck
  • 👤 Gernold Plath
  • 👤 Friedhelm Baisch

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 12:33
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01B; G01B17/00; A; A61; A61B; A61B5/00; A61B5/103; A61B5/107; A61B5/1077; A61B8/00; A61B8/08; A61B8/0858

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 36
Claim 1
Independent Claim 182 words
Apparatus for measuring cross-sections of objects comprising at least three sound heads which are adapted to be positioned about the periphery of an object whose cross-section is to be determined, each sound head includes oscillator means for selectively transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, said sound heads setting-off a polygon defined by the distance set-off between each pair of sound heads, computer means for transforming ultrasonic waves received from said oscillator means reflective of the distance between each pair of sound heads into the crosssection of an associated object, each said oscillator means includes a pair of angularly disposed legs each having an oscillating surface, each leg of each pair of legs of one sound head is positioned facing one other leg of one other pair of legs of another sound head, and switching means between said sound heads and said computer means for switching over said sound heads between transmission and reception to establish all distances set-off between each pair of sound heads whereby the ultrasonic waves received from said oscillator means are thereby transferred into the cross-section of an associated object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 182 words
Apparatus for measuring cross-sections of objects comprising at least three sound heads which are adapted to be positioned about the periphery of an object whose cross-section is to be determined, each sound head includes oscillator means for selectively transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, said sound heads setting-off a polygon defined by the distance set-off between each pair of sound heads, computer means for transforming ultrasonic waves received from said oscillator means reflective of the distance between each pair of sound heads into the crosssection of an associated object, each said oscillator means includes a pair of angularly disposed legs each having an oscillating surface, each leg of each pair of legs of one sound head is positioned facing one other leg of one other pair of legs of another sound head, and switching means between said sound heads and said computer means for switching over said sound heads between transmission and reception to establish all distances set-off between each pair of sound heads whereby the ultrasonic waves received from said oscillator means are thereby transferred into the cross-section of an associated object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 34 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the polygon set-off by the sound heads is a triangle and the distance set-off between each pair of sound heads is one side of the triangle.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves received by the sound heads successively to said computer means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein one leg of each oscillator means transmits ultrasonic waves and the other leg of each oscillator means receives ultrasonic waves.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves successively and sequentially from one sound head to the next.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves successively and sequentially from one sound head to the next, and transmitting the utrasonic waves successively and sequentially to said computer means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each pair of legs are joined by a vertex, and each vertex faces the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each pair of legs define a vertex, and each vertex faces away from the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 240° to 270°.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 120° to 90° .
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each sound head includes a synthetic plastic housing, and adhesive means for securing each pair of legs in an associated housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 2 wherein each sound head includes a housing having a chamber housing a coupling gel.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves received by the sound heads successively to said computer means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein each pair of legs are joined by a vertex, and each vertex faces the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein each pair of legs define a vertex, and each vertex faces away from the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 240° to 270°.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 120° to 90°.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein each sound head includes a synthetic plastic housing, and adhesive means for securing each pair of legs in an associated housing.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 13 wherein each sound head includes a housing having a chamber housing a coupling gel.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein one leg of each oscillator means transmits ultrasonic waves and the other leg of each oscillator means receives ultrasonic waves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein each pair of legs define a vertex, and each vertex faces away from the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 240° to 270°.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 120° to 90°.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein each sound head includes a synthetic plastic housing, and adhesive means for securing each pair of legs in an associated housing.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 20 wherein each sound head includes a housing having a chamber housing a coupling gel.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves successively and sequentially from one sound head to the next.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 39 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said switching means is operative for transmitting ultrasonic waves successively and sequentially from one sound head to the next, and transmitting the ultrasonic waves successively and sequentially to said computer means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each pair of legs are joined by a vertex, and each vertex faces the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 28 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 240° to 270°.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 32 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each pair of legs define a vertex, and each vertex faces away from the periphery of the object whose cross-section is to be determined.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 30 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 120° to 90°.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 240° to 270°.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein the angle set-off between the oscillating surfaces of each pair of legs is approximately between 120° to 90°.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 29 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each sound head includes a synthetic plastic housing, and adhesive means for securing each pair of legs in an associated housing.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein each sound head includes a housing having a chamber housing a coupling gel.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4229978A Cited
US4357690A Cited
US4409838A Cited
JPS58111710A Cited
US4437332A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1990-01-05 1990-07-07 1991-01-06 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1994-01-05 1994-07-07 1995-01-06 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 1998-01-05 1998-07-07 1999-01-06 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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