Transducer apparatus and method for assembling a transducer apparatus
View Patent ↗According to one aspect of the invention, a transducer apparatus is provided that includes a core section, a transducer disposed in the core section, the transducer configured to transmit or receive signals and a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation, wherein a fluid is disposed in the tubular member. The apparatus further includes a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the transducer to the tubular member via the fluid.
1. An ultrasonic transducer apparatus comprising:
a core section;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the core section, the ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit or receive signals;
a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation;
a fluid disposed in the tubular member; and
a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid;
wherein the weight reduction device is configured to encompass at least a portion of the ultrasonic transducer.
2. An ultrasonic transducer
apparatus comprising:
a core section;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the core section, the ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit or receive signals;
a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation;
a fluid disposed in the tubular member; and
a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to encompass at least a portion of the core section.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight reduction device is coupled to a stationary portion relative to the core section.
4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the tubular member is configured to rotate about the weight reduction device and the core section.
5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the tubular member comprises a substantially flexible and hollow tube.
6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight reduction device has a first density and the fluid has a second density, wherein the first density is less than the second density.
7. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight reduction device is configured to expose a face portion of the ultrasonic transducer.
8. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight reduction device comprises a substantially hollow polymer member.
9. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the weight reduction device reduces an overall weight of the apparatus by at least about 10% as compared to an apparatus without the weight reduction device.
10. An ultrasonic transducer
apparatus comprising:
a core section;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the core section, the ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit or receive signals;
a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation;
a fluid disposed in the tubular member; and
a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device is configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid, wherein the weight reduction device has a substantially C-shaped cross section.
11. An ultrasonic transducer apparatus comprising:
a core section;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the core section, the ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit or receive signals;
a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation, wherein a fluid of a first density is disposed in the tubular member; and
a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device has a second density less than the first density and is configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid, wherein the weight reduction device confines the fluid to a cavity, the cavity defined by radii of the weight reduction device.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the weight reduction device is coupled to a stationary portion of the core section.
13. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the tubular member comprises a substantially flexible and hollow tube.
14. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the weight reduction device comprises a substantially hollow polymer member.
15. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the weight reduction device is disposed on the core section to expose a face portion of the ultrasonic transducer.
16. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein the weight reduction device is disposed on the core section and configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid.
17. An ultrasonic transducer
apparatus comprising:
a core section;
an ultrasonic transducer disposed in the core section, the ultrasonic transducer configured to transmit or receive signals;
a tubular member mounted to the core section for relative rotation, wherein a fluid of a first density is disposed in the tubular member; and
a weight reduction device disposed inside the tubular member to occupy a volume inside the tubular member, wherein the weight reduction device has a second density less than the first density and is configured to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid, wherein the weight reduction device comprises a substantially C-shaped cross section.
18. A method for assembling an ultrasonic transducer apparatus, the method comprising:
forming a weight reduction device having a first density;
disposing the weight reduction device on a core section of the ultrasonic transducer apparatus such that the weight reduction device encompasses at least a portion of the core section;
disposing a tubular member about the weight reduction device; and
disposing a fluid within the tubular member, wherein the fluid has a second density greater than the first density.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein the disposing the weight reduction device comprises orienting the weight reduction device on the core section to provide a transmission path from the ultrasonic transducer to the tubular member via the fluid.
20. The method of claim 18 , wherein forming the weight reduction device comprises molding a hollow polymer member.