Patent ID: 8090131
Filing Date: 2012-01-03
Classification: G01F,G10K

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for use with acoustic energy and a target, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of plates, each plate having a proximal end and a distal end and a length and a width and a thickness, the plurality of plates being disposed in a linear array, each plate having a position within the linear array, wherein for adjacent pairs of the plates, each of the adjacent pairs including a first plate and a second plate, a first major face for the first plate is in proximity to a second major face for the second plate; and an enclosure, the enclosure comprising a sleeve and means for sealing that seals an end region for the apparatus, the means for sealing being sealed to the sleeve, wherein at least 70 percent of each plate is disposed within the enclosure; wherein each of at least 70 percent of the plates is substantially isolated acoustically from each other one of the plates; wherein each of at least 70 percent of the plates is substantially planar; wherein each of at least 70 percent of the plates is substantially homogeneous; wherein for at least 90 percent of the plates a width-thickness ratio is greater than or equal to 3; and wherein for the linear array a length-width ratio is greater than or equal to 3.