Patent GB-375375-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in and relating to the measurement of distances by echo reception methods
IPC: B06B1/08
Filed: 1931-03-18
Abstract: 375,375. Echo-sounding apparatus; sound-directing apparatus interrupters; speed governors. WOOD, A. B., SMITH, F. D., and McGEACHY, J. A., Admiralty Research Laboratory, Tedding- ton, Middlesex. March 18, 1931, No. 8297. [Classes 13 and 118 (ii).] In echo-sounding apparatus the transmitting or receiving member is constructed of laminations of a magnetostrictive material so arranged that the member resonates mechanically at the frequency of the emitted or received waves. The laminations may be arranged to form a closed magnetic circuit which may have a separate magnetizing current applied to it. The effect of an alternating magnetization superposed on a steady magnetization is stated to be produced by the use of an alternating magnetic field of half the frequency of the desired mechanical vibrations. One form of device for emitting longitudinal vibrations is shown in Fig. 1. A sheet 1 of magnetostrictive material (e.g. nickel) is wound on a mandril, the layers being insulated from each other by thin paper and cemented together. A magnetizing winding 2 and an energizing winding 2A are wound toroidally as shown. One end of the casing 3 is provided with a reflecting disc 5 of rubber mousse. A form for radial vibration is shown in Fig. 5. A pile of stampings 15 is assembled round a rod 16 having a rubber sleeve 20 with a rubber mousse insertion 19. The stampings may be subjected to end pressure by bolts and rings (not shown). In another form the device is built up from rectangular stampings 22, Fig. 6, arranged in a casing 28 having sound-reflecting walls 18. In a further modification, the laminations may be separated from each other by small air gaps. The device of Fig. 1 is shown mounted in a directive reflector 31 in Fig. 8. The reflector comprises a double cone, the space between its walls being filled with rubber mousse. The housing 35 of the magnetostrictive member can be adjusted in the end 33 of the cone and the interior of the housing is lined with soundreflecting material 5A. The member is provided with a " tuning " load 32. In the modification shown in Fig. 9, the reflector 31 is adjustable with respect to the bottom 37A of a tank 37 containing water or fuel and situated in the hull of a ship. Echo-sounding systems. The magnetostrictive device may be energized by a quenched spark circuit actuated by a magneto connected with indicating or recording apparatus. Alternatively, the system shown in Fig. 12 may be used. A generator 47 supplied from mains 60 charges a condenser 43 which is subsequently discharged through the transmitter 77. These actions are controlled by a commutator 50 and a high-speed circuit-breaking device 70. The commutator 50 and the device 70 are driven bv a constantspeed motor 72. This motor also drives a reciprocating contact 85 bearing on chemicallyprepared paper 86 and connected in the circuit of the receiver 80. An impulse is emitted by the transmitter 77 when the contact 85 is at its zero position and the distance the contact has travelled when the echo causes it to mark the record surface is a measure of the depth. A reflector 81 may cause part of the emitted sound to make a zero mark on the record. A scale is marked on the record sheet by a commutator 91. According to the Provisional Specification a recording device of the kind described in Specification 342,671 may be employed instead of the electrochemical recorder. In a modification, the condenser 43, Fig. 13, is charged from the generator 60 and discharged through the winding 44 of the magnetostrictive device by a pivoted contact 59 actuated by an electromagnet 58 controlled by a commutator 61. In a further modification, two discs 65, 65A, Figs. 14 and 17, are moved into and out of contact by an eccentric 63 driven by the motor 72 and so cause the charging of the condenser 43 from the supply 46 and its discharge through the winding 44. The supply to the disc 65 is maintained by a roller upon it bearing against a spring 66. Speed governors. The shaft 96, Fig. 18, of the motor 72 has a slot in which is pivoted an arm 98 carrying weights and connected by a link 100 to a sleeve 101. When the motor speed becomes excessive, the sleeve 101 moves to the left against the action of a spring 102 to open contacts 108, 107, thereby causing the insertion of resistance into the motor circuit.