Patent ID: 8792658

Claim:
An explosion-proof acoustic system, comprising: a hollow housing structure having a threaded, cylindrical outer configuration configured to engage a threaded opening formed in a mount structure; a miniaturized ultrasonic transducer mounted in the housing structure, said transducer operable in an ultrasonic frequency range, and wherein the ultrasonic transducer is a MEMS microphone; a flame arrestor structure mounted on or within the housing structure between the ultrasonic transducer and the external environment, and wherein the flame arrestor structure is configured to prevent the transmission of ignited flames from within the housing structure to the external environment while permitting ultrasonic energy flow from the external environment, through the flame arrestor and to the ultrasonic transducer; the housing structure including an open port or window arranged to pass ultrasonic energy from the external environment and impact the transducer; the flame arrestor structure mounted in the housing structure to cover the port or window and the transducer and prevent passage of ignited flames through the port; a flame proof sealing structure closing a distal open end of said housing structure opposite the open port or window; and wherein the housing structure is fabricated of a material with suitable strength for operation in an explosive, hazardous environment and configured to contain, in combination with the flame arrestor structure and flame proof sealing structure, explosive conditions within the housing structure and the transducer so as to not ignite a surrounding environment in which the acoustic system is installed.