Stanford Research Institute

Steven H Johnson

Jon C Taenzer

Mechanical scanning apparatus is shown which includes a parallelogram linkage comprising a pair of parallel arms and parallel first and second connecting links adjacent opposite ends of the arms pivotally connected thereto. Transducer means, such as an ultrasonic transducer or transducer array, included in the ultrasonic imaging system, or the like, are attached to said first connecting link for movement therewith. First supporting means, adjacent the arm ends opposite the transducer means, support the parallelogram linkage thereat for movement along an arcuate path which closely approximates a portion of an ellipse adjacent a focus thereof. Constraining means, intermediate the first supporting means and transducer means, limit an intermediate portion of the parallelogram linkage to generally straight line movement along a path which extends substantially along a portion of the major axis of the ellipse. Upon drive operation of the linkage the transducer means, which are located at the minor axis of the ellipse, are moved with a linear translational motion along said minor axis. The constraining means may include a third connecting link extending between the arms which link is connected to a shaft constrained to move along a straight-line path. By pivoting the shaft and attached connecting link, sector scanning motion of the transducer means is provided, and by simultaneously pivoting the connecting link and driving the upper end of the parallelogram linkage along said arcuate path, a compound linear-sector scanning transducer motion is provided.

Growing community of inventors

Palo Alto, CA, United States of America

Steven H Johnson