DOE Patents title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer

Abstract

A micro acoustic spectrum analyzer for determining the frequency components of a fluctuating sound signal comprises a microphone to pick up the fluctuating sound signal and produce an alternating current electrical signal; at least one microfabricated resonator, each resonator having a different resonant frequency, that vibrate in response to the alternating current electrical signal; and at least one detector to detect the vibration of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can further comprise a mixer to mix a reference signal with the alternating current electrical signal from the microphone to shift the frequency spectrum to a frequency range that is a better matched to the resonant frequencies of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can be designed specifically for portability, size, cost, accuracy, speed, power requirements, and use in a harsh environment. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer is particularly suited for applications where size, accessibility, and power requirements are limited, such as the monitoring of industrial equipment and processes, detection of security intrusions, or evaluation of military threats.

Inventors:
; ; ;
Issue Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-CA), Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE
OSTI Identifier:
1175151
Patent Number(s):
6822929
Application Number:
10/606,526
Assignee:
Sandia Corporation
Patent Classifications (CPCs):
B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B06 - GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL B06B - METHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, {e.g.} FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01H - MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES
DOE Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000
Resource Type:
Patent
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION

Citation Formats

Schubert, W. Kent, Butler, Michael A., Adkins, Douglas R., and Anderson, Larry F. Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer. United States: N. p., 2004. Web.
Schubert, W. Kent, Butler, Michael A., Adkins, Douglas R., & Anderson, Larry F. Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer. United States.
Schubert, W. Kent, Butler, Michael A., Adkins, Douglas R., and Anderson, Larry F. Tue . "Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1175151.
@article{osti_1175151,
title = {Micro acoustic spectrum analyzer},
author = {Schubert, W. Kent and Butler, Michael A. and Adkins, Douglas R. and Anderson, Larry F.},
abstractNote = {A micro acoustic spectrum analyzer for determining the frequency components of a fluctuating sound signal comprises a microphone to pick up the fluctuating sound signal and produce an alternating current electrical signal; at least one microfabricated resonator, each resonator having a different resonant frequency, that vibrate in response to the alternating current electrical signal; and at least one detector to detect the vibration of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can further comprise a mixer to mix a reference signal with the alternating current electrical signal from the microphone to shift the frequency spectrum to a frequency range that is a better matched to the resonant frequencies of the microfabricated resonators. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer can be designed specifically for portability, size, cost, accuracy, speed, power requirements, and use in a harsh environment. The micro acoustic spectrum analyzer is particularly suited for applications where size, accessibility, and power requirements are limited, such as the monitoring of industrial equipment and processes, detection of security intrusions, or evaluation of military threats.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {2004},
month = {11}
}

Works referenced in this record:

Flexural plate wave resonator excited with Lorentz forces
journal, May 1998


A high sensitivity, wide dynamic range magnetometer designed on a xylophone resonator
journal, October 1996


Resonant Sensors
book, January 2001


Micromachined polysilicon resonating xylophone bar magnetometer
journal, January 2003