ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ELEMENT

(19)

(11)

EP 4 397 587 A8

(12)	CORRECTED EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION
	Note: Bibliography reflects the latest situation

(15)	Correction information:
	Corrected version no 1 (W1 A1)

(48)	Corrigendum issued on:
	25.09.2024 Bulletin 2024/39

(43)	Date of publication:
	10.07.2024 Bulletin 2024/28

(21)	Application number: 23000149.7

(22)	Date of filing: 31.10.2023

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

B63B 59/08^(2006.01)

B08B 7/02^(2006.01)

(52)	Cooperative Patent Classification (CPC):
	B63B 59/08; B08B 17/02; B06B 3/00; B06B 1/0611

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC ME MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR
	Designated Extension States:
	BA
	Designated Validation States:
	KH MA MD TN

(30)

Priority:

04.01.2023 NL 1044515

(71)	Applicant: delta-sistems B.V.
	4465 BC Goes (NL)

(72)	Inventor:
	De Wit, Michiel Jeroen 4465BC Goes (NL)

(74)	Representative: Griebling, Onno
	Octrooibureau Griebling BV Sportweg 10 5037 AC Tilburg 5037 AC Tilburg (NL)

(54)	ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ELEMENT

(57) The invention involves an ultrasonic transducer element (101; 201) comprising an ultrasonic vibrator (10) and a transducer body (20) having an input end (21) associated with the ultrasonic vibrator (10) and having an output end (22) adapted for attachment to an object (2) to be treated with ultrasonic vibrations.
The ultrasonic transducer element further comprises a support ring (130) arranged around the output end of the transducer body, and pressing means (140; 150) cooperating with the support ring and engaging the transducer body for exerting on the transducer body pressing force towards the object (2).
A method for protecting the object against bio-fouling involves firmly pressing onto the object an ultrasonic transducer element comprising at least one ultrasonic vibrator and a transducer body, and energizing the ultrasonic transducer element to generate ultrasonic vibrations into the object;
wherein the pressing force engages the transducer body.