EP1474797B1 - Akustische oberflächenantenne - Google Patents

Akustische oberflächenantenne Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1474797B1
EP1474797B1 EP03720614.1A EP03720614A EP1474797B1 EP 1474797 B1 EP1474797 B1 EP 1474797B1 EP 03720614 A EP03720614 A EP 03720614A EP 1474797 B1 EP1474797 B1 EP 1474797B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
sensors
antenna
pressure sensors
hull
panel
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP03720614.1A
Other languages
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1474797A2 (de
Inventor
Luc Thales Intellectual Property FRANCOIS
Eric Thales Intellectual Property Sernit
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Thales SA
Original Assignee
Thales SA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Thales SA filed Critical Thales SA
Publication of EP1474797A2 publication Critical patent/EP1474797A2/de
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1474797B1 publication Critical patent/EP1474797B1/de
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • GPHYSICS
    • G10MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10KSOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G10K11/00Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
    • G10K11/004Mounting transducers, e.g. provided with mechanical moving or orienting device
    • G10K11/006Transducer mounting in underwater equipment, e.g. sonobuoys
    • G10K11/008Arrays of transducers
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B06GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS IN GENERAL
    • B06BMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR GENERATING OR TRANSMITTING MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OF INFRASONIC, SONIC, OR ULTRASONIC FREQUENCY, e.g. FOR PERFORMING MECHANICAL WORK IN GENERAL
    • B06B1/00Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency
    • B06B1/02Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy
    • B06B1/06Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
    • B06B1/0688Methods or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic, or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction with foil-type piezoelectric elements, e.g. PVDF

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to acoustic antennas for receiving low frequency submarine waves. It relates more particularly so-called surface antennas whose sensors are in the form of piezoelectric films generally made with Poly Vinylidene Fluoride, called PVDF.
  • Such receiving antennas are known to be placed on the flanks of submarines. Their surface reaches several square meters and they are called “flank antennas", in Anglo-Saxon "flank arrays”.
  • French Patent No. 92 06279 filed May 27, 1992 , published on November 26, 1992 under no. 2,691,596 and issued April 28, 1995 , the Applicant has described a flank antenna composed of several rectangular panels conforming to the convex shape of the side of the submarine. Referring to the figure 2 a of this patent, the panels are mounted on 2 rails 3,4 so that the panels are not in contact with the shell, a blade of water separating the panels of the hull. This limits the transmission of bending waves from the shell to the sensor.
  • the shell can not be coated with a low impedance acoustic baffle that would improve the acoustic discretion of the submarine, because the directivity would then be variable and uncontrollable.
  • the invention proposes to combine particle pressure sensors with particle pressure sensors so that each receiving panel is directional.
  • a surface acoustic antenna of the type comprising a plurality of planar pressure sensors made of plastic piezoelectric material fixed in a planar manner in a holding structure, mainly characterized in that some of these sensors are replaced by speed sensors characterized in that the combination of the signal of the pressure sensors with the signal of the speed sensors makes it possible to obtain a cardioid having a zero of normal reception at one of the faces of the antenna.
  • the particle velocity sensors are formed of geophones encapsulated in a mass of syntactic foam whose density is the same as that of the coating material of all the sensors of the antenna.
  • planar pressure sensors are joined by connecting bridges which are V-shaped curved to form gutters to hold the connection wires of the particulate velocity sensors during the molding operations of the set of the antenna.
  • the surface comprising all of the sensors substantially forms a plane curved on the surface of the shell of a bearing building, and the zero of the cardioid is directed towards said shell.
  • the carrier building is a submarine.
  • the antenna comprises at least one panel comprising 15 pressure sensors and 6 speed sensors regularly interposed among these pressure sensors.
  • a surface acoustic antenna for submarines as described in French Patent No. 2,691,596 is essentially characterized in that each panel has particle speed sensors whose sensitivity axis is normal to the plane of the panel and in that the corresponding phase center coincides with the phase center of the pressure sensors, thus obtaining a cardioid directionality.
  • the figure 1 represents a view of the pressure sensors located inside a panel according to the prior art and corresponds to the figure 5 French patent N ° 2,691,596 . It is recalled that the pressure sensor has a bimorph structure that is to say that it is formed of two layers of PVDF piezoelectric film separated by a central electrode forming the hot spot. Both layers are covered with 2 outer electrodes that are electrically connected to form the cold spot.
  • the view presented on the figure 1 is a flat cross section of the panel at the height of the central or outer electrodes.
  • Each electrode is formed of a set of square plates connected by narrow bridges 11.
  • the two connections 12 of the output signal are located at one end of the assembly.
  • the figure 2 represents a view of the modified panel according to the invention, according to the same section as the figure 1 .
  • Speed sensors 20 are set up at selected locations to coincide the 2 phase centers corresponding to the 2 signals measuring the pressure and the normal speed component to the panel. This result is obtained geometrically by using the symmetry of the places where measurements are made.
  • pressure sensors are removed from the 21 and 6 speed sensors 20 are placed in the center of the spaces thus formed.
  • the speed sensors are geophones 301 encapsulated in a syntactic foam 302 having the same density as the polyurethane coating in which the pressure sensors are molded, as described in the French patent. 2,691,596 .
  • the serial wiring of the geophones is indicated on the figure 2 and has no particular characteristics, except that the bridges 21 are V-shaped, so as to form a gutter to reduce the the cables during molding, as can be seen also on the figure 4 .
  • the connector 12 there are 2 wires for the omnidirectional pressure signal coming from the panels 10, and 2 wires for the speed signal coming from the sensors 20.
  • the signal directivity of the sensors 20 is in cos theta, where theta is the angle of incidence of the wave with respect to the sensitivity axis of the sensor.
  • the addition of these two signals provides a signal whose directivity is cardioid, with the direction of the "zero" normal to the panel and facing backwards, so to the hull.
  • the figure 4 represents, in a perspective view, a panel according to the invention before molding, and the figure 5 such a panel after casting of a suitable polyurethane material 50 whose level reaches flush with the upper part of the geophones. To finish the panel, it is cast over a layer of neoprene composition identical to that of the envelope 40.
  • the panel thus obtained can be installed directly on the hull of the submarine, or on a low acoustic impedance material deposited on the hull, thus improving the acoustic discretion of the submarine.
  • the geophones can be replaced by accelerometers or any other directional sensor.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Measurement Of Velocity Or Position Using Acoustic Or Ultrasonic Waves (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)
  • Obtaining Desirable Characteristics In Audible-Bandwidth Transducers (AREA)
  • Geophysics And Detection Of Objects (AREA)
  • Details Of Aerials (AREA)

Claims (6)

  1. Akustische Oberflächenantenne des Typs mit einer Anordnung von ebenen Drucksensoren (10) aus piezoelektrischem Plastikmaterial, die auf planare Weise in einer Trägerstruktur (40) befestigt sind, wobei die Antenne eine Platte bildet, die am Rumpf eines Schiffes montiert werden kann, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass einige der Sensoren durch Partikelgeschwindigkeitssensoren (20) ersetzt werden, wobei diese Sensoren so auf der Antenne angeordnet sind, dass ihr Phasenzentrum mit dem der Drucksensoren (10) zusammenfällt, und dadurch, dass das von den Drucksensoren (10) kommende Signal und das von den Geschwindigkeitssensoren (20) kommende Signal kombiniert werden, um eine herzförmige Richtwirkung mit einer "Null" in einer Richtung normal zu der Platte und in Richtung auf den Rumpf orientiert zu erhalten, wobei es diese Richtwirkung zulässt, die von der Fläche der dem Rumpf zugewandten Antenne empfangenen akustischen Wellen zurückzuweisen.
  2. Antenne nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Partikelgeschwindigkeitssensoren (20) von Geophonen (301) gebildet werden, die in einer syntaktischen Schaummasse (302) verkapselt sind, deren Dichte dieselbe ist wie die des Beschichtungsmaterials (50) der Anordnung von Sensoren der Antenne.
  3. Antenne nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die ebenen Drucksensoren (10) durch Verbindungsbrücken aneinander gefügt sind, die V-föimig gekrümmt sind, um Rinnen zum Festhalten der Verbindungsdrähte der Partikelgeschwindigkeitssensoren (20) während der Operationen des Formens der Antennenanordnung zu bilden.
  4. Antenne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Oberfläche, die die Sensoranordnung umfasst, im Wesentlichen eine Ebene bildet, die an der Oberfläche des Rumpfs eines Trägerschiffes gekrümmt ist.
  5. Antenne nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Trägerschiff ein U-Boot ist.
  6. Antenne nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie eine Platte mit 15 Drucksensoren (10) und 6 Geschwindigkeitssensoren (20) umfasst, die gleichmäßig unter diesen Drucksensoren verteilt sind.
EP03720614.1A 2002-02-15 2003-02-14 Akustische oberflächenantenne Expired - Lifetime EP1474797B1 (de)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR0201940 2002-02-15
FR0201940A FR2836076B1 (fr) 2002-02-15 2002-02-15 Antenne acoustique surfacique pour sous-marins
PCT/FR2003/000488 WO2003069594A2 (fr) 2002-02-15 2003-02-14 Antenne acoustique surfacique pour sous-marins

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1474797A2 EP1474797A2 (de) 2004-11-10
EP1474797B1 true EP1474797B1 (de) 2015-08-12

Family

ID=27636217

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP03720614.1A Expired - Lifetime EP1474797B1 (de) 2002-02-15 2003-02-14 Akustische oberflächenantenne

Country Status (6)

Country Link
US (1) US7180827B2 (de)
EP (1) EP1474797B1 (de)
JP (1) JP2005523594A (de)
CA (1) CA2475692C (de)
FR (1) FR2836076B1 (de)
WO (1) WO2003069594A2 (de)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2005045376A1 (en) * 2003-11-10 2005-05-19 Brüel & Kjær A method of determining the sound pressure resulting from a surface element of a sound emitting surface
GB2474461B (en) * 2009-10-14 2016-08-31 Thales Holdings Uk Plc Electronic baffling of sensor arrays
JP6654106B2 (ja) * 2016-06-21 2020-02-26 ジェイ・アール・シー特機株式会社 音波監視装置および航走体

Family Cites Families (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2536622B1 (fr) * 1982-11-19 1986-03-07 Thomson Csf Hydrophone de vitesse
US4974213A (en) * 1988-12-16 1990-11-27 Siwecki Thomas L Passive active underwater sound detection apparatus
FR2685848B1 (fr) * 1991-12-26 1994-02-25 Thomson Csf Antenne acoustique lineaire.
FR2691596B1 (fr) * 1992-05-22 1995-04-28 Thomson Csf Antenne acoustique sous-marine à capteur surfacique.
US6341661B1 (en) * 2000-04-19 2002-01-29 L3 Communications Corporation Bow dome sonar

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1474797A2 (de) 2004-11-10
WO2003069594A3 (fr) 2004-04-08
CA2475692C (fr) 2013-04-16
FR2836076A1 (fr) 2003-08-22
WO2003069594A2 (fr) 2003-08-21
US20050157590A1 (en) 2005-07-21
CA2475692A1 (fr) 2003-08-21
FR2836076B1 (fr) 2005-10-14
US7180827B2 (en) 2007-02-20
JP2005523594A (ja) 2005-08-04

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
EP0641262B1 (de) Akustische unterwasserantenne mit flächensensor
FR2722358A1 (fr) Transducteur acoustique multifrequences a larges bandes
EP1474797B1 (de) Akustische oberflächenantenne
FR2552291A1 (fr) Transducteur acoustique directionnel
EP3198586B1 (de) Rundstrahlantenne
EP0002642A1 (de) Antennesystem hohen Trennvermögens
EP1356450B1 (de) Rumpfsonar für seeschiff
EP0375498B1 (de) Modulare lineare Hydrophonrichtantenne
CA2150449C (fr) Antenne acoustique passive absorbante
RU2294061C1 (ru) Многоэлементный пьезоэлектрический преобразователь и способ его изготовления
WO1999046059A1 (fr) Antenne d'emission acoustique annulaire demontable
EP0619025B1 (de) Lineare akustische antenne
EP0794841B1 (de) Sonarantenne mit empfindlichkeitsspitzen mindestens bei zwei frequenzen
EP0506529B1 (de) Richtantenne für akustische Niederfrequenzwellen
FR2536622A1 (fr) Hydrophone de vitesse
FR2517158A1 (fr) Transducteur a electret comportant une plaque arriere metallisee selectivement
EP0427649A1 (de) Gerät zur Detektion von Objekten mittels ultraschalldetektoren
EP0136942B1 (de) Selbstaufgehängter Resonator mit hohem Gütefaktor
FR2902893A1 (fr) Recepteur sonar a lobes lateraux reduits.
FR2685528A1 (fr) Dispositif d'absorption acoustique, notamment pour basse frequence, pouvant etre immerge.
FR2647911A1 (fr) Procede de realisation et de fixation d'un revetement ayant pour but d'eviter la detection acoustique d'un objet immerge et revetement realise a l'aide d'un tel procede
EP1592980A1 (de) Geschleppter passiver sonar mit mehrkeulenantenne und herstellungsverfahren einer solchen antenne

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

17P Request for examination filed

Effective date: 20040809

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: A2

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR

17Q First examination report despatched

Effective date: 20100504

GRAP Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1

INTG Intention to grant announced

Effective date: 20150409

GRAS Grant fee paid

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

GRAA (expected) grant

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

AK Designated contracting states

Kind code of ref document: B1

Designated state(s): AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE SI SK TR

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: NOT ENGLISH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: EP

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: REF

Ref document number: 742753

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150815

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: FG4D

Free format text: LANGUAGE OF EP DOCUMENT: FRENCH

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R096

Ref document number: 60347906

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: AT

Ref legal event code: MK05

Ref document number: 742753

Country of ref document: AT

Kind code of ref document: T

Effective date: 20150812

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: NL

Ref legal event code: MP

Effective date: 20150812

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 14

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: GR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20151113

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: ES

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: SE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: AT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: PT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20151214

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: NL

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: EE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: DK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: IT

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: CZ

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

Ref country code: SK

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R097

Ref document number: 60347906

Country of ref document: DE

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160229

PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

26N No opposition filed

Effective date: 20160513

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: SI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20160214

Ref country code: MC

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: CH

Ref legal event code: PL

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: LI

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160229

Ref country code: CH

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160229

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: IE

Ref legal event code: MM4A

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 15

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: IE

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

Effective date: 20160214

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: FR

Ref legal event code: PLFP

Year of fee payment: 16

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: HU

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT; INVALID AB INITIO

Effective date: 20030214

Ref country code: CY

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: TR

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: BG

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

Effective date: 20150812

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Payment date: 20220120

Year of fee payment: 20

Ref country code: DE

Payment date: 20220118

Year of fee payment: 20

PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: FR

Payment date: 20220127

Year of fee payment: 20

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: R071

Ref document number: 60347906

Country of ref document: DE

REG Reference to a national code

Ref country code: GB

Ref legal event code: PE20

Expiry date: 20230213

PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

Ref country code: GB

Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF EXPIRATION OF PROTECTION

Effective date: 20230213

P01 Opt-out of the competence of the unified patent court (upc) registered

Effective date: 20230606