Abstract: Sonar systems and related methods are provided. A sonar system for a water craft includes at least one transducer element having at least one emitting face. The at least one transducer element is mountable to the water craft. A sonar signal processor is in electronic communication with the at least one transducer element and is operative to associate signals with the at least one transducer element to cause at least one acoustic beam to be emitted from the at least one emitting face in a first beam direction. A beam reflector is mounted with respect to the at least one transducer element such that at least one beam reflecting surface of the beam reflector is positioned along the first beam direction. The at least one acoustic beam impinges upon the at least one beam reflecting surface and is reflected in a second beam direction different than the first beam direction.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor system for an aircraft includes a transmitter configured to emit acoustic signals external to the aircraft, and at least one microphone positioned on an exterior of the aircraft and configured to sense the acoustic signals as sensed data. The acoustic sensor system is configured to direct the acoustic signals to the at least one microphone such that a sound pressure level is attenuated perpendicular to the aircraft.

Abstract: A transmitting piezoelectric element and receiving piezoelectric elements and are arranged on a vibrating plate opposed to each opening of openings of a piezoelectric sensor, and, when an external force is applied in a vertical direction with respect to the vibrating plate opposed to the openings, a region which has a maximum principal stress which is a maximum value of the stress of the vibrating plate is a first region, and a region which has a minimum principal stress which is a minimum value of the stress of the vibrating plate is a second region, the receiving piezoelectric elements and are arranged in the first region and the transmitting piezoelectric element is arranged in the second region.

Abstract: Methods and systems to determine ghost operators from marine seismic data are described. Methods and systems extract statistical information about the free surface from N gathers of pressure and vertical velocity data obtained for N activates of a source. Ghost operators are calculated from the N gathers of pressure and vertical velocity data. The ghost operators may be used to characterize the actual source and receiver ghosts recorded in the seismic data, compute properties of the free surface, such a reflection coefficient and root mean square free surface height, and may be used to deghost pressure and vertical velocity data.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for providing enhanced echogenicity to medical devices. An echogenic feature is formed in the shape of a pyramidal reuleaux triangle. A lobe is constructed at a rim of an echogenic feature to create a pocket between the lobe and a bottom surface of the feature. A test fixture is disclosed which provides a method for obtaining quantifiable echogenicity data of medical devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing data acquired using a variable-depth streamer, obtain up-going and down-going wavefields at a predetermined datum, and use them to identify multiples included in the up-going wavefield. An image of a geological formation under the seabed is then generated using the data from which the multiples have been removed, and/or the multiples.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector comprises a shell surrounding a solid elastomeric core free of joints. The shell transmits acoustic waves incident on the surface of the shell partially into the core to be focused and reflected from an area of the shell located opposite to the area of incidence so as to provide a reflected acoustic signal output from the reflectorpartially around the circumference of the shell and to combine constructively with the reflected acoustic signal output. The ratio of the speed of sound wave transmission in the shell to the average speed of the wave transmission in the core is preferably in the range of 2.74 to 3.4 best results being in the range of 2.74 to 2.86 inclusive.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector comprises a shell surrounding a solid elastomeric core free of joints. The shell transmits acoustic waves incident on the surface of the shell partially into the core to be focused and reflected from an area of the shell located opposite to the area of incidence so as to provide a reflected acoustic signal output from the reflector partially around the circumference of the shell and to combine constructively with the reflected acoustic signal output. The ratio of the speed of sound wave transmission in the shell to the average speed of the wave transmission in the core is preferably in the range of 2.74 to 3.4 best results being in the range of 2.74 to 2.86 inclusive.

Abstract: The autonomous waterproof electronic signaling device disclosed comprises an activator; an audible signal emitter and a visual signal emitter, the audible signal emitter to emit a primary signal upon activation of the activator, the audible signal emitter comprising one or more of the following: a hydrophone, a siren, a speaker, or a transducer; and a head assembly, the head assembly positioned so as to alter at least a portion of the primary signal producing a notification signal. The visual signal emitter comprises at least one of incandescent bulbs, compact fluorescent bulbs, strobe bulbs, high intensity discharge (HID) bulbs, and light emitting diodes (LED) bulbs. The audible signal emitter and a visual signal emitter are operative singly or in combination, continuously or intermittently.

Abstract: In the case of an electroacoustic underwater antenna, which has a reflector (11) and spring elements which fix the reflector (11) on an antenna mount (10), in particular on the hull of a submarine, in order to produce an underwater antenna which can be produced at low cost from only a small number of components, and in which the reflector (11) to which electroacoustic transducers are fitted is at an adequate distance from the antenna mount (10), is acoustically well decoupled from the antenna mount (10) and is largely resistant to shock loading, the spring elements have an upper and a lower resilient rocker (19, 20), wherein each rocker (19, 20) extends over the horizontal extent of the reflector (11) in the fitted position. Each rocker (19, 20) has a rear contact limb (192, 202), for making contact with and fixing on the antenna mount (10), and a front contact limb (191, 201), for making contact with and fixing on the reflector (11).

Abstract: An acoustic reflector suitable for use as a reflective target for navigational aids and for location and re-location applications. The acoustic reflector comprises a shell arranged to surround a solid core. The shell is adapted to transmit acoustic waves incident thereon into the core. Within the core the acoustic waves are focused before being reflected from an opposing side of the shell to provide a reflected acoustic wave. The shell has at least two areas of transmissibility such that the waves incident on the shell follow separate paths within the core before being re-radiated and combining constructively to provide an enhanced reflected acoustic wave at one or more pre-determined frequencies.

Abstract: A sonar system includes an objective having reflecting surface(s) with coincident forward radiant axes. Each of the reflecting surfaces defines sets of equivalent acoustic output/receiving locations allowing the use of a plurality of transducers with each reflecting surface. When used in a projection mode, and depending upon the frequency radiated, the sound sources may function as a distributed, functionally continuous sound source. In a passive mode use of a field reflector allows determination of bearings.

Abstract: A device, in particular a therapy device, for the application of acoustic shock waves aimed at a region to be treated in a human or animal body and comprising a housing with a coupling surface for coupling the shock waves into the body to be treated, a shock wave generating device and a means suitable for focusing the shock waves, in which the shock wave generating device and the means suitable for focusing the shock waves are enclosed in a housing and designed such that they can be moved relative to the coupling surface.

Abstract: The autonomous waterproof electronic signaling device disclosed comprises an activator; a signal emitter, said signal emitter to emit a primary signal upon activation of said activator, said signal emitter comprising one or more of the following: a hydrophone, a siren, a speaker, or a transducer; and a head assembly, said head assembly positioned so as to alter at least a portion of said primary signal producing a notification signal.

Abstract: An underwater vehicle, such as a submarine or a swimmer/diver, can be detected by seeding a volume of water with neutrally buoyant, acoustically reflective sensors. The sensors comprise a sonar reflective coating and an adhesive so that they stick to and mark said vehicle when said vehicle or swimmer/diver passes through said volume of water. A sonar detector scans the water to identify the presence of said vehicle or swimmer/diver by observing acoustic reflections from the sensors adhering to the vehicle or swimmer/diver.

Abstract: In the case of an electroacoustic underwater antenna, which has a reflector (11) and spring elements which fix the reflector (11) on an antenna mount (10), in particular on the hull of a submarine, in order to produce an underwater antenna which can be produced at low cost from only a small number of components, and in which the reflector (11) to which electroacoustic transducers are fitted is at an adequate distance from the antenna mount (10), is acoustically well decoupled from the antenna mount (10) and is largely resistant to shock loading, the spring elements have an upper and a lower resilient rocker (19, 20), wherein each rocker (19, 20) extends over the horizontal extent of the reflector (11) in the fitted position. Each rocker (19, 20) has a rear contact limb (192, 202), for making contact with and fixing on the antenna mount (10), and a front contact limb (191, 201), for making contact with and fixing on the reflector (11).

Abstract: An acoustic power transformer includes: an input port adapted to receive an input signal; a transmitting acoustic transducer coupled to the input port and adapted to transmit an acoustic wave in response to the input signal received at the input port; a receiving acoustic transducer adapted to receive the acoustic wave and in response thereto to produce an output signal; an output port adapted to output the output signal; and an acoustic medium disposed in an acoustic wave propagation path between the transmitting acoustic transducer and the receiving acoustic transducer. In one case, at least one of the transmitting acoustic transducer and receiving acoustic transducer includes a Fresnel lens. In another case, the transformer includes an acoustic lens disposed in the acoustic wave propagation path between the transmitting acoustic transducer and the receiving acoustic transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electroacoustic transducer arrangement for underwater antennas comprising: interspaced transducer elements (11); a reflector (12) that, in a sound incidence direction, is situated behind the transducer elements (11), with the reflector being comprised of a metal plate (13) facing the transducer elements (11) and of a foam material plate (14) located on the side of the metal plate (13) facing away from the transducer elements (11), and; an elastomer hard enclosing cast that encloses the transducer elements (11) and the reflector (12). The aim of the invention is to obtain a lightweight transducer arrangement with unchanged favorable performance data whereby having a broadened field of application.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer array and method of baffle construction is presented to provide an improved array for use in underwater installations. The array is presented wherein a significant majority of the acoustic energy receiving surface is formed by lightweight acoustic baffling material while still maintaining a fully functional, fully populated array. The acoustic baffle constructed is incompressible and suitable for deep water operation while demonstrating both improved acoustic performance and positive buoyancy when necessary. In addition, the invention eliminates the non-uniform element to element spacing that occurs between sub-panels in similar arrays.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object in a body of water by generating a plurality of signals and applying each signal to a separate submerged sonar node that is a part of an array of sonar nodes.

Abstract: An exemplary support structure has an auto-adaptable surface. The exemplary support structure comprises a base; an assembly of distinct, adjacent contacts; and an assembly of platforms of a common level forming a common tier, each platform being linked to the base by an articulation. The platforms have multiple branches, each branch supporting a contact, and the contacts and the platforms have three degrees of freedom in rotation. Thus, the contacts are linked to the base such that they are mobile with respect to each other and with respect to the base to form the auto-adaptable support surface.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for producing an intracorporeal pressure pulse comprising a pressure pulse source configured to generate a collimated pressure pulse and an acoustic lens including at least one ring-shaped focusing section configured to focus a pressure pulse generated by the pressure pulse source substantially to the vicinity of the central axis of the ring-shaped focusing section.

Abstract: Reflective apparatus and method by which energy is radiated in divergent fashion from an elongated source and is reflected by a first parabolic reflector as a paraxial beam, focused by a second parabolic reflector onto a hyperbolic reflector and reflectively concentrated by the hyperbolic reflector at a focus at a distance from the source. The system also shields the point from extraneous radiation that would not be concentrated at the point. In one exemplary application, electromagnetic energy radiated from a point or linear source is focused by the multiple reflector system to a very high concentration at a point, for example, within an organism such as a human or animal body.

Abstract: A reflector (14) reflects energy emitting from an energy source (16) and focuses and directs it to a target. An aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is positioned between the energy source (16) and target. The outer periphery of the aperture stop or suppressor disk (18) is an irregular curve (FIGS. 12 and 13). This shape of the periphery prevents diffraction enhancement to the direct wave. In another emobidment, the suppressor disk (18) is replaced by a suppressor member (18?) that is directly mounted on a frame portion of the energy source (16). This energy source (16) includes a spark-gap, or the like, and an open frame (36) that surrounds the spark-gap (52) or the like. This frame (32) includes a pair of laterally spaced apart frame members (42, 44) on the side of the frame (36) that faces the target (F2). The suppressor member (18?) is connected to these frame members (32, 44). It may have longitudinal grooves (48, 50) in its side edges into which the frame members (42, 44) snap-fit.

Abstract: The combination of a portable article and a security system. The security system has a flexible element/tether with a length. The flexible element/tether is connected between the portable article and a support to confine movement of the portable article within a range dictated by the length of the flexible element/tether. The flexible element/tether has a flexible core and a protective layer over the core. The protective layer is made at least partially from a material that is resistant to being cut to thereby avoid severance of the flexible core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a directional electro-acoustic transducer and arrays of transducers of the cylindrical or ring electro-mechanical type in conjunction with a partial conformal acoustic baffle. Such a device has very desirable directional beam patterns that are nearly frequency independent over a significant frequency range and the radiation is has a characteristic broadband frequency response due to multimode excitation.

Abstract: An underwater target such as the hull of a ship is tested for its susceptibility to damage from explosive shock waves emerging from a rigid conical shell in response to detonation of an explosive charge therein. Such shell is located underwater in close spaced relation to the ship hull.

Abstract: A paraboloid receiving dish having a base, a receiver coupled to the base, and a plurality of petals pivotably connected to the base. The petals are moveable between an open position and a closed position with each of the positions forming a reflector having a parabolic shape.

Abstract: A method of correcting seismic data for the effects of a rough sea surface is disclosed. Corrections for the effect of a rough sea surface are made by determining the time-dependent height of the sea surface, either by direct measurement or by calculation from the seismic data. A deconvolution operator is generated from the measured or calculated height of the sea surface and is used to reduce or eliminate the effects of the rough sea surface. Once the data has been corrected for the effect of the rough sea surface, it can be processed in any way suitable for processing seismic data obtained in flat sea conditions.

Abstract: A method of processing data that uses an angle dependent filter from two-component sensor data may allow for attenuation of free surface multiples. Typically, the sensors that are used to produce two-component ocean bottom sensor data are hydrophones and geophones. The method decomposes the recorded dual sensor data into upgoing and downgoing wavefields by combining the recorded pressure at the hydrophone with the vertical particle velocity from the geophone recorded at the ocean floor. Surface multiple attenuation is accomplished by application of an incident angle dependent deconvolution of the downgoing wavefield from the upgoing wavefield. The method uses an angle dependent filter to calibrate the geophone response so that the different coupling of the two instruments and associated noise are taken into account.

Abstract: A seismic cable (1) and a method of manufacturing such a cable. The cable includes a plurality of elongated electrical/optical elements which are arranged to be interconnected with a number of seismic sensor devices arranged at intervals along the cable. A polymeric sheath and a protective outer armoring surround the elements to provide protection against radial stress of said cable. The sensor devices are installed outside of the elements and the armoring.

Abstract: An interferometric geophone includes a freely-falling reference mass and an interferometric arrangement to measure motion of a surface to which the geophone is attached. The mass may fall through an evacuated chamber. A carriage arrangement may reposition the reference mass for another fall. The reference mass has top and bottom retro-reflectors. The interferometric arrangement includes a laser and a beam-splitter that divides the laser beam into two beams directed toward the top and bottom of the reference mass by partially reflecting surfaces on prisms or mirrors. When the beam encounters the first face of each prism or a first mirror it is split again. One of the split beams is directed toward the falling retro-reflector; the other beam passes through the prism or mirror and encounters the second face. The retro-reflector returns the first split-beam to the second face via a lens arrangement.

Abstract: A seismic sensor array includes a means for passive electrical to optical energy transformation and transmission. This transformation is used remotely with traditional sensor arrays, which may include hydrophones, geophones, or a combination of them. The transformation means is used to develop an optical signal in a fiber which then conveys the seismic signals to a recording center or data accumulator. The transformation means preferably comprises a stack of piezoelectric elements capped on each end by a rounded crown to accommodate an optical fiber wound around the stack and the crowns.

Abstract: A method for reducing the accumulation of impurities on the vibrating surface of an ultrasonic transducer includes the steps of immersing the transducer in a liquid and orienting the vibrating surface of the transducer at an oblique angle to the liquid surface. At least one immersed acoustic mirror is oriented opposite the vibrating surface such that the ultrasonic waves originating at the transducer vibrating surface are reflected by the mirror and directed to the liquid surface at a predetermined angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discriminating digital data received from a plurality of spatially distinct acoustic sensing nodes of a distributed undersea optical surveillance system. The present invention advantageously employs Code Division Multiplexing (CDM), which is a synchronous variation of Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), to communicate a plurality of digital data bit-streams from the nodes to a common location remote therefrom. The inventive system generates at the remote location a pseudo-random reference signal that functions as a carrier for communicating sensed acoustic data from the nodes to the remote location. Using the known spatial relationship between the nodes and the remote location and the pseudo-random reference signal, the present invention operatively synchronizes correlators at the remote location to receive and differentiate data from the various individual nodes.

Abstract: A transducer array is constructed from a constant arc length portion of a ght circular cylindrical shell of piezoelectric transduction material. The constant arc length portion is segmented evenly along the length thereof to define a plurality of transducers. The transducers can be in the free field or mounted on a planar baffle.

Abstract: A high sensitivity, high frequency directional hydrophone is disclosed which utilizes flexible optical waveguide wrapped about an hemispherical mandrel located at the focus of a paraboloidal acoustic reflector.

Abstract: A vibrationally and acoustically insulated structure includes a structure using enclosing a source of internally generated noise and vibrations. The structure further includes a vibration and acoustic insulating device positioned over a portion of the internal surface of the housing and having a vibration damping portion and acoustic absorbing portion. The vibration damping portion, such as a constrained damping layer having a continuous damping layer and a segmented constraining layer of individual rigid segments, reduces vibrations transmitted through the structure housing. The acoustic absorbing portion includes an acoustic barrier layer adjacent the constrained damping layer, an acoustic absorption layer adjacent to the acoustic barrier layer and one or more mounts for mounting the acoustic absorption layer and acoustic barrier layer to the constrained damping layer. The acoustic absorption device reduces the reverberating acoustic waves within the structure housing.

Abstract: The invention relates to multifrequency acoustic transducers exhibiting a wide band around each resonant frequency. It consists in inserting between a .lambda./2 active emitter plate (201) and the soft reflector (203) which supports it a rear plate (202) resonating in .lambda./4 mode and in placing on this active plate two marcher plates (204, 205) whose impedances are designed so as to best match the two frequencies obtained by inserting this rear plate. Thicknesses of these marcher plates are optimized with the aid of a model of for example Mason type starting from a value close to .lambda./4 for the frequency to be matched. It makes is possible to construct sonar transducers which operate equally well in detection mode and in classification mode.

Abstract: A vibrationally damped structure includes a structure that is susceptible vibrations and a constrained damping layer positioned over at least a portion of the vibrating structure. The constrained damping layer includes a continuous damping layer bonded to the surface of the structure for providing the first reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure. The constrained damping layer further includes a segmented constraining layer bonded to a portion of the continuous damping layer for providing a second reduction of vibrational energy transmitted through the structure and the continuous damping layer. The continuous damping layer preferably includes a layer of elastomeric material bonded to the structure with an epoxy bonding compound or the like. The segmented constraining layer includes a plurality of rigid segments, such as aluminum plates, bonded to the continuous damping layer with a bonding compound.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer includes a support structure which holds an acoustic pulse generator having both a front application face and a rear face. An acoustic absorber is attached to the rear face of the pulse generator. An acoustic isolator is positioned between the acoustic absorber and a support structure/heat sink. A preferred embodiment of the acoustic isolator includes at least a first material layer exhibiting a first acoustic impedance value, and a second material layer exhibiting a second acoustic impedance value. The second acoustic impedance value is substantially different from the first acoustic impedance value. A boundary between the first material layer and the second material layer causes multiple acoustic reflections of an acoustic pulse emanating from the rear face of the pulse generator. The first material layer and second material layer both exhibit substantial heat transfer capabilities.

Abstract: An acoustic baffle for reflecting sound waves and rejecting background interference noise for use with a hydrophone array. The baffle utilizes a plurality of lenticular resilient elements embedded in a compliant foam elastomer compound. The embedded elements provide control of overall baffle compliance for submarine applications, particularly for high hydrostatic pressure operation. The resilient members are formed from pairs of resilient lenticular shaped elements which are integrally bonded to a highly damped constrained viscoelastic layer to provide uniform noise reduction performance over a broad frequency range. The pairs of elements are joined at their ends by compliant end caps which provide minimum constraint on the motion of the ends, thus limiting bending stresses in the elements.

Abstract: An acoustic reflector is disclosed, which is formed from the surface generated by an ellipse rotated about 180.degree. about a line passing through one of the focal points of the ellipse, where this line of rotation intersects the major axis at an acute angle. A transducer placed at the focal point on the line of revolution will, when energized, generate waves that will be reflected from the surface back through the arc of second focal points of the generating ellipse.

Abstract: An electro-acoustical transducer arrangement for underwater antennas comprised of a plurality of hydrophones (10) which are arranged at equal distances in a linear array, and are to be disposed vertically above each other on a support. For reasons of a simplified assembly along with good receiving properties, the hydrophones (10), together with a reflector (11) disposed behind them in the direction of incoming sound, are embedded in an acoustically transparent rigid cast enclosure (20) of an elastomer, preferably polyurethane, which can be worked in a casting process. The connecting lines (12) of the hydrophones (10) of the enclosure 20 are combined in a common plug (13), which is accessible on a front end of the rigid cast enclosure (20). The rigid cast enclosure (20) is provided with devices for fastening the enclosure to the support.

Abstract: An optical lever acoustic and ultrasound sensor with increased sensitivity using an optical amplification means to amplify the motion of an incident acoustic wave and convert it to an electric signal for image processing. Three approaches to the optical amplification are disclosed. In the first approach, the vibrating mirror is part of a cantilever that increases the angular deflection of the incident light beam. In the second approach, a second, stationary mirror is positioned approximately parallel to the vibrating mirror surface. The reflected light beam is reflected back onto the vibrating mirror, and picks up a another increment of the acoustic signal with each reflection. In the third approach, the effective moment of the optical lever is increased within a small volume by the use of two stationary mirrors to increase the path length from the vibrating mirror to the position-sensitive detector.

Abstract: A transducer apparatus and method for generating sonic sound waves having a far field wavefront amplitude pattern in a Bessel or Gaussian distribution is disclosed. The transducer includes a piezoelectric element having uniformly poled dipoles formed therein. An unpoled backing body having the same dielecctric constant as the piezoelectric element contacts and is attached to the piezoelectric element. An indentation shaped to produce a beam amplitude distribution of a predetermined function is formed on the backing body.

Abstract: A generator for acoustic waves has a source of acoustic waves with which acoustic waves can be introduced into an acoustic propagation medium and a liquid lens having a variable focal length which is arranged in the acoustic propagation medium, the liquid lens having two lens walls and a lens liquid situated therebetween. At least one of the lens walls is deformable for the purpose of varying the focal length. The liquid lens has a central opening, so that the lens walls have an outer and an inner edge, and the outer edge of the deformable lens wall is fixed and the inner edge is displaceable in the direction of the center axis of the liquid lens for the purpose of varying the focal length.

Abstract: An acoustic sensor, suitable for use as an ultrasonic transducer, microphone or hydrophone, uses an optical lever to amplify the motion of the sensor surface and convert it to an electrical signal suitable for image processing. In the acoustic sensor, a beam of light from a laser is directed at an oblique angle onto a reflective surface coupled to a sensor membrane. The reflected light strikes a position-sensitive light detector (PSD) which generates an electrical signal indicative of the position of the spot of light on the PSD. When an incident acoustic wave strikes the sensor membrane, the small movements of the reflective surface result in large motions of the spot of light on the PSD, thereby amplifying the acoustic signal and converting it into an electrical signal. Also disclosed is a multi-element sensor array suitable for linear array or phased array imaging.

Abstract: There is described an optical acoustic sensor that is pressure-compensated for operation in high-pressure environments such as the deep sea and that may be employed in multi-sensor arrays. The sensor includes an acoustically responsive diaphragm that is illuminated by light conducted through an optical fiber and that reflects the light back into the fiber. Light waves reflected by the diaphragm and fiber end interfere, and the resulting interference is conducted by the optical fiber to a to a photodetector and associated signal processing electronics such as a phase generated carrier demodulator. Pressure compensation is provided to equalize the static pressure on both sides of the diaphragm. Additionally, an array of sensors is described that employs optical time division multiplexing.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric material layer having a pair of electrodes provided on both main surfaces thereof for applying voltage thereto, and a backing material provided on one electrode. The backing material has an acoustic impedance lower than that of the piezoelectric material layer. Interposed between the backing material and one electrode is an acoustic reflecting material layer which has a thick first portion and a thin second portion. The second portion may have a substantially zero thickness to allow the backing material to be in partial contact with one electrode. Thereby, the ultrasonic probe can transmit and receive ultrasonic waves at its resonance frequencies. Also provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which displays an image resultant from combining images having the frequencies obtained by driving the ultrasonic probe.