Attenuation Measurement Patents (Class 73/599)
  • Patent number: 11813431
    Abstract: A fluid flow sensing apparatus and method for detecting pressure and the presence of bubbles within a fluid tube. The flow sensor comprises a housing configured to receive a portion of the tube and to house the pressure sensor and the ultrasonic transmitter. The pressure sensor is positioned adjacent the tube and is configured to receive a pressure sensor signal, which correlates to a detected pressure differential within the tube. An internal controller transmits a drive signal to the ultrasonic transmitter, which emits ultrasonic waves through a portion of the tube and to the pressure sensor. The pressure sensor receives both the ultrasonic waves and a pressure sensor signal, and subsequently transmits an output signal to the internal controller. In the presence of a pressure differential or a bubble within the tube, the output signal will exhibit a DC shift or a distortion of its signal characteristics, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Teresa Marta, Richard Wade
  • Patent number: 11754529
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford
  • Patent number: 11686707
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: VERIFI TECHNOLOGIES, LLC
    Inventors: David A. Jack, Benjamin M. Blandford, Nathaniel J. Blackman
  • Patent number: 11646714
    Abstract: A laterally vibrating bulk acoustic wave (LVBAW) resonator includes a piezoelectric plate sandwiched between first and second metal layers. The second metal layer is patterned into an interdigital transducer (IDT) with comb-shaped electrodes having interlocking fingers. The width and pitch of the fingers of the electrodes determine the resonant frequency. A combined thickness of the first and second metal layers and the piezoelectric layer is less than the pitch of the interlocking fingers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Jeronimo Segovia Fernandez, Peter Smeys, Ting-Ta Yen
  • Patent number: 11506589
    Abstract: An apparatus to determine the concentration of a target component in a mixture, the apparatus including at least one acoustic transducer located within the mixture, a controller generating a signal for the at least one acoustic transducer that's generating an acoustic signal in the mixture and transmitting same toward the target component within the mixture, wherein the acoustic signal is generated with a known power level, and a processor for measuring change in the power level of the at least one acoustic transducer as the acoustic signal is transmitted through the mixture, wherein the magnitude of the change in signal power determines the concentration of the target component in the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Assignee: FloLevel Technologies Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Robert Sidney Stirling
  • Patent number: 11382596
    Abstract: A method for aligning spatially different subvolumes of ultrasonic data of a blood vessel comprising: acquiring temporally discrete signals of a blood vessel with elements of a two dimensional array of ultrasonic transducer elements from spatially different depths of scanning opposed by each transducer element, said array being located in a first position with respect to the blood vessel during the acquiring; Doppler processing the temporally discrete signals received from each transducer element to produce spectral Doppler data of the scanning depth opposed by each transducer element; producing a first three dimensional map of the spectral Doppler data in spatial relationship to the position of the array with respect to the blood vessel; acquiring temporally discrete signals of the blood vessel with elements of the two dimensional array of ultrasonic transducer elements from spatially different depths of scanning opposed by each transducer element, said array being located in a second position with respect t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sushanth Govinahallisathyanarayana, Rajendra Singh Sisodia, Nagaraju Bussa, Krishnamoorthy Palanisamy, Vikram Basawaraj Patil Okaly, Shriram Sethuraman, John Petruzzello, Shiwei Zhou, Ajay Anand, Ramon Quido Erkamp, Shankar Mosur Venkatesan
  • Patent number: 11275056
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided having an acoustic-based air probe with an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: CiDRA Corporate Services Inc.
    Inventors: John Biesak, Douglas H. Loose, Michael A. Davis
  • Patent number: 11187636
    Abstract: A method for detecting components of dielectric materials is disclosed. The method includes use of a sensor to obtain at least one of a strain-dielectric coefficient data series at multiple frequencies or a stress-dielectric coefficient data series at multiple frequencies and using a processor to analyze resulting data, when a strain field or a stress field is known. The method also includes use of a sensor to obtain rheo-dielectric coefficient data at single frequency or data series at multiple frequencies and using a processor to analyze resulting data, when shear rate is known. The resulting data is used to perform material process or operation monitoring and control, quality examination, and characterization. Systems for detecting components of dielectric materials and for dielectrostriction measurement are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: Kelvin Innovations LLC
    Inventor: Yiyan Peng
  • Patent number: 11027934
    Abstract: A multi-feed detection device includes a transmission circuit substrate on which an ultrasonic transmitter transmitting an ultrasonic wave is installed, and an ultrasonic receiver receiving the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic transmitter transmits the ultrasonic wave in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the transmission circuit substrate and at least one of the ultrasonic transmitter and the ultrasonic receiver has a plurality of ultrasonic elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2021
    Inventor: Eiji Osawa
  • Patent number: 10865051
    Abstract: In addition to the amount of wear of a rubber comprising at least an upper cover rubber of a conveyor belt installed at a use site, data of at least one input item from six input items consisting of an impact force acting on the conveyor belt, a tensile force, an indicator indicating a state of a core, an indicator indicating a state of an endless portion, an indicator indicating a state of a belt conveyor device, and an indicator indicating a use environment of the conveyor belt is input into a server via an input unit, and a calculation unit calculates a remaining service life of the conveyor belt based on the data input and, stored in a storage unit, a belt specification database and a tolerance range database in which a tolerance range for each of the input items is input in advance per belt specification.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2020
    Assignee: The Yokohama Rubber Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Gang Hou
  • Patent number: 10775351
    Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for assessing degradation and estimating strength by using ultrasound, in which the apparatus includes: an ultrasound transmitting unit making an ultrasound signal having a single frequency be incident in an inspected object; an ultrasound receiving unit receiving the ultrasound signal penetrating the inspected object or reflected on the inspected object; a signal processing unit calculating a propagation speed through a time interval of the ultrasound signal received by the ultrasound receiving unit and separates the received ultrasound signal into a fundamental frequency component and a harmonic component to calculate non-linear parameter, and measuring linear and non-linear elastic coefficients by using the propagation speed and the non-linear parameter; and a strength estimating unit obtaining a tensile curve by using the linear and non-linear elastic coefficients and estimating at least one of tensile strength and yield strength by using the tensile curve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: INDUSTRY-UNIVERSITY COOPERATION FOUNDATION OF HANYANG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Kyung Young Jhang, Jong Beom Kim
  • Patent number: 10605711
    Abstract: A measurement method comprising: transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic signals to the fluid to be measured; receiving an return signal reflected or scattered from the particles in the fluid under test; calculating a one or more calculated values of the R parameter associated with the particle properties based on the return signal; determining the theoretical curve of the R parameter associated with the particle properties; and determining the mean diameter of the particles in the fluid based on the one or more calculated values of the R parameter and the theoretical curve of the R parameter; determining the mass concentration of the particles in the fluid according to the mean diameter of the particles. Embodiments also provide a measurement system for measuring the mean diameter and mass concentration of the particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Yan Mei, Longtao Yuan, Ran Niu, Weihua Shang, Jing Ye, Xin Qu
  • Patent number: 10594293
    Abstract: A filter includes a multilayer structure having films configured as bulk acoustic wave resonators; a wiring line connected to the bulk acoustic wave resonators; a cap coupled to the multilayer structure on a bonding line; and the filtering characteristics of the filter being configured through a mutual inductance between the wiring line and the bonding line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon Sok Park, Jung Woo Sung, Won Kyu Jeung
  • Patent number: 10581641
    Abstract: A user station for a bus system and a method for improving a reception quality of messages in a user station of a bus system are provided. The user station includes an estimation device for estimating a channel impulse response when and/or after only one further user station of the bus system transmits a message to the bus system, or for determining necessary functions of filters directly from a signal received by the user station, and a correction device for correcting a signal received by the user station based on the channel impulse response estimated by the estimation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Patrick Nickel
  • Patent number: 10422880
    Abstract: Doppler correction of phase-encoded LIDAR includes a code indicating a sequence of phases for a phase-encoded signal, and determining a first Fourier transform of the signal. A laser optical signal is used as a reference and modulated based on the code to produce a transmitted phase-encoded optical signal. A returned optical signal is received in response. The returned optical signal is mixed with the reference. The mixed optical signals are detected to produce an electrical signal. A cross spectrum is determined between in-phase and quadrature components of the electrical signal. A Doppler shift is based on a peak in the cross spectrum. A device is operated based on the Doppler shift. Sometimes a second Fourier transform of the electrical signal and the Doppler frequency shift produce a corrected Fourier transform and then a cross correlation. A range is determined based on a peak in the cross correlation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: BLACKMORE SENSORS AND ANALYTICS INC.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Crouch, Randy R. Reibel, James Curry, Michelle Milvich, Krishna Rupavatharam
  • Patent number: 10368832
    Abstract: Issuance of ultrasound pulses to a volume and receiving echo data is followed by estimating, based on the received data, center frequency subvolume-by-subvolume. Distinguishing between heart and lung tissue occurs based on a result of the estimating, and may include automatically identifying a spatial boundary (332) between the heart and lung tissue (324, 328), or a user display of center frequencies that allows for visual distinguishing. The issuance can include issuing, ray line by ray line, pair-wise identical, and/or pair-wise mutually inverted, ultrasound pulses. Center frequency calculations may be made for incremental sampling locations of respective imaging depth along each of the A-lines generated from echo data of the rays. The distinguishing might entail averaging center frequencies for locations along an A-line, and applying a central frequency threshold to the average. The leftmost of the qualifying A-lines, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventors: Sheng-Wen Huang, Emil George Radulescu, Ramon Quido Erkamp
  • Patent number: 10251560
    Abstract: An image forming apparatus has acoustic transducers; and an image processing unit which calculates intensity of acoustic waves irradiated from regions inside a subject respectively by processing received signals, which are output from the acoustic transducers, by a Fourier-domain method. The image processing unit includes: a coefficient memory which stores coefficients computed in advance, the coefficient being a value determined only by a position of the acoustic transducer, position of the region and a time of receipt of the acoustic wave; a multiplier unit which multiplies the received signal of the acoustic transducer by the corresponding coefficient; and a voxel memory which accumulates multiplication results of the multiplier unit for each region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Katsumi Nakagawa
  • Patent number: 10123394
    Abstract: In a control method, a vibration sensor of an information terminal apparatus acquires vibration data that is time-sequential data of vibrations including vibrations based upon body movements of a user on bedding on which the information terminal apparatus is placed. The acquired vibration data is stored in a memory, an action performed by the user is detected, and, from among the vibration data stored in the memory, vibration data included in a predetermined period that ends at a time at which the detected action was performed is extracted. Then, a vibration waveform indicated by the extracted vibration data is stored in the memory as a bed-leaving vibration pattern produced by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Masaaki Harada, Kozo Nishimura
  • Patent number: 9980026
    Abstract: A sealed acoustic port in the housing of an electronic device facilitating the elimination of liquid within the port. The acoustic port may include a heating element that when actuated can expedite the evaporation process of liquids accumulated within the port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: APPLE INC.
    Inventors: Stephen P. Zadesky, Fletcher R. Rothkopf, Samuel Bruce Weiss
  • Patent number: 9918695
    Abstract: A method for measuring at least one property of biological tissue, including: positioning an ultrasonic transducer opposite the biological tissue to be measured; generating an ultrasonic signal within the biological tissue; acquiring at least one ultrasonic signal reflected by the biological tissue; determining at least one parameter of the biological tissue using the acquisition of the ultrasonic signal reflected by the biological tissue, the at least one parameter being representative of the biological tissue; comparing the at least one parameter of the biological tissue with at least one reference parameter of a target biological tissue so as to confirm the hypothesis of the presence of the target biological tissue opposite the ultrasonic transducer; and determining at least one property of the biological tissue on the basis of the result of the comparison. The method can be directly used in the field of humans or animals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: Echosens
    Inventors: Laurent Sandrin, VĂ©ronique Miette, Magali Sasso
  • Patent number: 9816967
    Abstract: A through-transmission ultrasonic (TTU) inspection system for ultrasonic inspection of a part and for determining alignment calibration data for increased alignment accuracy. The TTU inspection system may include first and second end effectors located on opposite sides of the part, each having at least one transducer for transmitting or receiving ultrasonic or sound waves through the part. The TTU inspection system may also include actuators and a system controller. The system controller may command the actuators to actuate the first end effector according to one or more scanning patterns, while the transducers send and/or receive signals to or from each other through the part. The system controller may use signal strength measurements received along these scanning patterns to determine alignment calibration data for applying to the first end effector and/or its associated actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
    Inventor: Matthew Ryan Schroeder
  • Patent number: 9811809
    Abstract: A belt management system of the present invention is formed by a management server (1) that manages belts that are used in a belt conveyor, a terminal (2) that is provided in a location where the belt conveyor is installed, and a data server (3) that is provided in a company that manufactures and sells belts, wherein the management server is provided with: a transceiver unit (10) that receives in time series belt remaining thickness data that shows the thickness of the belt and that is supplied from the terminal at each one of predetermined periods; and a belt lifespan prediction unit (11) that, by writing the belt remaining thickness data in the management database in time series, and reading from the management database the belt remaining thickness data that has been stored in time series, and dividing the difference between the predetermined periods by the usage amount of the belt at each of the predetermined periods, and determining a unit amount of change in the usage amount units, and subtracting from t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: BRIDGESTONE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Akira Sakuragi
  • Patent number: 9797851
    Abstract: An apparatus for detecting wear particles in a fluid includes an inlet channel and an outlet channel. An ultrasonic transducer creating an acoustic wave that defines an acoustic focal zone is located between the inlet and outlet channels. A flow path located between the inlet and outlet channel is shaped to restrict the flow of the fluid to be within the acoustic focal zone. An inductive pulse sensor includes a plurality of flow channels receiving the fluid and a plurality of planar coils wound around the flow channels. The inductive pulse sensor includes a detection system for the detection of wear particles passing through the flow channels based on a change in an electrical property of the planar coils. A single combined excitation signal is sent to all the planar coils at once and the detection system measures one single output measurement for the plurality of flow channels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2017
    Assignee: The University of Akron
    Inventors: Jiang Zhe, Li Du
  • Patent number: 9739412
    Abstract: A method of extending a life expectancy of a high-temperature piping, includes removing a heat insulation material which covers the piping having a high creep rupture risk, and lowering an outer surface temperature of piping, wherein a width of an exposed portion obtained is twice or more a distance from a peeled-off end portion of the exposed portion to a portion where a compressive stress is asymptotical to 0 after a change in stress between a tensile stress and the compressive stress occurring in the piping due to the removal of the heat insulation material is made from the tensile stress to the compressive stress, and the distance is calculated based on the following formulae, ?x=5, ? = 3 ? ( 1 - v 2 ) a 2 ? h 2 4 here, ? is a Poisson's ratio, a is an average radius of the piping, and h is a plate thickness of the piping.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI HITACHI POWER SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Daigo Watanabe, Fumitoshi Sakata, Takumi Tokiyoshi, Yasuharu Chuman, Takuya Fukahori, Yuichi Kanemaki, Hiroyuki Ohyama, Shintaro Matsumoto, Masaaki Fujita, Ichiro Ohtsu
  • Patent number: 9651525
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method and an apparatus for scanning an object. Two virtual, orthogonal axes are positioned on a surface of the object. A scanning path of a moving probe is controlled as a function of the two virtual, orthogonal axes. The scanning path can include a plurality of probe positions determined according to a desired coverage of the object. A single probe can be used or, optionally, a pair of probes or an array of probes can be used, optionally mounting the probes on a multi-axis movable support. Optionally, a computer-aided design representing the object can be used to parameterize the object. The method and apparatus can be used to create an image of the object for non-destructive testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2017
    Assignee: TECSCAN SYSTEMS INC.
    Inventors: Nicolas Grimard, Rene Sicard, Sam H. Serhan
  • Patent number: 9453760
    Abstract: A device for the evaluation of vibrations (10) comprises an evaluating device (12), which comprises an input for introducing a vibration signal (SG) and is designed to determine a characteristic signal (BK) with the dimension of length/time? and/or the square (SE) of the characteristic signal (BK) from the vibration signal (SG) by means of a frequency-dependent evaluation of the vibration signal (SG). For a predefined value of a dimensional exponent ?, 1.3<?<1.7, a vibration sensor (11) of the device (10) outputs the vibration signal (SG). An RMS value (BEF) of the characteristic signal (BK) or the square (SE) of the characteristic signal (BK) essentially corresponds to the damaging effect of the vibrations on a structure or a machine. The square (SE) can be converted into a service life (T) according to the equation T=KB/SE and displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: PRUFTECHNIK DIETER BUSCH AG
    Inventor: Heinrich Lysen
  • Patent number: 9194844
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of nondestructive and contactless testing of components (3), wherein ultrasonic waves (6) are irradiated onto the surface of the component (3) at a predefinable, non-perpendicular angle of incidence (9) using an ultrasonic transmission sound transducer (1) arranged spaced apart from the surface of the component (3) and the intensity of the ultrasonic waves (7) reflected from the surface of the component (3) is detected with time resolution and/or frequency resolution by the antenna array elements (2n) of an ultrasonic antenna array (2) configured for detecting ultrasonic waves (7) and the phase shift of the ultrasonic waves guided at the surface of the test body is determined therefrom with respect to the ultrasonic waves (7) directly reflected at the surface of the component (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignees: FRAUNHOFER-GESELLSCHAFT ZUR FOERDERUNG DER ANGEWANDTEN FORSCHUNG E.V., MTU AERO ENGINES GMBH
    Inventors: Bernd Koehler, Martin Barth, Joachim Bamberg, Hans-Uwe Baron
  • Patent number: 9176100
    Abstract: A self-service terminal has a fascia 1. A transmitter 18 sends a chirped ultrasonic pulse across a region R of the fascia. The pulse interacts with the region R and the region R responds by emitting an output. A receiver 20 receives the output and produces an electrical signal corresponding to the output. A frequency analysing module 24 transforms the electrical signal into a frequency response.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: NCR Corporation
    Inventor: Jim Henderson
  • Patent number: 9121864
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an inertial sensor. An inertial sensor according to preferred embodiments of the present invention is configured to include a membrane, a plurality of first electrodes patterned on the membrane, a plurality of piezoelectric elements patterned on the first electrodes, and a second electrode integrally formed to cover the piezoelectric elements. By the configuration, the piezoelectric element is encapsulated with the second electrode that is integrally formed to prevent water or humidity from being permeated into the piezoelectric element, thereby preventing physical properties of the piezoelectric element from being changed or preventing the piezoelectric element from being delaminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 1, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electro-Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Woon Kim, Won Kyu Jeung
  • Patent number: 9038470
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for inspecting a composite structure. A response sound signal to a sound signal sent into the composite structure at a location on the composite structure is detected. An attenuation is identified in the response sound signal detected in response to the sound signal sent into the composite structure at the location on the composite structure. An indication of whether additional evaluation of the location is needed based on a comparison of the attenuation in the response sound signal to a baseline attenuation value for porosity for the location on the composite structure is generated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Roger W. Engelbart, Christopher M. Vaccaro, Scott E. Black, Nancy Wood
  • Publication number: 20150135837
    Abstract: A phased microphone imaging array and repeatable sound source are used in concert to determine absorption and reflection coefficients of materials and spaces across a continuous frequency domain. Coefficients can be determined at normal and oblique incidences to the surface using beamforming software. The invention can be used in-situ without needing to alter the environment in which it is testing. Accurate results can be obtained at any distance from the array and sound source to the testing surface with relatively little material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2013
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: OptiNav
    Inventors: Robert Patrick Dougherty, Kevin James Dimond, Tessa Lynn Robinson, Navid Boostanimehr
  • Patent number: 8950261
    Abstract: A method of detecting faults in a member having a first and second face opposite each other and communicating fluidically in the presence of at least one fault; the method including the steps of: generating a first sound signal by means of a transmitter, so that the first sound signal interacts with at least one portion of the first face of the member; arranging a receiver, configured to receive a second sound signal, close to a respective portion of the second face of the member corresponding to the portion of the first face, the second sound signal being the outcome of the first sound signal interacting with the member; moving the receiver, close to the second face of the member; generating a detection signal, by means of the receiver, as a function of the received second sound signal; calculating, at a number of instants (t1-tN) in which the receiver is moved, respective detection values (A?, B?, N?) of a quantity associated with the energy of the detection signal; and, in the event of at least one fault i
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Ansaldobreda S.p.A.
    Inventors: Massimo Carradori, Paolo Rami, Gian Luca Pioppi
  • Patent number: 8875581
    Abstract: In a device for detecting a basis weight of a recording material, an initial measurement is performed by using ultrasonic waves that have passed through the recording material, and the recording material is roughly classified first. By changing the number of pulses of the driving signal in accordance with a result of the initial measurement, the basis weight of the recording material can be detected by using ultrasonic waves suitable for the recording material, so that the detection accuracy of the basis weight of the recording material can be increased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoharu Nakamura, Norio Matsui, Shoichi Koyama, Tsutomu Ishida, Shun-ichi Ebihara
  • Patent number: 8874384
    Abstract: A method of standardizing ultrasonic flaw detectors utilizing electronic porosity standards which includes the steps of obtaining bandwidth characteristics of an ultrasonic flaw detector, obtaining broadband porosity attenuation characteristics of porosity samples, and generating porosity vs. attenuation curves calibrated to the apparatus using the bandwidth characteristics and the broadband porosity attenuation characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Steven K. Brady, William P. Motzer, Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Nathan R. Smith
  • Patent number: 8826739
    Abstract: In an ultrasonic measuring method for measuring the thickness of a coating material applied by coating to one surface or both surfaces of a substrate made of a metal so as to provide a coated product, a pair of first ultrasonic sensor and second ultrasonic sensor are provided such that the first ultrasonic sensor is placed on one side of the coated product, as viewed in its thickness direction, via an air layer, while the second ultrasonic sensor is placed on the other side of the coated product, via an air layer, and the thickness of the coating material is measured by transmitting ultrasonic waves between the first and the second ultrasonic sensors. A flat-type transmitting sensor that permits propagation of unfocused ultrasonic waves is used as the first ultrasonic sensor, and a flat-type receiving sensor that permits propagation of unfocused ultrasonic waves is used as the second ultrasonic sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Kawaki, Shinya Kuroki, Kazuhiro Uchida, Kiyokazu Ito
  • Patent number: 8813570
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring method and an ultrasonic measuring system use or include at least one actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set each consisting of a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor, for measuring the basis weight of an electrode paste, and a calibration ultrasonic sensor set consisting of a pair of first calibration ultrasonic sensor and second calibration ultrasonic sensor. The calibration ultrasonic sensor set performs calibration during measurement of the thickness of the electrode paste, and the actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set calculates the basis weight of the electrode paste, using a measurement condition value obtained by the calibration ultrasonic sensor set.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Seiichi Matsumoto, Hiroyuki Kawaki, Shinya Kuroki, Kazuhiro Uchida
  • Patent number: 8806945
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for attenuating a shockwave propagating through a first medium. The method may include the steps of detecting a shockwave-producing event, determining a direction and distance of the shockwave relative to a defended target, and interposing a second medium between the shockwave and a defended object. The second medium is different from the first medium and the shockwave is attenuated in energy as it passes through the second medium prior to reaching the defended object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Brian J. Tillotson, Michael A. Loudiana
  • Patent number: 8806942
    Abstract: A method includes measuring an occurrence frequency of elastic waves generated by cavitations in vascular tissues in vascular plant, before and after a change in water stress to the vascular plant, respectively by an elastic wave reception sensor fixed to an axis of the vascular plant, calculating a change rate of the occurrence frequency, from the occurrence frequency of the elastic wave measured before and after the change, respectively, and determining whether or not an embolism in the vascular tissue arrives at an unrecoverable level of the embolism, from the calculated change rate. And then, one can determine irrigation timing and quantity to the vascular plant, using an index based upon the above-determined result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: National University Corporation Saitama University
    Inventor: Kensuke Kageyama
  • Patent number: 8783111
    Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic testing probe and an ultrasonic testing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for flaw detection while maintaining the flaw-detection capability, irrespective of the shape of the inner surface of a tested object. A first probe (21) and a second probe (22) are provided, in each of which a plurality of oscillators that transmit ultrasonic waves to a tested object (T) and detect the ultrasonic waves reflected from the tested object (T) are arrayed. The first probe (21) is disposed closer to a flaw in the tested object (T) than the second probe (22) is. The first probe (21) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on an inner surface (T5) of the tested object (T) opposite to an outer surface (T2) thereof where the first probe (21) and the second probe (22) are disposed and transverse ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward an inside of the tested object (T).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Masatsugu Shimizu, Kiyotaka Aoki, Shinichi Tsuji
  • Patent number: 8756998
    Abstract: Solid contents verification systems and methods are provided. The system includes a contents sensor unit, a container-carrying unit and a control unit. The contents sensor unit has at least one contents sensor configured to send and receive sonic pulses to determine a state of contents in a container. The contents sensor unit is configured to send a signal communicating a state of the contents in a container. The container-carrying unit is configured to hold a container in substantial alignment with the contents sensors to expose the contents to the sonic pulses. The control unit is operatively connected to the contents sensor unit. The control unit is configured to receive the signal communicating the state of the contents and to compare the state of the contents with a desired state of the contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Express Scripts, Inc.
    Inventor: Jonathan W. Joplin
  • Patent number: 8712704
    Abstract: A defect detection system and method enable a fastened crystalline silicon product to generate micro-vibration by a micro-vibration excitation device, so as to enable the crystalline silicon product to generate an excitation signal, then to acquire the excitation signal by a acquisition device, so as to analyze the excitation signal acquired by the acquisition device in the time and frequency domain by an analysis detection device with a specific analysis, and to obtain an analysis result, at last, determine a defect state of the crystalline silicon product according to the analysis result.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Industrial Technology Research Institute
    Inventors: Jui-Yiao Su, Yu-Liang Chung, Chun-Chieh Wang, Chien-Feng Wu, Yan-Chen Liu
  • Patent number: 8677825
    Abstract: A method for identifying Lamb wave modes and structural health monitoring may include transmitting a Lamb wave through a structure for monitoring the structural health of the structure. The method may also include measuring an instantaneous thickness of the structure at a predetermined location of the structure during passage of the Lamb wave at the predetermined location. The method may additionally include identifying a mode of the Lamb wave from the instantaneous thickness of the structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: James P. Dunne
  • Patent number: 8671761
    Abstract: A method of assessing bolted joint integrity. A guided wave is sent through a structure containing at least one bolted joint. The guided wave that is subsequently propagated through the structure and interacted with the bolted joint is measured to obtain a measured result. At least one parameter of the guided wave after its travel through the structure, and after having been affected by a nonlinear acoustic behavior of the bolted joint, is analyzed. Either at least one guided wave parameter is compared to a wave propagation pattern of the bolted joint at a correct torque level, or variation of at least one guided wave parameter is compared, to determine changes in wave propagation time and/or wave propagation shape. An incorrect torque level of the bolted joint is inferred from any changes that are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: New Mexico Technical Research Foundation
    Inventors: Andrei Zagrai, Derek Doyle
  • Patent number: 8661904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for investigating a structure and a structure for receiving and/or conducting a liquid or soft medium, the method comprising the steps of: a) exciting acoustic waves in the structure by means of at least one transmitter, b) converting at least a part of the energy associated with the acoustic waves (A) excited in the structure into volume sound waves of the medium, c) reconverting at least a part of the energy associated with the volume sound waves into acoustic wave energy of the structure thereby generating acoustic waves in the structure, d) receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter by at least one receiver, and e) verifying whether a coating is present on a surface of the structure and/or if a coating is present determining properties of the coating by evaluating a signal generated by the receiver upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter and/or verifying whether a level of the medium (5) is below a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Hochschule fuer Angewandten Wissenschafen Fachhochschule Coburg
    Inventors: Martin Schmitt, Hendrik Faustmann, Katrin Schmidt, Gerhard Linder
  • Patent number: 8635907
    Abstract: A method for monitoring fluid flow through a downhole device, comprises a) providing an acoustic tube wave in fluid in the device; b) measuring the acoustic tube wave after it has passed through the fluid in the device; and c) assessing the permeability of the device by measuring the attenuation of the acoustic signal. Changes in velocity of the acoustic signal may also be measured. The device may be a permeable downhole device such as a sand screen the measurements in step b) are made using a plurality of sensors deployed in the hole. The method may further including the step of cross-correlating a signal received at a first receiver with signals received at additional sensors so as to obtain an effective response as if the signal had been emitted from a source at the position of said first receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: Andrey Victorovich Bakulin
  • Patent number: 8522616
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for detecting the solidification behavior of pourable and solidifying masses and/or masses that are to be solidified, in particular of chocolate-type masses, as well as their separation behavior from their delimiting walls that are in contact with these masses, specifically molds. Solutions are offered regarding how to achieve the optimized point in time for demolding and for achieving optimized product surface quality taking into account process orders of magnitude such as cooling temperature, cooling speed and conveyor belt speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: ETH Zurich
    Inventors: Erich J. Windhab, Yvonne Mehrle, Bruno Pfister
  • Patent number: 8492167
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for determining whether a fluid has been introduced into an assay measurement apparatus involving delivering a fluid to a surface of a resonant device. The methods also involve monitoring an electrical signal output by the resonant device, wherein properties of the electrical signal vary based on physical properties of the fluid in contact with the surface of the resonant device and determining if the electrical signal output by the resonant device satisfies a predetermined condition indicative of the presence of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: BioScale, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett P. Masters, Michael F. Miller
  • Patent number: 8490492
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the destruction-free testing of metallic pipes, in particular seamlessly produced steel pipes, in which method the entire length of the pipe is scanned following the circumference precisely and in this case, in addition to the wall thickness (WD) and the external diameter (Da) being determined, the inner and outer surfaces of the pipe are examined for faults, the faults determined in this process are compared with a predefined permissible reference fault depth RFT (RFT=fault threshold ofĂ—% of the nominal wall thickness), the pipes are sent to reworking means if the fault threshold is exceeded, and a requisite minimum wall thickness (WDmin) has to be present in the reworked region after the processing has been carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: V & M Deutschland GmbH
    Inventors: Andreas Groos, Stefan Nitsche
  • Patent number: 8465427
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for non-invasive bone fracture detection and accelerated healing, that simultaneously maps, via a paired phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus having multi-element transducers, three dimensional bone surface topology at opposite surfaces along an ultrasound wave pathway; that measures, using the mapped three dimensional topology, a thickness of the mapped bone; that detects, using the mapped three dimensional topology, a region of interest with bone deterioration or fracture; that calculates an ultrasonic wave velocity and attenuation as the ultrasound wave passes through the detected region of interest; and that applies a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) pulse to the region of interest. The paired phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus focuses the application of the LIPUS pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State University of New York
    Inventor: Yi-Xian Qin
  • Patent number: 8448517
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, there is provided with sheet processing device including an ultrasonic wave generator, a detecting array and a judging unit. The ultrasonic wave generator irradiates ultrasonic waves to a sheet being conveyed, from one side of the sheet. The detecting array is arranged in the other side of the sheet and detects sound pressure of the ultrasonic waves passing through the sheet. The judging unit judges a state of the sheet by comparing a predetermined standard value with the sound pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Itsumi, Takahiro Yamamoto