Abstract: Ultrasonic testing techniques may involve the measurement of ultrasonic waves from the tested part. These waves may reflect from surfaces of various layers within the part. Further, these waves may reflect from faults, defects, voids, fractures, and others. As such, the measured ultrasonic wave is a complex mix of these reflections. One method for detecting flaws, defects, and others may be to express the signal in terms of a set of basis functions. These functions may be summed to produce the measured signal. Further, basis functions may be chosen such that a select set of the basis functions characterize the fault and/or defect. In one exemplary embodiment, the coefficients associated with the basis function may be non-zero when a defect is present. As such, a defect may be detected quickly and automatically.

Abstract: Ultrasonic multi-element transducers and methods for achieving higher throughput rates in non-destructive testing are provided. By driving the transducer elements sequentially and/or in different combinations, and multiplexing the signals received from each transducer element, the inspection speed at high test sensitivity levels is significantly increased while the number of channels is not increased and cross-talk between the different transducer elements is avoided. At least one such transducer may be mounted on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is used to inspect wheel and bucket dovetails of turbines for cracks in the material surrounding pinholes and pins securing the buckets and wheel to one another. Only a minimum number of pins, for example, one of three radially aligned pins securing the bucket and wheel dovetails to one another at every other circumferential position of the pins about the wheel may be removed. A phased array ultrasonic probe is inserted into the excavated pinhole and provides a circumferential scan of the finger dovetails to detect cracks in adjacent pinholes. As an alternative, a probe having one or more piezoelectric elements providing one or more radial beams may be mechanically rotated in the pinhole. Statistical sampling may be used as an indicator of crack formation. Thus, in situ inspection is performed without removal of buckets from the wheel and with only a minimum number of pins being removed.

Abstract: A case of tilt angle measuring apparatus is composed of a case body for housing ultrasonic sensors and a cover for covering a top of the case body, and the case body includes a bottom plate having windows for exposing the ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving faces of the ultrasonic sensors, a side plate extending upward from the peripheral edge of the bottom plate and abutting against the bottom surface of the cover, and horn parts extending downward from the bottom plate so as to surrounding the windows.

Abstract: In a cylindrical transducer constructed of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer arrays arranged in a circular form, the ultrasonic transducer arrays is divided into a plurality of groups, and tilt angles of transmitting and receiving beams are controlled to compensate for swing motions of the cylindrical transducer depending on which group the individual ultrasonic transducer arrays belong. Provided that the uncompensated tilt angle of the beam is a and the angle of inclination of the cylindrical transducer in a particular direction is b, the tilt angle of the beam formed by a transducer array in the inclining direction should be adjusted to &agr;−&bgr; and the tilt angle of the beam formed by a transducer array in the opposite direction should be adjusted to &agr;+&bgr;.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for measuring the surface properties of polishing pads using noncontact ultrasonic reflectance. An ultrasonic probe is located over the polishing surface and configured to both transmit an ultrasonic signal to the polishing surface and receive a modified ultrasonic signal from the polishing surface without contacting the polishing surface. A subsystem coupled to the ultrasonic probe is configured to determine a surface property of the polishing pad from the modified signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and an apparatus for detecting anomalies in a wooden member. The apparatus includes a first roller device comprising a first array of transducers, and a second roller device comprising a second array of transducers. A first transducer in the first array of transducers communicates with more than one transducer in the second array of transducers. The apparatus may be designed such that the wooden member may pass between the first roller device and the second roller device. In addition, the first array of transducers and the second array of transducers maintain an orientation perpendicular to the moving direction of the wooden member as the first roller device and the second roller device roll along the wooden member. Each of the transducers operate in an ultrasonic frequency range. Also, each transducer in the first array of transducers is acoustically isolated from each other transducer.

Abstract: While a transmitting transducer (2a) for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a receiving transducer (2b) for receiving an ultrasonic wave are moved within a predetermined circular region (7) on a surface of a material being measured, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received 10,000 times. Then, arithmetic averaging is performed every time an ultrasonic wave is received, on the ultrasonic wave and ultrasonic waves that have been received until then. For example, the aforementioned predetermined frequency is given by ((n±(½))×(106×v/&Dgr;L))(Hz), where &Dgr;L is a variation in distance between the transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer, v is a transmission velocity of an ultrasonic wave transmitting in a material being detected, and n is a natural number.

Abstract: An apparatus for noninvasively monitoring the flow and/or the composition of a flowing liquid using ultrasound is described. The position of the resonance peaks for a fluid excited by a swept-frequency ultrasonic signal have been found to change frequency both in response to a change in composition and in response to a change in the flow velocity thereof. Additionally, the distance between successive resonance peaks does not change as a function of flow, but rather in response to a change in composition. Thus, a measurement of both parameters (resonance position and resonance spacing), once calibrated, permits the simultaneous determination of flow rate and composition using the apparatus and method of the present invention.

Abstract: A system for measuring sound velocity in material comprises a piezoelectric substrate, first- and second comb-shaped electrodes, and a counter electrode in contact with a surface-part of a material. When input electric signals Ei having carrier frequencies fi, respectively, are applied between the first comb-shaped electrode and the counter electrode in turn, longitudinal waves are radiated into the material. The longitudinal waves are reflected at the opposite surface-part of the material, and then, detected between the second comb-shaped electrode and the counter electrode as delayed electric signals Di, respectively. The input electric signals Ei and the delayed electric signals Di interfere respectively, so that respective interference signals Ri occur. A sound velocity V in the material is estimated from the interference signals Ri.

Abstract: A two-dimensional array ultrasonic probe comprises printed circuit boards, each carrying piezoelectric vibrators arranged in the form of a matrix and adapted to draw signal leads and grounding wires from the vibrators through the gaps separating the columns of the matrix. A row of vibrators are arranged in an array on each of the printed circuit boards and then the printed circuit boards carrying vibrators are arranged in the column to produce a two-dimensional array transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method capable of increasing density of sampling points in accordance with depths within an object. In this method, a predetermined area contained in the object is divided into at least a first area located most shallowly and a second area located deeper. The method includes the steps of: (a) transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves focused in one focus direction within the first area to take samples of an ultrasonic image at a plurality of points in the focus direction, and changing the focus direction to scan the first area; (b) sequentially transmitting ultrasonic waves focused in respective focus directions within the second area in a predetermined time period, thereafter receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the respective focus directions to take samples of the ultrasonic image at a plurality of points in the respective focus directions.

Abstract: A vibration displacement sensing system comprises a piezoelectric substrate, first- and second comb-shaped electrodes, a counter electrode, and a signal analyzer. When input electric signals are applied between the first comb-shaped electrode and the counter electrode, longitudinal waves are radiated into a medium, and reflected at a material in the medium. If the material vibrates in response to times Ti, reflected longitudinal waves are detected between the second comb-shaped electrode and the counter electrode as delayed electric signals Di in accordance with distances Zi between the counter electrode and the material. In this time, the distances Zi correspond with the times Ti, respectively. Electrical coupled-signals from the input electric signals and the delayed electric signals Di interfere respectively, so that respective interference signals Ri occur. A vibration displacement caused by the material is estimated from the interference signals Ri.

Abstract: A wafer for placement in a pipe. The wafer includes a housing having an outer surface and an orifice adapted to allow fluid flowing in the pipe to pass through the housing. The housing has at least a first port extending into the housing from the outer surface for holding a first acoustic transducer. The wafer includes means for attaching the housing to the pipe. A method for obtaining information about fluid in a pipe.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged on the top surface of a probe, which is a concave spherical surface, so that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements will intersect at a point coincident with the center of curvature of a curve delineated by the top surface. At this time, the acoustic lines conically propagate over a region beyond the point of intersection. Namely, the ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements pass through the point of intersection coincident with the center of curvature, and then conically and three-dimensionally propagate over the region beyond the point of intersection. Thus, acoustic lines are three-dimensionally transmitted to a wide region beyond an intercostal part of a physiological body or any other narrow space, and echoes returned from the region are received. Consequently, the wide region can be three-dimensionally monitored.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a device for inspecting pipelines, in particular for detecting defects in pipelines by means of ultrasound. Towards this end, measuring sensors transmit ultrasound signals during passage through a pipeline. The signals reflected on boundary regions of a pipeline wall, e.g. surfaces or defects, are then measured and evaluated. The invention is characterized in that partial regions of the measuring sensors (virtual sensors) formed of a plurality of neighboring sensor elements irradiate ultrasound signals into the pipe wall at at least one radiation angle which is inclined with respect to the normal to the pipe wall and the signals reflected at boundary regions of the pipe wall are received by same and/or other partial regions of the respective measuring sensors, wherein defects in the pipe wall are determined by evaluation of the acoustical signals reflected by different boundary regions.

Abstract: While a transmitting transducer (2a) for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a receiving transducer (2b) for receiving an ultrasonic wave are moved within a predetermined circular region (7) on a surface of a material being measured, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received 10,000 times. Then, arithmetic averaging is performed every time an ultrasonic wave is received, on the ultrasonic wave and ultrasonic waves that have been received until then. For example, the aforementioned predetermined frequency is given by ((n±(½))×(106×v/&Dgr;L))(Hz), where &Dgr;L is a variation in distance between the transmitting transducer and the receiving transducer, v is a transmission velocity of an ultrasonic wave transmitting in a material being detected, and n is a natural number.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for determining the thickness and topography of buoyant objects, especially ship's hulls (1), by means of a beam (2, 17) carrying an array of ultrasound sensors (3). The object (1) and the beam (2) are moved relative to each other in the object's longitudinal direction while the distance between the object and the beam are automatically adjusted by raising/lowering the beam (2) by means of lifting means (6) and/or distance elements secured by floating bodies (4). The invention also relates to a device for implementing the method.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sparse imaging array includes a substrate of an acoustically absorptive material, through which extend a multiplicity of holes. Adhesive sheets, having selectively conductive regions, are fixed to a first side of the substrate, and are each disposed over a first end of one of the holes. Plano-convex shaped transducer elements, having a wide acoustic field of view, are disposed on each of the sheets, each of the sheets serving as a positive electrode and providing a mechanical and electrical connection between the substrate and a multiplicity of transducer elements. Plating is fixed to the first side of the substrate and covers each of the transducer elements and comprises a negative electrode. A conductive epoxy fills each of the holes and a power source is in electrical communication with the negative electrode.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for evaluating the physical properties of a sample, for example, the grain size in a polycrystalline material. An ultrasound field is generated in a local region of the sample with a non-contact source, such as a pulsed laser, such that the generated ultrasound diffuses away from said local region. After waiting until the generated ultrasound field has reached a diffusion regime, the resulting ultrasound field is measured with a non-contact detector. Parameters are adjusted in a mathematical model describing the predicted behaviour of the ultrasound field in the diffusion regime to fit the detected ultrasound field to the mathematical model. In this way, parameters dependent on the physical properties of the sample, such as the diffusion coefficient and absorption coefficient, can be derived. The grain size, for example, can be estimated from these parameters preferably by calibrating the diffusion coefficient to grain size.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system receives echo signals from a transducer for digital processing and image formation. An analog to digital converter converts the analog echo signals to digital signal samples. The dynamic range of the analog to digital converter is more efficiently used for harmonic imaging and saturation of the analog to digital converter is more effectively prevented by attenuating the fundamental signal content of echo signals prior to analog to digital conversion.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array (408) includes at least one transducer element (412) having a first (604) and second (606) portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity (520). The first portion (604) has the desired length to form a half-wave k31 resonance, while the second portion (606) has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k31 resonance. The thickness of the transducer element (412) is designed for k33 half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element (412) can operate and provide for both forward-looking (514) and side looking (512) elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer (412) in ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A method for distinguishing multiple targets using time-reversal acoustics. Time-reversal acoustics uses an iterative process to determine the optimum signal for locating a strongly reflecting target in a cluttered environment. An acoustic array sends a signal into a medium, and then receives the returned/reflected signal. This returned/reflected signal is then time-reversed and sent back into the medium again, and again, until the signal being sent and received is no longer changing. At that point, the array has isolated the largest eigenvalue/eigenvector combination and has effectively determined the location of a single target in the medium (the one that is most strongly reflecting). After the largest eigenvalue/eigenvector combination has been determined, to determine the location of other targets, instead of sending back the same signals, the method sends back these time reversed signals, but half of them will also be reversed in sign.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable ultrasound transducer element and related circuits and methods. The transducer may comprise an array of capacitive transducer elements, a row decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a column decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a bias voltage source coupled to said row decoder, and a driving signal source coupled to said column decoder. Preferably, a master clock also is provided to allow for a synchronization of signals between the row decoder and column decoder.

Abstract: A method for determining a remaining service life of switching contacts in an electric switching device. The method includes operating the switching contacts so as to produce structure-borne sound signals, capturing the structure-borne sound signals, performing a Fourier transform on the structure-borne sound signals in a plurality of discrete time windows so as to produce a sonogram, determining a plurality of function values using the sonogram, and evaluating the plurality of function values using an evaluation device. Also a electrical switching device including first and second switching contacts, a sound sensor configured to capture structure-borne sound signals produced by an operation of the first and second switching contacts, and an evaluation device configured to evaluate the first structure-borne signals so as to determine a remaining service life of the first and second switching contacts.

Abstract: A system includes a switching device, a sound device and an evaluation device. The switching device includes a housing and a contact system disposed in the housing, the contact system including a contact piece carrier and a contact piece disposed on the contact piece carrier. The sound device produces and captures structure-borne sound waves so as to determine an equivalent criterion for determining the remaining service life of the contact piece. The evaluation device evaluates the equivalent criterion.

Abstract: A method for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds is disclosed and which includes providing a pair of transducers which are individually positioned on the opposite sides of a partially completed weld to be inspected; moving the transducers along the length of and laterally inwardly and outwardly relative to the partially completed weld; pulsing the respective transducers to produce an ultrasonic signal which passes through or is reflected from the partially completed weld; receiving from the respective transducers ultrasonic signals which pass through or are reflected from the partially completed welds; and analyzing the ultrasonic signal which has passed through or is reflected from the partially completed weld to determine the presence of any weld defects.

Abstract: An apparatus as disclosed for mounting a liquid-filled pipe by the use of ultrasound techniques. The apparatus comprises a vehicle capable of fitting inside the pipe, and of being transported along the pipe by the liquid flowing into it, together with rings of several ultrasonic transducers spaced circumferentially round the vehicle. The rings are so arranged that one ring operates in the reflection mode purely radially while two further rings operate as a pair in a longitudinal refraction mode. A fourth ring is used in a circumferential refraction/reflection mode. The vehicle has an associated power supply, data gathering and storage capability and a vehicle for measuring the distance traveled along the pipe.

Abstract: The Noise Suppressor II provides procedures and add-on units, which are attached to standard analog or digital ultrasonic flaw detector instruments for either suppressing noise spikes that clutter the flaw detector screens, or other undesired signals, or enhancing weak, barely detectable signals. The add-on units may do both simultaneously as well. Each unit includes an adjustable filter so that a user may tune the filter bandwidth to a specific range within the overall transducer band that coincides with the signal to be either suppressed or enhanced.

Abstract: The dynamic fluidized-bed level in an olefin polymerization reactor is determined by radar or ultrasound waves. Echoes are processed to take into account the turbulence caused by bubbles, which can be as large as four meters in diameter, bursting on the surface, expelling resin particles into the freeboard above the dynamic fluidized-bed level.

Abstract: An operating/controlling device for computer game, including a soft outer wrapping layer, an inner wrapping layer and a signal controlling device sealedly enclosed by the inner wrapping layer. The signal controlling device includes at least one depression member adjacent to the inner wall of the inner wrapping layer. When depressed, the depression member activates an internal signal sensing member to count different data produced during operation of the depression member and input the data to computer software for providing different operational references for the execution software. The operating/controlling device serves to provide a real and live controlling touch feeling for an operator.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer array (408) includes at least one transducer element (412) having a first (604) and second (606) portions separated by an acoustical discontinuity (520). The first portion (604) has the desired length to form a half-wave k31 resonance, while the second portion (606) has a resonant length for an undesired very low frequency out-of-band k31 resonance. The thickness of the transducer element (412) is designed for k33 half-resonance. Given the design, the transducer element (412) can operate and provide for both forward-looking (514) and side looking (512) elevation apertures. A method is also disclosed for using the disclosed ultrasound transducer (412) in ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A detector equipped with force feedback for detecting detonatable devices such as land mines is disclosed. The detector includes a rod having a tip for placing beneath the surface of the ground and for contacting unknown objects. The tip ultrasonically provides an indication of the presence of a metal or plastic material. Means for providing a plurality of ultrasonic signals, each signal of a different frequency, to the unknown object via a single rod is used to compensate the device during use against unknown pressures applied to the rod beneath the surface of the ground.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method capable of increasing density of sampling points in accordance with depths within an object. In this method, a predetermined area contained in the object is divided into at least a first area located most shallowly and a second area located deeper. The method includes the steps of: (a) transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves focused in one focus direction within the first area to take samples of an ultrasonic image at a plurality of points in the focus direction, and changing the focus direction to scan the first area; (b) sequentially transmitting ultrasonic waves focused in respective focus directions within the second area in a predetermined time period, thereafter receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the respective focus directions to take samples of the ultrasonic image at a plurality of points in the respective focus directions.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonically testing the disk bore and keyway area of a shrunk-on steam turbine rotor disk or hub is provided. The method employs a one or more scanning ultrasonic phased linear array probes mounted on the disk to inspect the disk bore and keyway area on the opposite side of the disk.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a buried object detection system. The detection system has an acoustic emitter capable of generating a non-linear acoustic impulse or a continuous acoustic signal of variable amplitude and frequency. Sensors are deployed on an appropriate surface or surfaces of a granular medium, which are capable of detecting the backscattered and, if possible, forward scattered signals of the original impulse or wave from a buried inclusion or inclusions. The information received by the sensors may be transmitted to a computer for further manipulation and analysis.

Abstract: A system and method for image reconstruction of defects in solid materials based on mode-converted Rayleigh waves (MCRW). The system and method isolate the Rayleigh wave signals from the specular reflection signals although the Rayleigh wave signal amplitude is much weaker than the specular signal. It was shown that an image of defects within a solid material could be successfully restored by MCRW image method. This system and method also provide an accurate representation of the defect shape.

Abstract: An ultrasonic defect detection system includes a steered beam transmitter for directing an ultrasonic beam through the front face to the back face of a specimen; a sensor device for sensing the location on the front face of the near shadow of a defect from the beam reflected from the back face before the defect and the far shadow of the defect from the beam reflected from the back face after the defect; and an arithmetic circuit responsive to the location of the shadows on the front face for determining the distance between the transmitter and the near and far boundary of the near shadow and at least the near boundary of the far shadow for calculating the location and/or the size and/or the orientation of the defect.

Abstract: The method of the invention identifies damage to an in-service conductor associated with the delivery (transmission and distribution) of electric power. Electro-magnetic acoustic energy is generated in an in-service conductor associated with the delivery of electric power. Corresponding return electro-magnetic acoustic energy is then measured. Features are then extracted from the return electro-magnetic acoustic energy to characterize damage to the in-service conductor. The features may be extracted through a variety of signal processing techniques, such as wavelet signal processing. The extracted features may be classified using a neural network, fuzzy logic, or a combination of both.

Abstract: An ultrasonic computed tomography tree or log scanner has a plurality of ultrasonic transceivers carried on a belt (102) sized to encircle a tree (100). The belt includes an apparatus for engaging is tightly around the tree (104). The transceivers are strapped around the tree, and their mutual relative distances are known. Electronic circuitry energizes the transmitters in a known sequence. The signals received at each of the receivers are also collected and analyzed. Computed tomographic techniques analyze the time of arrival of the acoustic pulse that is first to arrive at each receiver. A signal processor generates a two-dimensional image of a slice of the tree (110) at the locus of the belt.

Abstract: A method for the concurrent ultrasonic inspection of partially completed welds is disclosed and which includes providing a pair of transducers which are individually positioned on the opposite sides of a partially completed weld to be inspected; moving the transducers along the length of and laterally inwardly and outwardly relative to the partially completed weld; pulsing the respective transducers to produce an ultrasonic signal which passes through or is reflected from the partially completed weld; receiving from the respective transducers ultrasonic signals which pass through or are reflected from the partially completed welds; and analyzing the ultrasonic signal which has passed through or is reflected from the partially completed weld to determine the presence of any weld defects.

Abstract: An electronic scanning ultrasonic object-detection apparatus 1 of the present invention comprises; phase control signal generation means 2 for generating a plurality of phase control signals having different transmission frequencies; ultrasonic wave transmission means 3 for transmitting ultrasonic waves of a transmission frequency different from each other by a plurality of arrays, based on the plurality of phase control signals; ultrasonic wave receiving means 4 for receiving reflected waves from an object of the ultrasonic waves with a plurality of receiving elements, judging a signal of the reflected waves received by all the receiving elements as a mail image to thereby output a mail image signal, and judging signals of other reflected waves as side images to thereby output a side image signal; and object-detection means 5 for detecting a position of an object based on the mail image signal output by the ultrasonic wave receiving means 4, and detecting existence of a side image based on the side image sig

Abstract: A process and device are disclosed for recognizing foreign bodies in viscous or fluid masses with lumpy foodstuffs. The mass to be checked runs through a measurement section, in which, pulsed ultrasonic signals are emitted through the mass, are reflected after passing through the mass, and after passing again through the mass they are received and compared with the ultrasonic echo of the reflection surface. When the changes of the received signals exceed a predetermined threshold value, a warning or actuating signal is generated to interrupt mass advance. The parameters to be evaluated for the signal may be their amplitudes, as well as the speed of change of their amplitudes or the propagation times.

Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the relative movement in a first direction (F1) of first matter, such as blood flow, and second matter, such as an artery wall, in a subject under study (S). A beam (B1) of ultrasound waves defining a plurality of beam positions (BP1 and BP2) and beam axes (A1and A2) are moved in scan directions having components parallel to direction F1. First and second blocks of data representing the first and second matter, respectively, are generated. A processor (20) performs an estimation of speckle size on first data to obtain a first result, and performs analysis of the second block of data to obtain a second result. The two results are analyzed to obtain a measure of the relative movement of the first and second matter.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged on the top surface of a probe, which is a concave spherical surface, so that ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements will intersect at a point coincident with the center of curvature of a curve delineated by the top surface. At this time, the acoustic lines conically propagate over a region beyond the point of intersection. Namely, the ultrasonic beams transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer elements pass through the point of intersection coincident with the center of curvature, and then conically and three-dimensionally propagate over the region beyond the point of intersection. Thus, acoustic lines are three-dimensionally transmitted to a wide region beyond an intercostal part of a physiological body or any other narrow space, and echoes returned from the region are received. Consequently, the wide region can be three-dimensionally monitored.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for focusing ultrasonic waves that are propagated from a phased array toward a spherically-bounded object so that they arrive at a pre-selected focal point at the same time and in phase and thereby significantly improve, nondestructively, the detectability of possible flaws in and structural characteristics of the object. The disclosed method comprises calculating the location of a plurality of preferred refraction points on a surface of the spherical work piece using an iterative process. Each of the preferred refraction points correspond to one of the elements of the phased array mechanism. The locations of the preferred refraction points depends upon the location of the pre-selected focal point and the locations of the phase elements.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging device comprising a set of bins, wherein each bin includes a set of transducer elements. Additionally, a set of mode switches or multiplexers are associated with the set of bins, wherein the set of mode switches or multiplexers configure the set of transducer elements in each bin to form either a one-dimensional array providing a two-dimensional scan mode or a two-dimensional array providing a three-dimensional scan mode.

Abstract: A system which rapidly determines the elastic stiffness constants of materials in plate shape as well as characterize material flaws that are affecting these constants. Rapid (below a minute) nondestructive evaluation system allow for the determination of material stiffness constants, low noise data acquisition algorithm for measuring spectral data. A real time method of displaying leaky Lamb wave spectral data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method for parts of complex geometry comprises using a multielement transducer transmitting focused ultrasonic waves into the part to be tested. The focusing of the ultrasonic waves is implemented in two different modes using multichannel control electronics. The two focusing modes are an electronic focusing mode and a time reversal focusing mode which are selected as a function of the depth of the particular test zone. The time reversal focusing mode is selected to test central zones located at the largest depths around the longitudinal axis of the part. The electronic focusing mode is selected to test intermediate zones situated at depths between the central zones and a peripheral zone of the part.

Abstract: A nondestructive testing apparatus is provided with a wave transmitter by a metal-based magnetostrictive vibrator, a magnetically excited current feeding device for feeding the magnetically excited current to the magnetostrictive vibrator, a wave receiver for detecting an acoustic elastic wave propagating through the measurement object, a filter for extracting a signal in a target frequency band to be measured, and an automatically amplifying rate controlling function-equipped amplifier for automatically controlling the amplifying rate so as to obtain a given magnitude amplitude regardless of the magnitude of the reflection wave or the transmission wave detected by the wave receiver, which constitute a feedback loop.