Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection of composite products such as curved components of airplane engine nacelles utilizes guide wheels and rollers to support and control the nacelle component or panel and permit rotation of the nacelle panel about its longitudinal axis. The nacelle panel is passed through an inspection zone which contains an ultrasonic inspection assembly comprising ultrasonic transmitting transducers and ultrasonic receiving transducers mounted on opposite sides of the nacelle panel. The ultrasonic inspection assembly is mounted to be moved along a frame by a drive assembly whereby the ultrasonic inspection assembly is translated across the width of the nacelle panel. The nacelle panel is rotated about its axis in small incremental rotational steps by a cable driven by a motor drive assembly. After each incremental rotational movement of the nacelle panel, the ultrasonic inspection assembly is translated across the width of the nacelle panel to inspect the portion aligned with the frame.

Abstract: A transducer unit for determining the presence of twinned columnar growth in the interior of an as-cast ingot. The transducer unit has a first means for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves and second means for rotating the direction of the wave pulse of the waves. The transducer unit detects the presence of twinned columnar growth by comparing the round trip time of flight (RTTOF) of the ultrasonic waves traveling in a first direction to ultrasonic waves of the same frequency generated in a second direction. In a preferred embodiment, a viscous liquid is used to couple the transducer unit to the ingot.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus of non-destructive testing wherein a generally bidirectional wave generating electromagnetic acoustic transducer is pivotally mounted upon a base with this transducer being continuously rotated or oscillated upon the base as it is moved with respect to the workpiece (or the workpiece is moved with respect to the base). This oscillation or rotation causes a wave to be generated along an arc with these waves extending radially outward from the base so that any flaws in the workpiece can be struck at an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible (the optimal incident angle).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for aiming an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. A tubular member having an axial bore with the transducer extending therein has an upper section, and a lower section with a threaded outer surface and an inner receiving surface. A ferrule assembly includes a compression nut mating with the threaded surface, and a ferrule biased by the compression nut against the receiving surface to form a waterproof seal with the transducer. A collar having a first annular section is detachably mounted coaxially on the tubular member. The first annular section extending to a second annular section having cut-outs suitable for providing access to manipulate the compression nut. The second annular section extending to a third annular section having a positioning members facing a section of the transducer extending from the tubular member.

Abstract: In ultrasonic apparatus has a large aperture annular transducer array which is mechanically rotated in a scanning motion. The ultrasound beam is electronically steered to compensate for angular position error caused by the scanning motion by means of preselected delay patterns to thereby produce an ultrasound beam which undergoes a discrete step scan pattern of an object of interest. Also disclosed is a method of manufacturing the transducer array which involves segmenting the transducer after assembling the transducer components.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically testing a part uses a transducer which emits sound waves to flow through a water column into contact with the part. The housing has sidewalls, a top, and a bottom, defining a reservoir. The transducer locates in the reservoir and points downward toward the bottom. A collar extends upward from the bottom in alignment with the transducer. The collar has an open upper end spaced a selected distance above the bottom. A tube mounts in the collar in alignment with the transducer. The tube will slide vertically relative to the collar. The lower end of the tube protrudes through an aperture in the bottom for contact with the part. Water is supplied to the reservoir, to flow over the upper end of the collar and through the tube against the part. A supporting surface on the housing supports the housing on the part and depends downward from the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A mechanical ultrasonic scanner includes a transducer element which is swingably supported in a housing, and a sensor for detecting a swinging angle of the transducer element. The sensor includes a permanent magnet swung together with the transducer element, and a magnetoresistive element fixed to the housing to be opposite to a swinging locus of the permanent magnet. The permanent magnet generates a magnetic field between the permanent magnet and the magnetoresistive element. The magnetoresistive element detects a strength of the magnetic field which changes in correspondence with a swinging angle of the magnet, so that the swinging angle of the transducer element is detected on the basis of the change in the strength of the magnetic field. Even if the housing contains a sound transmitting medium, the magnetic field generated by the sensor is not adversely affected by the sound transmitting medium.

Abstract: A transesophageal echo cardiography probe includes a cylindrical housing (1) and end cap (2), a rotatable axle (10) extending longitudinally along the housing, a motor (7) operable for rotating the axle (10), and a multielement ultrasonic transducer array (5) carried on and for rotation with said axle (10) for emitting an ultrasonic imaging beam. The array elements (5A) are connected to a flexible, first flat cable (11) that extends, preferably in an S-like undulating manner, radially-outwardly toward the end cap wall. The radially-outward end of the first cable (11) is connected to a second flat cable (12) which extends longitudinally along the housing (1) to the rearward end of the housing. The second cable (12) has an arcuate cross-sectional shape for facilitating its receipt in and extension through an arcuate passageway defined between the motor (7) and the inner periphery of the housing (1).

Abstract: Various ultrasonic transducer assemblies are disclosed in which each assembly includes a pair of ultrasonic transducers for emitting or receiving an ultrasonic wave, respectively, and wherein the ultrasonic transducers include a concave shaped ultrasonic transducer and a flat shaped ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer assemblies realize excellent magnitude of accuracy, resolving power, versatility and simplicity in handling. In addition, various ultrasonic acoustic microscopes are disclosed incorporating the aforementioned ultrasonic transducer assemblies and realizing the same results thereof.

Abstract: Nuclear fuel cladding tube end plug welds are ultrasonically scanned to develop data indicative of weld thickness, weld penetration, and the existence and size of any included feature, such as pores. A computer analyzes the data to determine critical weld characteristics which are then tested against established quality assurance standards to see if the end plug weld is acceptable, all on an automated production line basis.

Abstract: A surface testing device comprising a vibratory system for the reciprocating movement of a sensor carrier (3) arranged above the surface to be tested and comprising an exciter arrangement for operating the system at or in the vicinity of its resonance frequency wherein the vibratory system contains spring elements in the form of pneumatic springs (5, 6) acting on the sensor carrier (3) in opposite directions, which pneumatic springs (5, 6) are pretensioned in the rest state of the system by a magnitude corresponding to at least half of the displacement path of the sensor carrier (3) FIG. 1.

Abstract: A belt driven pulley mounting a transducer in a probe system used for ultrasonic medical diagnostic imaging. The location of the sector scanned by the transducer is varied by changing the angular relationship beween the drive pulley of the system and the driven pulley.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for ultrasonically testing the internal neck-shoulder region of a large number of gas cylinders for radially oriented defects. The apparatus and method includes housing an ultrasonic transducer within a shoe in a predetermined orientation wherein the transducer is wedged at a wedge angle so that ultrasonic pulses travel directly through the shoulder region to the top and bottom of the internal neck-shoulder region and is also outwardly skewed within the shoe at a skew angle such that the radially oriented defects reflect the ultrasonic pulses and produce return echoes. An automated scanner moves the shoe and therefore, the transducer in a predetermined pattern such that the entire internal neck-shoulder region of the gas cylinder is scanned. The scanner is supported by a stand that allows the automated scanner to be rapidly set up on the gas cylinders being tested.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic inspection probe (400) for determining the presence, location, and size of flaws in a laminated structure such as a composite "I" stiffener (30'). The probe includes a shoe assembly (402) having a plurality of shoes (52', 54', 56', 58') that are arranged for coordinated movement relative to the "I" stiffener and house a plurality of ultrasonic transducers that produce inspection information related to the "I" stiffener. The shoes are biased by spring assemblies (64' and 66') toward the web 34' and flange 32' and flange 32' of the "I" stiffener. A fore drive (404) and an aft drive (406) are mounted on the shoe assembly and spring loaded to engage the "I" stiffener so as to cause translational movement of the shoe assembly when energized. The shoe assembly may be moved by either one or both of the drives. A position encoder (408) produces information related to the position of the probe as it is moved along the "I" stiffener.

Abstract: A system for determining the cross sectional profile of an object (24) having two opposed surfaces (26,28), includes:an ultrasonic transducer (16) having a reference surface (20) and arranged to emit and receive ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20);a thickness determining unit (60) connected to the transducer (16) for causing the transducer (16) to emit ultrasonic energy via the reference surface (20) and for detecting reflected ultrasonic energy received by the transducer (16) via the reference surface (20) in order to derive indications of the distance between the reference surface (20) and an ultrasonic energy reflecting surface facing the reference surface (20);a carriage (2) supporting the transducer (16);a guide member (4) defining a linear travel path having a reference point and supporting the carriage (2) for movement along the travel path;a position determining unit (12,44,62) operatively associated with the carriage (2) for deriving an indication of the location of the carriage (2) alon

Abstract: A fan-shaped scanning flaw detecting apparatus which includes a probe provided with an ultrasonic wave transmitting-and-receiving array transducer arranged along a circular arc and an acoustic lens for converging and converting an ultrasonic beam transmitted/received by the array transducer into a substantially parallel beam. The apparatus also includes a scanning function section that sequentially switches the transmitting and receiving operation of a group of operative transducer elements of the array transducer so as to make the ultrasonic beam perform fan-shaped scanning. A picturizing processor section forms a sectional image of an object to be examined on the basis of an echo signal obtained from the object to be examined and a display section displays the sectional image. A position detecting section detects a position where the ultrasonic beam is incident to the object to be examined when the probe is moved along a surface of the object to be examined.

Abstract: An immersion base ultrasonic inspection system for interrogating the bore and near bore material of turbine and generator rotors by passing ultrasonic search units through the rotor bore. This system utilizes variable focus array inspection transducers in a shear mode inspection of the near bore material. The system includes a positioning assembly for a transducer which includes carriage means for supporting the transducer and a first positioning means for tilting one end of the carriage means in a radial axial plane whereby the transducer may be positioned at an angle to a longitudinal axis of the system. A second positioning means is provided for circumferentially rotating the transducer to a known and repeatable angular position. Position resolver means are coupled to the first and second positioning means.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus for scanning which is used in a scanning microscope having an observation apparatus for observing a sample wherein the sample is secured in order to obtain an image of the same. The scanning apparatus includes a moving apparatus for moving at least either the sample or the observation apparatus in order to scan the sample, and a vibration attenuating element structurally provided for the moving apparatus for attenuating relative vibration between the sample and the observation.

Abstract: Universal directional orientation of the vibratory sensing face of a transducer is achieved by mounting the transducer on horizontal axles journaled by surrounding sleeves mounted on the depending end of a vertical standard attached to a moving carrier. The sleeves and axles are interconnected with manual controls by links and universal joints at the end portions of the standard. Manual controls are located at the upper limit of the standard for disposing the transducer in selected directions by control links extending between the manual controls and the universal joint controlled mounting of the transducer at the depending end portion of the standard.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe 20 includes a transducer 32 capable of pivotal and rotational motion where the pivotal motion is through the plane of rotation. The transducer 32 is also capable of revolving around an axis of revolution 132 so that the transducer 32 can move relative to three axes. The probe 20 is designed such that the transducer 32 can be mounted at the tip of said probe 20 and allow for the above freedom of motion.

Abstract: A hand-held portable ultrasonic scanning probe for use with energizing and receiving means for imaging sections of a body includes a fluid-filled enclosure coupled to a handle portion which houses a DC drive motor. The output shaft of the drive motor is directly coupled to a level wind drive screw. A holder assembly incorporating a pawl which coacts with the drive screw and a plano-concave transducer moves back and forth across the drive screw as a result of the DC motor output shaft rotation. The linear travel of the transducer creates a linear scan thereby eliminating the diagnostic imaging problems of sector scans.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe which scans an ultrasonic beam in a sector area by a mechanical drive is disclosed. The ultrasonic probe essentially has a driving motor, a rotary shaft rotatably supported in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the driving shaft of the driving motor, a rotor shaft rotatably supported in a direction parallel to the direction of the rotary shaft, a rotor mounted on the rotor shaft for carrying ultrasonic transducers, screw gears for transmitting rotation of the motor to the rotary shaft, and a transmitting device for transmitting rotation of the rotary shaft to the rotor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe for use in combined and time shared ultrasonic imaging of biological tissue structures together with blood velocity measurements and imaging of blood flow based on the Doppler principle, in which rapid changes of sweep movements of the probe between the respective imaging and measurement modes of operation are performed, said probe having two mechanically steerable ultrasonic beams, comprising:a linear motion electric drive motor having a stationary magnet means and a coil assembly which is linearly moveable with respect to said magnet means by the application of electric current to said coil assembly,two ultrasonic transducers for emitting respective ultrasonic beams and disposed to be pivotable around separate axes within separate angular sectors for sweeping the two ultrasonic beams within the two separate angular sectors, respectively,mechanical coupling assembly for connecting the linear drive motor to the pivotable transducer elements, converting the linear motion of the motor coil a

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic mechanical sector scanning transducer assembly is disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed for movement within a generally tubular housing. A drive element extends longitudinally within the housing and is coupled for transmitting motion to the transducer. Power means produces oscillatory rotative movement of the drive element and transducer. A diaphragm seal, comprising a resilient tubular membrane, provides a liquid tight seal between longitudinally displaced interior sections of the housing. The tubular membrane has one relatively narrow end and flares along its length to a wider opposite end. The narrow end is bonded about the drive element. The wider end is affixed about the periphery of the housing. A coaxial cable is coupled to the transducer and extends to the exterior of the housing. The cable is wrapped within a spiral groove extending about the outer surface of a spool or reel mounted for movement in unison with the transducer.

Abstract: A memory means is provided which is adapted to be mounted integral with the transducer element used in a transducer system. The memory may store nonlinearity error information or other information concerning errors in the positioning or scan control for the particular transducer, which information may be utilized by the transducer system to compensate for such errors. The memory may also be utilized to store selected information concerning the measured output characteristics of the transducer element which may be utilized by the transducer system to assure that a desired output level is achieved from the transducer element or that the output otherwise is in conformance with that desired. One or more bytes may be provided in the memory which may be utilized to inhibit use of the associated transducer element for particular fields of use or classes of service.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning system utilizing a selectively rotatable reflector permitting selective use of multiple transducers mounted around the periphery of a water jet for flaw detection in composite materials.

Abstract: A method of imaging an object by the ultrasonic or electromagnetic wave by mechanically or electronically scanning the ultrasonic or electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving system to transmit the ultrasonic or electromagnetic wave beam spreading in space of the object and using the trace (TOF locus) from the transmission to the reception while receiving the reflected wave from the object, and sequentially reproducing the line image at the central line of the synthetic aperture range using the received signal group from the scanning points in the synthetic aperture range to sequentially image the area to be imaged while scanning the ultrasonic or electromagnetic wave transmitting/receiving system. An imaging apparatus applied with the method has a relatively simple hardware structure for reproducing the image and is also able to perform the operation in real time.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for ultrasonic pulse echo inspection of corners in laminated parts. A variable angle transducer including transducer, fixed reflector, and rotating reflector which effects scanning of the radial arc being tested by the sonic output from the transducer provides ultrasonic information which is processed through an ultrasonic signal processing system which digitizes, stores and displays the information.

Abstract: A scanning apparatus and method for scanning an object including a frame, a transducer for obtaining information from an object and a motor oscillating the transducer. The motor comprises a spring/solenoid combination driven at the resonant frequency of the spring/motor system. The actual displacement of the transducer is measured and compared to a desired displacement to provide a control signal to the motor. The scanning apparatus is at least partially enclosed by a housing containing a heat transfer fluid for damping the resonant vibration of the apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe is provided which utilizes a pivoting transducer to perform an ultrasonic sector scan. The transducer and its drive mechanisms are contained within a fluid chamber. A portion of the wall of the fluid chamber includes a flexible bellows, which expands and contracts as pressure and temperature changes alter the fluid volume, thereby altering the fluid chamber volume.

Abstract: A balanced scanning mechanism for driving the transducer of an acoustic microscope or other instrument rapidly back and forth along a linear path comprising the X portion of an X-Y scan pattern comprises first and second carriages guided for movement along an axis X. The transducer is mounted on the first carriage and a counterweight may be mounted on the second carriage; the total mass of each carriage and its contents is equal to that of the other carriage. Drive belts connected to both carriages drive them reciprocally along the X axis with accelerations and velocities that are equal in amplitude but opposite in direction. In some embodiments the two carriages are nested one within the other. In another embodiment the two carriages are mounted closely adjacent to each other on an elongated, rigid guide rail parallel to the X axis, the mass distributions of the two carriages being matched relative to the guide rail.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted linearly on a belt that is contained and supported by a housing. The housing has wheels and handles mounted on its sides to allow an operator to grasp the apparatus and roll it across the surface of a test object along a line normal to the belt. The transducers are electrically connected to various devices which enable pulse echo testing to be performed on the test object and make the results immediately available as a picture either on paper or on a video monitor. The belt is moved laterally and cyclically back and forth as the apparatus is rolled longitudinally and the transducers are sequentially excited to emit ultrasonic waves, thus testing a swath having a width equal to the extremes of lateral motion of the line of transducers. A dynamic counterbalance swings 180.degree. out of phase with the cyclic motion of the belt, and serves to damp out the vibration generated by the belt's motion.

Abstract: An improved ultrasonic mechanical sector scanning transducer assembly is disclosed. An ultrasonic transducer is disposed for movement within a generally tubular housing. A drive element extends longitudinally within the housing and is coupled for transmitting motion to the transducer. Power drive apparatus produces oscillatory rotative movement of the drive element and transducer. A diaphragm seal, comprising a resilient tubular membrane, provides a liquid tight seal between longitudinally displaced interior sections of the housing. The tubular membrane has one relatively narrow end and flares along its length to a wider opposite end. The narrow end is bonded about the drive element. The wider end is affixed about the periphery of the housing. A coaxial cable is coupled to the transducer and extends to the exterior of the housing. The cable is wrapped within a spiral groove extending about the outer surface of a spool or reel mounted for movement in unison with the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer probe having a mechanically steerable acoustic element includes a linear motor having a stationary magnet assembly and a coil bidirectionally linearly movable with respect to the magnet assembly. A mechanical arrangement formed of a pair of spaced apart, rotatably mounted pulleys and a flexible belt connecting the pulleys couples the coil and an ultrasonic transducer or acoustic element. The transducer element is mounted for rotation with at least one of the pulleys so that linear motion of the motor coil is converted to rotative motion of the transducer whereby the transducer and the ultrasonic beam it emits is caused to sweep through a selected angular sector. A position sensor formed of a supplemental stationary magnetic material and a position coil mounted for movement with the motor coil is utilized for detecting the linear position of the coil and, correspondingly, the angular orientation or position of the transducer element.

Abstract: A microscope having an optical head and an additional head is disclosed. A slide plate on which the additional head and optical head are arranged in such a manner that they are separated by a predetermined spacing in the Y direction is slidably secured to an arm of the microscope. Under such a construction, an observation by a raster image and an optical observation by a optical image can be performed precisely for the same region of a specimen by moving the additional head and optical head integrally by a distance substantially equal to the spacing by means of the slide plate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system for performing in-service inspection of atomic reactors and the like includes a remote inspector including a transducer holding device of novel design and function. The holding device basically comprises an outer housing; an inner housing rotatably retained within said outer housing; an ultrasonic transducer retained within said inner housing; retention means for selectively positioning said transducer within said inner housing; and means for locking said transducer within said inner housing at a selected position.

Abstract: A compound ultrasonic scan of an object is effected with a pair of transducers mounted adjacent to the object but spaced apart from each other. Each transducer is operated as a "wobbler" transducer. That is, the transducer transmits pulses of ultrasonic energy into the object and receives echoes from acoustic discontinuities in the object while the transducer is oscillated mechanically, through a predetermined angle, about an axis which passes through the transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a surface testing apparatus in which sensors are driven with a reciprocating movement above the surface being tested. To minimize the forces which are required for the driving of the sensors, a vibratory system is provided for this movement, which is driven by an exciter system at or close to its natural frequency.

Abstract: A transmitting ultrasonic transducer (20) is excited by high-frequency pulses from a high-frequency pulse generator (1), a leaky elastic surface wave is excited in a sample (6) by a focused ultrasonic beam from the transducer (20), a reradiated wave of the leaky elastic surface wave is received by a receiving ultrasonic transducer (24), the received signal is applied to a mixer (23), wherein the phase difference between the received signal and a reference signal from a high-frequency oscillator (18) in the high-frequency pulse generator (1) is detected, and the detected output is provided as a display signal to a display (9 or 14). The transducers (20) and (24) and the sample (6) are moved by a drive means (7 or 10) relative to each other two-dimensionally in a plane parallel to the sample surface or in a direction perpendicular to the sample surface, and in synchronism with the movement, the display screen of the display (9 or 14) is swept, displaying thereon an ultrasonic microscopic image or a V(z) curve.

Abstract: In a mechanically scanned ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transducer is swingably mounted on a drive shaft which is given a swinging transversal movement and a reciprocating longitudinal movement. The transducer emits an acoustic beam which is steered in a raster format in response to the swing and reciprocating motions. Echos returning from objects contain diagnostic data of a three-dimensional space. All the components are encased in a toothbrush-like housing having a head portion, an intermediate portion and a hand-grip portion. The dual motions are provided by a drive mechanism accommodated in the hand-grip portion and the transducer is accommodated in the head portion. The drive shaft extends through the intermediate portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a portable device for the non-destructive examination of a surface along a line, by means of at least one detection probe displaced along said line and guided by a guide removably fixed on said surface, wherein said guide has a length such that any portion of said line of comparable length presents a negligible variation in curvature, said probe is mounted in a probe-holder adapted to be displaced by hand and connected to said guide in rigid manner parallel thereto and in loose manner transversely to said guide, and means are provided for indicating, at each instant of a displacement of said probe-holder along said guide, the position of the probe-holder on the latter. The invention is particularly applicable to the verification of the riveted joints of aircraft fuselages.

Abstract: There is dislosed a vibration telemetering system capable of measuring adverse vibrations of installations or equipment in a plant such as a nuclear power plant. The system includes a vibrometer which measures the vibrations in a non-contacting fashion. The direction at which the vibrometer faces is adjusted by an angle adjusting mechanism which is mounted on a travelling unit running along a predetermined inspection route in the plant. A measured signal from the vibrometer is transmitted to a remote control room through a communication system and is used for evaluating whether or not the state of the plant is normal. The remote control room can control the travelling unit and the angle adjusting mechanism through the communication system in order to monitor the vibrations of a plurality of places along the predetermined inspection route.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning apparatus includes a rotor, first and second electromagnetic stators, and an ultrasonic transducer mounted on the rotor. Each electromagnetic stator has two curved pole faces arranged opposite pole faces on the rotor. The electromagnetic stators are arranged on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of the rotor. The stator pole faces are tapered such that on rotation of the rotor in one direction, the gaps between the rotor and a first stator decrease while the gaps between the rotor and the other stator increase. On rotation of the rotor in the opposite direction, the gaps between the rotor and the first stator increase and the gaps between the rotor and the second stator decrease. Means are provided for alternately energizing the first and second electromagnetic stators to cause the rotor to oscillate about the axis of rotation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanning probe 10 for inspecting structures for internal defects and providing a plan position display comprises a transducer 70 mounted within a block 12 of ultrasonically absorbent material, such as polyethylene, adjacent to a window 30 which may be placed in contact with a surface of the structure. The block 12 is turnable about a rotation axis normal to the window 30, while the transducer 70 is oriented at an angle to the axis so as to scan a sector of the surface as the block 12 is turned, and an attenuating coupling medium 160 occupies the space between the transducer 70 and the window 30. The scanning probe 10 may be used in wet or dry situations.

Abstract: The properties of the surface layer of a material are measured by a technique which employs the transmission of ultrasonic waves from varying angles of incidence into a specimen, from a transducer at a point spaced from the specimen. The backscattered waves are detected and evaluated from the varying angles to detect the local maximum intensity, from which the corresponding properties of the material are determined.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting and receiving sound signals includes a cylinder into which a sound transducer is mounted. The transducer is mounted to transmit a sound beam normal to the axis of the cylinder. The cylinder is connected to a position detection circuit for determining the angular position of the cylinder about its axis. A system for processing data produced by such a sound transducer apparatus includes circuitry for determining the true position of the cylinder from the position circuit, for alternately causing the transducer to emit and receive sound energy, and for sampling the energy signal received by the transducer when the position detection circuit indicates that the cylinder is at one of several preselected angles. The sampled information is recorded on paper or magnetic media.

Abstract: The invention provides apparatus for ultrasonically testing the edges and/or the body of a metallic workpiece, utilizing water as a coupling medium between ultrasonic transducers and a metallic product moving relative to the testing apparatus along a predetermined pathway; which apparatus comprises guide means defining the pathway to be followed by the metal product, one or more reservoirs being the pathway each incorporating a top opening through which water can overflow to contact successive parts of the piece to be tested, located thereabove and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers located in one or more groups within the reservoir or reservoirs and directed towards the edge or body of the piece to be tested so that they may be static, adjustable transverse to the direction of movement of the product along the pathway, or reciprocate in a sinusoidal manner to traverse all or part of the pathway.

Abstract: An automatic flaw detection apparatus comprises a supporting frame; a rotational frame supported inside the supporting frame in a freely rotatable manner by means of bearings; a hollow shaft which is supported by and inside the rotational frame, through the interior of which passes a material to be inspected; a holder which is disposed within the hollow shaft extending in the longitudinal direction of the axis of the hollow shaft and rotates in association with the hollow shaft, the a sensor incorporated in the holder to detect any defect in the material to be probed; and a signal transmission device which is placed between the hollow shaft and the rotational frame and comprises a stator section supported by the supporting frame and a rotor section supported by the hollow shaft or the rotational frame to be electrically in association with the stator section, and which transmits flaw detection signal from the sensor to the outside.

Abstract: For determining zones in a piece (such as cracks) which reflect ultrasounds, an apparatus is provided which comprises a transducer for transmitting a fine ultrasound beam and for receiving ultrasound echo signals. That transducer is moved externally of the piece for scanning it and the coordinates of each zone which returns an echo signal higher than a predetermined threshold in response to an ultrasound pulse are determined. The transducer is moved according to a composite movement which results from the composition of a conical movement about an axis which is orthogonal to a surface of said piece having an apex on the surface and a rectilinear movement parallel to the surface. Consequently, the beam enters the piece after path of constant length out of the piece. Each zone of the piece to be examined receives the beam under a plurality of different azimuth angles and the echo signals returned from a same zone of the piece are combined.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a semi-automatic rod examination gauge for performing a large number of exacting measurements on radioactive fuel rods. The rod examination gauge performs various measurements underwater with remote controlled machinery of high reliability. The rod examination gauge includes instruments and a closed circuit television camera for measuring fuel rod length, free hanging bow measurement, diameter measurement, oxide thickness measurement, cladding defect examination, rod ovality measurement, wear mark depth and volume measurement, as well as visual examination. A control system is provided including a programmable logic controller and a computer for providing a programmed sequence of operations for the rod examination and collection of data.