Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter includes a housing for attaching to a fluid pipe. A first piezoelectric element coupled to a transmitter and receiver is configured to emit ultrasonic waves in an axial direction perpendicular to a horizontal plane defined by the piezoelectric element. A lens combination is in a lower housing portion positioned radially outside the first piezoelectric element including a refocusing lens that is ring-shaped configured for redirecting received radial ultrasonic waves to travel in an axial direction perpendicular to the horizontal plane and has a thickness profile configured to act as a matching layer for reducing multiple reflections within the lower housing portion. A second lens that is disc-shaped below the refocusing lens is configured for redirecting the radial ultrasonic waves to travel in the axial direction.

Abstract: A curved high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) transducer comprising a curved piezoelectric array having opposite convex and concave surfaces, the concave surface being a transmitting surface, and a plurality of acoustic transmission areas, a plurality of electrodes located on the surfaces of the curved piezoelectric array for applying electrical transmit signals to the acoustic transmission areas, and a unitary, continuously formed curved matching layer pre-formed to the desired curvature of the curved transducer array and bonded to the transmitting surface of the curved piezoelectric array which provides acoustic matching and electrical isolation for the transmitting surface of the curved piezoelectric array.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe disposed under an end portion of a pipe laid in the horizontal direction to face the pipe end portion. The probe transmits ultrasonic waves to the end portion of the pipe and receives the ultrasonic waves therefrom. A probe holder housing the probe includes a coupling medium reserver part which surrounds a space between the probe and the end portion of the pipe to contain a coupling medium W. The coupling medium reserver part includes a part body 21 into which the coupling medium is supplied; an annular bellows part, which is attached to the upper side of the part body to internally communicate with the part body, and an annular spacer 23 attached to the upper side of the bellows part, the upper surface of the annular spacer being a flat horizontal surface.

Abstract: A hybrid inspection system and method are provided which utilize both an air-coupled transducer and a liquid-coupled transducer in order to enjoy the advantages offered by both types of transducers. The hybrid inspection system may include a first probe that includes the air-coupled transducer, such as a capacitive machined ultrasonic transducer, which is configured to emit ultrasonic signals and to air couple the ultrasonic signals into a workpiece. The hybrid inspection system may also include a second probe that includes the liquid-coupled transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer, configured to receive the ultrasonic signals emitted by the air-coupled transducer of the first probe via a liquid coupling between the transducer and the workpiece.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method is provided. The ultrasonic method includes non-destructively testing a test object with an ultrasound generated by an ultrasound probe, continuously circulating a liquid coupling medium outside of the test probe before and/or during non-destructively testing the test object, branching a part of the liquid coupling medium off from the circulation, and feeding the branched liquid coupling medium to a coupling chamber arranged between the ultrasound probe and the test object.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting inhomogeneities in panels (1), of the type suitable to be used for panels (1) in transit along a processing line and comprising a plurality of sound wave emitting devices (2), operating from one side of the panel (1) in transit, and a plurality of sound wave receiving devices (3), operating from the opposite side of the same panel (1) at a pre-established distance from the emitting device (2). The receiving devices (3) are situated at the ends of a plurality of channels (30), which are disposed in alignment with the respective emitting devices (2), are set side by side at a short distance from one another and have their other ends near to said panels (1); each of said channels (30) being formed in an external structure consisting of a set of partitions or layers (31) placed one on top of the other successively at pre-established distances.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, a ground connector bonded between the backing members to be spaced from the first connector, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes and the ground connector. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is joined to the first connector and the ground connector or to first and second connectors and the ground connector via first and second electrode layers instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connectors while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacture.

Abstract: A probe for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a backing layer including backing members, a first connector bonded between the backing members and including electrodes spaced from each other in an arrangement direction, and a piezoelectric member electrically connected to the electrodes. A method of manufacturing the same is also disclosed. The piezoelectric member is connected to the first connector or to first and second connectors via an electrode layer instead of using a complicated and laborious soldering operation, thereby enabling easy connection between the piezoelectric member and the connector while preventing deterioration in performance caused by defective connection therebetween and deterioration in performance of the piezoelectric member caused by heat during manufacturing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive incident energy within a chamber defining a first part of an interaction volume that attenuates the incident energy as a function of path length to provide attenuated energy. Additional activity may include simultaneously transforming the attenuated energy characterized by a substantially exponential intensity function into resultant energy characterized by a substantially polynomial intensity function. The transformation may be accomplished using an interacted energy transformation element that defines a second part of the interaction volume, the transformation element operating to intercept the attenuated energy along a plurality of path lengths. Other activity may include transmitting the resultant energy to a receiver. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A transducer for use with a high intensity focused ultrasound medical system has transducer elements that are made from a piezocomposite material bonded together in turn with an adhesive. The elements are deployed along a surface of a geometric structure with two curvatures. The structure is a truncated curved cylinder. The transducer also includes electrodes, each of which is arranged on a corresponding one of the transducer elements for exciting the transducer elements to emit ultrasonic waves in response to electrical signals applied to the electrodes to steer the waves to form a common focus zone in a desired heating area.

Abstract: An acoustic probe (100, 300) includes an acoustic transducer (15, 444), and a plurality of variably-refracting acoustic lens elements (10, 210a, 210b, 442) coupled to the acoustic transducer. Each variably-refracting acoustic lens element has at least a pair of electrodes (150, 160) adapted to adjust at least one characteristic of the variably-refracting acoustic lens element in response to a selected voltage applied across the electrodes. In one embodiment, each variably-refracting acoustic lens element includes a cavity, first and second fluid media (141, 142) disposed within the cavity, and the pair of electrodes. The speed of sound of an acoustic wave in the first fluid medium is different than the speed of sound of the acoustic wave in the second fluid medium. The first and second fluid media are immiscible with respect to each other, and the first fluid medium has a substantially different electrical conductivity than the second fluid medium.

Abstract: An opto-acoustic transducer assembly includes a substrate; at least one layer of opto-acoustic material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material generates sound waves when struck by pulses of pump light; and an acoustic lens configured to focus sound waves generated by the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material towards a sample. The acoustic lens is further configured to collect sound waves returning from the sample and to direct the returning sound waves to the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material. In one non-limiting embodiment the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material is interposed between the substrate and the acoustic lens, and the substrate is substantially transparent to light having wavelengths of interest.

Abstract: A sensor and system combine photo-acoustic sensing with elastic wave modulation to obtain one dimensional and two-dimensional broadband images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic air-in-line detector for use with a fluid tube. A housing comprising a first arm and a second arm defines the edges of a cavity. A first convex lens mounted on the first arm protrudes into the cavity from the side of the first arm facing the cavity. A second convex lens mounted on the second arm protrudes into the cavity opposite the first convex lens from the side of the second arm facing the cavity. A first concave section is disposed on the side of the first arm facing the cavity and outside of a signal pathway between the first convex lens and the second convex lens. A second concave section is disposed on the side of the second arm facing the cavity outside of the signal pathway between the first convex lens and the second convex lens.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer has a first transducer which transmits an acoustic primary wave having two frequency components, and a second transducer which, in order to receive a reflected wave of an acoustic secondary wave generated with propagation of the acoustic primary wave, is disposed so that a region for receiving the reflected wave is superimposed on the first transducer as seen along the direction of transmission of the acoustic primary wave.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus operable within a channel associated with a structure is described. The apparatus includes at least one transducer and a holder. The holder includes a material having a flexibility and tensile strength such that a spring force is provided for maintaining a position of said holder within the channel of the structure. The holder includes a plurality of transducer indexing nodes therein for mounting of the transducers, and each node provides a single point of contact between the holder and the transducer. The transducer indexing nodes are fabricated having a material flexibility and tensile strength with respect to a remainder of the holder for positioning of the transducers along surface variances that define the channel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of structures and materials using a highly nonlinear medium for the generation and detection of one or multiple highly nonlinear pulses (or highly nonlinear waves) impinging on a material or structure. The apparatus includes pulse exciters that induce the propagation of highly nonlinear, weakly nonlinear or linear stress waves in the material, system, or structure to be inspected and/or detectors for the observation and the detection of the output waves from the material/structure being tested. The NDE method includes the use of the tunable highly nonlinear apparatus as impulse exciter alone, or in combination with an accelerometer or a nonlinear sensor to detect the outgoing pulse.

Abstract: A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards.

Abstract: An optical-acoustic transducer structure includes at least one metal or semiconducting film in which a part of a pump light pulse is absorbed to generate a sound pulse; and at least one dielectric film. The thicknesses and optical properties of the at least one metal or semiconducting film and the at least one dielectric film are selected so that a returning sound pulse results in a measurable change in the optical reflectivity and/or some other optical characteristic of the transducer structure. The transducer structure includes a resonant cavity, and an output surface that is shaped so as to provide no significant focusing of generated sound waves when the sound waves are launched towards a surface of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting and/or receiving ultrasound in a predetermined frequency range includes at least one ultrasonic converter for converting ultrasound into electrical signals and/or converting electrical signals into ultrasound, and a holder having at least one ultrasonic channel formed therein in which the ultrasonic converter is disposed at least partly and/or through which ultrasound can pass from or to the ultrasonic converter. The holder has at least one non-fibrous surface layer adjacent to at least one portion of the ultrasonic channel, whose impedance is smaller than that of an inside layer of the holder neighboring to the surface layer.

Abstract: Provided is an acoustic lens composition which comprises 40 wt % or more of silicone rubber and 15 to 60 wt % of a zinc oxide powder, suppresses ultrasonic attenuation, and has superior molding properties.

Abstract: There is provided a first storage for storing digital reception beam data converted from a reception beam formed from an ultrasonic received signal; a first control component for controlling reading and writing of data from/in the first storage; a filter coefficient calculation portion for calculating a filter coefficient based on information on the reception beam, the information including a positional relationship between the reception beam and a transmission beam; and a first spatial filter operation portion for subjecting each of a plurality of the reception beam data including data of beams received in parallel from a single transmission beam to filtering processing for reducing a difference in image quality between adjacent beams based on the filter coefficient. Image data output from the first spatial filter operation portion are converted into scanning of a display monitor so as to display an image on the display monitor.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting and/or receiving ultrasound in a predetermined frequency range comprises at least one ultrasonic converter for converting ultrasound into electrical signals and/or converting electrical signals into ultrasound, and a holder having at least one ultrasonic channel formed therein in which the ultrasonic converter is disposed at least partly and/or through which ultrasound can pass from or to the ultrasonic converter. The holder has at least one non-fibrous surface layer adjacent to at least one portion of the ultrasonic channel, whose impedance is smaller than that of an inside layer of the holder neighboring to the surface layer.

Abstract: A ultrasonic probe has a plurality of piezoelectric transducers arranged in the array direction. Each piezoelectric transducer has a piezoelectric element which vibrates in the thickness direction. A signal electrode is formed on the lower surface of the piezoelectric element. An earth electrode is formed on the upper surface of the piezoelectric element. Inside the piezoelectric element, a plurality of non-piezoelectric elements are arranged along the lens direction. Each non-piezoelectric element does not come in contact with the signal electrode and the earth electrode.

Abstract: A method of performing a non-destructive examination of a piece of material, having the steps of providing an angle beam wedge and at least two transducers placed upon the wedge, wherein the transducers are placed in a phased array, placing the wedge upon the piece of material to be examined, producing a guided wave into the piece of material to be examined, wherein the guided wave is placed into the material through a synthetically changed incident angle, receiving the guided wave from the piece of material, and determining one of a presence of defects and lack of defects in the piece of material from the received guided wave. Transducers used may include 360 degree guided wave, radial polarized units, parallel shear units for shear horizontal activation and guided wave wheel probes.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for predicting long-term exposure to a hazardous environment based on a user-controllable measurement interval of short duration. In an embodiment, the system includes an electronic circuit for receiving one or more signals representative of the level of a hazard in an environment using one or more of a hazard level sensor and a direct input jack. The system further includes a processor within the electronic circuit for determining an accumulated dose over a user-controllable measurement interval. In addition, the processor predicts hazardous exposure for a user-settable extended period greater than the user-controllable measurement interval and based on the accumulated dose. The dosimeter also includes a user-operable switch within the electronic circuit and in communication with the processor for controlling the user-controllable measurement interval to be less than a nominal measurement interval.

Abstract: A sound focusing mechanism for generating a focused source of sound, which can be used to identify the transmission loss of an object or identify areas of acoustic leakage is disclosed. The sound focusing mechanism includes a housing having at least one wall formed from a material having high sound insulating properties. A sound generating device for generating a sound is located within a central cavity within the housing. An actuator assembly is operatively connected to the sound generating device for selectively operating the sound generating device. The wall is configured to limit the transmission of the sound there through such that a focused beam or pulse sound is emitted from the mechanism through the opening.

Abstract: A noise dosimeter with capability to rapidly predict noise exposure over an extended time period based on a measurement of short duration. Either an acoustic or an electrical earphone adapter provides a convenient means to connect the noise dosimeter to an external sound source. A direct input jack operable to receive at least one audio signal provides a signal to an RMS detector, which provides a DC signal to a two-stage amplifier circuit. The outputs of the amplifiers are provided to a processor having multiple A/D channels. The processor calculates accumulated noise doses and drives a display, which in one embodiment includes a panel of light-emitting diodes. In one embodiment, the dosimeter includes functionality for control of external devices such as sound boards.

Abstract: The invention has a structure, in an acoustic lens for an ultrasonic probe comprising leg portions which are connected by a planar shape, and a lens portion which is provided on the leg portions and has curvature in the lengthwise direction, wherein the leg portions are made from an attenuation prevention material having the less ultrasonic propagation loss than for the lens portion. Moreover, the leg portions of the acoustic lens are formed with opposite end sides thereof in a bent L-shape. Furthermore, an ultrasonic probe is constructed by adhering onto a piezoelectric element group where a plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged side by side, an acoustic lens provided with curvature in the lengthwise direction.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic lens configuration permitting the production of an acoustic field from low frequency ultrasound waves with predictable regions of energy concentration. The lens comprises at least three adjacent convex surface contours. Each surface contour corresponds to an arc of an ellipse. The first surface contour is within the center of the lens and is flanked by two adjacent contours. The flanking contours correspond to arcs from two symmetrical ellipses having semi-latus rectums at least equal to the semi-latus rectum of the ellipse to which the first, central, contour corresponds. The contours of the lens are arranged such that the flanking contours extend past the first contour by positioning the contours so that if the ellipses to which they correspond were drawn the ellipses of the flanking contours directly adjacent to the first contour would have their centers aligned on a plane parallel to and not below the major or minor axis of the ellipse of the first contour.

Abstract: An apparatus for emitting and/or receiving ultrasound in a predetermined frequency range includes at least one ultrasonic converter for converting ultrasound into electrical signals and/or converting electrical signals into ultrasound, and a holder having at least one ultrasonic channel formed therein in which the ultrasonic converter is disposed at least partly and/or through which ultrasound can pass from or to the ultra-sonic converter. The holder has at least one non-fibrous surface layer adjacent to at least one portion of the ultrasonic channel, whose impedance is smaller than that of an inside layer of the holder neighboring to the surface layer.

Abstract: A combined electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) is disclosed adapted to generate both SH-type acoustic waves and LAMB-type acoustic waves in a conductive casing, surroundings of which are to be analyzed. The transducer comprises one magnet assembly and two RF coils implemented as multi-layer printed circuit board. Each coil is used to generate or receive acoustic signals of one wave type. Compared to using two single-wave-type transducers the combined EMAT significantly reduces total attraction force to the casing and, correspondingly, simplifies mechanics of the measurement tool. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is operated to improve its performance during harmonic imaging in non-linear media, such as in contrast agents or in human tissue. The cMUT is operated by inverting the transmit waveform to adjacently spaced azimuth elements, and combining at least two additional firings without adjacent inversion, for each transmit vector, thereby canceling the second harmonic generation of the cMUT; and thus, the performance of harmonic imaging using the cMUTs can achieve improvement.

Abstract: An opto-acoustic transducer assembly includes a substrate; at least one layer of opto-acoustic material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material generates sound waves when struck by pulses of pump light; and an acoustic lens configured to focus sound waves generated by the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material towards a sample. The acoustic lens is further configured to collect sound waves returning from the sample and to direct the returning sound waves to the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material. The at least one layer of opto-acoustic material is responsive to the returning sound waves for having at least one optical property thereof changed, where the change is detectable from a change in a characteristic of reflected pulses of probe light that are time delayed with respect to the pulses of pump light.

Abstract: A system and method for inspecting a structure having a coating on at least one surface are provided. The system includes at least one ultrasonic sensor positioned proximate to the structure. Each sensor is capable of transmitting a shear wave toward the structure and receiving return signals in response thereto, wherein the shear wave includes at least one reference beam and at least one interrogating beam. The system further includes a data acquisition system in communication with the sensor for generating information indicative of the coating based on at least one return signal associated with the reference beam.

Abstract: A wave generating device including a wave transducer adapted to generate an energy wave, and a beam shaping device defined by revolution of a curve about an axis of revolution, the curve being arranged with respect to the transducer in a plane of the curve so as to focus a wave emanating from the transducer towards the beam shaping device to a focal point lying in the plane, the curve having an axis of symmetry in the plane, wherein the axis of revolution is generally not collinear with the axis of symmetry.

Abstract: A system for determining property of multiphase fluids based on ultrasonic diffraction grating spectroscopy includes a diffraction grating on a solid in contact with the fluid. An interrogation device delivers ultrasound through the solid and a captures a reflection spectrum from the diffraction grating. The reflection spectrum exhibits peaks whose relative size depends on the properties of the various phases of the multiphase fluid. For example, for particles in a liquid, the peaks exhibit dependence on the particle size and the particle volume fraction. Where the exact relationship is know know a priori, data from different peaks of the same reflection spectrum or data from the peaks of different spectra obtained from different diffraction gratings can be used to resolve the size and volume fraction.

Abstract: A liquid level detecting apparatus has an ultrasonic sensor, a reflector, a first pipe and a second pipe. The reflector reflects an ultrasonic wave from the ultrasonic sensor to a liquid level, and the ultrasonic sensor detects a reflection wave reflected on the liquid level to detect a liquid level position. The first and second pipe surrounds the ultrasonic wave transmission path from the ultrasonic sensor via the reflector to the liquid level. The first pipe and the second pipe are integrally configured and supported on a bottom of a tank to be rotatable about the first pipe.

Abstract: A probe system for initiating and stabilizing plasma discharge includes an inner conductor coupled to an AC voltage source. The probe system also includes an outer conductor arranged around the inner conductor and coupled at one end to the AC voltage source. The outer conductor forms a first electrode at another end thereof. The probe system further includes a second electrode separated from the first electrode by a gap for initiating a plasma discharge in the gap. An ultrasound probe system includes a carrier signal source for supplying a RF carrier signal, an acoustic modulator for supplying an envelope signal, and a mixer for mixing the RF carrier signal and the envelope signal to supply a modulated RF signal. The ultrasound probe system further includes a ground electrode and a RF plasma probe separated from the ground electrode by a gap and configured to receive the modulated RF signal and generate a plasma in the gap. The plasma generates ultrasound waves.

Abstract: Devices and methods of creating an image of a biological object are disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention there is a plane wave ultrasonic pulse generator, an ultrasonic wave manipulation device, an ultrasonic detector and an image generator. In a method according to the invention, a biological object is imaged by emitting an unfocussed ultrasonic energy wave front, reflecting at least a portion of the ultrasonic energy wave front from the object, altering a direction of the ultrasonic energy, detecting that energy, and using the detected energy to create an image of the object.

Abstract: An ultrasonic beam shaping device includes a plate-like beam shaping element formed of opaque material. The beam shaping element has first and second conical surfaces, with a common axis, formed as opposite surface portions of the beam shaping element. A cylindrical aperture is formed in the beam shaping element along the common axis of the first and second conical surfaces such that the cylindrical aperture is also co-axial with the conical surfaces and passes through the conical surfaces. The beam shaping element thus has a circular open end at each conical surface.

Abstract: A fluid detector for determining a presence of a fluid within a container having a wall with an outer surface includes a piezoelectric element that outputs a first ultrasonic signal in response to an input electrical signal and a lens with an upper portion and a lower portion. A generally cylindrical wall is integral with and extends outwardly from the outer surface of the wall of the container and defines a cylindrical central bore having a base surface. The piezoelectric element is coupled to the upper portion of the lens so that, when the lens is disposed within the cylindrical central bore adjacent the base surface, the lens focuses the first ultrasonic signal toward the wall so that the first ultrasonic signal enters the wall.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a component includes immersing the component in a coupling medium with material velocity cw and immersing an ultrasonic (UT) probe having at least one transducer in the coupling medium. The UT probe has a convex lens with acoustic velocity cL and an acoustic impedance less than about 2.5×106 Rayls. The method further includes exciting the transducer to produce an UT pulse directed into the component and generating echo signals using the transducer as a receive element. An US inspection system includes UT probe, a pulser/receiver configured to supply signal excitation pulses to the transducer element at a pulse repetition frequency (prf) of at least about 1000 Hz and a scanner configured to scan the component with the UT probe at a scanning rate equal to the prf times a scanning increment.

Abstract: A guide pipe is formed from a metal material, and its internal cross section has a circular shape whose diametric dimension gradually becomes smaller with a distance from an ultrasonic sensor. That is, the guide pipe is formed so that a route for transmitting an ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic sensor may be tapered from this ultrasonic sensor toward a reflector plate. Thus, the acoustic pressure level of the ultrasonic wave which enters the reflector plate can be made higher than a value in a prior-art liquid level detecting apparatus. Accordingly, the energy of the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic sensor can be utilized for liquid level detection at a high efficiency, so that a fuel liquid level detecting apparatus capable of accurate liquid level detection can be provided.

Abstract: A guide pipe is formed from a metal material, and its internal cross section has a circular shape whose diametric dimension gradually becomes smaller with a distance from an ultrasonic sensor. That is, the guide pipe is formed so that a route for transmitting an ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic sensor may be tapered from this ultrasonic sensor toward a reflector plate. Thus, the acoustic pressure level of the ultrasonic wave which enters the reflector plate can be made higher than a value in a prior-art liquid level detecting apparatus. Accordingly, the energy of the ultrasonic wave generated from the ultrasonic sensor can be utilized for liquid level detection at a high efficiency, so that a fuel liquid level detecting apparatus capable of accurate liquid level detection can be provided.

Abstract: In a method and a device for the ultrasonic monitoring of overlapping welded joints between a first sheet and a second sheet pulses are irradiated at an angle of between 15 and 80° into the first sheet by a first rotating probe head. The rotating probe head is arranged on a mount and has a tire rotating about the axle, coupled to the ultrasound transmitter and rolling along the first sheet, parallel to the overlapping welded joint. On ultrasound investigation of the overlapping welded joint the impulses transmitted to the second sheet are received by a second receiving rotating probe head, of similar construction to the first rotating probe head.

Abstract: A system for determining a property of a fluid based on ultrasonic diffraction grating spectroscopy includes a diffraction grating on a solid in contact with the fluid. An interrogation device delivers ultrasound through the solid and a captures a reflection spectrum from the diffraction grating. The reflection spectrum including a diffraction order equal to zero exhibits a peak whose location is used to determine speed of sound in the fluid. A separate measurement of the acoustic impedance is combined with the determined speed of sound to yield a measure of fluid density. A system for determining acoustic impedance includes an ultrasonic transducer on a first surface of a solid member, and an opposed second surface of the member is in contact with a fluid to be monitored. A longitudinal ultrasonic pulse is delivered through the solid member, and a multiplicity of pulse echoes caused by reflections of the ultrasonic pulse between the solid-fluid interface and the transducer-solid interface are detected.

Abstract: An acoustic microscope is disclosed having an acoustic lens formed of fused metal and glass. A high speed analogue to digital converter and a pulse generator/receiver are also disclosed. Automated V(z) curve measurement produces quantitative elastic properties of the specimen. (C) and (B) scans are sliced and a simulated three-dimensional image is formed therefrom.

Abstract: A sensor device (11) for a vehicle seat, in particular a motor vehicle seat, has at least one sensor (15) for the detection of forces inside the vehicle seat. The vehicle seat has at least one bearing area between two components that are mobile relative to one another, and the sensor device (11) is installed in the bearing area.

Abstract: A differential property sensitive acoustic lens for non-destructive materials evaluation is described which in a preferred embodiment comprises first and second substantially semicylindrical shaped portions of fused silica disposed in closely spaced relationship along an axial plane, a substantially spherical depression defined in one end of each semicylindrical portion and a flat defined on each semicylindrical portion at the other end, a piezoelectric transducer attached to the flat of each semicylindrical portion, and a paraffin coated aluminum film of preselected thickness disposed between and in laminar contact with the semicylindrical portions for preventing acoustic and electrical cross talk between the transducers and between the semicylindrical portions.