Abstract: An ultrasound measurement system and a method for carrying out ultrasound measurements is provided that includes a data acquisition unit and a transducer for coupling an ultrasound pulse into a connecting element and for extracting an ultrasound pulse echo from the connecting element. The ultrasound measurement system proposed according to the invention comprises the data acquisition unit which has a combination of analog and digital electronics for excitation and driving of the transducer. This is separated from a data processing unit and is in contact therewith via a wired or wireless connection.

Abstract: A connection component is provided that includes an integrated ultrasound sensor, wherein the ultrasound sensor has a layer structure comprising at least two layers, with an electrode layer and at least one layer of a material having piezoelectric properties. The at least one electrode layer and the at least one layer of a material having piezoelectric properties are arranged on a freely accessible end of the connection component. Structures are formed in the electrode layer in order to produce electrodes by laser-ablated regions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a connector component (1) with integrated ultrasonic sensor (5). The ultrasonic sensor (5) is used to determine the prestressing force or the stressing force of the connector component (1), wherein the ultrasonic sensor (5) has a layer construction (20) having an electrode layer (21), at least one mechanical protection layer (22) and at least one layer (23) composed of a material having piezoelectric properties. The at least one electrode layer (21), the at least one mechanical protection layer (22) and the at least one layer (23) composed of a material having piezoelectric properties are arranged in a manner applied by sputtering at a freely accessible end (25, 27) of the connector component (1).