Patents Assigned to Ultrafast, Inc.
  • Minimizing the effect of bending on ultrasonic measurements in a load-bearing member
    Patent number: 6009759
    Abstract: A load-indicating device including a load-bearing member adapted to deform when stressed. Ultrasonic waves are directed into one end of the load-bearing member and ultrasonic echoes are received at the same end by ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving equipment. In one embodiment, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received using an ultrasonic transducer disposed on either the head or the opposite end of the load-bearing member. The head, the end, the shank or a combination thereof are contoured to reduce the influence of geometric variations and asymmetrical stress in the load-bearing member on the ultrasonic measurement. A method is also provided, which encompasses a model, by which preferred geometries of the contoured surfaces of the load-bearing member can be designed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1997
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2000
    Assignee: Ultrafast, Inc.
    Inventors: Ian E. Kibblewhite, Christopher J. Vecchio
  • Technique for eliminating ambiguity when making pulse-echo timing measurements
    Patent number: 6009380
    Abstract: A method of measuring in a material a time-of flight of a signal having a first signal burst and a second signal burst, the first signal burst having a first set of cycles and the second signal burst having a second set of cycles. The method includes identifying a cycle in the second signal burst corresponding to a cycle in the first signal burst, to measure the time-of-flight of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: Ultrafast, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher J. Vecchio, Ian E. Kibblewhite, Donald E. Kotas
  • Ultrasonic load measuring device with control feature
    Patent number: 5220839
    Abstract: A load indicating device and a method of using a load indicating device for monitoring the deformation in and imparting torque to a load bearing member are disclosed and claimed. An ultrasonic transducer, grown on one surface of a load bearing member, such as a fastener, is used to determine the length, stress or other tensile load dependent characteristic of the member using ultrasonic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: June 22, 1993
    Assignee: Ultrafast, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
  • Ultrasonic load cell with transducer
    Patent number: 5205176
    Abstract: A load indicating cell and a method of manufacturing a load indicating cell are disclosed and claimed. An ultrasonic transducer, grown on one surface of a load bearing member, such as a fastener, is used to determine the length, stress or other tensile load dependent characteristic of the member using ultrasonic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 27, 1993
    Assignee: Ultrafast, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite
  • Ultrasonic load indicating member with transducer
    Patent number: 5131276
    Abstract: A load indicating member and load indicating fastener are disclosed and claimed. An ultrasonic transducer, grown on one surface of a load indicating member, such as a fastener, is used to determined the length, stress or other tensile load dependent characteristic of the member using ultrasonic techniques.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 21, 1992
    Assignee: Ultrafast, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian E. Kibblewhite