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 physical location of a surface in six degrees of freedom relative to the nominal location of a nominal surface is uniquely defined automatically by a measurement system provided with a processing unit, if sufficient asymmetric curvature exists in the surface to uniquely locate three points on the surface. Useful in inspection and material handling applications, a master model of the surface with a known location is defined. Two points are selected on the surface and then a plane is passed through the points, preferably perpendicular to the surface if no edge is present. Then a third point is selected along the curve of intersection so that the three points form a unique triangular template that locates the points along the curve. If the three points are on a sharp edge of the surface this may be adequate information.

Abstract: A hardness tester for pipes comprising a positioning mechanism that presents the pipe to a multiple purpose testing head having a pre-programmed proportional control configuration that independently engages the pipe and determines the pipes relative position to that of the program controlled testing head which contains independent pre-programmed testing heads. The pipe is prepared for testing by cleaning a small test portion of the pipe, engagement of a load cell assembly to the clean pipe portion determining material hardness.

Abstract: This invention provides parallel partial image processing such as spatial convolution or non-linear neighbor arithmetic operation using an image processor which can easily be formed as a large-scale integrated circuit and can be used for various purposes. The image processor has an adder-subtractor, a multiplier, a reciprocal number memory in which the reciprocal of an address and the amount of shift are stored at each address, and a shift register. The processor therefore is capable of high-speed dividing operations by multiplying a multiplicant by the reciprocal of a multiplier and by shifting the result of the multiplication. Also, by switching the inputs to the adder-subtractor and to the multiplier rapidly under program control, it is possible to perform arbitrary addition, subtraction, multiplication and division on partial image data of m rows and n columns stored in a partial image memory of the image processor.

Abstract: A character sectioning apparatus for segmenting character stream images into individual characters utilizes the projection distribution obtained through a series of character strain images. The apparatus includes means for identifying the character lumps and blank spaces from the projection distribution, means for estimating the character pitch, means responsive to the projection distribution and the character pitch for setting segmentation candidate sections each having a plurality of segmentation candidate positions, means for calculating a distance measurement between each of the segmentation candidate positions within the segmentation candidate sections and segmentation candidate positions within adjacent segmentation candidate sections, means for calculation an appreciation standard and means for selecting an optimum segmentation candidate for each of the plurality of segmentation candidate sections.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a laser heterodyne interferometric method and system for measuring the displacement of a free surface of a material subjected to ultrasound. A laser beam having a predetermined intensity is generated and then divided into first and second beam portions having respective intensities representing minor and major fractions of the predetermined intensity, the first beam portion being angularly displaced relative to the second beam portion and being frequency shifted by a predetermined frequency. The second beam portion is passed through an optical lens off-center thereof to focalize the second beam portion onto the free surface of the material subjected to ultrasound, thereby scattering same. The scattered second beam portion is combined with the first beam portion to obtain an optical fringe signal which is converted into an electrical fringe signal comprising a central peak at the predetermined frequency and a sideband on either side of the central peak.

Abstract: A tubing string testing tool having three separate isolated passageways for allowing separate and independent control over the packer or sealing systems as well as for each of two separate testing fluids. The tool is comprised of a plurality of separateable elements that can be connected together to develop the desired length testing tool to correctly position sealing assemblies along the interior of the tubing string to form annular test cavities within the tubing string to isolate joints and tubing wall sections so that a plurality of joints and tubing wall sections can be simultaneously tested. Each of the separate elements include three internal passageway systems and the connection between each employs three separate annular chambers for interconnecting the passageways together between the elements and along the entire length of the tool or along desired portions of that length.

Abstract: The fault-containing area to be inspected is insonified by means of an ultrasonic transducer with a space-limited beam which is displaced in stepwise manner, the signals coming from the successively insonified areas being detected by several receivers, the phases and amplitudes of the signals being determined and the reconstitution of the area to be inspected performed. There is a main image of the fault and also parasitic images thereof. The number of receivers is chosen in such a way that the distance between the parasitic images and the main image exceeds the width of the area insonified by the transmitter and the reconstitution is only carried out in the insonified areas having given rise to a signal in order to eliminate the parasitic images. Application to the non-destructive inspection of mechanical parts.

Abstract: Vertical shear acoustic energy anisotropy of a subterranean formation is measured from a core sample of such formation. The core sample is shaped by having its outer surface cut to provide a pair of flat or planar surfaces along parallel spaced-apart planes. A pair of planar shear transducers are placed in contact with the pair of planar outer surfaces, one of the transducers being a transmitting transducer and the other being a receiving transducer. Shear acoustic energy is transmitted through the core sample in a basically elliptical pattern having an azimuthal direction within a plane parallel to the planar outer surfaces of the core sample. Any differences in travel time, attenuation, waveform or other acoustic properties for the acoustic energy transmissions in a plurality of differing azimuthal directions are a measure of the shear acoustic energy anisotropy of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: Acoustic energy anisotropy is measured in a core sample from a subterranean formation. The core sample is shaped by having its outer surface cut to provide a plurality of pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces about the length of the core sample. A pair of planar transducers are successively placed in contact with each of the pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces, one of the transducers being a transmitting transducer and the other being a receiving transducer. Compressional or shear acoustic energy is transmitted through the core sample in the aximuthal directions that are perpendicular to each of the pairs of parallel, planar outer surfaces of the core sample. Any differences in travel time, attenuation, waveform or other acoustic properties for the acoustic energy transmissions in the plurality of differing azimuthal directions are a measure of the compressional or shear acoustic energy anisotropy of the subsurface formation.

Abstract: An improved pump control having a device for measuring relative movement between structural components of a pumpjack unit, and converting the movement into a signal which varies according to the magnitude of the movement. The signal is divided into an upstroke and downstroke component so that during one cycle of the pumping operation, the downstroke part of the signal can be analyzed. A selected part of the downstroke signal can be used to indicate a pump-off condition. The entire signal can also be treated to provide a plot having characteristics similar to a dynamometer card. The disclosure further sets forth a motion sensor which measures the characteristics of the motion induced into the pumpjack structure and provides a signal which can be used to shut-in the well each time a pump-off condition is reached by the bottom hole pump.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus for operation in either or both linear and sector scan modes is disclosed which employs a common array of transducers. Circuitry is provided for controlling the order and timing of pulse echo transmission and reception, which further include control circuitry to operate variable delay and switching circuitry to generate transmission signals to be applied to the transducers, and to direct echo signals received by the transducers for processing to provide the image of the structures being inspected. Suitable interconnection/switching circuitry is provided so as to minimize prior art requirements for use of different elements for the separate scanning modes, with concomitant expenses associated with the larger number of components being reduced.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detection method in which defects in the weld zone of an electric resistance welded steel pipe are detected by projecting an ultrasonic wave (a) having a frequency range of from 25 MHz to 500 MHz at an angle of incidence of from 0.degree. to 12.degree. onto the weld zone of the pipe. In addition by projecting another ultrasonic wave (b) having a frequency of from 2 MHz to 10 MHz at an angle of incidence of from 15.degree. to 27.degree. onto the same weld zone enables discrimination between cold weld defects and other defects such as inclusions and penetrators.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for ultrasonic measurement, there are provided first and second ultrasonic transducers arranged to directly oppose each other across an object interposed therebetween, and a third ultrasonic transducer, the transducers being so arranged that a ray from the third ultrasonic transducer intersects, internally of the object, a ray connecting the first and second ultrasonic transducers. A first period of time required for an ultrasonic wave emitted by the first ultrasonic transducer to be received by the second ultrasonic transducer through the object is measured, as well as second and third periods of time respectively required for an ultrasonic wave emitted by the third ultrasonic transducer to be received by the first and second ultrasonic transducers following scattering of the ultrasonic wave from within the object.

Abstract: A double reference pulse phase locked loop for measuring the phase shift between tone burst signals initially derived from the same periodic signal source (voltage controlled oscillator 16) and delayed by different amounts because of two different paths. A first path is from transducer 12 to surface 14 of sample 11 and back, and a second path is from transducer 12 to surface 15 and back. A first pulse phase locked loop including phase detector 26 and phase shifter 22 forces the tone burst signals delayed by the second path in phase quadrature with the periodic signal source. A second pulse phase locked loop including phase detector 21 forces the tone burst signals delayed by the first path into phase quadrature with the phase shifted periodic signal source.

Abstract: The non-destructive testing of solid bodies is conducted by generating a transverse, ultrasonic surface wave in the solid body being inspected, said surface waves having sufficient different frequencies such that they travel at different depths through the body being inspected; receiving at least a part of the reflected portion, if any, of the surface waves, the reflected portion consisting of at least two surface waves having sufficiently different frequencies such that these waves travelled at distinctly different depths through the solid body and filtering and measuring or analyzing the reflected portion of the surface waves to determine if a defect or discontinuity exists in the solid body and the depth or severity of the defect or discontinuity.

Abstract: Ultrasonic process and apparatus for monitoring and measuring the evolution with time of physico-chemical and biological phenomena. There is plunged into the medium or media (4) to be monitored a bar (3) into which ultrasound (2) is injected in order to collect secondary echoes (F2, F3) due to numerous reflections from the lateral surface of the bar (3) brought into contact with the medium (4), one of the secondary echoes (F2) is selected and the evolution with time of the amplitude of this echo is recorded, this representing the evolution of the medium being monitored, in particular the setting of concrete or the polymerization of a resin.

Abstract: An apparatus monitoring the vibrations of a rotary machine precisely at all times. In a control processor, a rotational frequency is calculated with a data signal from a register which operates on the basis of period pulses from a key phaser, while a vibration level corresponding to the rotational frequency is read out of a memory, and an alarm level obtained by giving the vibration level a constant from an alarm level setting unit is sent to a signal processor. The vibration waveform of a vibration sensor selected by a scanner is converted by an A/D converter into a digital signal, which is applied to the signal processor through a shift register. In the signal processor, the alarm level from the control processor is compared with vibration data from the shift register, and the calculated result is sent to the control processor. The control processor operates output appliances on the basis of the information from the signal processor.

Abstract: A phase-sensitive ultrasonic modulation method for the detection of strain-sensitive spectral features involves the use of an ultrasonic field with well-defined wavefronts and a light beam of spot size less than the ultrasonic wavelength and of linewidth less than that of the spectral feature. When the light wavelength coincides with the wavelength of the spectral feature, the ultrasonic wave shifts, splits, or broadens the absorption lineshapes of the various centers contributing to the spectral feature thereby changing the amplitude or phase of the light beam or emitted fluorescence in synchrony with the ultrasonic field.

Abstract: A small, simple, yet accurate probe for producing a sector scan for ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus is provided by positioning a curved transducer array within the probe opposite a window, and filling the probe with a fluid having an acoustic velocity on the order of 0.5.times.10.sup.5 cm/sec. This combination is made possible by forming the window from a stiff polyionomer material whose acoustic velocity is closed to that of human skin, yet which is stiff enough even when thin to be essentially non-deformable in clinical use. Grating lobes of the ultrasonic beam, as well as the scatter produced within the probe by the high reflectivity of the window material, are absorbed by coating or lining the inner side walls of the probe with an open-celled polyether urethane foam having a cell diameter slightly smaller than one wavelength of the ultrasound in the probe fluid.