Abstract: A method and device for the ultrasonic testing of test objects by means of a test head. A computer device directly acquires, during a SAFT analysis for determining points in time of the amplitudes to be summed up from among the image time signals, a propagation time, which depends on the test head, from the test head positioned at a measuring point to the location of each of a plurality of voxels and uses the propagation time for calculating an amplitude total for the plurality of voxels.

Abstract: Information relating to vibration of a rotating component of an oilfield mixing device is obtained. The oilfield mixing device is operable to blend oilfield materials while the rotating component rotates. Damage sustained by the rotating component is then determined based on the obtained information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for analyzing an object using acoustic emissions. Load data is received for the object. Acoustic waveform data is received for the object from an acoustic sensing system. The acoustic waveform data represents acoustic emissions emanating from the object and is detected using the acoustic sensing system. A plurality of bins is created for the load data. A plurality of frequency distribution functions is generated for the plurality of bins using the acoustic waveform data. A set of learning algorithms is applied to the plurality of frequency distribution functions and the acoustic waveform data to generate an output that allows an operator to more easily and quickly assess a structural integrity of the object.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object's outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing.

Abstract: A defect monitoring system has ultrasound transmitters and receivers on a wall of a structure under test such as a pipeline. The receivers are arranged in an array of locations that substantially encloses an area under test on a wall of a structure under test. The array may comprise two circumferential rings along a pipeline at different axial positions. The array of ultrasound receivers is used to measure signals that result ultrasound that leave the area through the wall for other parts of the wall. From the measured signals backward propagated signals are computed for a location within the enclosed area, compensated for a modelled effect of propagation from the location within the area to the locations of the receivers at the perimeter. The backward propagated signals for the location in the enclosed area are summed over the locations of the receivers to obtain an approximate integral over the perimeter of the area.

Abstract: The phased-array probe to be received on a probe receiving area of a wedge generally has a probe housing, a plurality of acoustic transducer elements disposed in the probe housing and distributed along a length of a working surface of the probe housing, and a matching layer covering the plurality of acoustic transducer elements and extending to cover an extended region of the working surface of the probe housing such that the matching layer forms a closed contact with an upper end of an acoustic damping junction of the wedge when the working surface of the probe housing of the phased-array probe is received on the probe receiving area of the wedge, wherein the closed contact prevents acoustic energy from being reflected from the extended region of the working surface of the probe housing.

Abstract: A vibration detection mechanism includes: a first sensor section that detects vibration of a vibrating member of a musical instrument in a first direction being a main vibration direction; a second sensor section that detects vibration of the vibrating member in a second direction being approximately perpendicular to the first direction; and a third sensor section that detects vibration of the vibrating member in a third direction being approximately perpendicular to both the first direction and the second direction. Sensitivity of the second sensor section is greater than sensitivity of the first sensor section. Sensitivity of the third sensor section is greater than the sensitivity of the first sensor section.

Abstract: Tube inspections are performed by combining the use of APR technology with GW technology. The reflections measured by both technologies are compared to each other and used to more specifically identify the type and location of a flaw or anomaly that appears in the interior of the tube. Further, embodiments of novel probes to be used in GW technique for inspecting tubes with mechanical waves having bandwidth that is equal to 150 KHz or more are disclosed.

Abstract: An electronic test plate includes a test plate comprising plurality of wells, each well configured to contain a substance to be analyzed. Sensors are arranged to sense characteristics of the substance and to generate sensor signals based on the sensed characteristics over time. The sensors are arranged so that multiple sensors are associated with each well. At least one sensor of the multiple sensors senses a characteristic of the substance that is different from a characteristic sensed by another sensor of the multiple sensors. Sensor select circuitry is arranged on a backplane disposed along the test plate. The sensor select circuitry is coupled to the sensors and enable the sensor signals of selected sensors to be accessed at a data output of the backplane.

Abstract: A computer with a proper program generates a phased array sequence of signals. In a pulser with delays, the signals are fed through a multiplexor into multiple water wedges that are attached to a lift-type check valve being tested. For a sequential operation of the lift-type check valves from the open to the closed position, ultrasonic signals are transmitted through the fluid contained in the valve and reflected back through piezo-electric crystals to the multiplexor. By summation and merger of the signals, an image can be developed of the operation of the lift-type check valve to determine if the lift-type check valve is operating properly. By comparing the signals received with a known standard for that lift-type check valve, proper operation, or lack thereof, of the lift-type check valve under test can be determined.

Abstract: A phased array transducer for inspecting a fastener hole and adjacent structure to identify defects and determine hole integrity without removing the fastener from the hole. The phased array transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements, where one of the transducer elements is used to align the transducer to the hole, one group of the remaining transducer elements inspects the entire thickness of the structure at one side of the fastener and another group of the remaining transducer elements inspects the entire thickness of the structure at an opposite side of the fastener.

Abstract: Provided is a vibration control device mounted on a structure body of a target where vibration should be damped, including: a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of a portion of the target; a vibration generation unit that generates strain in a portion of the target; and a control unit that generates a control signal to determine drive force of the vibration generation unit based on a signal from the vibration detection unit. In the vibration control device, strain energy distribution of the target is measured or calculated, and setting positions of the vibration detection unit and the vibration generation unit are determined based on an optimization method within a range in which strain energy changes rapidly.

Abstract: A device and method for determining characteristics of a concrete sample includes the use of multiple transducers at pre-determined positions with respect to each other. The transducers are coupled to the concrete surface so that they can impart and/or receive mechanical waves from the sample. Mechanical waves may be imparted to the sample by one or more transducers or by an impact hammer. A control device receives the output from receiving transducers and analyzes data there from to determine a desired characteristic of the sample.

Abstract: An apparatus, for non-destructively inspecting a sandwich panel defining an enclosed space, has an external and internal probe. The external probe is adjacent an external face-sheet of the sandwich panel and the internal probe is adjacent an internal face-sheet of the sandwich panel. The sandwich panel has a core material that is is interposed between the external and internal face-sheets of the sandwich panel. Each of the probes includes two elements that integrally form the probe. The external probe includes and is integrally formed from one of a magnetic field emitter and a magnetic field sensor, the magnetic field emitter emitting a magnetic field, and one of an ultrasonic transmit transducer and an ultrasonic receive transducer. The internal probe includes and is integrally formed from the other of the magnetic field emitter and the magnetic field sensor and the other of the ultrasonic transmit transducer and the ultrasonic receive transducer.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for inspecting a composite end portion of a part are disclosed. The apparatus may include first and second members having first and second contact elements, respectively. The second member may be movably connected to the first member. The first and second members may be shaped to define a gap sized to receive the end portion. The apparatus may include at least one ultrasonic array supported by at least one of the first and second members. The at least one ultrasonic array may be configured to transmit ultrasonic waves toward the end portion. The apparatus may include a fluid conduit having first and second ends through one of the first and second members. The first end may be configured to be coupled to a suction system, and the second end of the fluid conduit may be configured to be adjacent to a contact surface of the part.

Abstract: A fatigue testing device 1 comprises a fixing member 4 constituted by a lower jig 2 and an upper jig 3. The lower jig 2 and the upper jig 3 are fixed with a bolt 5, and a sheet or plate-shaped metal plate 6 is fixed in a cantilever state such that it is interposed between the lower jig 2 and the upper jig 3. The lower jig 2 has a fixing surface 2a to which the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed, and the fixing surface 2a has a curved shape such that the space between the fixing surface 2a and the metal sheet or plate 6 increases with increasing distance from the location where the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed to the fixing surface 2a. The upper jig 3 also has a fixing surface 3a to which the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed, and the fixing surface 3a has a curved shape such that the space between the fixing surface 3a and the metal sheet or plate 6 increases with increasing distance from the location where the metal sheet or plate 6 is fixed to the fixing surface 3a.

Abstract: An interchangeable sensor system is described, including: a microcantilever including a beam anchored at a first end, the beam being free to vibrate on another end, wherein a piezoelectric layer is deposited on a surface of the beam; an input configured to receive a voltage from a voltage source for applying voltage to the piezoelectric layer; and a resonating circuit including: the piezoelectric layer, configured as a capacitor of the resonant circuit; and one or more additional electrical elements; wherein the voltage source is configured to apply a first AC voltage under a first condition for actuating the microcantilever at a first mechanical resonating frequency of the microcantilever and a second AC voltage under a second condition for actuating the microcantilever at a second electrical resonating frequency of the resonating circuit. Method of using the sensor system is also described.

Abstract: Example systems and methods for non-destructive evaluation of depressions on a surface of an object are provided. One example system includes a measurement apparatus having a two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, a delay line material, a sealing member position such that the sealing member forms a cavity between the delay line material and a surface of the object, and a liquid inlet for injecting a liquid into the cavity. The example system also includes a processor configured to determine, using ultrasonic signals received from the two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer array, at least one property of a depression such as a dent on the surface of an object. The example system may also be configured to provide an output that is indicative of whether the at least one property of the depression satisfies a predetermined criterion. Another example system includes a compressible elastomeric delay line material that conforms to a surface of an object.

Abstract: A usage measuring device measures usage of a gear transmission. The usage measuring device is provided with an oscillation cycle measuring unit and a comparing unit. The oscillation cycle measuring unit measures an oscillation cycle of a state signal indicating at least one of a rotational state of an input unit side and a rotational state of an output unit side of the gear transmission. The comparing unit compares a first oscillation cycle measured during an initial operating period of the gear transmission, and a second oscillation cycle measured after the gear transmission has operated for a predetermined time. The oscillation cycle measuring unit measures the first oscillation cycle and the second oscillation cycle of the state signal after the gear transmission has stopped driving.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic sensor device (1) for a motor vehicle, comprising ultrasonic sensor (7) which comprises a pot-shaped membrane (6) for emitting and/or receiving ultrasonic signals as well as a sensor housing (10), comprising a stiffening element (3) arranged around the membrane (6) and comprising a holder (4), which is designed for holding the sensor housing (10) on a back side of a trim element of the motor vehicle, wherein the stiffening element (3) and the holder (4) are designed to be integrally formed from a uniform material.