Abstract: A transmitter of audible sound waves is disposed at one end of a communicating hole of a cast molded article such as a cylinder block, and a receiver of audible sound waves is disposed at the other end of the communicating hole. The quality of the communicating hole is determined by receiving audible sound waves from a transmitter which have passed through the communicating hole and computing and processing a frequency spectrum of the received audible sound waves based on a reference frequency spectrum.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining dimensional accuracy in a seal assembly. The seal assembly includes a substrate comprised of a material that reflects ultrasonic waves. The seal assembly also includes a deformable sealant material that may, for example, surround the substrate. The method can include ultrasonically measuring a thickness of the sealant between a face of the sealant and a surface of the substrate. The thickness of the sealant is reduced if it exceeds a predetermined value.

Abstract: Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves (plate waves or Lamb waves) is launched into the wall of a container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, as well as the existence of foreign objects in intimate contact with the container wall. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The guided wave ultrasonic energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency rather than an electrical spike commonly used to excite transducers in standard ultrasonic search units.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for monitoring the condition of an interface. Although not limited to this particular application, the system and method are particularly suited for monitoring the interface of two liquid lubricated mechanical seal faces. The system monitors an interface by using a wave source to produce an ultrasonic shear wave, directing the wave at the interface, detecting the wave after it interacts with the interface, and comparing the detected wave to predetermined wave characteristics. Based on the comparison, an alarm may be triggered. The alarm may indicate that the mechanical seal is failing.

Abstract: Sounding apparatus for pressing a sounding rod into a piece of ground in order to determine the soil properties at various depths, comprising a sounding rod which is intended to be pressed into a piece of ground; first and second clamping members for alternately clamping the sounding rod in place; first drive means for moving the first clamping member up and down in the longitudinal direction of the sounding rod; in which apparatus the first and second clamping members can be separately actuated between an open position and a closed position; second drive means are provided for moving the second clamping member up and down in the longitudinal direction of the sounding rod; and control means are provided, which are connected to the clamping members and drive means for alternately clamping in place, releasing and moving the respective clamping members up and down.

Abstract: A method for easily and effectively preventing shattered-rim fracture in a railway wheel. Generally, the method comprises the steps of providing a railway wheel, measuring the maximum defect size within the rim of the railway wheel, and determining whether the maximum defect size is less than a predetermined maximum permissible defect size, the maximum permissible defect size being determined based on an analysis of the likelihood of Mode II crack propagation from the defect when the railway wheel has been subjected to the load. The disclosed invention also encompasses a method for grading railway wheels for maximum load suitability.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test process and device intended for testing a preferably cylindrical specimen (2), such as railway wheel, which is capable of displacement along a support, such as a rail (10). The ultrasonic test device comprises at least one ultrasonic probe (14) disposed in the support (10) which emits acoustic waves in the direction of the specimen. The acoustic waves are reflected by defects in the specimen (2) and received again by a probe. The test device is designed to reliably and non-destructively test the volume and surface of the specimen (2) as it rolls over the support (10). In the process of the invention a number (m) of probes (14) are controlled so that the ultrasonic waves have a preferably horizontal polarization and are emitted into the specimen (2) at a predetermined angle (66) relative to the running surface (8) of the rail (10).

Abstract: An ultrasonic computed tomography tree or log scanner has a plurality of ultrasonic transceivers carried on a belt (102) sized to encircle a tree (100). The belt includes an apparatus for engaging is tightly around the tree (104). The transceivers are strapped around the tree, and their mutual relative distances are known. Electronic circuitry energizes the transmitters in a known sequence. The signals received at each of the receivers are also collected and analyzed. Computed tomographic techniques analyze the time of arrival of the acoustic pulse that is first to arrive at each receiver. A signal processor generates a two-dimensional image of a slice of the tree (110) at the locus of the belt.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing method uses surface waves to prevent false detection of primary cracks, to lower the level of structural noises from grain boundaries, and to improve the detectability in the ultrasonic testing by surface wave testing of hot rolling rolls. A surface wave probe 10 capable of transmitting and receiving a surface wave is provided with a piezoelectric element 10A, a resin wedge 10C disposed on the front surface of the piezoelectric element 10A and a damping block 10B disposed on the back surface. The surface wave probe 10 is driven to produce a short pulse having a pulse length being at most 2.5 times the wavelength of the surface wave to be produced. A coupling liquid medium is supplied to the probe 10 in accordance with the peripheral speed of the roll to be tested. Depending on the height of the reflected waves measured, the grinding allowance of the roll is determined, and the roll is ground according to the thus-determined grinding allowance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the internal pressure of a sealed container are disclosed.

Abstract: Vibration transducer unit for converting vibrations to electric signals, in which unit there is a transducer part (11) and a signal processing part (14), like a preamplifier part. The transducer part (11) and the signal processing part (14) are integrated to a single structure.

Abstract: Device and method for detecting anomaly of an air conditioner, the method including the steps of (1) detecting an acoustic emission signal from a compressor in the air conditioner during operation of the air conditioner, (2) detecting parameters of particular components from the detected acoustic emission signal, and (3) comparing the detected parameters to respective references, to determine anomaly of the air conditioner on the whole, whereby permitting the most reliable detection of anomaly of the air conditioner.

Abstract: A method for evaluating bonding properties of a metallic pipe, the method comprises steps of measuring, in advance of a pipe expansion operation, at least one selected from a degree of shape discontinuity, a degree of defect at a bonding portion, and a degree of change in crystal structure, and comparing a measurement value with a predetermined threshold value to evaluate suitability of the bonding properties for applying pipe expansion.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the depth of water and the water temperature at any point of an open channel by measuring an ultrasonic propagation time transmitted between a plural number of ultrasonic transducers and by a calculation using an ultrasonic velocity, wherein a slider 11 is attached to a support 13 capable of moving up and down, which is placed in water. A first ultrasonic transducer 18 is fixed to the bottom of the support 13 and a second ultrasonic transducer 19 is positioned above the first ultrasonic transducer 18. A third ultrasonic transducer 21 is positioned above the second ultrasonic transducer 19 and below the slider 11 and a fourth ultrasonic transducer 22 is fixed to the slider 11. Each transducer faces with each other. The apparatus further comprises a fifth transducer 23 and a sixth transducer 24 for measuring the flow velocity, both of which transmit and receive ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: Components with defects are identified from the response to strains applied at acoustic and ultrasound frequencies. The relative resonance frequency shift |&Dgr;ƒ/ƒ0|, is determined as a function of applied strain amplitude for an acceptable component, where ƒ0 is the frequency of the resonance peak at the lowest amplitude of applied strain and &Dgr;ƒ is the frequency shift of the resonance peak of a selected mode to determine a reference relationship. Then, the relative resonance frequency shift |&Dgr;ƒ/ƒ0 is determined as a function of applied strain for a component under test, where fo ƒ0 the frequency of the resonance peak at the lowest amplitude of applied strain and &Dgr;ƒ is the frequency shift of the resonance peak to determine a quality test relationship. The reference relationship is compared with the quality test relationship to determine the presence of defects in the component under test.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting an interface (13) between two media of a heterogeneous system, comprising transmission means (21) to send a signal through one medium from the transmission means (21) to the interface (13), measuring means (32b, 32c, 32d) to measure the time taken for the signal to be reflected to a reception means (36), and processing means (40c, 40d) to use said time to determine the distance of the interface from the transmission means.

Abstract: A method for determining system parameters, such as the operating speed, working pressure and pivot angle of an axial piston unit in which the operating speed, working pressure and pivot angle are determined by means of a frequency analysis of a detected solid-borne sound signal from an axial piston unit of a hydrostatic drive mechanism. A liquid-borne sound signal of airborne sound signal can be used, in which case a respective system parameter is determined by means of a frequency analysis of a detected liquid-borne sound signal or airborne sound signal from the axial piston unit.

Abstract: An ultrasound system determines the relative movement in a first direction (F1) of first matter, such as blood flow, and second matter, such as an artery wall, in a subject under study (S). A beam (B1) of ultrasound waves defining a plurality of beam positions (BP1 and BP2) and beam axes (A1and A2) are moved in scan directions having components parallel to direction F1. First and second blocks of data representing the first and second matter, respectively, are generated. A processor (20) performs an estimation of speckle size on first data to obtain a first result, and performs analysis of the second block of data to obtain a second result. The two results are analyzed to obtain a measure of the relative movement of the first and second matter.

Abstract: The vibration damping properties of brake rotors and drums can be represented accurately and repeatably by a single factor obtained from a curve fitting based on an eighth order sine function. A series of test points taken only around one or more vibrational antinodes is used to measure resonant frequencies and vibration decay times around the periphery of a part. This data is then used to determine Q-factors, which are found to vary sinusoidally around an annular brake part.

Abstract: The design and method of fabrication for an acoustic sensor module for mounting on the hull of a submarine or surface ship is disclosed. The design involves the use of molded alignment structures within a two part rubber shell to reduce tooling requirements and eliminate a significant amount of assembly labor in fabricating hull mounted sonar arrays.