Abstract: The present disclosure provides pipe scanning systems suitable for integrity and reliability inspection of pipelines via detection of nonlinear interactions between high frequency (HF) resonating waves and low frequency (LF) resonating waves generated within the pipeline. The pipe scanning system may include resonation generating devices to generate HF and LF resonating waves within a pipeline as well as sensors. The sensors may be configured to detect nonlinear interactions between HF and resonating wave modalities within in the pipeline which occur when pipeline wall defects are exposed to HF and LF resonating wave modalities simultaneously. The pipe scanning systems may calculate damage parameter values based on the detected nonlinear interactions and detect locations of pipeline wall damage based on the calculated damage parameter values.

Abstract: A linear transducer is connected to a first flexible member that has a first elongated shape with a first minor axis and a first major axis perpendicular to each other. This connects the linear transducer to opposite portions of the first flexible member along the first major axis. A second flexible member having an elongated shape with a second minor axis and a second major axis is provided. The second flexible member is connected to the first flexible member such that portions on the second major axis are joined to move with portions of the first flexible member on the first minor axis. Operation of the linear transducer multiplies displacements of the second flexible member relative to those of the transducer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to nonlinear Vibro-Acoustic Modulation (VAM), one of the prevailing nonlinear methods for material characterization and structural damage evaluation. An algorithm of AM/FM separation is presented specifically for VAM method. While the commonly used Hilbert transform (HT) separation may not work for a typical VAM scenario, the developed IQHS and SPHS algorithms address HT shortcomings. They have been tested both numerically and experimentally (for fatigue cracks evolution) showing FM dominance at the initial micro-crack growth stages and transition to AM during macro-crack formation. In addition, the SPHS algorithm is capable of detecting fatigue crack via monitoring of modulation phase.

Abstract: A wireless sensor includes a sensing element, a signal conditioning element, and a passive RFID tag. The sensing element is adapted to provide an electrical response indicating whether a physical parameter applied to the wireless sensor has exceeded a predetermined threshold. The signal conditioning element is electrically coupled to the sensing element and is adapted to detect the electrical response of the sensing element. The passive RFID tag is electrically coupled to the signal conditioning element. The passive RFID tag is adapted to be powered by an interrogation by an RFID reader, to receive an indication of the electrical response from the signal conditioning element, and to transmit the indication to the RFID reader.

Abstract: The invention as disclosed is a fiber optic interferometric directional acoustic density sensor that increases the directionality of a vector sensor that is much smaller in size than the wave length of an acoustic wave. This is accomplished through the use of second order directionality by measuring the acoustic fluctuations of fluid density at a point, wherein the acoustic density fluctuations are determined according to the principles of fluid compressibility and conservation of mass using a density fluctuation measuring apparatus that restricts two of the three vector components of the particle velocity of the acoustic wave and that employs a laser interferometer to measure the fluid density fluctuation along the remaining vector component.

Abstract: An acoustic vector sensor mounted in a housing is provided for measuring ultra low frequency acoustic wave particle velocities in a liquid, comprising a horn for amplifying the acoustic wave particle velocities, and a neutrally buoyant object supported in a liquid contained in the horn. The neutrally buoyant object, in reacting to the amplified acoustic wave particle velocities, produces displacements that are sensitively measured.

Abstract: A device for accelerating the loss of regional body fat tissue in an exercising person, which includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for emitting ultrasound, and an implement for containing the transducers which is positioned proximate to the regional body fat tissue in the exercising person. The device includes means for controlling the transducers, whereby said ultrasound enhances the loss of the regional body fat tissue in the exercising person when the device is positioned proximate the regional body fat tissue and ultrasound is admitted thereto.

Abstract: A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular.

Abstract: An acoustic vector sensor mounted in a housing is provided for measuring ultra low frequency acoustic wave particle velocities in a liquid, comprising a horn for amplifying the acoustic wave particle velocities, and a neutrally buoyant object supported in a liquid contained in the horn. The neutrally buoyant object, in reacting to the amplified acoustic wave particle velocities, produces displacements that are sensitively measured.

Abstract: A method useful for evaluating the presence and/or the quality of the cement bond of a downhole tubular. The method involves measuring radial resonance modes of the tubular, and comparing those measured values to the unbound tubular resonant values of a calibration ring. For a well bonded tubular, the measured radial resonance should be greater than that of the unbound tubular calibration ring. In regions where a fluid, such as water surrounds the outside of the tubular, or the cement is otherwise not bonded to the outer surface of the tubular, the measured response should be less than the calibrated response. The calibration ring should have the same diameter, wall thickness, and be made of the same material as the tubular.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which employs phase or amplitude modulated electromagnetic probing waves (in optical or microwave frequency ranges or both) emitted toward a vibrating object. The optical and/or microwave probing signals remotely irradiate an object of interest. The object reflects and/or scatters the probing wave toward to a receiver. The reflected/scattered modulated signal is received with a remote sensor (receiver). Vibration causes additional phase modulation to the probing wave. At the receiving end, the signal is demodulated to extract and analyze the vibration waveform. The present invention can be utilized for nondestructive testing, monitoring of technological processes, structural integrity, noise and vibration control, mine detection, etc.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of living organisms in a structure or behind a wall or partition utilizes a microwave or radio-frequency one or more transceivers which generate separate and distinct interrogating signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure and living organisms within it. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of a living organism in the structure or behind wall or partition. The microprocessor distinguishes and differentiate signals from different living organisms and from false indication of the presence of living organisms, thereby enabling the detection of living organisms despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-living organism motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus (10) is provided which employs phase or amplitude modulated electromagnetic probing waves (20) (in optical or microwave frequency ranges or both) emitted toward a vibrating object (8). The optical and/or microwave probing signals (20) remotely irradiate an object (8) of interest. The object (8) reflects and/or scatters the probing wave (20) toward a receiver (22). The reflected/scattered modulated signal (24) is received with a remote sensor (receiver) (22). Vibration causes additional phase modulation to the probing wave (20). At the receiving end, the signal is demodulated to extract and analyze the vibration waveform (26,28). The present invention can be utilized for nondestructive testing, monitoring of technological processes, structural integrity, noise and vibration control, mine detection, etc.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of living organisms in a structure or behind a wall or partition utilizes a microwave or radio-frequency one or more transceivers which generate separate and distinct interrogating signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure and living organisms within it. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of a living organism in the structure or behind wall or partition. The microprocessor distinguishes and differentiate signals from different living organisms and from false indication of the presence of living organisms, thereby enabling the detection of living organisms despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-living organism motion.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of living organisms in a structure or behind a wall or partition utilizes a microwave or radio-frequency one or more transceivers which generate separate and distinct interrogating signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure and living organisms within it. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of a living organism in the structure or behind wall or partition. The microprocessor distinguishes and differentiate signals from different living organisms and from false indication of the presence of living organisms, thereby enabling the detection of living organisms despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-living organism motion.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of living organisms in a structure or behind a wall or partition utilizes a plurality of transceivers, each of which generates separate and distinct interrogating signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure and living organisms within it. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of a living organism in the structure or behind wall or partition. The microprocessor distinguishes and differentiate signals from different living organisms and from false indication of the presence of living organisms, thereby enabling the detection of living organisms despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-living organism motion.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of insects in a structure utilize a plurality of transceivers, each of which generates separate and distinct microwave signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure being tested. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of insects in the structure. If most or all of the transceivers receive positive signals indicative of the possible presence of insects in the structure, which is a false indication of the presence of insects, the microprocessor distinguishes this false indication from an actual indication of the presence of insects, thereby enabling the detection of insects despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-insect motion.

Abstract: A device and method for detecting the presence of insects in a structure utilize a plurality of transceivers, each of which generates separate and distinct microwave signals and receives separate and distinct signals reflected from a structure being tested. The reflected signals received by each of the transceivers are processed, for instance by a microprocessor, so as to provide output signals that indicate the presence or absence of insects in the structure. If most or all of the transceivers receive positive signals indicative of the possible presence of insects in the structure, which is a false indication of the presence of insects, the microprocessor distinguishes this false indication from an actual indication of the presence of insects, thereby enabling the detection of insects despite the existence of motion signals caused by non-insect motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for nondestructive testing and evaluation of wood and wooden structures for insects using microwave radiation. The apparatus includes a microwave generator, a receiver, an antenna for sending and receiving signals, a signal processor for processing the received signals and a display. The detection method includes generating and sending a microwave signal, receiving a reflected signal, and processing and evaluating the received signal. The evaluation method includes sweeping the frequency of the generated signal to determine the maximum received signal, and comparing the maximum received signal to a standard deviation between the maximum received signal and the standard indicates damage and extent of the deviation indicates the extent of the damage. Preferably, the apparatus is hand-held and the method includes moving the apparatus about a structure to be tested.

Abstract: A large aperture, high spatial resolution vibration and acoustic sensing device is provided. The sensor is capable of directional resolution of acoustic sources in gaseous, liquid, and solid media, and can be employed as a directional microphone or a directional hydrophone. The sensor can also be used as a high-resolution vibration displacement sensor. The device is formed of thin films comprising two electret layers and a compliant intermediate layer disposed therebetween. Conductive coatings disposed on the electret layers can be patterned and etched to provide a plurality of discrete sensing elements, forming a directional array. The sensor can be transparent, thereby allowing usage as a large area microphone disposed on top of a computer screen, video monitor, windows, or walls.