Abstract: A method for acoustic imaging includes emitting an acoustic signal. The method includes (a) emitting an acoustic signal; (b) detecting signals corresponding to reflections of the acoustic signal at an array of positions proximate a positon of the emitting; (c) adding, for a chosen distance from the position of the emitting, a respective time delay to each detected signal to cause each detected signal to correspond to each of a plurality of positions in a plane transverse to a line normal to a plane of the array of positions; (d) summing the time delayed signals; (e) selecting one of the plurality of positions having a highest summed, delayed signal amplitude; and (f) assigning a pixel to the one of the plurality of positions having the highest amplitude. (b) through (f) are repeated for a plurality of different chosen distances.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of at least one square meter, is analyzed by an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the generation and detection of sound are precisely correlated to the location of a vertical drill hole in the sea bed by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned with respect to the drill hole, using the drill hole as the horizontal position reference. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to a post that lies in the drill hole. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the hole axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of at least one square meter, is analyzed by an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the generation and detection of sound are precisely correlated to the location of a vertical drill hole in the sea bed by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned with respect to the drill hole, using the drill hole as the horizontal position reference. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to a post that lies in the drill hole. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the hole axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of over one square meter, is analyzed by comparing a core sample taken near the middle of the region and/or data from a geotechnical insitu cone penetrometer installed at the middle of the region, to an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the acoustic analysis are precisely correlated to the location of the core test sample or cone test by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned on the core drill (12) or cone penetrometer barrel staff. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to the core drill when the core drill is not rotating. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the drill axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.

Abstract: A seabed region (18) that lies under a seabed surface area of over one square meter, is analyzed by comparing a core sample taken near the middle of the region and/or data from a geotechnical insitu cone penetrometer installed at the middle of the region, to an acoustic analysis of the region. Locations of the acoustic analysis are precisely correlated to the location of the core test sample or cone test by mounting an acoustic imaging apparatus (16) that holds acoustic transducers (44, 46), on a carriage (26) that is positioned on the core drill (12) or cone penetrometer barrel staff. The carriage of the acoustic imager apparatus is clamped to the core drill when the core drill is not rotating. An arm (30 and/or 32) is supported on the carriage through a frame (28), with at least one acoustic generator (44) and one acoustic echo detector (46) mounted on the arm. The arm can be rotated to positions lying about the drill axis (14) to accurately scan a wide area.

Abstract: Apparatus for making an acoustic analysis of a patient's body includes a glove device (12) with finger receivers (21-25) that receive the fingers of a caregiver, and sensors (51-53) that indicate the relative positions and orientations of the finger receivers. An acoustic transducer device (31-35) is mounted on each finger receiver, and possibly also (42) on the palm region (44) and other areas of the glove device. While transducer devices are pressed against the patient's body (62), electronic circuitry (112) generates electrical pulses that drive the transducers to transmit acoustic beams into the patient's body. A data processor (140) processes outputs from the transducers that represent acoustic echoes or transmitted beams received from regions of different densities in the patient's body. By mounting the acoustic transducer devices on finger receivers, the caregiver can rapidly and easily position the acoustic transducer devices at selected positions on the patient's body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating a live shellfish (S), especially a lobster or crab, to determine the MC, or meat ratio (meat divided by meat plus water). A pair of transducer devices (12, 14) are pressed against opposite sides of the shell of a live shellfish to determine the velocity of sound through it. The transducer devices are pressed without substantially deforming or cracking the shell, to avoid injury to the shellfish. Good acoustic coupling to the shell is achieved by applying a sound-transmitting gel (240, 242) to the face of each transducer device. If the velocity 1560 m/sec, this indicates an MC of 7%, indicating that the shellfish is unsuitable for harvest. If the velocity 1660 m/sec. then this indicates an MC of 19%, which indicates that the shellfish is ready for harvesting, that is, for shipping to restaurants or markets for human consumption. A velocity of 1600 m/sec. indicates an MC of 12% which is about a borderline between acceptance and rejection.