Abstract: An ultrasound test phantom includes a block of human-tissue-mimicking material having a top surface and spaced-apart groups of targets embedded therein. Each group is located at a unique depth region within the block as measured from the top surface. The targets in each group include a first linear target spaced-apart from a second linear target. For each group, the first linear target extends in a first direction at a first depth of the depth region associated therewith, and the second linear target extends in a second direction at a second depth of the depth region associated therewith. When viewed from the block's top surface, a crossing point is defined where the first direction and second direction cross at an angle between 10° and 170°. For each group, the crossing point is located along a line perpendicular to the block's top surface.

Abstract: An ultrasound test phantom includes a block of human-tissue-mimicking material having a top surface and spaced-apart groups of targets embedded therein. Each group is located at a unique depth region within the block as measured from the top surface. The targets in each group include a first linear target spaced-apart from a second linear target. For each group, the first linear target extends in a first direction at a first depth of the depth region associated therewith, and the second linear target extends in a second direction at a second depth of the depth region associated therewith. When viewed from the block's top surface, a crossing point is defined where the first direction and second direction cross at an angle between 10° and 170°. For each group, the crossing point is located along a line perpendicular to the block's top surface.

Abstract: A vessel for removing bubbles from a fluid is provided. The vessel includes a fluid inlet port for receiving the fluid, and a bubble outlet port for removing bubbles in the fluid from the vessel. An ultrasonic transducer is mounted in the vessel and transmits an ultrasonic beam through the received fluid to move bubbles in the fluid towards the bubble outlet port. A fluid outlet port outputs the fluid insonified by the ultrasonic beam. An ultrasonic reflector mounted near the bubble outlet port reflects the ultrasonic beam away from the fluid outlet port to reduce or prevent reflection of the ultrasonic beam off an interior surface in the vessel directed towards the fluid outlet port.

Abstract: A digital pulsed phase locked loop (DPPLL) provides exact measurements of echo phase, time, and/or position delay as well as echo amplitude. These exact measurements provide better and more reliable results that directly benefit the many real world applications for the DPPLL. The DPPLL permits simultaneous tracking of multiple echo pulses and considerably improved echo selection and sampling.

Abstract: Acoustic weight or mass sensing technology (referred to here as Acoustic Weigh In Motion (AWIN)) provides accurate weighing of any type of moving load moving over a load bearing medium. Acoustic transducers are affixed to or embedded in the load bearing medium. One or more source acoustic transducers propagate an acoustic wave over an acoustic path through the medium between the source and receiver transducers when the medium is in an unloaded state. The wave is detected at one or more receiving acoustic transducers. A propagation time delay is determined for the unloaded state. When a moving load travels over the acoustic path in the medium, the acoustic propagation time delay for that loaded state is determined. The difference between the acoustic propagation time delays for the unloaded and loaded states is determined. That acoustic propagation time delay difference is used to determine the weight or mass of the moving load.

Abstract: Ultrasonic pulse echo object classification is described. A broadband ultrasound transducer transmits a broadband ultrasound pulse towards the object and detecting an associated ultra sound echo of that pulse from the object. An ultrasound receiver receives the detected echo signal. A signal processor, coupled to the ultrasound receivers determines and analyzes a time duration parameter and a frequency parameter (and possibly one or more other parameters like amplitude and/or phase) of the detected echo signal and classifies the object as a solid or liquid or as gaseous based on the parameters of the detected echo signal.

Abstract: A bond strength tester and method for determining certain bond strength parameters of a bonded component, including a phaselocker, a transducer, a loading device that is capable of applying stress-loads to the bond, a controller for controlling the loading device, a data recording device to acquire data, and a computer device to analyze data calculating certain bond strength parameters.

Abstract: A bias ply snow tire for use on the rear wheels of a passenger car having radial ply tires on the front wheels. The bias ply tire has a low aspect ratio, narrow tread with a shallow nonskid pattern, narrow flange spacing and high ply turn-ups. The point of maximum section width of the inflated bias ply tire is located in the radially inner one-half of the cross section of the tire.

Abstract: The elliptically-shaped tire has a pair of oppositely-opposed bead cores, a carcass structure each end of which is wrapped around a bead core, an apex disposed between the carcass structure and each of the ends thereof, a pair of oppositely-opposed sidewalls overlying the carcass structure, a chafer strip positioned between the carcass structure and each of the sidewalls, and a tread overlying the carcass structure and a belt reinforcing structure positioned therebetween. The carcass structure has a carcass aspect ratio of about 60. Additionally, the tire has a pair of oppositely-opposed sidewall portions having a relatively thin radially outer portion and a relatively thick radially inner portion.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire having a plurality of circumferentially spaced independent projections. The tread has three narrow zones which extend circumferentially about the tire; a central zone and two shoulder zones. The depth of the recesses in between the independent projections in these zones is substantially less than the depth of the recesses in between the projections in the remaining portion of the tread.

Abstract: A tread for a pneumatic tire having a plurality of circumferentially spaced independent projections, each projection has an outer configuration which is basically triangular as viewed in a plane perpendicular to the tread. The projections in the central portion of the tread are oriented such that the leading edges form an angle from about 30.degree. to 60.degree. with respect to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire, and the projections in the shoulder portions are oriented such that the leading edges form an angle from about 30.degree. to 70.degree. with respect to the mid-circumferential plane of the tire.