Patents by Inventor So Kitazawa

So Kitazawa has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 12607604
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes a control device 12 that outputs a pulse signal for making an ultrasonic probe 11A transmit an ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic probe 11A and that is supplied with a waveform signal obtained by converting the received ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe 11B, and that computes a thickness reduction depth of a pipe 1 between the ultrasonic probe 11A and the ultrasonic probe 11B. The control device 12 computes the thickness reduction depth of the pipe 1 by selectively using a reception time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11A, reflected once by an inner surface 3 of the pipe 1, and received by the ultrasonic probe 11B, and a reception time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11A, reflected twice by the inner surface 3 of the pipe 1, and received by the ultrasonic probe 11B.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2026
    Assignee: Hitachi GE Vernova Nuclear Energy, Ltd .
    Inventors: Kaname Saga, So Kitazawa, Akihiko Hirano, Yoshizumi Fukuhara, Junta Yamada
  • Publication number: 20250271397
    Abstract: Provided are an inspection apparatus and an inspection method capable of two-dimensionally detecting a range of recession. The inspection apparatus includes a probe group, an ultrasonic waveform recording unit (recording unit), and a computation unit. The probe group includes a plurality of vertical probes that are attached to the surface of an inspection target object and transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The recording unit records a plurality of reception signals obtained by receiving the ultrasonic wave transmitted from a first probe by a plurality of probes other than the first probe. The computation unit calculates a plurality of attenuation indexes representing degrees of attenuation of a plurality of second reception signals received after a plurality of first reception signals, with respect to the plurality of first reception signals recorded before an occurrence of recession in the inspection target object among the plurality of reception signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2025
    Publication date: August 28, 2025
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Junta YAMADA, Yoshizumi FUKUHARA, Akihiko HIRANO, Michiaki KUROSAKI
  • Publication number: 20240192175
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes a control device 12 that outputs a pulse signal for making an ultrasonic probe 11A transmit an ultrasonic wave to the ultrasonic probe 11A and that is supplied with a waveform signal obtained by converting the received ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe 11B, and that computes a thickness reduction depth of a pipe 1 between the ultrasonic probe 11A and the ultrasonic probe 11B. The control device 12 computes the thickness reduction depth of the pipe 1 by selectively using a reception time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11A, reflected once by an inner surface 3 of the pipe 1, and received by the ultrasonic probe 11B, and a reception time of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 11A, reflected twice by the inner surface 3 of the pipe 1, and received by the ultrasonic probe 11B.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2023
    Publication date: June 13, 2024
    Inventors: Kaname SAGA, So KITAZAWA, Akihiko HIRANO, Yoshizumi FUKUHARA, Junta YAMADA
  • Patent number: 9753017
    Abstract: A single-element ultrasonic sensor includes a single transducer element and transmits an ultrasonic wave on the basis of a pulse wave. An ultrasonic array sensor includes a plurality of transducer elements and receives an ultrasonic reflected wave. A pulsar supplies the pulse wave to the single element ultrasonic sensor. A receiver receives electric signals from the transducer elements included in the ultrasonic array sensor. An amplification and conversion unit amplifies the electric signals received from the transducer elements included in the ultrasonic array sensor, converts the electric signals into digital signals, and arranges the digital signals in a serial order so as to generate a serial digital signal. An image generator generates an image on the basis of the serial digital signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kono, Kouichi Kurosawa, So Kitazawa, Yuji Matsui
  • Patent number: 9222915
    Abstract: An eddy current flaw detection system includes an eddy current flaw detection probe having a substrate facing an inspection surface, and at least one exciting coil and at least two detecting coils provided on the substrate, a scanning device which scans the probe on the inspection surface, a scan control device which drives and controls the scanning device, an eddy current flaw detection device which acquires results of detection of a plurality of detection points corresponding to combinations of the exciting and detecting coils for each scan position of the probe, and a data processing/display device which processes data from the scan control device and the eddy current flaw detection device and thereby displays a result of flaw detection. The data processing/display device acquires three-dimensional coordinates of the detection points for each scan position of the probe and thereby creates three-dimensional flaw detection data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Akira Nishimizu, So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Hisashi Endo, Kenichi Otani, Taiichiro Yamada, Hirofumi Ouchi, Isao Yoshida, Yoshio Nonaka, Masafumi Imai
  • Patent number: 9140670
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection device allow three-dimensional inspection data and three-dimensional shape data to be appropriately positioned on a display screen and allow a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified even when information on the relative positions of a probe and an object to be inspected is not provided. The ultrasonic inspection data that is generated from the waveforms of ultrasonic waves received by an ultrasonic probe is compared with a plurality of ultrasonic propagation data pieces calculated by a ray tracing method on the basis of the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected. The position of the three-dimensional inspection data or the three-dimensional shape data is moved relative to the other data position on the basis of the comparison results, thereby displaying the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data while overlapping each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Patent number: 8924164
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ultrasonic testing obtains high-resolution and high-S/N ratio testing results by driving a number of piezoelectric elements using fewer pulsers and receivers in comparison with the number of elements composing an array transducer. A sensor information setter sets a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for transmission and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for reception among the plurality of piezoelectric elements composing an ultrasonic array transducer. A computer transmits an ultrasonic wave from the element cluster set for transmission, and stores an ultrasonic wave received by the element cluster set for reception. The procedure is repeated including different element cluster sets for transmission and reception to obtain first receive signals. The first receive signals are summed to obtain a second receive signal; and the second receive signal is displayed with reference to the sensor center position on a display unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi Baba, So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono
  • Publication number: 20140355378
    Abstract: A single-element ultrasonic sensor includes a single transducer element and transmits an ultrasonic wave on the basis of a pulse wave. An ultrasonic array sensor includes a plurality of transducer elements and receives an ultrasonic reflected wave. A pulsar supplies the pulse wave to the single element ultrasonic sensor. A receiver receives electric signals from the transducer elements included in the ultrasonic array sensor. An amplification and conversion unit amplifies the electric signals received from the transducer elements included in the ultrasonic array sensor, converts the electric signals into digital signals, and arranges the digital signals in a serial order so as to generate a serial digital signal. An image generator generates an image on the basis of the serial digital signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki KONO, Kouichi KUROSAWA, So KITAZAWA, Yuji MATSUI
  • Patent number: 8833168
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection device allows position adjustment of three-dimensional inspection data and shape data to be easily performed on a display screen and allows a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified. A calculator generates the three-dimensional inspection data from waveforms stored in a data storage unit. A three-dimensional display unit displays the three-dimensional inspection data generated by the calculator and the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Patent number: 8838405
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Publication number: 20140035911
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
  • Patent number: 8583393
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Publication number: 20130068026
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus are provided, in which bending of a propagation path of an inspection object in three dimensions is considered. The ultrasonic inspection method includes calculating the ultrasonic propagation path by using three-dimensional shape data of the inspection object and information relating to a position and a direction of an ultrasonic sensor, giving spatial coordinates along the calculated ultrasonic propagation path to each point of sound field intensity data of an ultrasonic wave received in time series by the ultrasonic sensor, and displaying ultrasonic inspection data obtained by using the sound field intensity data and the spatial coordinates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Patent number: 8290720
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe issues an ultrasonic wave to an object, receives a reflected wave from an object, and is provided with multiple piezoelectric elements. A three-dimensional display section displays three-dimensional flaw detection data superimposed on three-dimensional shape data of an object. The computer acquires a reflected ultrasonic wave signal from a reference object (reference). Based on the acquired signal, the computer corrects a reflected ultrasonic wave signal acquired from another object having the same material and shape as the reference. The computer allows the three-dimensional display section to display three-dimensional flaw detection data generated from a reflected ultrasonic wave signal resulting from a difference between a reference and an object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
  • Publication number: 20120137778
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
  • Publication number: 20110164033
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection device allows position adjustment of three-dimensional inspection data and shape data to be easily performed on a display screen and allows a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified. A calculator generates the three-dimensional inspection data from waveforms stored in a data storage unit. A three-dimensional display unit displays the three-dimensional inspection data generated by the calculator and the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
  • Publication number: 20110166807
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection device allow three-dimensional inspection data and three-dimensional shape data to be appropriately positioned on a display screen and allow a defect echo and a shape echo to be quickly identified even when information on the relative positions of a probe and an object to be inspected is not provided. The ultrasonic inspection data that is generated from the waveforms of ultrasonic waves received by an ultrasonic probe is compared with a plurality of ultrasonic propagation data pieces calculated by a ray tracing method on the basis of the three-dimensional shape data on an object to be inspected. The position of the three-dimensional inspection data or the three-dimensional shape data is moved relative to the other data position on the basis of the comparison results, thereby displaying the three-dimensional inspection data and the three-dimensional shape data while overlapping each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: HITACHI-GE NUCLEAR ENERGY, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
  • Publication number: 20100106431
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method for ultrasonic testing obtains high-resolution and high-S/N ratio testing results by driving a number of piezoelectric elements using fewer pulsers and receivers in comparison with the number of elements composing an array transducer. A sensor information setter sets a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for transmission and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for reception among the plurality of piezoelectric elements composing an ultrasonic array transducer. A computer transmits an ultrasonic wave from the element cluster set for transmission, and stores an ultrasonic wave received by the element cluster set for reception. The procedure is repeated including different element cluster sets for transmission and reception to obtain first receive signals. The first receive signals are summed to obtain a second receive signal; and the second receive signal is displayed with reference to the sensor center position on a display unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: Atsushi BABA, So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO
  • Publication number: 20100106432
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe issues an ultrasonic wave to an object, receives a reflected wave from an object, and is provided with multiple piezoelectric elements. A three-dimensional display section displays three-dimensional flaw detection data superimposed on three-dimensional shape data of an object. The computer acquires a reflected ultrasonic wave signal from a reference object (reference). Based on the acquired signal, the computer corrects a reflected ultrasonic wave signal acquired from another object having the same material and shape as the reference. The computer allows the three-dimensional display section to display three-dimensional flaw detection data generated from a reflected ultrasonic wave signal resulting from a difference between a reference and an object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA
  • Publication number: 20090293621
    Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection equipment facilitates alignment of display positions of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and three-dimensional shape data, and quickly discriminates between a defect echo and an inner-wall echo. A computer 102A has a position correction function of correcting a relative display position between three-dimensional shape data and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data. A display position of the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data or that of the three-dimensional shape data is moved by a norm of a mean vector along the mean vector that is calculated from a plurality of vectors defined by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data and by a plurality of points selected in the three-dimensional shape data. The three-dimensional shape data and the three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection data are displayed in such a manner as to be superimposed on each other on a three-dimensional display unit 103C.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 27, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: HITACHI, LTD.
    Inventors: So KITAZAWA, Naoyuki KONO, Atsushi BABA