Abstract: This disclosure describes a system and method for generating images and location data of a subsurface object using existing infrastructure as a source. Many infrastructure objects (e.g., pipes, cables, conduits, wells, foundation structures) are constructed of rigid materials and have a known shape and location. Additionally these infrastructure objects can have exposed portions that are above or near the surface and readily accessible. A signal generator can be affixed to the exposed portion of the infrastructure object, which induces acoustic energy, or vibrations in the object. The object with affixed signal generator can then be used as a source in performing a subsurface imaging of subsurface objects, which are not exposed.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for deploying an acoustic sensor are disclosed. In some embodiments, an acoustic sensor includes a transducer comprising a piezoelectric material layer having a front side from which the transducer is configured to transmit acoustic sensing signals and an opposing back side. A backing material layer comprising an acoustic damping material is coupled at a front side to the back side of the piezoelectric material layer. An acoustic reflector such as may comprise a cavity containing gaseous or liquid fluid is disposed between the front side and a back side of the backing material layer.

Abstract: A sound generator for a display device, including: a first vibration generation unit having a first electrode and a second electrode; a second vibration generation unit having a third electrode and a fourth electrode; and a vibration layer including: a first sub-vibration layer disposed between the first electrode and the second electrode; and a second sub-vibration layer disposed between the third electrode and the fourth electrode, wherein the first vibration generation unit is configured to contract and expand the first sub-vibration layer based on a first driving voltage applied to the first electrode and a second driving voltage applied to the second electrode, and wherein the second vibration generation unit is configured to contract and expand the second sub-vibration layer based on a third driving voltage applied to the third electrode and a fourth driving voltage applied to the fourth electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer has an array of transducer elements that are electrically coupled to electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the conductors are included in a flex circuit and engage a conductive surface formed on a number of outwardly extending ribs on a frame that holds the ultrasound array. In one embodiment, the flex circuit includes an alignment feature that engages a corresponding registration feature on the frame so that the traces on the flex circuit align with the ribs on the frame.

Abstract: [PROBLEM] To provide a defect detection device capable of detecting not only a defect within a visible range but also a defect outside the visible range among the objects to be inspected.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting a component of a gas turbine engine at a centre frequency required for ultrasonic inspection of the component. The apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer and a waveguide. The ultrasonic transducer and the waveguide are mounted in a holder, the holder is movably mounted in a carrier, and the carrier is movably mounted in a frame. The waveguide has a first end, a second end and a surface. The waveguide is circular in cross-section, the surface of the waveguide between the first end and the second end is concave, and the waveguide reduces in diameter from the first end to the second end. The length of the waveguide is equal to or greater than 0.5 times and equal to or less than 3 times the wavelength of an ultrasonic signal at the centre frequency required for the ultrasonic inspection.

Abstract: Devices and method are provided for ultrasound transmission without the need for external couplants, such as gels, which are typically used in conventional ultrasound procedures. In particular, ultrashields are provided for use with ultrasound probes, wherein the ultrashields have specialized layers to provide an uninterrupted pathway of acoustic conductance from the probe to the surface of the body throughout the procedure while introducing minimal to no attenuation of ultrasound wave transmission. In addition, combinations of ultrashields and probe covers are provided to provide additional features such as a microbial barrier.

Abstract: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes regulator circuitry, transmission circuitry, and control circuitry. The regulator circuitry convert a power supply input in accordance with a driving pulse signal to generate an output signal. The transmission circuitry convert the output signal to a transmission pulse to drive a ultrasonic probe. The control circuitry generate a driving pulse signal to increase the output signal when allowing the transmission circuitry to generate a transmission pulse having a strength and/or a time width equal to or greater than a predetermined value, in comparison to when allowing the transmission circuitry to generate a transmission pulse having a strength and/or a time width equal to or less than the predetermined value.

Abstract: A partial discharge calibration standard apparatus may include a first and second rigid members defining respective first and second facing surfaces. An electrically insulating material may be disposed between the facing surfaces. The apparatus may further include a pressure member maintaining the rigid members together, thereby fixing the first and second facing surfaces in a substantially parallel spaced relation across the insulating material such that a partial discharge threshold magnitude for an electrical potential difference between the first and second facing surfaces is determined.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to an intravascular catheter with a coupler near a distal end which facilitates precise positioning of an end effector and one or more magnetic localization sensors.

Abstract: The present document relates to a method of detecting structures on or below the surface of a sample using a probe including a cantilever and a probe tip, the cantilever being characterized by one ore more normal modes of resonance including a fundamental resonance frequency, the method including: applying, using a transducer, a vibrational input signal to the sample; sensing, while the probe tip is in contact with the surface, an output signal indicative of motion of the probe tip due to vibrations at the surface induced by the vibrational input signal; wherein the vibrational input signal comprises at least a first signal component having a frequency within a range of 10 to 100 megahertz; and wherein the vibrational input signal is amplitude modulated using at least a second signal component having a modulation frequency below 5 megahertz. The present document further relates to a scanning probe microscopy method.

Abstract: An automated workpiece conveying vehicle included in a conveyance system that conveys a workpiece to each of a plurality of processing apparatuses is provided. The automated workpiece conveying vehicle includes: a workpiece support part that supports the workpiece; a traveling mechanism provided on the workpiece support part; a vibration detection unit that detects vibration of the workpiece support part and records the vibration as vibration data; and a receiver that receives a control signal transmitted from a control unit included in the conveyance system, the control signal instructing conveyance of the workpiece to the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms, where the sleds comprise an upper portion coupled to a replaceable lower portion, the replaceable lower portion having a bottom surface shaped to accommodate an inspection surface; and an inspection sensor coupled to the upper portion of the one of the plurality of sleds such that the sensor is operationally couplable to the inspection surface.

Abstract: A sensor device includes: a probe body having a first end and a second end, the probe body defining a probe cavity within the probe body; a sensor located at the first end of the probe body, the sensor having a sensor surface in sensory communication with the probe cavity defined within the probe body; a permanent magnet located adjacent the second end of the probe body and at least partially circumscribing the probe cavity defined within the probe body; an isolating boundary portion located between the permanent magnet and a surface of the object of interest and having a passage formed therethrough, the passage in communication with the probe cavity defined within the probe body.

Abstract: A system includes an inspection robot having a number of payloads, a number of arms mounted to the payloads, and a number of sleds mounted to the arms. The system includes a number of sensors, each mounted to a corresponding sled, such that the sensor is operationally coupleable to an inspection surface in contact with a bottom surface of the corresponding sled. A couplant chamber is provided within at least two of the sleds, the couplant chamber between a transducer of a sensor and the inspection surface. The system includes a biasing member for each of the arms, where the biasing member provides a down force on the corresponding sled.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices for solid axle testing are provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer has an array of transducer elements that are electrically coupled to electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the conductors are included in a flex circuit and engage a conductive surface formed on a number of outwardly extending ribs on a frame that holds the ultrasound array. In one embodiment, the flex circuit includes an alignment feature that engages a corresponding registration feature on the frame so that the traces on the flex circuit align with the ribs on the frame.

Abstract: An axle of railway wheel sets and a corresponding method for the ultrasound inspection are described. A blind hole, coaxial to the axle and sized to accommodate an ultrasonic probe, is obtained in each end of the axle. Main holes are intended to accommodate the probe holder containing a plurality of ultrasonic transducers for the inspection of the axle from the inside of the hole. The main advantage is to facilitate the propagation of the ultrasounds without being subjected to the interference caused by the geometric discontinuities normally present at the ends of the axles thereby minimizing false positives in the readings of the echoes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection device for small bore pipes comprising: a first arc-shaped frame part and a second arc-shaped frame part which surround the circumference of a pipe when combined with the pipe, and which have one side thereof rotationally connected to each other by means of a rotary connecting pin; an adjustment part that connects the other side of the first arc-shaped frame part and the other side of the second arc-shaped frame part to each other and is capable of adjusting the diameter of the bore formed by the first arc-shaped frame part and the second arc-shaped frame part according to the diameter of the pipe; a probe fixing part for fixing a probe to the first arc-shaped frame part such that the probe comes into contact with the surface of the pipe; an encoder part which is provided to the second arc-shaped frame part and maintains an encoder at a predetermined distance from the pipe; and a plurality of roller parts which are provided to the first arc-shaped fram

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scanning device for performing ultrasonic nondestructive testing of a tube, comprising a housing; the housing having bottom surface that is concavely curved with cavities to accommodate a waveguide assembly and an encoder assembly; where the waveguide assembly comprises a waveguide and a probe that are in communication with one another; the waveguide having at least one surface that is contoured to match an outer surface of the tube; where the waveguide facilitates the transmission of ultrasonic signals into the tube generated by the probe; and where the encoder assembly comprises a spring loaded wheel that contacts the tube; and where the encoder assembly provides a signal indicative of a location of the probe relative to a position on the tube as the scanning device is moved in a direction of a longitudinal axis of the tube.

Abstract: A device and method for performing ultrasound scanning of a substantially cylindrical object, the device comprising a cuff adapted to fit around a circumference of the object, a carrier mounted slidably on the cuff and adapted to traverse the circumference of the object, an ultrasound probe mounted on the carrier and positioned to scan the circumference of the object as the carrier traverses the circumference of the object, a carrier motor mounted on the cuff or the carrier and used to drive the movement of the carrier about the circumference of the object, and one or more data connections providing control information for the carrier motor and the ultrasound probe and receiving scanning data from the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: The phased-array probe to be received on a probe receiving area of a wedge generally has a probe housing, a plurality of acoustic transducer elements disposed in the probe housing and distributed along a length of a working surface of the probe housing, and a matching layer covering the plurality of acoustic transducer elements and extending to cover an extended region of the working surface of the probe housing such that the matching layer forms a closed contact with an upper end of an acoustic damping junction of the wedge when the working surface of the probe housing of the phased-array probe is received on the probe receiving area of the wedge, wherein the closed contact prevents acoustic energy from being reflected from the extended region of the working surface of the probe housing.

Abstract: An intelligent ball sensor assembly for use with a heat exchanger system, includes a mechanically compliant ball having a recess formed therein. At least one sensor positioned on the ball is configured to gather selected information regarding a heat exchanger system. Signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry is operatively connected to the at least one sensor. A power source is operatively connected to the at least one sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry. The sensor and the signal conditioning control/transmission circuitry cooperate to gather information about the status, health and efficiency of the heat exchanger system.

Abstract: A method for calibrating an ultrasonic sensor including a transducer, a reflector spaced a known distance from the transducer, and a memory. A water bath is heated to approximately fifty centigrade and the ultrasonic sensor is at least partially submerged in the water bath. When submerged, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a portion of the water bath from the transducer. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the reflector and a reflected ultrasonic wave is received back at the transducer. A time of flight of the ultrasonic wave is measured. A calibration coefficient is determined based on the time of flight of the ultrasonic wave and an expected time of flight of the ultrasonic wave. The calibration coefficient is loaded into the memory of the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A fluidless roller probe device for performing structural integrity testing. A drum sensor has a shaft, a barrel-shaped inner portion mounted on the shaft, a sensor array having transmit elements and receive elements positioned on an outer surface of the inner portion, and an outer portion positioned over the sensor array. A shaft encoder is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. A support structure is coupled to the shaft of the drum sensor. Processing circuitry coupled to the transmit elements and receive elements is configured to activate, based on a signal from the shaft encoder, only that transmit element closest to the surface of the part under test and to calculate an output signal based on signals received from the receive elements. The transmit and receive elements are either ultrasonic transducers or eddy current coils. The transmit and receive elements are arranged in a lattice-like configuration.

Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.

Abstract: A rolling ultrasonic scanner comprises a member having an inspection surface for rolling across the surface of an object under test. A plurality of ultrasonic transducers are disposed within the member in a formation such that they are each aimed at a common point that is coincident with the surface of the object.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for inspecting a part, the sensor assembly comprising a sensor for sensing a defect of the part and a remoldable housing for retaining and positioning the sensor in alignment with the defect of the part. The housing is formed of a moldable material and may be molded into a shape that conforms to a contour of the part when a stimulus is applied to the housing and may harden into the shape when the stimulus is removed from the housing.

Abstract: A method for installing a probe assembly in a case of a gas turbine engine is disclosed. The method may include installing a first portion of the probe assembly within a first section of the case, and installing a second portion of the probe assembly within a second section of the case. A case assembly within a gas turbine engine is also disclosed. The case assembly may include a case in at least one of a compressor and a turbine, and a probe assembly. The probe assembly may include a first portion positioned within a bore of the case, and a second portion positioned within an inset of the case, the bore having a smaller diameter than the inset.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection probe comprising: a flexible ultrasonic array, a flexible coupling component arranged to ultrasonically couple the flexible ultrasonic array to a workpiece at a coupling boundary surface, a loading component arranged to apply a pressure to the coupling component to a surface opposite the coupling boundary surface to maintain contact between the coupling boundary surface and a workpiece.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the orientation of an end effector (e.g., a non-destructive inspection sensor) during movement over a contoured surface, comprising: (1) a pneumatic or spring-loaded plunger shaft that facilitates positioning of an end effector onto a highly contoured surface by allowing a wide range of vertical motion; (2) a rocker pivotably coupled to a distal end of the plunger shaft, the rocker being pivotable about a horizontal axis to allow a pair of follower wheels coupled to distal ends of the rocker arms to follow the contoured surface and keep the end effector oriented correctly relative to the surface without tipping over; and (3) a hozzle (i.e., an end effector holder) attached to the rocker for rotation therewith, the end effector being coupled to the hozzle by an elastomeric gasket or a plurality of springs which allow the orientation of the end effector relative to the hozzle to change in response to contact forces.

Abstract: An aluminum nitride piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer successfully operates at temperatures of up to 1000° C. and fast (>1 MeV) neutron fluencies of more than 1018 n/cm2. The transducer comprises a transparent, nitrogen rich aluminum nitride (AlN) crystal wafer that is coupled to an aluminum cylinder for pulse-echo measurements. The transducer has the capability to measure in situ gamma heating within the core of a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a cylindrical case having a bottom and a side wall, a piezoelectric element attached to an inner bottom surface of the case, a terminal retainer configured to hold outer terminals and inner terminals, and wires connected to the inner terminals and configured to feed power to the piezoelectric element. The side wall of the case has a thin portion adjacent to an opening of the case and a thick portion adjacent to the bottom of the case. The elastic member is provided between the thick portion and the terminal retainer. An opening region surrounded by the thick portion is preferably covered with the elastic member. The case is preferably internally filled with a filler.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a structural component. The system may include an electromechanical device to generate guided waves having a measurement surface and a bonding agent disposed on the measurement surface and configured to engage with the surface of the structural component. The system may also include a heating element for heating the measurement surface, the bonding agent, and capable of heating a portion of the structural component surface. In addition, the system may include a clamp for retaining the measurement surface relative to the structural component.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe comprises an ultrasonic transducer section in which a plural of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a row in the scanning direction, an acoustic lens and a low attenuation medium, and further comprises a probe shell housing the ultrasonic transducer section, acoustic lens, and low attenuation medium. In the probe shell, the low attenuation medium is located at the top end (contact surface with a subject to be examined) of the ultrasonic probe, and the low attenuation medium, acoustic lens, and ultrasonic transducer section are located in order. In this way, the ultrasonic waves transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer section are converged by the acoustic lens and transmitted outside the probe shell through the low attenuation medium. The reflection waves from the subject to be examined are received by the ultrasonic transducer section through the low attenuation medium.

Abstract: A high temperature ultrasonic probe and a mounting fixture for attaching and aligning the probe to a steam pipe using blind alignment. The high temperature ultrasonic probe includes a piezoelectric transducer having a high temperature. The probe provides both transmitting and receiving functionality. The mounting fixture allows the high temperature ultrasonic probe to be accurately aligned to the bottom external surface of the steam pipe so that the presence of liquid water in the steam pipe can be monitored. The mounting fixture with a mounted high temperature ultrasonic probe are used to conduct health monitoring of steam pipes and to track the height of condensed water through the wall in real-time.

Abstract: A wear cap including a flexible barrel and a rigid disc enables a high-frequency ultrasonic transducer to properly align to the surface of a material to be tested. The wear cap may be employed for any type of contact sensor that requires a protective wear cap and that needs to align to the surface of a material to be tested. An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a wear cap and an ultrasonic transducer. The ultrasonic transducer is mounted in the wear cap and includes a transducer body with a cylindrical shape. A method of producing a wear cap for an ultrasonic transducer includes selecting a flexible material, forming a flexible barrel from the flexible material, selecting a rigid material, forming a rigid disc from the rigid material, and affixing the rigid disc to an end of the flexible barrel.

Abstract: Piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) arrays and techniques for frequency shaping in pMUT arrays are described, for example to achieve both high frequency and low frequency operation in a same device. The ability to operate at both high and low frequencies may be tuned during use of the device to adaptively adjust for optimal resolution at a particular penetration depth of interest. In embodiments, various sizes of piezoelectric membranes are fabricated for tuning resonance frequency across the membranes. The variously sized piezoelectric membranes are lumped together by two or more separate electrode rails, enabling independent addressing between the two or more subgroups of sized transducer elements. Signal processing of the drive and/or response signals generated and/or received from each of the two or more electrode rails may achieve a variety of operative modes for the device, such as a near field mode, a far field mode, and an ultra wide bandwidth mode.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer unit comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, each of the ultrasonic transducers is provided with a recess formed in one face of an insulating substrate, and a substrate-side electrode is buried in a bottom of the recess, and a vibrating membrane is formed so as to cover the recess.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound probe including the ultrasound transducer, and ultrasound diagnostic equipment including the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric unit including a plurality of piezoelectric elements which vibrate to convert ultrasound waves into electrical signals and electrical signals back into ultrasound waves, and a dummy piezoelectric unit which is disposed at edges of the effective piezoelectric unit and includes a plurality of dummy piezoelectric elements which vibrate due to vibration of the piezoelectric unit.

Abstract: An electromagnetic-acoustic transducer for ultrasonic testing of test objects which are composed substantially of an electrically conductive material includes a magnet system that produces a magnetic field intended to penetrate into the test object, and an inductive coil arrangement that produces an electromagnetic alternating field superimposed on this magnetic field in the test object, and that detects electromagnetic alternating fields emitted from the test object, wherein magnet system is arranged in a magnetization unit, the coil arrangement is arranged in a probe unit separate from the magnetization unit, the probe unit is mounted such that it can move relative to the magnetization unit in the area of the magnetic field.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes at least one transmission element layer for transmitting ultrasonic waves, at least one reception element layer for receiving ultrasonic waves and which is provided with an electrode on each of both surfaces opposed in a direction of a thickness thereof, and at least one matching layer for matching acoustic impedance. These layers are arranged in this order in a direction of transmitting the ultrasonic waves. The reception element layer is provided with a projecting portion projecting in a direction of elevation from upper and lower layers which sandwich the two electrodes respectively formed on both surfaces of the reception element layer, and at least one of the electrodes is formed by extending to the projecting portion.

Abstract: A conductive polymer doped with a dopant can be expanded and contracted when electrically oxidized and reduced in a driving electrolytic solution containing an anion, and thereby can act as an actuator element in an actuator. The anion is a fluorine-containing ion derived from a strong acid, and the dopant is an aromatic sulfonate ion free of fluorine. The conductive polymer is a polymer containing a 5-membered heterocyclic moiety as a repeating unit, such as a polypyrrole or a polythiophene. When the conductive polymer is in an oxidized state, at least part of the 5-membered heterocyclic moieties has a carbonyl group.

Abstract: A piezoelectric sensing device is described for measuring material thickness of targets such as pipes, tubes, and other conduits that carry fluids. The piezoelectric sensing device includes a piezoelectric element mounted to a flexible circuit with glass reinforced polyimide C-stage cover layers surrounding a pure polyimide C-stage core.

Abstract: A micromachined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) array includes a printed circuit board, an alignment plate formed on the printed circuit board, the alignment plate having a plurality of cavities formed therein and a plurality of protruding portions respectively formed between neighboring cavities of the plurality of cavities, and a plurality of MUT modules formed on the plurality of the cavities and the plurality of the protruding portions of the alignment plate. In the MUT array, each of the plurality of MUT modules includes an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) arranged on the alignment plate and an MUT arranged on the ASIC.

Abstract: An array of ultrasonic transducers is formed on a piezoelectric polymer foil. Ultrasonic transducer electrodes are formed on a first side of the foil and a ground layer is formed on a second side of the foil.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for monitoring a structural component. The system may include an electromechanical device to generate guided waves having a measurement surface and a bonding agent disposed on the measurement surface and configured to engage with the surface of the structural component. The system may also include a heating element for heating the measurement surface, the bonding agent, and capable of heating a portion 100 of the structural component surface. In addition, the system may include a clamp for retaining the measurement surface relative to the structural component.

Abstract: A power generation device that provides power to an auxiliary system on an airborne platform, includes a piezoelectric energy harvesting device and an energy storage unit, including a battery and a power conditioner. The device extracts energy generated by turbulent airflow around the platform and stores the energy to meet future power requirements. The piezoelectric energy harvesting device is located on a portion of an inner surface of an outward shell of the platform. The stand-alone power generation device is electrically connected to the auxiliary system. The stand-alone power generation device also includes a router that connects the power generation unit to the platform electrical distribution system. Excess power generated by the device may be delivered to the platform electrical distribution system for use by other platform systems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a supporting film, and a piezoelectric element. The substrate includes an opening. The supporting film is configured on the substrate to cover the opening. The piezoelectric element is configured at a part of the supporting film. The part overlaps with the opening in a planar view in a thickness direction of the substrate. A thickness of the part of at a center of gravity in the planar view is smaller than a thickness of an outer edge portion of the part. The outer edge portion is closer to the substrate than the center to the substrate.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus include a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in at least one column; individual electrodes provided on at least one surface of top and bottom surfaces of each of the piezoelectric elements; side electrodes extending toward one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements from the individual electrodes; and a side electrode substrate including wiring lines that are bonded to the one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements and are electrically connected to the side electrodes, respectively.