Sound Energy (e.g., Ultrasonic) Patents (Class 702/39)
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Patent number: 9568494Abstract: A device is provided for checking a probe for measuring the pressure of a flow, the probe comprising an internal volume and at least one orifice communicating with the outside of the volume. The device comprises: an acoustic transmitter and an acoustic receiver; connection means to connect the device to the probe, such that the transmitter transmits an acoustic signal propagated in the internal volume, and such that the receiver picks up an acoustic signal observed in the internal volume; processing means suitable for comparing the observed signal to a reference signal. The connection means are configured in such a way that an incorrect connection of the probe disturbs the propagation in the internal volume of an acoustic signal transmitted by the transmitter. The processing means are configured to detect an incorrect connection of the probe by comparing the acoustic signal observed in the internal volume with the reference signal.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2014Date of Patent: February 14, 2017Assignee: ThalesInventor: François Robert
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Patent number: 9559886Abstract: A device for implementing FFT/DFT is disclosed, comprising: a first multiplier, a second multiplier, a first adder, a second adder, a first multiplexer, a second multiplexer, a first accumulator register, a second accumulator register and a negation controller, wherein the first adder is configured to accumulate the output signals of the first multiplexer, the first multiplier and the second multiplier and input an accumulated signal to the first accumulator register; the second adder is configured to accumulate the output signals of the second multiplexer, the first multiplier and the second multiplier and input an accumulated signal to the second accumulator register; the first accumulator register is configured to output the output signal of the first adder or feed the same back to the first multiplexer; and the second accumulator register is configured to output the output signal of the second adder or feed the same back to the second multiplexer.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: ZTE CORPORATIONInventor: Haiyong Xiao
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Patent number: 9538303Abstract: An audio controller for use with a loudspeaker that generates sound in dependence upon a loudspeaker signal is disclosed. The loudspeaker includes a voice coil. The audio controller includes a monitor to monitor an electric response of the voice coil to the loudspeaker signal and a signal generator to generate an evaluation signal. The evaluation signal comprises a signal having an evaluation frequency that is below resonant frequency of the loudspeaker. A processing unit is included to generate, based on the monitored electric response, the loudspeaker signal from an input sound signal. The processing unit is configured to combine the evaluation signal with the input sound signal to generate the loudspeaker signal.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 3, 2017Assignee: NXP B.V.Inventor: Temujin Gautama
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Patent number: 9530291Abstract: A mobile computing system for providing qualitative indication of vibration recordings of a vibrating machine to a user includes a memory, a display device, and at least one processor configured to receive a vibration recording including a vibration level from a sensor computing device. Collection of the vibration recording is initiated by the user while at the vibrating machine. The processor is also configured to determine a plurality of threshold sets applicable to the vibration recording and select, by the processor, a first available threshold set from the plurality of threshold sets. The processor is also configured to compare the vibration level of the vibration recording to the first threshold set and display to the user a visual qualitative indication of the vibration recording using the display device, thereby enabling the user to determine a quality of the vibration recording while at the vibrating machine.Type: GrantFiled: September 19, 2014Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventor: Nigel Trevor Leigh
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Patent number: 9517848Abstract: An alert apparatus and an alert method implemented by said direct broadcast apparatus for protection against collisions with debris and the like found in the Earth's atmosphere or in space, said apparatus comprising: —a containing structure mounted outside or inside a body of an aircraft, of a space vehicle or of a flying object in general which moves through the atmosphere or the space, in which sensor means are housed that is arranged for checking a release of debris and the like, coming from said body following an explosion and/or ablation thereof that are dispersed in a hazard space (2) and/or arranged for checking conditions that are referable to said explosion and/or ablation and for detecting features of the hazard space (2), —a processing unit, arranged in the containing structure, connected to the sensor means for processing the features of the hazard space (2) in order to determine the extent and the dynamics of the hazard space (2); —transceiver means arranged for sending an output signal (B) carryType: GrantFiled: July 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: AVIOSONIC SPACE TECH SRLSInventor: Piermarco Fattori Martegani
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Patent number: 9510806Abstract: The effective aperture of an ultrasound imaging probe can be increased by including more than one transducer array and using the transducer elements of all of the arrays to render an image can greatly improve the lateral resolution of the generated image. In order to render an image, the relative positions of all of the elements must be known precisely. Systems and methods for accurately calibrating and adjusting a multi-aperture ultrasound system are disclosed. The relative positions of the transducer elements can be computed and aligned prior to and during probe assembly.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 6, 2016Assignee: MAUI IMAGING, INC.Inventors: David M. Smith, Sharon L. Adam, Dennis R. Dietz
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Patent number: 9383239Abstract: An ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including a switching unit for switching electrical transmission signals between a signal generator and at least two ultrasonic transducers and for switching electrical reception signal between the transducers and a receiver circuit, wherein the switching unit is coupled to an output terminal of an operational amplifier of the signal generator and to an inverting input terminal of an operational amplifier of the receiver circuit. Furthermore, a method for characterizing an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed, including the step of determining directly from one or more supply current signals for an active component of a signal generator one or more quantities useful for characterizing the transducer. Furthermore, a method for determining the time delay of an ultrasonic signal in a flow path of an ultrasonic flow meter is disclosed, including the step of comparing physically transmitted, delayed and received signals with simulated non-delayed signals.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2012Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: APATOR MIITORS ApSInventor: Jens Drachmann
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Patent number: 9322264Abstract: A subsea processor may be located near the seabed of a drilling site and used to coordinate operations of underwater drilling components. The subsea processor may be enclosed in a single interchangeable unit that fits a receptor on an underwater drilling component, such as a blow-out preventer (BOP). The subsea processor may issue commands to control the BOP and receive measurements from sensors located throughout the BOP. A shared communications bus may interconnect the subsea processor and underwater components and the subsea processor and a surface or onshore network. The shared communications bus may be operated according to a time division multiple access (TDMA) scheme.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: TRANSOCEAN INNOVATION LABS LTDInventors: Jose Gutierrez, Luis Pereira
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Patent number: 9234769Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and a method involve receiving a raw signal collected by a sensor that pertains to a temporal trend, creating a reference signal of a known amplitude and frequency, adding the reference signal to the raw signal to form a modulated signal, decomposing the modulated signal to obtain a decomposed signal, and conducting time-frequency analysis on the decomposed signal to detect abnormal patterns.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2012Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: University of Central Florida Research Foundation, Inc.Inventor: Hae-Bum Yun
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Patent number: 9192356Abstract: The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to the embodiment includes an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject, and generates and displays images of the inside of the subject based on the reception results from the ultrasound probe. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a memory, a detector, a selection part, and a processor. The memory stores association information that associates positions in real space with examination conditions including image quality conditions and/or application type. The detector detects the position of the ultrasound probe in real space. The selection part selects examination conditions corresponding to the detected position based on the association information. The processor performs processing based on the selected examination conditions.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2012Date of Patent: November 24, 2015Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems CorporationInventors: Satoshi Matsunaga, Masatoshi Nishino, Jiro Higuchi, Osamu Nakajima, Yoshihiro Oomori, Tomokazu Fujii
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Patent number: 9152490Abstract: The embodiments provide a way to predict when a storage device will be accessed. In order to enhance performance, the storage device may proactively prepare for the access operation, and thus, minimize the access-time response of the storage device. The user behavior is recorded over time and collected into a dataset. In one embodiment, the intervals between the data points in the dataset are calculated and arranged into a matrix. Patterns in the matrix are recognized and used to recognize the next likely access by the user. The storage device may then take various actions, such as drive spin up, in anticipation of the next predicted access to minimize access-time response.Type: GrantFiled: October 25, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Western Digital Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Arya Ahmadi-Ardakani
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Patent number: 9087141Abstract: An analysis module is provided in the invention. The analysis module is connected with a database containing several data. The analysis module comprises an analysis unit and a database managing system. The analysis unit is developed by a development software to combine HHT algorithm and an automatic data-loading program. The database managing system is integrated in the analysis unit and connected with the database. The data are transferred to the analysis unit by the database managing system, and the analysis unit is used to load the data by the automatic data-loading program and analyzes the data.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: July 21, 2015Assignee: NATIONAL CENTRAL UNIVERSITYInventors: Norden Eh Huang, Men-Tzung Lo, Bo-Jau Kuo, Yu-Cheng Lin
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Patent number: 9037419Abstract: A portable system for non-destructively characterizing spot welds that includes at least one matrix phased array probe and a body, wherein the body is designed to be hand-held and further includes an ergonomically designed outer casing; at least one input for connecting to the at least one matrix phased array probe; ultrasonic phased array transmitting and receiving circuitry in electrical communication with the at least one input; a touch screen computer that further includes at least one data processor running software that includes at least one imaging algorithm for processing data received from the probe and generating color coded ultrasonic C-scan images of characterized welds; and at least one monitor for displaying the color coded ultrasonic C-scan images of the characterized welds in real time.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2014Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE, INC.Inventors: Jeong K. Na, Sean T. Gleeson
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Publication number: 20150134274Abstract: A method for managing an airplane fleet is described. The method includes: (i) developing a gold body database for an airplane model for each non-destructive inspection system implemented to detect defects; (ii) inspecting, over a period of time, a plurality of candidate airplanes of the airplane model, using different types of non-destructive inspection systems and the gold body database associated with each of the different types of non-destructive inspection systems, to identify defects present on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iii) repairing or monitoring defects detected on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iv) conducting a trend analysis by analyzing collective defect data obtained from inspecting of plurality of candidate airplanes; and (v) maintaining the airplane fleet, which includes plurality of candidate airplanes, by performing predictive analysis using results of trend analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 16, 2014Publication date: May 14, 2015Inventors: Douglas Allen Froom, William T. Manak
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Patent number: 9031791Abstract: Aspects of the invention provide systems and methods for using ballast sensors to detect rock fall events in a vicinity of railway tracks or similar roadways or tracks. The ballast sensors are spaced apart from the tracks. Particular embodiments permit the use of signals from the ballast sensors to discriminate rock fall events from other types of events and to detect the hypocenter of a rock fall event.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2010Date of Patent: May 12, 2015Assignee: Weir-Jones Engineering Consultants Ltd.Inventors: Bohdan Nedilko, Iain Weir-Jones
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Patent number: 9026376Abstract: A method of modelling a surface of an object by using ultrasonic waves transmitted along the surface comprises the steps of: transmitting the ultrasonic waves along paths along the surface, and determining travel times of the ultrasonic waves along the paths. At least some of the ultrasonic waves exhibit an S0 mode and have a frequency-dependent velocity. This velocity (c) is relatively high for frequencies up to a first bending point (BP1), decreasing relatively rapidly for frequencies between the first bending point (BP1) and a second bending point (BP2), and relatively low for frequencies beyond the second bending point (BP2). The ultrasonic waves have a frequency range which lies at or below the first bending point (BP1).Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2009Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: Nederlandse Organisatie voor toegepast-natuurwetenschappelijk onderzoek TNOInventors: Arno Willem Frederik Volker, Joost Gerardus Petrus Bloom, Arjan Mast, Pieter Jacobus Gijsbertus van Beek
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Publication number: 20150106037Abstract: A method and system for passively detecting, localizing, and/or characterizing a mechanical wave source at one or more spatial points of interest on a structure using ultrasonic guided waves are provided. The method includes estimating the spatial channel impulse response at one or more spatial points of interest using a movable transducer. Collected data recorded in response to transient mechanical waves is then combined with the spatial channel impulse response estimates to detect, localize, and/or characterize the source. A direct path from the mechanical wave source to each transducer is not required. Anisotropies and variations between transducer transfer functions may be accounted for and all propagation paths may be used to perform source localization. The method and system may leverage structural complexity rather than ignore it.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventors: James Stroman Hall, Jennifer Emmons Michaels
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Publication number: 20150106038Abstract: A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. An example system includes a number of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves towards a target region on a specimen, a voltage source configured to excite the first and second ultrasonic transducers, and a processor configured to determine one or more properties of the specimen.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 2, 2014Publication date: April 16, 2015Inventor: Joseph A. Turner
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Patent number: 8996319Abstract: The invention provides an integrated Phased Array (PhA) structural radar transducer, permanently bonded to a structure, that can provide reliable electromechanical connection with corresponding miniaturized electronic SHM device installed above it. The integrated PhA transducer consists of a set of aligned piezo-electric discs with wrap around electrodes for transceiving of elastic ultrasonic waves, plurality of electrical traces and contact pads, several layers of a flexible printed circuit board, electromagnetic shielding between channels and overall, one electromechanical multi-pinned connector and all that integrated into one small unit easy for surface installation by bonding and final application on real structures.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2012Date of Patent: March 31, 2015Assignee: Aernnova Engineering Solutions IbericaInventor: Valerijan Cokonaj
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Patent number: 8983794Abstract: A non-destructive inspection system for a structure is described. The inspection system includes a local positioning system (LPS) configured for determining position and orientation of objects relative to a structure coordinate system, a six degree-of-freedom digitizer operable for at least one of temporary attachment to the structure and placement proximate the structure, a non-destructive sensor array, and a processing device.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: March 17, 2015Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: William P. Motzer, Gary E. Georgeson, Scott W. Lea, James J. Troy
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Publication number: 20150073729Abstract: A method for ultrasonic guided wave defect detection in a structure is disclosed. The method includes driving a plurality of transducers to cause guided waves to be transmitted in the structure in a predetermined direction or focused at a predetermined focal point, receiving at least one reflected guided wave signal, and generating image data of the structure based on the at least one reflected guided wave signal. Processed image data are generated by performing at least one of baseline image subtraction or image suppression on the image data, and a location of at least one possible defect in the structure is identified based on the processed image data.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 4, 2014Publication date: March 12, 2015Inventors: Cody Borigo, Steven E. Owens, Joseph L. Rose
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Patent number: 8972206Abstract: A system for use in determining a location of a defect in an object is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic phased array configured to provide a sector scan of the object, a display, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a volume-corrected view of a sector of an ultrasonic inspection of the object on the display, wherein the object has a first surface defined by a first radius and a second surface defined by a second radius that is shorter than the first radius, receive gate parameters of a gate used to measure a location of a reflection of a beam emitted from the ultrasonic phased array, wherein the reflection is indicative of a defect on the first surface or the second surface, and calculate a location of the defect using the gate.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2012Date of Patent: March 3, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Chad Martin Shaffer, Peter Renzel, Jerome Poirier, Michael Maria Berke, Douglas Paul Lutz, Rai Mohan Dasarathan, Anandamurugan S
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Publication number: 20150057953Abstract: A device and a method for detecting at least one defect in a test object (2). At least one test head (1) radiates an ultrasonic signal at different measuring points (MP) into the test object (2) with each point at an insonation or radiation angle (?) in order to ascertain multiple measurement data sets (MDS). The angle is constant for each data set (MDS). An analyzing unit (4) carries out an SAFT (Synthetic Aperture Focusing Technique) analysis for each ascertained measurement data set (MDS) using a common reconstruction grid (RG) inside the test object (2) in order to calculate an SAFT analysis result for each measurement data set (MDS). The analyzing unit (4) superimposes the calculated SAFT analysis results in order to calculate an orientation-independent defect display value (SRP) for each reconstruction point (RP) of the common reconstruction grid (RG).Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2012Publication date: February 26, 2015Inventors: Werner Heinrich, Hubert Mooshofer
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Publication number: 20150057952Abstract: An inspection system for inspecting a target object is disclosed. The inspection system includes an inspection module. The inspection module includes a housing, a sensor adapted to provide sensor data relating to the target object, an inspection module processor adapted to receive the sensor data from the sensor and to provide corresponding packaged data, and an inspection module interface adapted to output the packaged data from the inspection module processor. The inspection system also includes a handset adapted to selectively mechanically engage with the inspection module. The handset includes a handset processor, a handset interface adapted to receive the packaged data from the inspection module interface and to provide the packaged data to the handset processor, and a user output interface responsive to the handset processor to output information about the target object to a user based on the packaged data.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: February 26, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Kevin Andrew Coombs, Joshua Lynn Scott
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Publication number: 20150046059Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring vibration data. A vehicle, for example, may include at least one engine component, a sensor coupled to the at least one engine component and configured to monitor a vibration of the at least one engine component, and a processor communicatively coupled to the sensor, the processor configured to determine a plurality of envelope spectrums based upon vibration data from the sensor, determine fault frequencies for each of the at least one engine component based upon a rotating speed of each of the at least one components, and monitor each envelope spectrum for changes at the determined fault frequencies.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 7, 2013Publication date: February 12, 2015Inventors: Kyusung Kim, Chris Hickenbottom, David Daniel Lilly
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Publication number: 20150039245Abstract: Disclosed is an inspection device and method of guiding an inspection probe according to a predetermined inspection plan. The device is couple with a probe which is to be moved according to the inspection plan on the test object, the device including an inspection guide unit having a guide control unit, a position encoding such as a 3-D camera and visual feedback eyewear. The method including facilitating a virtual display of the inspection plan onto the visual feedback eyewear, moving the probe following the virtual display of the inspection plan, sensing sensed probe positions in real time of the inspection using the 3-D camera and validating the sensed probe position against the inspection plan using the control module. Then the information of the step of validating, such as those spots at which the probe is moved out of the tolerance of the inspection plan, is displayed on the feedback eyewear.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2013Publication date: February 5, 2015Applicant: OLYMPUS NDT INC.Inventors: Pierre Langlois, Benoit Lepage, Martin St-Laurent, Jason Habermehl
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ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION METHOD, ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION APPARATUS, AND PIPE MANUFACTURING METHOD
Publication number: 20150000095Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detection method to detect flaws on an inner surface of a metallic pipe using ultrasonic waves includes a waveform hold step that acquires and holds waveform data of an echo signal when an ultrasonic probe that generates ultrasonic signals toward the inner surface and the metallic pipe are moved relative to each other, a signal analyzing step that calculates a path length up to receiving an echo signal from the inner surface and a change rate of the path length based on the waveform data held, and a flaw detecting step that detects flaws on the inner surface based on the path length and the change rate of the path length.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2012Publication date: January 1, 2015Applicant: JFE STEEL CORPORATIONInventors: Yukinori Iizuka, Takafumi Ozeki, Yutaka Matsui -
Publication number: 20150006091Abstract: Embodiments of systems and methods that can filter acoustic energy from sources remote from the valve. These embodiments utilize signals from sensors that manifest acoustic energy from various locations on and/or about the valves. In one embodiment, the system includes sensors at locations proximate the valve and locations spaced apart from the valve. The system can further process the signals from these locations and, in one example, combines samples of data to form an energy signature of the valve that is effectively free of noise that emanates from upstream and/or downstream of the valve.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2013Publication date: January 1, 2015Inventor: Larry Gene Schoonover
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Patent number: 8924164Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: December 30, 2014Assignee: Mitsubishi Hitachi Power Systems, Ltd.Inventors: Atsushi Baba, So Kitazawa, Naoyuki Kono
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Patent number: 8914244Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape.Type: GrantFiled: August 4, 2010Date of Patent: December 16, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, William J. Tapia
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Publication number: 20140365143Abstract: A process for vibration analysis, including the steps of: receiving synchronized motion measurements of particle motion in two or three orthogonal dimensions over a selected period of time at a plurality of different measurement locations; and determining one or more strain waveforms in the orthogonal dimensions in regions spanning the plurality of measurement locations using the motion measurements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Orica International Pte LtdInventors: Kim Nigel Henley, Donald Scott Scovira, Alexander Theofile Spathis, Ruilin Yang
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Publication number: 20140358453Abstract: A system and method for monitoring the status of a robot reducer by performing trend analyses on detected ultrasonic frequencies emitted from the robot reducer during its operation so that preventive maintenance can be performed on the reducer to avoid a failure during operation of the reducer.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.Inventor: Tommy Felton Kirk
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Patent number: 8884793Abstract: A method for reducing ultrasound data from an ultrasound signal includes rectifying the ultrasound signal and generating an envelope curve about maximum values of the rectified ultrasound signal. Each ultrasound pulse is represented as a curve portion with a single maximum value. A first negative envelope curve signal, which is reduced by a first factor f, and a delayed envelope curve signal, which is not modified but is delayed by a time period td, are produced. The first negative envelope curve signal and the delayed envelope curve signal are added to form a first sum signal with a first zero crossing, wherein the first zero crossing represents a first time value. An amplitude is associated with the first time value, the amplitude corresponding to a signal height consistent with a maximum peak height from the envelope curve within a time interval about the first time value.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2012Date of Patent: November 11, 2014Assignee: Karlsruher Institut Fuer TechnologieInventors: Hartmut Gemmeke, Helmut Stripf, Nicole Ruiter
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Publication number: 20140330527Abstract: There is provided a diagnosis device of a joint of sheet metal, including: a detector that irradiates an ultrasonic wave to a diagnosis object including a first medium and a second medium having a joint, and senses a reflection signal reflected from the joint and a reflection signal reflected from the joint and thereafter, reflected toward the joint on an inner surface of the first medium; a delay material positioned between the detector and the diagnosis object to delay the reflection signal; and a diagnoser that calculates and displays a signal ratio by receiving the reflection signals sensed by the detector.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: KOREA INSTITUTE OF MACHINERY & MATERIALSInventors: Jong O. LEE, No Hoe JU, Hyun Sup JEE
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Publication number: 20140330528Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a damage diagnostic system that uses a damage detection system that obtains propagation intensity distribution data, which is expanded in the two dimensions frequency and propagation time, by converting the output value from an oscillation detection sensor that was obtained when oscillation is performed by an oscillator, and for one mode or two or more modes that are selected from the fundamental mode and higher mode of Lamb waves, obtains certain characteristic values from the data, for example three indices, which are the slope of the mode dispersion of the A1 mode (rate of change of the propagation time with respect to the frequency), the amount of decrease in the propagation time of the A1 mode, and the amount of increase in the propagation time of the S0 and S1 modes, and outputs the measurement results. The measurement results are displayed on a display device.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicants: THE UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO, FUJI JUKOGYO KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventors: Hideki Soejima, Yoji Okabe
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Publication number: 20140324365Abstract: A method of assessing the technical condition of a rotating shaft by combining measurements from sensors to create the shaft trajectories in three dimensions and comparing them with patterns of theoretical shapes obtained from a theoretical model is disclosed. The method includes measuring synchronized analog vibration signals obtained from sensor devices located close to first and second bearing respectively, and converting analog vibration signals into discrete vibration signals which are converted into discrete displacement signals which are delivered to a computer. The computer also receives three-dimensional theoretical models of the rotating shaft containing patterns of theoretical shapes of the rotating shaft. The computer also prepares three-dimensional real model images of the rotating shaft.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2012Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Maciej Orman, James Ottewill, Michal Orkisz
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Patent number: 8874384Abstract: A method of standardizing ultrasonic flaw detectors utilizing electronic porosity standards which includes the steps of obtaining bandwidth characteristics of an ultrasonic flaw detector, obtaining broadband porosity attenuation characteristics of porosity samples, and generating porosity vs. attenuation curves calibrated to the apparatus using the bandwidth characteristics and the broadband porosity attenuation characteristics.Type: GrantFiled: September 14, 2010Date of Patent: October 28, 2014Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Steven K. Brady, William P. Motzer, Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Nathan R. Smith
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Publication number: 20140278151Abstract: A wind turbine blade inspection system includes a sensitive microphone positioned near the base of the turbine tower to receive acoustic signals emanating from anomalies in a rotating turbine blades and a signal analysis system configured to analyze the acoustic signals including Doppler analysis. The data may be centrally monitored and recorded for wind power asset management.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: DIGITAL WIND SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: John W. Newman
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Patent number: 8830003Abstract: An ultrasonic generator is provided, in which the control system can easily be changed in accordance with a cleaning application and a cleaning process. The ultrasonic generator according to the present invention, which causes an ultrasonic transducer to oscillate a signal for ultrasonic vibration, includes a programmable multiple control circuit having a signal generation circuit for generating a signal, and an output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output of the signal from the programmable multiple control circuit, wherein the programmable multiple control circuit has a power control circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a phase comparison circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a frequency control circuit electrically connected to the phase comparison circuit, and a signal modulation circuit electrically connected to the frequency control circuit via the signal generation circuit.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2009Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Kaijo CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Hasegawa, Hiroki Okuzawa
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Patent number: 8831895Abstract: A system and method for detecting and evaluating structural defects are provided. Baseline data representative of sensed ultrasonic waves that were transmitting into a structure with no defects are stored. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the structure from a plurality of actuators that are coupled to the structure. The ultrasonic waves that are transmitted into the structure from the plurality of actuators are sensed, with a plurality of sensors that are coupled to the structure and spaced apart from the actuators, to thereby generate and supply sensor data. Signal difference coefficients are calculated from the baseline data and the sensor data. The calculated signal difference coefficients are spatially mapped to detect one or more structural defects in the structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2011Date of Patent: September 9, 2014Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Radek Hedl, Jindrich Finda, Karel Adamek
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Patent number: 8818746Abstract: A simple, inexpensive, and fast method of establishing if a defect does or does not exist within a thick-walled solid geometry, which is especially useful to detect if such a defect, a crack, exists within a gun barrel. With further analysis, the method allows not only the identification of the defect's presence; but, a means of establishing the size thereof—which, for example, is critical to understanding if a gun tube has a defect that would warrant its being taken out of service for the safety of its crew or removed from manufacturing. The method involves creating an acoustic vibration in the particular thick-walled, solid geometry, esp. a gun barrel, and observing the vibration pattern which results.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2011Date of Patent: August 26, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as Represented by the Secretary of the ArmyInventors: Mark A. Johnson, Moayyed A. Hussain, Edward J. Troiano
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Publication number: 20140236500Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing an ultrasonic analog signal (10) representing a reflected ultrasonic wave, wherein the ultrasonic analog signal (10) is fed in a parallel manner into at least two signal paths (A;B) and the ultrasonic analog signal is supplied in each signal path (A;B) to respective amplifiers (20A;20B) whose gains are different from one another. The ultrasonic analog signals (11;11?) which have thus been amplified differently are supplied in each signal path (A;B) to a respective A/D converter (30A;30B) which converts the amplified ultrasonic analog signals (11; 11?) into digital ultrasonic data (12;12?), from which a combined digital ultrasonic signal (15) is reconstructed after further processing steps. According to the invention, a decomposition of the digital ultrasonic data (12; 12?) is carried out in each signal path (A;B) by the first level of a wavelet filter algorithm, and the wavelet coefficients are altered by a threshold analysis.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 26, 2012Publication date: August 21, 2014Applicant: GE SENSING & INSPECTION TECHNOLOGIES GMBHInventors: Roman Heinrich Koch, Gerhard Finger, Klaus-Peter Busch
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Patent number: 8805625Abstract: A method and apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a rotor bore using ultrasound. Data is acquired by scanning the rotor bore with an ultrasound pulser/transducer producing a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound scans, each scan having a plurality of sample points. Each sample point is associated with a voxel of a regular 3D grid having a plurality of voxels. A Gaussian kernel is associated with each sample point and a value for a particular voxel is determined based on a weighted sum of sample points whose kernels cover the particular voxel. The values for the other voxels of the regular 3D grid are determined similarly. A 3D visualization of the rotor bore can be displayed to a user.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2010Date of Patent: August 12, 2014Assignees: Siemens Corporation, Siemens Energy, Inc.Inventors: Jingdan Zhang, Shaohua Kevin Zhou, Waheed A. Abbasi, Chris Vierck, Peter Faltin, Daniel S. Morgan, Larry C. Himes, Dorin Comaniciu, Michael J. Metala
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Patent number: 8798940Abstract: A device is disclosed for performing non-destructive inspection and testing (NDT/NDI) of an elongated test object, wherein the inspection system includes: a test object conveyor for conveying the test object along a longitudinal conveyance path; a probe assembly including phased-array probes, the probe assembly being configured to induce signals in the test object and sense echoes reflected from the test object; a probe assembly conveyor configured to movably support the probe assembly, to move the probe assembly on a circumferential path about the test object; and a control system coupled to the test object conveyor and to the probe assembly conveyor and configured to allow data acquisition by and from the phased-array probes while, simultaneously, the test object moves along the longitudinal path and the phased-array probes move on the circumferential path.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2011Date of Patent: August 5, 2014Assignee: Olympus NDT Inc.Inventors: Christophe Imbert, Michael Drummy
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Event detection system having multiple sensor systems in cooperation with an impact detection system
Patent number: 8788218Abstract: A damage detection and remediation system includes a sensing device for detecting damage events related to a structure of interest. Such damage events may include impact from a ballistic object, a tamper event, a physical impact, or other events that may affect structural integrity or cause failure. Illustratively, the sensing device is in communication with a measurement system to determine damage criteria, and a processing system which is configured to use the damage criteria to determine, for example, a direction of the initiation point of a ballistic causing the damage event.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2011Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Alexander M. Soles, Matthew R. Walsh, Eric B. Scott -
Publication number: 20140200832Abstract: An apparatus comprises an inspection vehicle, a sensor system, a positioning system, a controller, and a support system. The inspection vehicle is configured to move on a surface of an object. The sensor system is associated with the inspection vehicle and is configured to generate information about the object when the inspection vehicle is on the surface of the object. The positioning system is configured to determine a location of the inspection vehicle on the object. The controller is configured to control movement of the inspection vehicle using the positioning system and control operation of the sensor system. The support system is connected to the inspection vehicle and is configured to support the inspection vehicle in response to an undesired release of the inspection vehicle from the surface of the object.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2014Publication date: July 17, 2014Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: James J. Troy, Gary Ernest Georgeson, Karl Edward Nelson, Scott Wesley Lea
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Publication number: 20140180606Abstract: Engine health monitoring is used to assess the health of an engine, such as a gas turbine engine. Blades mounted on a shaft produce a modal response when excited. The shaft has an order related component that varies with the rotational velocity of the shaft. Modal responses are increased when the natural frequency range of the selected blade mode intersects with one of the order related components. By applying a short time chirp-Fourier transform with a frequency speed that is a function of a rate of change in the rotational velocity of the shaft a selected signal can be isolated. Cracks in the blades can be detected from the isolated signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2013Publication date: June 26, 2014Inventors: Paul ANUZIS, Leonid Moiseevich GELMAN
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Patent number: 8738339Abstract: A method of establishing position dependent focal laws and dynamically accessing these focal laws during inspection is disclosed comprising the steps of partitioning a CAD model into distinct geometric regions prior to inspection, generating a dedicated set of focal laws for each of the geometric regions, and associating each position of the scanner with one of the geometric regions. A method of compressing an A-Scan using a windowing technique is also disclosed. Additionally, methods for computing and displaying volumetric slices in real-time are disclosed. Finally, a method of firing multiple probes at different firing frequencies is disclosed, as well as a multi-probe inspection system that enables parallel firing.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2009Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Zetec, Inc.Inventors: Daniel Richard, Dirk Verspeelt, Frederic Morrow, Guy Maes, Jean-Francois Tremblay, Martin Garneau, Stephane Turgeon, Alexandre Charlebois
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Publication number: 20140129155Abstract: A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product detects contaminants in a pipe that is transporting a known fluid. A baseline vibration pattern is established from readings generated by a smart sensor that is affixed to the pipe. This baseline vibration pattern is caused by a flow of the known fluid as the known fluid travels through the pipe in an unadulterated form. Subsequent readings from the smart sensor are taken to generate a new vibration pattern. In response to the new vibration pattern being different, beyond a predefined range, from the baseline vibration pattern, the new vibration pattern is matched to a known vibration pattern in order to identify a specific contaminant of the known fluid.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 15, 2014Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATIONInventors: ROBERT R. FRIEDLANDER, JAMES R. KRAEMER
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Patent number: 8718953Abstract: A method for monitoring the health of one or more blades is presented. The method includes the steps of generating a signal representative of delta times of arrival corresponding to the rotating blade, generating a reconstructed signal by decomposing the signal representative of the delta times of arrival utilizing a multi-resolution analysis technique, wherein the reconstructed signal is representative of at least one of static deflection and dynamic deflection in the rotating blade.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 6, 2014Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Venkatesh Rajagopalan, Vivek Venugopal Badami, Rahul Srinivas Prabhu, Ajay Kumar Behera, Aninda Bhattacharya