Abstract: An electrical cable analysis method includes providing an electrical cable comprising an elongated metallic element and a cable core, the cable core comprising an electrical conductor. The method includes connecting an electrical generator to an electrical circuit including the elongated metallic element, generating, by the electrical generator, a flow of an electrical current along the electrical circuit, detecting a magnetic field associated with the flow of the electrical current in the electrical cable, measuring at least one value relating to the magnetic field along a cable length of the electrical cable, and analyzing the measured at least one value to obtain information about at least one structural aspect of the electrical cable.

Abstract: Viscosity is included in the quantification by an ultrasound imaging system. The log of a spectrum of displacement as a function of time is determined for each of various locations subjected to a shear or other wave. Solving using the log as a function of location provides the complex wavenumber. Various viscoelastic parameters, such as loss modulus and storage modulus, are determined from the complex wavenumber.

Abstract: This application relates to methods and apparatus for fibre optic sensing which can provide information about the environment in which the fibre optic is deployed. In particular the application relates to fibre optic based sensing of the mechanical impedance of the environment. The method comprises using an interrogator (201) to interrogate an optical fibre (104) which is coupled to a first element (202; 802) which is responsive to electromagnetic fields. In use a varying electric current (I), which may be an alternating current, is applied so as to induce a varying force (F) on said first element. The optical radiation backscattered from within the optical fibre is analysed to determine a measurement signal indicative of a variation in the backscattered radiation corresponding with said electric current applied. The first element may be a first conductor (202) and the varying current may be supplied to the first conductor, or to a second conductor (701).

Abstract: The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.

Abstract: An acoustical wave measuring apparatus capable of achieving an acoustic match even when the shape of a holding member changes largely along a scanning direction of a probe, including a holding member which holds a test object, a probe which receives an acoustical wave, and a sealing member, and the acoustical wave is received by running the probe for scanning with respect to the holding member while an acoustic matching agent for performing acoustic impedance matching between the probe and the holding member is injected into between a receiving surface and the holding member. The sealing member includes a portion with elasticity arranged at the receiving surface of the probe and is biased in a direction which brings the sealing member into contact with the holding member such that the portion contacts the holding member to seal a space between the receiving surface and the holding member.

Abstract: A method for checking a vibration damper of a motor vehicle in the installed state includes setting start values of the damping constant kA, the spring rate cA, and the body mass mA for a wheel of a motor vehicle; inducing a vertical vibration of the motor vehicle with the aid of a defined excitation sRreal; determining the theoretical body vibration excursion sAmodel; optically detecting the positions of the wheel and the body shell of the motor vehicle at a plurality of detection instants during the vibration; minimizing the error function formed from the deviations between the theoretical body vibration excursion sAmodel and the observed body vibration excursion sAreal at the detection instants, and determining the damping constant kA, the spring rate cA, and the body mass mA therefrom; and determining the damping measure ? of the vibration damper.

Abstract: An oscillation arm moves in a seesaw fashion about an oscillation axis which is supported by a support rod and which serves as a fulcrum. A rotation arm and a pressurizer are provided on one end of the oscillation arm. One end of the rotation arm is rotatably attached to the oscillation arm, and a load weight is placed on the other end of the rotation arm. By rotating the rotation arm, the magnitude of a force to be applied by the load weight to the pressurizer is adjusted. More specifically, by displacing the load weight to a predetermined position by rotation and then causing the load weight to stop at this position, a static load corresponding to the rotation angle can be applied to the pressurizer. Further, by causing the load weight to perform rotational motion, the magnitude of the force to be applied to the pressurizer is periodically varied, so that a load which varies periodically can be applied to hard tissue.

Abstract: At least one transducer of an apparatus in one example is configured to generate a first standing wave field within a cavity. The first standing wave field exerts a first field-induced force to cause a plurality of particles within the cavity to align in a desired configuration. The at least one transducer is configured to generate a second standing wave field within the cavity. The second standing wave field causes one or more of the plurality of particles within the cavity to fuse into the desired configuration.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an MEMS sensor and a method for making the MEMS sensor. The MEMS sensor according to the present invention includes: a substrate including an opening; a suspended structure located above the opening; and an upper structure, a portion of which is at least partially separated from a portion of the suspended structure; wherein the suspended structure and the upper structure are separated from each other by a step including metal etch.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to use a measured driving-point response of a nonlinear material to determine one or more elastic properties of the material. The present invention takes advantage of the full information represented by the transient component, the steady-state component, the anharmonic components, and the nonlinear response components of a measured driving-point response of a real nonlinear material, without limitation in the use of large-amplitude forces. The elastic properties are determined by forming and solving a time-domain system of linear equations representing a differential equation model of the driving-point motions of the material. Based on a single, short duration, large-amplitude driving point measurement, both linear and nonlinear properties can be determined; both large-amplitude and near-zero amplitude properties can be determined; and elastic-wave speed and elastic moduli and their variation with depth can be determined.

Abstract: A method for measuring a mechanical property of a subject includes using an ultrasonic transducer to apply ultrasonic vibration pulses to a vibration origin in the subject in an on-off time sequence in order to impart a harmonic motion at a prescribed frequency to the subject, and when the vibration pulses are off, using the same transducer to apply ultrasonic detection pulses to a motion detection point and to receive echo signals therefrom in order to sense the harmonic motion on the subject at the motion detection point. From the harmonic signal information, a harmonic signal is detected and a characteristic such as amplitude or phase of the detected harmonic signal is measured. The mechanical property is calculated using the measured characteristic using for example a wave speed dispersion method.

Abstract: An insert (10) for use in clothing designed to protect against bullets or knife attacks includes an upper layer (14) having a ceramic matrix. A pair of plugs (20) are fitted to the ceramic layer (14), the plugs (20) being made from a material having an impedance to vibration substantially the same as that of the ceramic matrix at the point of manufacture. The plugs (20) are configured for conducting mechanical vibration through the ceramic layer (14), for recording a vibration-related signature for the insert (10). By comparing a series of such signatures recorded over time, it is possible to assess whether the internal structure of the ceramic matrix has become damaged, which is useful in determining whether the insert needs to be replaced or repaired.

Abstract: System and method for automatically measuring the delay of tissue motion and deformation. For example, asynchrony may be measured between the left and right ventricles and within the left ventricle. A measurement feature may be defined by default or obtained using a user input. A reference time and a search interval are identified. The search interval may be based on the reference time, or input or modified by a user. A time delay of the measurement feature within the search interval is calculated for each sample. At least one color is assigned to the samples corresponding to the calculated time delay.

Abstract: The natural vibration frequency of a roll resonance which does not occur since the engine rotation number is high in a normal operation range of an engine is detected at the time of engine start or stop when the engine rotation number is lower than the normal operation range, and thus the natural vibration frequency of the roil resonance can be detected with a good accuracy.

Abstract: A method for analysis of a multi-component fluid is provided based on the features of the dynamics of the self-organization processes in drying drops. An electro-acoustic resonator is utilized, with a drop of multi-component fluid placed on one end of the resonator. A shear oscillation is imparting to the resonator along its longitudinal axis. And oscillating electric voltage is placed across the resonator generally perpendicular to the direction of mechanical oscillation. Changes in the electrical conductance corresponding to changes in the acoustical-mechanical impedance can thereby be measured as the drop of multi-component liquid dries. The particular geometry of an amplitude curve includes identifying the spatio-temporal development and phase transitions is used for integral estimation of food authenticity and quality.

Abstract: A method for measuring changes in the composition of fluids, for medical diagnostics or quality control of fluids, comprising: One) placing a drop of fluid upon a quartz crystal; Two) generating ultrasonic vibrations of a predetermined frequency in the crystal; with the vibrating wave directed into the drop of fluid in a vertical direction relative to the area of the crystal upon which the drop is placed; Three) measuring voltage changes over a bridge circuit connected to the crystal, over a time period during which total or partial evaporation of the liquid occurs; Four) comparing the measurement result to previously obtained results or to predetermined data; Five) detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from the results. detecting changes in the composition of the fluid, from said results.

Abstract: A method for measuring operational density and/or operational sound velocity in a gaseous medium uses a sound transducer that is capable of vibrating, which is disposed in a housing in such a manner that chambers having the same volume are formed on both sides of the sound transducer, which are filled by the gaseous medium. The chambers are connected with one another by way of an open channel having defined dimensions. Using an exciter vibration applied to the sound transducer, the impedance of the sound transducer, which is influenced by the density of the gaseous medium, is determined within a frequency range that can be established, as a function of the exciter frequency. From this, the operational density and/or the operational sound velocity of the gaseous medium are determined using a plurality of characteristic frequencies of the sound transducer vibrating in the gaseous medium.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods to used a measured driving-point response of a nonlinear material to determined one or more elastic properties of the material. The present invention takes advantage of the full information represented by the transient component, the steady-state component, the anharmonic components, and the nonlinear response components of a measured driving-point response of a real nonlinear material, without limitation in the use of large-amplitude forces. The elastic properties are determined by forming and solving a time-domain system of linear equations representing a differential equation model of the driving-point motions of the material. Based on a single, short duration, large-amplitude driving point measurement, both linear and nonlinear properties can be determined; both large-amplitude and near-zero amplitude properties can be determined; and elastic-wave speed and elastic moduli and their variation with depth can be determined.

Abstract: A method of producing an optimized structure design incorporating vibration confinement is provided. The method includes providing structural specifications and vibration confinement specifications for the structure. The method includes selecting a confinement region. Optimizing the design of the structure incorporating the confinement region in response to the structural specifications and confinement specifications is included in the method.

Abstract: The present invention relates to physical chemistry and can be used for a quality test of liquids, in particular, multi-component liquid products, to ascertain the conformity of various process liquids, pharmaceutical preparations, foodstuffs, biological liquids to standard in pharmacology, food processing and chemical industries, and in medical diagnostics. The method of invention enables determining of the mechanical impedance within a drop (1) of test liquid having a specified volume, in the preferred embodiment, 5 mcl, placed on the surface of a piezoelectric resonator (3) of ultrasound frequencies, which provides for excitation of shear modes within drop (1) while it is drying up. The obtained time dependence of the mechanical impedance of drop (1) is used as the information parameter.

Abstract: A system and method is used for estimating the properties of a flexural beam. The beam is shaken transverse to its longitudinal axis. Seven frequency domain transfer functions of displacement are measured at spaced apart locations along the beam. The seven transfer functions are combined to yield closed form values of the flexural wavenumber in propagation coefficients at any test frequency.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the vibration damping characteristics of an automotive brake structure measures the vibration response of a brake structure during application of random-frequency wide spectrum excitation, followed by measuring vibration of the structure at particularly noted modal frequencies, using a confined bandwidth random-frequency vibratory excitation. The method and apparatus may be used also to assess the bonding or attachment characteristics of damping materials.

Abstract: A method of producing a bonded wire connection between an electronic component or a subassembly and a carrier by introducing energy from an ultrasound transducer into a wire that is to be bonded. According to this method, during the introduction of energy the impedance of the ultrasound transducer is measured as a function of time. The shape of the curve representing this time dependence is evaluated on the basis of a pre-specified comparison criteria, and the power input to the ultrasound transducer and/or a bond weight exerted on the wire is/are controlled in dependence on the result of this evaluation. A device usable for carrying out this method is also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining stiffness of a plate-like structure including a monolithic or composite laminate plate entails disposing a device for generating an acoustical pulse against a surface of the plate and disposing a detecting device against the same surface spaced a known distance from the pulse-generating device, and using the pulse-generating device to emit a pulse so as to create an extensional wave in the plate. The detecting device is used to determine a time of flight of the wave over the known distance, and the wave velocity is calculated. A Young's modulus of the plate is determined by a processor based on the wave velocity. Methods and apparatus for evaluating both isotropic plates and anisotropic laminates are disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible piezoelectric-based transducer, mounted on a circumference of a rotating object senses acoustical energy traversing portions of the object. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer is affixed, using a suitable adhesive, within the enclosed portion of a wheel/tire assembly. The transducer senses acoustical energy, e.g., ultrasonic transmissions, generated by the tire contacting the road surface at its contact patch and, without need of external power, translates it to an electrical current and communicates it for further processing. Because the acoustical impedance of the tire casing changes with temperature, hot spots within the tire, as well as other characteristics of the tire's operation, can be detected. Further, any Doppler shift which occurs due to the rotating medium may be compensated for since the rate of tire rotation may be made known via a speed sensor. A position sensor may also be employed to indicate the position of the hot spot.

Abstract: A detector equipped with force feedback for detecting detonatable devices such as land mines is disclosed. The detector includes a rod having a tip for placing beneath the surface of the ground and for contacting unknown objects. The tip ultrasonically provides an indication of the presence of a metal or plastic material. Means for providing a plurality of ultrasonic signals, each signal of a different frequency, to the unknown object via a single rod is used to compensate the device during use against unknown pressures applied to the rod beneath the surface of the ground.

Abstract: A prodder with force feedback for detecting an object buried beneath the ground is disclosed. A probe is provided including a rod having a prodding end for prodding the object, there is also a transducer coupled to a non-prodding end of the rod for providing an acoustic wave to the object and for receiving acoustic waves reflected from the object. The housing has a first cavity containing a fluid and for supporting the probe such that the volume of the fluid within the first cavity is affected by the pressure applied to the prodding end of the rod. A force sensor is fluidly coupled to the first cavity for determining the change in pressure of a fluid within the first cavity. An electronics module is processing data related to the reflected waves, and to the change in the pressure of the fluid, and is providing data in order to compare the processed data with the stored value representing the characteristics of known materials.

Abstract: A method and system for acoustic treatment performance testing in a free-ld acoustic environment is provided. A sound source directs a gated acoustic pulse at an acoustic treatment. Acoustic pressures of the gated acoustic pulse and reflected energy from the acoustic treatment are measured from a location approximately in-line with the source and the acoustic treatment. This measurement location is at least one-half the wavelength of the frequency of interest away from the source and is at least a distance equal to (t*c/2) away from the acoustic treatment where t is equal to the duration of the gated acoustic pulse and c is equal to the speed of sound in the free-field acoustic environment. The acoustic pressures of the gated acoustic pulse and reflected energy are compared as an indication of performance of the acoustic treatment at a frequency of interest.

Abstract: A method is provided for determining the axial modulus of an elongate matal sample of mass density .sup..rho. and length L. The first end of the sample is driven longitudinally at a frequency of excitation .sup..omega.. The second end of the sample opposite the first end may or may not be under tension. At the frequency of excitation .sup..omega., the longitudinal displacement and longitudinal force at the first and second ends of the sample are determined. The axial modulus is calculated for any frequency as a function of mass density .sup..rho., length L, frequency of excitation .sup..omega., and longitudinal displacement and longitudinal force at the first and second ends.

Abstract: Material is periodically indented by a probe driven at an oscillation frency by a shaker regulated by an analyzer to which input measurement data is fed from a sensing head connecting the shaker to the probe for in situ measurement of material resistance to indentation to which such input data relates. A computer connected to the analyzer is programmed to calculate steady-state data on dynamic material properties as a time dependent function, from outputs of the analyzer restricted to limits determined from the input measurement data.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated test specimens undergo vibrations induced by ran noise within an acoustical frequency range establishing standing waves therein having resonant frequencies at which the collection of measurement data through accelerometers mounted at the ends of the specimens provides for calculation of physical material properties. The processing of the data during collection, analysis and calculation is automated by programmed computer control.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated test specimens undergo vibrations induced by ran noise within an acoustical frequency range establishing standing waves therein having resonant frequencies at which the collection of measurement data through accelerometers mounted at the ends of the specimens provides for calculation of physical material properties. The processing of the data during collection, analysis and calculation is automated by programmed computer control.

Abstract: A system for tracing uterine contraction is disclosed. The system comprises a probe and an electronics module. The electronics module includes a drive circuit and an output section having a frequency counter. The output section also includes a strip-chart recorder driven by a frequency-to-voltage converter. The probe includes an electro-mehanical transducer which is driven at resonance by the action of the drive circuit. When the probe contacts the abdomen of a pregnant subject, changes in the mechanical impedance of bodily tissue during a contraction affect the resonant frequency of the probe and thus the frequency output by the drive circuit. This frequency can be read directly from the frequency counter and recorded on the strip-chart so that contractions can be traced.

Abstract: A method for measuring vibrational stresses and velocities of waves propagated within formations surrounding a wellbore essentially consists in simultaneously measuring the vibrational stress and vibrational velocity produced by propagation of the vibration within the medium, then in establishing a ratio of magnitudes relating to the vibrational stress and velocity in respect of one and the same measuring point. The method and device provided by the invention also find applications in the separation of different types of secondary waves generated during propagation of a primary wave in a medium.

Abstract: An earth impedance determination and compensation system for use with a seismic vibrator utilizes output signals from accelerometers on the baseplate and reaction mass portions of the vibrator to create a signal indicative of the near-surface weathered earth layer impedance below the baseplate. The impedance signal is utilized to generate parameter signals which are indicative of the compressional and shear wave patterns generated by the baseplate and may be used to more rapidly and accurately design seismic source arrays to optimize the wave pattern emanating therefrom. One of the parameter signals is directly indicative of the travel time thickness of the weathered surface layer and may be used to accurately determine the static correction factor attributable solely to weathered layer topography.

Abstract: The disclosure describes a method for checking an insulative condition of an insulated winding used in an electrical appliance comprising applying an external mechanical force to said insulated winding to give vibrating frequency to the same for its examination; detecting the frequency behavior to be generated in said insulated winding in the form of electrical signal outputs; and electrically processing the signals for judging deterioration occurred in said insulated winding.

Abstract: A fast and reliable method is disclosed for measuring the dynamic mechanical properties of a material, particularly its modulus of elasticity and loss factor. By this method the acoustic characteristics of a material can be determined. An elongate strip of material, whose properties are desired to be known, is provided with miniature accelerometers fixedly secured to its opposite ends. One end of the strip is excited by a random noise source which travels toward the other end where that end and accelerometer is allowed to move freely (unrestrained). The accelerometers measures the ratios of acceleration at two locations over an extended frequency range of 0.2 Hz to 25 KHz, and the information is processed through a fast fourier transform spectrum analyzer for determining amplitude of acceleration ratio and phase difference between the two accelerometers from which Young's modulus and loss factor for that material are determined.

Abstract: A pendulum type vibration absorber tester/adjuster, which enables vibration absorbers to be set to a desired damping in the factory. The test/adjustment is effected by mathematically determining the pendulum weight and arm length, setting the pendulum into motion and recording the motion on a chart recorder, and adjusting the damping of the absorber until a predetermined decrement is obtained.

Abstract: A method of measuring the rigidity, the damping coefficient and the inertia of a system consisting of a damped, spring-supported mass, particularly, the manually operable member of the control-system of an aircraft or a flight simulator, in which method the measurement of the rigidity takes place by determining the relationship between the force exerted on the mass and the deviation of the mass from the state of equilibrium at a speed and an acceleration of substantially zero value and storing the relationship. The method is characterized by the initial step of forming three electric signals--namely, a force signal having a value directly proportional to the force exerted on the mass, an acceleration signal having a value directly proportional to the acceleration of the mass, and a velocity signal having a value directly proportional to the speed of the mass.

Abstract: A damping force produced by a shock absorber being tested is detected and converted into an electric analog signal for deciding whether the damping force is acceptable or not. The shock absorber is mounted between a slider operatively connected to a motor for reciprocating movement and a free end of a load detection beam. A potentiometer and so on detect an amount of displacement of the free end of the load detection beam on reciprocation of the slider, and produces the electric analog signal for electrically deciding whether to accept the damping force tested of the shock absorber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the dynamic material constants of rur compounds. The rubber compound is tested in strip form by attaching one end of the strip to an electromechanical shaker while the opposite end of the strip is suspended under constant tension. The electromechanical shaker propagates an acoustic wave in the test strip and a piezoelectric transducer positioned at a first point on the test strip measures the mechanical response of the strip for phase and amplitude. The shaker is programmed to step piecewise over the frequency range from 100 Hz to 40 KHz by a frequency synthesizer. The distance between the shaker and the transducer is changed and data is obtained for a second point on the strip. The test values obtained are used to calculate Young's Modulus and the loss factor for the rubber compound.

Abstract: A transmitter for mechanical oscillations of variable frequency and an oscillation pickup for determination of the mechanical characteristic frequency of blood vessels, tendons, bones or similar organs in a body, by which these organs act as coupling members between the transmitter and the oscillation pickup. The transmission means from the transmitter to the body and from the body to the oscillation pickup are accommodated inside of a common support tube. One end of the support tube is rigidly connected with the support frame, in which support frame, the transmitter and the oscillation pickup are installed mutually decoupled, with even amplifiers or the like being installed, connected after the oscillation pickup, if necessary under the circumstances. The other end of the support tube is able to be set on the body.

Abstract: A copy machine having a decorator for applying toner to a latent image is disclosed. The decorator is fitted with a control for sensing the level of toner in the decorator sump which control automatically maintains the amount of toner in the sump at the desired level. The control includes a toner level sensor which is a vibrating rod driven by a decorator roll.

Abstract: Compact, lightweight, rotating eccentric weight seismic sources and a seismic exploration method particularly suitable for use in relatively inaccessible onshore regions. The source includes an eccentric weight rotatable about an axis and a sensor to detect the instant of peak earthward force developed by the source. A coded energy signal is transmitted into the earth and the seismic waves returned from within the earth are detected. The polarity of a signal proportional to the seismic waves is periodically sampled to produce a plurality of sign-bit samples. The sign-bit samples are automatically shift-summed in response to a code signal generated by the sensor, thereby forming a plurality of shift-summed samples which are recorded to provide a correlated seismic trace.

Abstract: A hydraulic shock absorber incorporates a piezoelectric pressure sensor and an electromagnetic velocity sensor coupled to an integrated circuit to measure the force/velocity characteristic of the shock absorber. When the characteristic falls outside predetermined values, the circuit delivers an electrical output to an electro-chemical color change cell to indicate failure of the shock absorbers.

Abstract: Acoustic impedance transitions in human or animal bodies or other media are measured for identification and diagnostic purposes by exposing the body to acoustic energy pulses to produce echo pulses which are detected. The echo pulses are processed to indicate the relative specific acoustic impedance of the exposed body as a function of the time/distance relationship of the echo pulses relative to the medium, thereby to enable the determination of the relative extent and position of irregularities in the body, for example.

Abstract: A photoacoustic method of simultaneously determining optical bulk and surface absorption coefficients in solids in which a transducer is attached to the solid for measuring the amplitude of the acoustic wave generated by a beam of incident radiation as a function of distance of the transducer to the incident beam at a wavelength where bulk and surface losses, respectively, are heavily dominant. The transducer is chosen so as to give different functional dependencies for the bulk and surface absorption curves, respectively. The solid sample is also calibrated at wavelengths where bulk and surface absorption, respectively, are known. The output versus position or distance is measured at the wavelength of interest, and values of surface and bulk absorption coefficients are fitted to the respective pure curves so that they will add up to the experimentally generated composite curve.

Abstract: An improved pycnometer in which the sample whose volume to be measured is put in a closed chamber to which an electro-mechanical transducer is coupled. The transducer is excited at a constant frequency. The change in impedance of the transducer is then read as a function of the volume of the sample.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for the determination of the Raylographic information of a body part which is ensonified by acoustical energy pulses by a particularly precisely focused acoustical focusing system to produce acoustical energy echo pulses which are detected in coherent manner. Fourier transformation of the pulses from the time to the frequency domain enables frequency domain deconvolution to provide the impulse response with minimization of mathematical instabilities and distortion of the frequency domain impulse response. Noise extraction and spatial deconvolution filtering are included to respectively maximize signal to noise ratio and minimize distortive effects of body part surface non-orthogonality and combine with the above to provide for particular stability in the overall results and attendant increase in the axial resolution of Raylographic display and in the overall resolution of body part image displays.