Abstract: An acoustic emissions testing device includes a pressurizable chamber, a rock sample, and one or ore acoustic sensors communicably coupled to the rock sample. The chamber includes a first chamber being pressurizable to a first pressure and a second chamber pressurizable to a second pressure. The rock sample is positioned within the pressurizable chamber such that a first portion of the sample is exposed to the first pressure and a second portion of the sample is exposed to the second pressure. The second pressure is increased to a threshold pressure, maintained at the threshold pressure for a time period, and then decreased. The acoustic sensors detect one or more acoustic events occurring within the rock sample. In certain embodiments, one or more of the intensity, the spatial location, and the propagating direction for one or more acoustic events are determinable. The system includes the testing device coupled to a recorder.

Abstract: A control valve monitoring system is disclosed. The control valve monitoring system includes at least one sensor connected to one of a valve stem or valve shaft, and the at least one sensor detects a change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft. A device for providing data regarding the change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft is provided, allowing maintenance of the valve shaft or valve stem to be conducted in an efficient manner.

Abstract: A vibration detection apparatus for, for example, ultrasound/AE, with Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG), is used for elastic wave detection generated by a material impact and ultrasonic defect detection. Disadvantageously, the apparatus cannot detect ultrasound and has degraded performance at variable temperatures and strains. In response, a highly sensitive, small and light vibration detection apparatus is provided. FBG reflection light is lased by using a fiber laser. The intensity of the lased reflection light from the FBG is converted into an electrical signal. Thus, the ultrasound vibration or the like is detected. A vibration detection system includes an optical amplifier 42, an optical circulator 43, and an optical coupler 45. An FBG 44 and an entry/exit port of the optical circulator are connected by an optical fiber. The optical coupler and the optical amplifier are inserted between an entry port and an exit port of the optical circulator. The entry port and the exit port are connected by an optical fiber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for detecting a damage or contamination of a valve bellows, comprising the steps of: causing the valve bellows to oscillate, sensing the oscillations with a sensor and outputting a sensor signal generated by the oscillations, and comparing at least one sensor signal value with at least one reference value. The disclosure further relates to an apparatus comprising a valve with a valve bellows, a sensor for sensing oscillations of the valve bellows and for outputting a sensor signal generated by the oscillations, and a comparator circuit, such as a microprocessor, for comparing at least one sensor signal value with at least one reference value.

Abstract: Sensors affixed to various such structures, where the sensors can withstand, remain affixed, and operate while undergoing both cryogenic temperatures and high vibrations. In particular, piezoelectric single crystal transducers are utilized, and these sensors are coupled to the structure via a low temperature, heat cured epoxy. This allows the transducers to monitor the structure while the engine is operating, even despite the harsh operating conditions. Aspects of the invention thus allow for real time monitoring and analysis of structures that operate in conditions that previously did not permit such analysis. A further aspect of the invention relates to use of piezoelectric single crystal transducers. In particular, use of such transducers allows the same elements to be used as both sensors and actuators.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system using ASICs for signal transmission, reception, and analysis. Incorporating structural health monitoring functionality into one or more ASICs provides a durable yet small, lightweight, low cost, and portable system that can be deployed and operated in field conditions. Such systems provide significant advantages, especially in applications such as armor structures.

Abstract: A stationary apparatus connected to a pipeline can include an acoustic signal transmitter configured to transmit acoustic signals periodically into the pipeline. A mobile apparatus inserted into the pipeline can include at least one sensor unit configured to measure conditions surrounding the mobile apparatus as the mobile apparatus travels inside the pipeline, and an acoustic signal receiver unit. A controller can be configured to associate the acoustic signals received by the mobile apparatus with the conditions being measured, and store data in a memory device. Each of the acoustic signals can include an identifier code that is representative of transmission time at the stationary apparatus, and the controller can be configured to associate the identifier code with the conditions being measured by the mobile apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a carrier rotatable about an axis of rotation where the carrier has a top surface adapted to hold at least one semiconductor wafer and a surface characterization tool which is operative to move over a plurality of positions relative to the top surface of the carrier and/or the wafer transverse to the axis of rotation. The surface characterization tool is operative to move over a plurality of positions relative to the top surface of the carrier and/or the wafer transverse to the axis of rotation and is further adapted to produce characterization signals over the plurality of positions on at least a portion of the carrier and/or on at least a portion of said major surface of the wafer as the carrier rotates.

Abstract: The present invention provides an inspection method for a lithium ion secondary battery in which an electrolyte and an electrode group are disposed in one container, the electrode group including a positive electrode, a negative electrode, and a separator, wherein a sensor for detecting acoustic emission is attached to the outside of the container and acoustic emission generated in the battery container is detected upon provision of charge or discharge current and stopping of provision thereof between the positive electrode and the negative electrode. Specifically, the amplitude intensity of the acoustic emission is measured that is generated upon provision of charge-discharge currents having different values, linear approximation is conducted for the charge-discharge current value and the amplitude intensity of the acoustic emission, and the number of times of charge-discharge cycles that has been provided so far to the battery is estimated.

Abstract: An acoustic emissions testing device includes a testing sample including a hard surface, an acoustic sensor, an indenter coupled to the hard surface, and a load. The load is exerted on the indenter, which transfers the load to the hard surface. The acoustic sensor is communicably coupled to the testing sample and detects one or more acoustic events occurring within the testing sample. An acoustic emissions testing system includes a data recorder coupled to the testing device. The data recorder records the data from testing device. Based upon the data received, the toughness of the sample is objectively determined and can be ranked comparatively to the toughness of other samples. The load is ramped up to a peak load, held for a period of time, and then ramped down.

Abstract: A method for inspecting at least one rotor blade of a wind turbine for damage, such as subsurface blade cracks, includes the steps of: attaching at least one acoustic emission sensor to a surface of a rotor blade to be inspected, exciting oscillations in the rotor blade for a time period, measuring activity signals of the oscillations in the rotor blade with the at least one acoustic emission sensor, and detaching the at least one acoustic emission sensor from the surface of the rotor blade after the inspection. An inspection system for a rotor blade of a wind turbine is also contemplated.

Abstract: Inspecting for fracture hazards by detecting a presence of at least one flaw development process in an equipment under inspection, the flaw development process being corrosion product nucleation and development, pitting, plastic deformation development, and/or micro-cracking. Detecting the presence of the flaw development process includes (a) determining at least one characteristic acoustic emission (AE) signature associated with a respective flaw development process, and (b) measuring an AE from each of a plurality of locations within the equipment. Presence of the respective flaw development process is identified only when the measured AE conforms to the characteristic AE signature within a predetermined tolerance. A fracture hazard is determined to exist only when (a) a quantity of the identified flaw development processes exceeds a first predetermined threshold and/or (b) a magnitude of at least one of the identified flaw development processes exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments include an apparatus for imaging a volume of material contained inside a vessel. The apparatus includes a plurality of synchronized acoustic sensors positioned at a periphery of an inner volume of the vessel. A processor combines the outputs of the acoustic sensors to identify at least one ambient noise source of the industrial process generating a noise field that illuminates an internal volume of the vessel and to provide an image of the material by temporal and spatial coherent processing of the transmission and reflection of the noise field generated by the noise source.

Abstract: A method of modeling a room impulse response according to an embodiment of the invention includes receiving a sound pressure signal that is obtained by a microphone when an impulse-type sound source is excited and detecting a room impulse response; determining boundaries between a plurality of intervals of the room impulse response such that the room impulse response is divided into the plurality of intervals on a time domain; and modeling the room impulse response for each of the plurality of divided intervals using at least two different modeling schemes.

Abstract: A coupling device for an atomic force microscope with acoustic sample excitation includes a sound generator, in particular an ultrasonic test head, and designed for coupling of sound waves generated using the sound generator into a sample body for the acoustic excitation of the sample body, where the coupling device has a liquid reservoir fillable and/or filled with a liquid in its inner space; the lower side of the sample body can be arranged and/or is arranged laterally displaceably on the liquid reservoir; the end of the sound generator formed for coupling the sound waves into the sample body is arranged in the inner space of the liquid reservoir and/or that sound waves can be coupled into the inner space with this end; and the spatial section of the inner space of the liquid reservoir disposed between this end and the lower side of the sample body is completely fillable and/or filled with the liquid.

Abstract: A multipurpose sensor fixing device includes a radial positioning mechanism, a supporting mechanism, a base, a mounting mechanism, and a parallelism adjusting member. The supporting mechanism comprises a main supporting arm and an auxiliary supporting arm, with one end of the auxiliary supporting arm connected to the main supporting arm and the other end comprising kink shaft members. The main supporting arm is connected to an end of the radial positioning mechanism to locate the auxiliary supporting arm at the inner side of the main supporting arm. The kink shaft member of the auxiliary supporting arm is inserted into a plughole of the base to form a revolute pair with the auxiliary supporting arm. The mounting mechanism is mounted at the base. The parallelism adjusting member is mounted on the main supporting arm.

Abstract: A method for measuring variations of the surface of an object using acoustic energy in the audio range is provided. Imaging fine surface roughness on the order of few microns is achievable by using a vibroacoustography technique. This technique provides a method for imaging surface roughness on the basis of an ultrasound radiation force that stimulates acoustic emissions at an ultrasound standing wave field. The present invention may be employed as a tool for the nondestructive inspection and imaging of the surface variations of an object.

Abstract: A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.

Abstract: An imaging system is disclosed that uses piezoelectric markers. The piezoelectric fields in combination with ultrasound reflections can be used to construct an image of an otherwise difficult to detect feature within a subject's body. In one embodiment, the invention includes a piezoelectric marker, including at least one piece of piezoelectric material, an ultrasound transducer connected to an ultrasound pulser and a receiver, a computer sequencing control connected to the receiver and the ultrasound pulser, a display connected to the computer sequencing control and electrodes connected to the computer sequencing control via amplification circuitry.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detection is performed to a welded portion 2 of a pipe body 1, a defect detection threshold value is determined based on the signal intensity difference between the total area of the defects existing in the region of an ultrasonic beam on a welded surface and an artificial defect, and a quality control of the pipe body is performed based on the defect detection threshold value. An equivalent defect diameter is determined from the defect density on the welded surface of the welded portion of the pipe body in a pipe axis direction and the area of the ultrasonic beam on the welded surface based on the total area of the defects existing in the region of the ultrasonic beam, and the defect detection threshold value is determined based on the equivalent defect diameter and the signal intensity difference of the artificial defect.

Abstract: Methods are provided for monitoring acoustic emissions from machinery using one or more acoustic sensing devices each mounted to respective mounting regions of the machinery to expose them to progogating sound waves. Detection signals corresponding to the sound waves are transmitted to measuring instrumentation for display, as desired.

Abstract: A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control (426) static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.

Abstract: An acoustic emission sensor (AE sensor) is provided for non-destructive detection of a sign of failure that occurs upon filling a high-pressure tank with a fluid. One AE signal detected by the AE sensor is counted as one hit, the hit rate indicating the change in hits over time is found, and a sign of failure is detected from the change in the hit rate. When microcracks develop in the high-pressure tank, and a plurality of these microcracks join together and grow into a single, macroscopic crack, the hit rate of the AE signal no longer increases with respect to an increase in the internal pressure of the high-pressure tank, eventually reaching a saturation state. The hit rate in this saturation state is used to determine that there is a sign of failure.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.

Abstract: A conduit toner and detector to identify an unknown conduit route or direction in combination with a pull box or junction box from one end to another end using a sound generator and a sound detector, comprising: an enclosure and a sound generator for generating a detectible sound pressure; an electrical power source powering the sound generator through a power button; the sound generator operates in a detectable sound range, thus a sound detector is used to notify the presence of sound waves inside the conduit that is being tested with or without existing cables in place. Other embodiments are described and shown.

Abstract: A spiral wound module assembly comprising: a permeate collection tube, at least one membrane envelope wound about the permeate collection tube, an outer module housing, and at least one acoustic transducer located adjacent to the permeate collection tube. Several embodiments are disclosed including a stand-alone probe adapted for insertion into the permeate collection tube. In several other embodiments, one or more transducers are secured to the inner surface of the permeate collection tube.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is provided that is capable of preventing the probe's position from being displaced due to wire slippage on a drive pulley and a swing pulley while swinging. The ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer unit emitting ultrasonic waves while swinging. Furthermore, a wire is attachable to the ultrasonic probe, which allows for the adjustment of a position angle of an ultrasonic transducer unit in swing operation without the use of a position angle sensor.

Abstract: A structural integrity monitoring system includes a structure, at least two vibration monitoring devices mounted to the structure. Each of the at least two vibration monitoring devices outputs a vibration response signal. The structural integrity monitoring system also includes a controller operatively connected to each of the at least two vibration monitoring devices. The controller is configured to calculate a predicted vibration response based upon a vibration mode shape and the vibration response signal. The controller then compares the predicted vibration response against a measured vibration response to detect changes in the structure.

Abstract: Inspecting for fracture hazards by detecting a presence of at least one flaw development process in an equipment under inspection, the flaw development process being corrosion product nucleation and development, pitting, plastic deformation development, and/or micro-cracking. Detecting the presence of the flaw development process includes (a) determining at least one characteristic acoustic emission (AE) signature associated with a respective flaw development process, and (b) measuring an AE from each of a plurality of locations within the equipment. Presence of the respective flaw development process is identified only when the measured AE conforms to the characteristic AE signature within a predetermined tolerance. A fracture hazard is determined to exist only when (a) a quantity of the identified flaw development processes exceeds a first predetermined threshold and/or (b) a magnitude of at least one of the identified flaw development processes exceeds a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic stress measurement method of measuring a residual stress of a measuring target layer in a measuring object using an ultrasonic wave, the method comprising, setting a plurality of vibration modes according to a number of degree of freedom of the measuring target layer in the measuring object, performing, for each vibration mode, a measurement operation of emitting an ultrasonic wave corresponding to the set vibration mode to the measuring target layer, receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by the measuring target layer, and measuring an eigenfrequency of the measuring target layer, and measuring the residual stress of the measuring target layer based on plural measurement data of the eigenfrequency with respect to each vibration mode obtained by the measurement operation. The residual stress of the measuring object thus can be measured at higher accuracy.

Abstract: A universal acoustic emission test sensor fixing device includes a radial positioning mechanism, supporting mechanisms, bases, acoustic emission test sensor mounting mechanisms, and parallelism adjusting members, in which the supporting mechanism includes a main supporting arm and an auxiliary supporting arm, with one end of the auxiliary supporting arm fixedly connected to or hinged with the main supporting arm and the other end being provided with a ball head, and a parallelism adjusting member mounting mechanism is provided at the joint of the main supporting arm and the auxiliary supporting arm, and the base is provided with a spherical hole.

Abstract: An acoustic emission test sensor fixing device, comprising a radial positioning mechanism, supporting mechanisms, bases, acoustic emission test sensor mounting mechanisms, and parallelism adjusting members, wherein the supporting mechanism comprises a main supporting arm and an auxiliary supporting arm, with one end of the auxiliary supporting arm is fixedly connected to or hinged with the main supporting arm and the other end is provided with kink shaft members which are symmetrical about the auxiliary supporting arm; and the bases are provided with plugholes which form revolute pairs with the auxiliary supporting arm.

Abstract: An AE detector has an AE sensor and a destruction judging section. The destruction judging section judges it as a warning of destruction of a bearing when there are a predetermined number or more of points defined by parameters calculated based on signals from the AE sensor in a predetermined region of a parameter space defined by a plurality of parameters which can be created based on the signals from the AE sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for assessing deterioration in a gearbox. Data is obtained from an operating gearbox regarding harmonic frequencies and their related sidebands generated as a consequence of the gearbox operation. In a first embodiment, a Sideband Energy Ratio (SER) is calculated by dividing the amplitude of the sum of sideband signals associated with a harmonic to the amplitude of the harmonic. In a second embodiment, a SER is calculated based on sideband amplitudes associated with adjacent harmonics. The ratio may be monitored over time or compared to one or more values to provide an indication of deterioration.

Abstract: A low-power triggered data acquisition system and method utilizes low-powered circuitry, comparators, and digital logic incorporated into a miniaturized device interfaced with self-generating transducer sensor inputs to detect, identify and assess impact and damage to surfaces and structures wherein, upon the occurrence of a triggering event that produces a signal greater than a set threshold changes the comparator output and causes the system to acquire and store digital data representative of the incoming waveform on at least one triggered channel. The sensors may be disposed in an array to provide triangulation and location of the impact.

Abstract: The monitoring apparatus includes vibration sensors that detect vibration accompanying machining, a rotation detector and a rotation detection section that detect rotation of a main spindle, and a stability limit and vibration distribution calculation section that creates, on the basis of vibration information obtained from the vibration sensors and a rotation speed of the main spindle detected by the rotation detector and rotation detection section, both a stability limit diagram illustrating a relationship between the rotation speed and a stability limit of the machining and a vibration distribution diagram illustrating a relationship between the rotation speed and the vibration, and displays the created diagrams on a monitor in a vertical arrangement.

Abstract: A vibration attenuation method comprising identifying a hard drive disposed on an electronic device and, based on the identity of the hard drive, attenuating an output of at least one operation of the electronic device.

Abstract: A device for non-destructive testing of a structure likely to contain a defect, including microsensors for measuring vibratory waves emitted by the structure at different points of a surface of the structure, the aforementioned microsensors being integrated in a flexible housing capable of adhering on the surface of the structure to be tested. The disclosed embodiments are applicable to all industrial sectors where testing of the integrity of structures is important, in particular in areonautics.

Abstract: Among the embodiments of the present invention are pest control devices (1010, 1110, 1210) each operable to detect the presence of pests. The pest control device (1010, 1110, 1210) has a bait (1032) that is consumed or displaced by one or more species of pest, a pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252), and a monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269). The pest sensing circuit (1052, 1152, 1252) can be altered by pest activity. The monitoring circuit (1069, 1169, 1269) detects this alteration and reports it automatically or in response to an external stimulus or interrogation to indicate pest presence.

Abstract: A method for detecting a target or targets in a medium. The method incorporates generating beams of ultrasonic wave energy each having a modulation envelope and causing each beam of wave energy to impact a target region having a multiplicity of targets and demodulating each signal generated by vibration of each target caused by the interaction of a respective ultrasound wave energy beam having a modulation envelope with each of the targets and receiving each demodulated signal from each target by a multiplicity of sensors. Thereafter, each time-of-flight of each demodulated signal from each of the targets to each of the multiplicity of sensors is computed to determine the location of a respective target.

Abstract: A micromechanical system with a system that can vibrate, has a seismic mass and at least two spring elements. The spring elements are respectively fastened on one side externally to the seismic mass and on the other side to fixed anchor points of the micromechanical system such that the seismic mass can vibrate in a movement direction. In order to obtain a particularly large frequency spacing between the useful mode and further vibration modes of the system, at least one further spring element is provided in the inner region of the seismic mass. The further spring element the is fastened to a further anchor point of the micromechanical system. A method builds a micromechanical system with a system that can vibrate.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for obtaining structural health data for evaluating a structural health of a component. A transducer detects a first signal representative of a signal transmitted through at least a portion of the component. An estimated signal for a remote transducer is determined based on at least the first signal and a transfer function.

Abstract: An exposed end o a micromechanical system having at least one beam-shaped element is connected to a further element of the micromechanical system at the other end thereof. To optimize the mechanical properties of the micromechanical system, recesses are provided in the beam-shaped element in such a way that the mass of the beam-shaped elements decreases toward the exposed end.

Abstract: A device, system and method of locating a target pipe in a pipe system utilizes an electric signal transmitter and an electrical signal detector. A pipe locator signal conductor comprises a spool and a flexible insulated electrical conductor wound around the spool. The exposed end of the conductor is fixed near an entry point in the pipe system, and the spool is fed into the pipe system such that the conductor pays off of the spool and extends at least partially through the target pipe. The signal transmitter is coupled to the exposed end of the conductor, transmitting a signal through the conductor and allowing the pipe to be located by the signal detector.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for detecting structural damage in a structure by detecting acoustic emissions from damage in a structure to obtain acoustic emission data, and processing the acoustic emission data in accordance with a model characterising acoustic paths.

Abstract: An electrical pulse fed into an electrical cable, e.g. a power transmission or distribution cable buried underground, produces an acoustic signal, e.g. an arc-over or discharge noise, at a fault in the cable. This acoustic signal is detected and used to locate the fault. But the acoustic signal has interference noise superimposed on it, which makes it difficult to identify the acoustic signal in the noise-burdened received signal, and thus also makes it difficult or impossible to accurately locate the fault. To minimize or avoid the influence of interference noises, the relevant acoustic signal is identified in the received signal by comparing the received signal with predetermined sample data, such as signal patterns, characteristics or characteristic sets.

Abstract: Method for analyzing the condition of a machine having a slowly rotating part, includes: rotating a rotatable part at a rotational speed of less than 50 rpm; generating an analogue electric measurement signal dependent on mechanical vibrations emanating from rotation of a shaft using a sensor having mechanical characteristics causing it to resonate at a certain resonance frequency; sampling the analogue measurement signal at a sampling frequency to generate a digital measurement data sequence in response to the received analogue measurement data; digitally filtering the digital measurement data sequence to obtain a filtered measurement signal and achieve a signal having a bandwidth between an upper and a lower frequency which is lower than the certain resonance frequency and the upper frequency being higher than the certain resonance frequency; generating a digitally enveloped signal in response to the filtered measurement signal by digitally rectifying the filtered measurement signal, and by digital low p

Abstract: A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.

Abstract: A method for analyzing the condition of a machine having a rotating shaft, includes: receiving a digital input signal (I) having a first plurality (ILENGTH) of sample values, the digital input signal (I) representing mechanical vibrations emanating from rotating the shaft so far as to cause occurrence of a vibration having a period of repetition (TR); dividing the received digital input signal (I) into a first signal portion (2070) and a second signal portion; generating a digital output signal (O) having a second plurality (OLENGTH) of samples, the second plurality (OLENGTH) being a positive integer and lower than the first plurality (ILENGTH); the digital output signal (O) being generated in response to the first signal portion (2070) and the second signal portion.

Abstract: A sensor to simultaneously detect light and acoustic waves is presented. The sensor includes one or more optical fibers and a diaphragm disposed near one end of at least one of the one or more optical fibers. The diaphragm is configured to vibrate upon incidence of acoustic waves from an arc flash and reflect a light beam into at least the one of the one or more of the optical fibers. A semi-transparent region is disposed around the one or more optical fibers to diffuse light originating from the arc flash into at least one of the one or more optical fibers.