Abstract: A method is provided that enables the identification of a region of a layered composite component that a test signal has passed through. The method comprises applying a label to the test signal as it passes through the region, such that the label applied to the test signal is indicative of the said region. The labelled signal can be identified by a sensor, even if the signal is of low strength and amongst a lot of noise, such as that caused by the multiple reflections and refractions that take place when an acoustic signal passes through a layered composite component.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus is provided in which the size of the apparatus can be made compact by using laser light, the degradation and deformation of the inspected object is prevented, and a broad range of inspections can be carried out. An ultrasonic inspection apparatus (1) is provided with a laser apparatus (5) that irradiates laser light and a volumetric inspection ultrasonic wave transmitter (17) having a transmitting diaphragm (39) that is irradiated by the laser light emitted by the laser apparatus (5) and that generates ultrasonic waves (C); and the ultrasonic inspection apparatus (1) carries out volumetric inspections by irradiating the ultrasonic waves (C) that are generated by the transmitting diaphragm (39) of the ultrasonic wave transmitting portion (17) to the inspected object.

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: An exploration operation, in which the transmission/reception position, at which ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received, is changed by a specified pitch distance, is performed for each of a plurality of incident angles. A nonlinear image in which echo signals acquired from harmonic waves of reflected waves are presented is generated for each incident angle. Each nonlinear image is converted into a frame conversion image in accordance with the cross-sectional shape of an exploration-target area. A signal intensity threshold for removing echo signals resulting from an orientation defect is determined in advance. Frame conversion images formed by only echo signals 41a whose signal intensity is the signal intensity threshold or more are overlapped to generate a nonlinear exploration image 35. Exploration of a welded portion 23 stably provides a nonlinear exploration image 35 in which the shape of an interface 25 of the welded portion 23 is shown accurately and clearly.

Abstract: A grammage detection sensor which detects a grammage of a recording medium using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave and a receiving unit including a first vibration member configured to receive the ultrasonic wave that is transmitted from the transmitting unit and passes through the recording medium. The receiving unit includes a guide member configured to guide the ultrasonic wave that passes through the recording medium to the first vibration member. A length from a surface of the first vibration member to a plane including an end plane of the guide member along a line that passes through a center of the first vibration member and is perpendicular to the first vibration member is approximately n times of one-half wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitting unit where n is an integer of one or greater.

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: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to the determination of the dynamic elastic modulus of a material, such as a material comprising a mineral binder like cement, or gypsum, or the like, or a polymer, or ceramic, preferably mortar or concrete, in particular shotcrete, using sound, preferably ultrasound waves which penetrate the material and are continuously measured and analyzed. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus, to a measuring device, and to a method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of a material using the apparatus.

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: A method and system for ultrasonically inspecting a ring gear of a gearbox is provided. The method and system can be used for the detection, characterization and/or sizing of defects in the ring gear. The ring gear has a plurality of teeth, which extend radially inward with respect to an outer surface of the gearbox. The method includes the steps of selecting an ultrasonic transducer productive of a test signal, positioning the ultrasonic transducer at an outer surface of the ring gear, orienting the ultrasonic transducer so as to direct the test signal to propagate through the ring gear, and activating the ultrasonic transducer so as to test the ring gear for defects therein.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for detecting a flaw in a fibre-reinforced component, in particular delamination in a bearing region of a hole, by means of at least one probe, wherein an ultrasound field is emittable and detectable by means of the at least one probe. The ultrasound field is coupled according to the invention to the component at an angle of incidence ? of greater than 0° from a normal of an upper side of a component. The oblique radiation enables a higher degree of resolution to be achieved when detecting delamination in the bearing region of holes. Further variants of the device operate using at least one linear probe received in a self-positioning holder. The rotating linear probe is composed of a plurality of individual vibrator elements which are arranged at regular intervals behind one another.

Abstract: The system and method for acoustic characterization of solid materials provides for the characterizing a solid sample based on an acoustic intensity spectrum of an attenuated acoustic signal transmitted through the solid sample. In use, a database of known intensity spectra associated with a plurality of solid materials is first formed. An acoustic generator is then positioned against a first surface of the sample to be tested. An acoustic sensor is positioned against a second surface of the sample to be tested, and the acoustic generator generates an acoustic signal having a fixed intensity. An intensity spectrum of an attenuated acoustic signal transmitted through the sample is measured with the acoustic sensor, and the measured intensity spectrum of the attenuated acoustic signal is compared against the database of known intensity spectra to determine at least one material forming the sample.

Abstract: An obstacle detection apparatus for detecting an obstacle in its surroundings is disclosed. The system includes: an ultrasonic sensor for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave; an obstacle detection section for performing an obstacle detection operation to determine whether the obstacle actually exists, wherein the obstacle detection section determines that the obstacle actually exists when a first voltage level associated with the ultrasonic wave received in the obstacle detection operation exceeds a determination threshold; a noise monitoring section configured to perform a noise monitoring operation to determine a noise level, wherein, the noise monitoring section recognizes a second voltage level associated with the ultrasonic wave received in the noise monitoring operation as the noise level; and a determination threshold setting section configured to set the determination threshold based on the second voltage level.

Abstract: The receive sensitivity of an ultrasound array transducer structured with a diaphragm electro-acoustic transducer (101) being a basic unit is affected by change in a charge amount with elapsed time due to leakage or the like, which causes drift of the primary beam sensitivity, degradation in the acoustic SN ratio due to a rise in the acoustic noise level, and degradation in the directivity of an ultrasound beam. To addressing this problem, a charge controller (charge monitor 211) is provided to control charge in an electro-acoustic transducer (101). A charge monitoring section (102) monitors the change in the charge amount. When change in the charge amount is small, transmit sensitivity or receive sensitivity is calibrated by a controller (104) by, for example, multiplying a receive signal by a calibration coefficient corresponding to the change amount. Further, when the change in the charge amount is large, for example, charges can be re-emitted from a charge emitter (103).

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for installation in an instrument housing, the ultrasonic transducer having a transducer housing and a housing fixture, the transducer housing being put under pressure by a medium in its installed state on its emitting and/or receiving side. To provide an ultrasonic transducer for installation in an instrument housing, which implements a measure for avoiding crosstalk of ultrasonic signals and avoids the disadvantages known from the prior art—at least partially, the ultrasonic transducer is wherein the transducer housing indirectly forms at least one contact area in its installed state with the housing fixture, the transducer housing and the housing fixture being at least indirectly pressed against one another in a first contact area with existing, but as slight as possible, surface pressure by a pre-loading mechanism.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic time of flight diffraction inspection of a plastics wall, such as a pipe wall. The method includes providing an ultrasound transmitter and transmitting an ultrasound signal having a nominal frequency into the wall, providing an ultrasound receiver and receiving the ultrasound signal transmitted through the wall. The ultrasound signal provided by the transmitter has a bandwidth of more than 80%, preferably more than 100% of the nominal frequency of the ultrasound signal provided by the transmitter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to transmit apodization using a sinc function in an ultrasound system. The ultrasound system includes: a transmission unit operable to generate transmit pulse signals with transmit apodization applied by using a sinc function; a probe operable to generate ultrasound signals based on the transmit pulse signals to thereby form a transmit beam and transmit the transmit beam along a predetermined scan line among a plurality of scan lines in a target object, the probe being further operable to receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the target object; and a reception unit operable to form receive signals corresponding to a plurality of scan lines based on the ultrasound echoes.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for non-contact ultrasonic detection of features on or within the walls of hollow pipes are described. An air-coupled, high-power ultrasonic transducer for generating guided waves in the pipe wall, and a high-sensitivity, air-coupled transducer for detecting these waves, are disposed at a distance apart and at chosen angle with respect to the surface of the pipe, either inside of or outside of the pipe. Measurements may be made in reflection or transmission modes depending on the relative position of the transducers and the pipe. Data are taken by sweeping the frequency of the incident ultrasonic waves, using a tracking narrow-band filter to reduce detected noise, and transforming the frequency domain data into the time domain using fast Fourier transformation, if required.

Abstract: Techniques (e.g., system, apparatus, method, machine-readable medium) can be configured for characterizing a rheological or other structural physical property of a sample of a substance. In an example, this can include acoustically bidirectionally deforming the portion of the sample over a deformation range about a neutral-deformation locus within the deformation range, measuring a deformation response of at least a portion of the sample to the insonification, and characterizing the physical property of the sample using the measured response of at least a portion of the sample to the insonification, even in the presence of a flowing substance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave vibrating apparatus includes a passive element converting electric energy to ultrasonic vibration, electrodes, a horn body arranged in a forward side of the element and amplifying the vibration, a backing arranged in the base side of the element and backing the element, and a horn connecting portion having one end connected to the body and the other end connected to the backing to connect the body and the backing to each other with the element sandwiched between the body and the backing. At least one of the body, the connecting portion and the backing is formed of metallic glass. The body and the connecting portion can be formed of the metallic glass integrally with each other. A cover covering the element may be included, and the cover, the body and the connecting portion can be formed of the metallic glass integrally with each other.

Abstract: A pulse detection laser is provided. The pulse detection laser includes a single frequency oscillator, a continuous pre-amplifier, and a pulsed amplifier. The single frequency oscillator generates a seed laser beam and is optically coupled to the continuous preamplifier. The continuous pre-amplifier amplifies the seed laser to produce an intermediate power laser beam. A pulsed amplifier optically coupled to the continuous pre-amplifier receives the intermediate power laser beam and amplifies the intermediate power laser beam to produce a pulse detection laser beam. One task of this pulse detection laser is to illuminate ultrasonic displacements. Light from the laser is scattered, collected, and analyzed with an interferometer to demodulate the ultrasonic displacements caused by the return echoes of the ultrasound at the surface of the part.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. At least one pulse from a pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device by matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern for the acoustic system. For example, matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern can comprise determining whether the pulse pattern includes a first pulse type. If the pulse pattern includes the first pulse type, a determination can be made whether the pulse pattern further includes a second pulse type. If the pulse pattern further includes the second pulse type, a subsequent pulse of the second pulse type can be identified and detected.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: A mechanical vibration sensor adapted to be brought into contact with an object for sensing mechanical vibrations in the object, includes a body of a soft elastomeric material having high transmissivity and low attenuation properties with respect to a preselected type of energy waves; and a pair of transducers mounted, by mounting members having high attenuation properties with respect to the energy waves, in spaced relationship to each other to define a transmission channel between the transducers. Such sensor is particularly useful in a method and apparatus for controlling snoring by a person, by utilizing a stimulus device effective, when sensing snoring, to immediately produce a response in the person tending to interrupt the person's snoring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a photoacoustic measurement apparatus that irradiates a light beam onto a subject, from a same side as that of an acoustic wave detector, and that measures photoacoustic waves. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus has: an acoustic wave detector; a diffraction grating member provided in front of a detection surface of the detector; a light source that generates a light beam; and an optical system that guides the light beam from the light source towards the diffraction grating member. The diffraction grating member is configured such that the light beam led to the diffraction grating member is outputted by the diffraction grating member towards a subject surface that opposes the detection surface of the detector. As a result, light beams can strike a biological body in a near-perpendicular angle. This affords greater illumination efficiency, and allows light of substantial light energy to be irradiated deep inside biological structures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the resolution and quality of an image formed by signals from an array of receivers. Multiple receivers introduce variations in arrival times that can be less than the period of an operating signal, and also less than the period associated with a sampling operation. Thus, multiple receivers allow sampling of fine features of reflected signals that would be considered beyond the resolution associated with the operating signal. Use of multiple receivers also provides an effective sampling rate that is greater than the sampling rate of an individual receiver. Similar advantages can be obtained using multiple transmitters. Such advantageous features can be used to obtain high resolution images of objects in a medium in applications such as ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A device for non-destructive testing of objects, particularly pipes in oil refineries, having a first positioning device for positioning a collimator including a radioactive radiation source near an object to be tested, and a second positioning device for positioning a film carrier near the object to be tested. The first positioning device may be anchored or placed with a lower end on a substantially flat base surface, wherein the collimator is attached to the opposite, upper end of the first positioning device. Before the exposure, the radiation source may be guided towards the collimator via a delivery tube such that no radiation is able to be emitted from the device during the placement of the first positioning device.

Abstract: A gripper unit for handling a vessel for receiving biological material is proposed, inter alia. The vessel has a lid which can assume an open position and a closed position. The gripper unit comprises a gripper for gripping and releasing the vessel, and a lid holder, for holding a lid in a defined position in relation to the vessel. The defined position is an open position of the lid.

Abstract: A high spatial resolution phase-sensitive technique employs a scanning near field ultrasound holography (SNFUH) methodology for imaging elastic as well as viscoelastic variations across a sample surface. SNFUH uses a near-field approach to measure time-resolved variations in ultrasonic oscillations at a sample surface. As such, it overcomes the spatial resolution limitations of conventional phase-resolved acoustic microscopy (i.e. holography) by eliminating the need for far-field acoustic lenses.

Abstract: A laser-based ultrasonic technique for the inspection of thin plates and membranes employs an amplitude-modulated laser source to excite narrow bandwidth Lamb waves. The dominant feature in the acoustic spectrum is a sharp resonance peak that occurs at the minimum frequency of the first-order symmetric Lamb mode, where the group velocity of the Lamb wave goes to zero while the phase velocity remains finite. Experimental results with the laser source and receiver on epicenter demonstrate that the zero group velocity resonance generated with a low power modulated excitation source can be detected using an optical probe such as a Michelson interferometer coupled to a lock-in amplifier. This resonance peak is sensitive to the thickness and mechanical properties of plates and may be suitable, for example, for the measurement and mapping of nanoscale thickness variations.

Abstract: Element mapping and transmission of continuous waves are provided ultrasound imaging. For use with multiple dimensional or large arrays, the number of receive beamformer channels or associated cables connecting the transducer array to the receive beamformer may be limited. Subarrays of signals from different elements associated with similar phasing are combined without switching. The combined subarray signals are then received beamformed to generate a continuous wave image. Receive channels without clocking or beamforming prior to a steered continuous wave Doppler beamformer maximize dynamic range and reduce the power consumption. For further or different optimization of steering continuous waves, low voltage transmitters separate from high voltage transmitters are provided for a plurality of elements.

Abstract: A tissue specimen imaging device, comprising: a container having an upwardly facing surface, adapted to receive a tissue specimen and a liquid, an ultrasound imaging assembly, adapted to automatically form a three dimensional image of the tissue specimen interior. In one preferred embodiment the device includes a transducer head that is automatically moved relative to the specimen.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for structural health monitoring are provided. In this regard, a representative array system includes: a component to be monitored; and an array system mounted to the component, the array system has multiple array components exhibiting spatial periodicity, the array components being operative to produce waves with frequency dependent directional characteristics, which propagate through the component, responsive to simultaneous activation of the array components.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method that achieve physical separation of sound sources by pointing directly a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves (i.e. laser). Analyzing the physical properties of a beam reflected from the vibrations generating sound source enable the reconstruction of the sound signal generated by the sound source, eliminating the noise component added to the original sound signal. In addition, the use of multiple electromagnetic waves beams or a beam that rapidly skips from one sound source to another allows the physical separation of these sound sources. Aiming each beam to a different sound source ensures the independence of the sound signals sources and therefore provides full sources separation.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method is provided. The method includes identifying a plurality of locations within a region of interest, delivering a pulse sequence to two or more of the plurality of locations in a determined order, wherein the pulse sequence comprises a pushing pulse, and a tracking pulse, and applying a motion correction sequence to each of the plurality of locations where the pulse sequence is delivered.

Abstract: An on-the-fly method for measuring the length, along an axis (z?z) of an anode (20) used in the production of aluminium by molten salt electrolysis in which: i) said anode is suspended from a gripping member (13a) which is fitted with a displacement sensor measuring the vertical position of the point of attachment (O); ii) said gripping member is moved vertically so that the lower surface (21a) of the anode passes through a plane (P) formed by n beams (f1, . . . , fi, . . . , fn) and, each time one of said beams i (i=1 to n) is disturbed by the lower surface of the anode passing through it, the vertical position hi of said point of attachment (O) is measured; iii) the angle of inclination zz? of the anode stem is measured and the distance between the point of attachment and the lower surface (21a) of the anode block (21) is deduced based on values measured hi (i=1 to n), and the inclination value of the anode stem.

Abstract: A method for correcting a time delay between at least two signals in ultrasound systems is provided. The ultrasound system comprises a beamformer processor comprising a summer coupled to the transducer array and configured for performing a complex operation on a first plurality of receive signals to generate a beamsum signal; wherein each of the receive signals comprise a corresponding beamforming delay and a complex filter coupled to the summer and configured to transform the beamsum signal to an analytical signal. The beamformer processor further comprises a plurality of correlator processors coupled to at least one respective transducer element and the complex filter, each correlator processor configured to calculate a correlation sum for at least one receive signal and at least one time delay estimator adapted to receive the correlation sum of at least one receive signal and configured to estimate the corresponding time delay using the correlation sum.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing of a drive shaft that is accessible by only one of its ends in longitudinal waves, using a multi-element annular ultrasonic transducer. Such a transducer consists of independent elements that can be excited by electrical pulses of the same frequency, but for which different electronic phase shifts will be applied, in the invention, to the pulses transmitted to the elements. Such an electronic phase shift allows the focussing or deflection of a final beam synthesized by all the elements constituting the transducer, the said final beam being concentrated to adopt a generally cylindrical shape with a cross-section that is far smaller than the cross-section of the shaft to be tested and is highly energetic over a long distance due to the waveguide effect created by the cylindrical geometry of the shaft.

Abstract: A method of detecting an internal flaw in a particulate filter includes a step of coupling ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of moving at least one of the ultrasonic transducer and the particulate filter relative to the other. Consistent coupling of the ultrasonic transducer with the particulate filter is maintained during the moving step. Ultrasonic energy is transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer through a majority of a volume of the particulate filter. The method also includes a step of determining if the particulate filter includes an internal flaw using the ultrasonic energy.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for internal nondestructive testing of a tube to be inspected includes an elongated shaft member coupled to an inspection probe; a plurality of fingers, pivotally attached at a first end thereof to a mounting surface affixed to the shaft member, the plurality of fingers circumferentially surrounding the shaft member; and an expansion mechanism, disposed between the plurality of fingers and the shaft member, the expansion mechanism configured to selectively and outwardly extend a second end of the plurality of fingers with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft member, so as to bring the second end of the plurality of fingers into contact with an inner surface of the tube to be inspected, thereby centering the inspection probe within the tube.

Abstract: A piezoelectric transducer for sending and receiving an ultrasonic wave and an FPC for applying current to the piezoelectric transducer is provided, the FPC is arranged oppositely to a side face of the piezoelectric transducer, and a soldering material for electrically connecting the piezoelectric transducer to the FPC is arranged in a corner portion formed by the piezoelectric transducer and the FPC.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: Pulse-echo imaging systems and methods are provided, including a transmit code sequencer and a pulse generation circuit, The transmit code sequencer is configured to input a transmit code sequence to the pulse generation circuit. A transducer is configured to receive electrical signals provided as pulses using coded excitation according to the transmit code sequence, and to transduce the electrical signals to pulses of energy other than electrical signals. The transducer is further configured to receive echoes of the pulses of energy other than electrical signals and convert the echoes to received electrical signals generate using coded excitation. A receive circuit is configured to receive the received electrical signals generate using coded excitation, perform analog sampling of the received electrical signals generate using coded excitation, and provide a weighted, summed digital signal by processing the analog samples.

Abstract: A photoacoustic apparatus includes an acoustic lens configured to collect a acoustic wave, an acoustic detector configured to detect the acoustic wave collected by the acoustic lens, a driver configured to move at least one of the acoustic detector and the acoustic lens so as to measure the acoustic wave generated from an object to be measured due to a photoacoustic effect, and a controller configured to output a first measurement signal resulting from the acoustic wave that is generated from a first position in the object, and to eliminate a second measurement signal resulting from the acoustic wave that is generated from a second position different from the first position in the object.

Abstract: A sensor for examining a document of value (12) in a detection range (54) of the sensor comprises at least one electrical component (46) for converting electrical energy into sound waves and/or electromagnetic fields, in particular optical radiation, for examining the document of value (12) and/or for detecting sound waves and/or magnetic or electromagnetic fields, in particular optical radiation, from the document of value (12), so as to generate detection signals, and a holder for the component (46), having a recess (124) or a hole (60) for at least partially accommodating the component (46), in which the electrical component (46) is held, and on or in which at least one conductive path (74; 76) extends by means of which at least one electrical contact (68) of the electrical component (46) is contacted.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for testing a bearing component, in order to ensure that the bearing surface and a load-bearing region located underneath said bearing surface are in a perfect condition. According to the invention, a material testing depth containing the point of maximum mechanical load during operation is determined; in a first partial testing step, the bearing component is subjected to an ultrasound test by which means the material region underneath the bearing surface is tested for defects by means of ultrasound, at least up to the material testing depth; in a second partial testing step, a full optical test of the bearing surface is carried out, during which the actual surface state of the bearing surface is compared with a nominal surface state; and the bearing component is then only classified as faultless if the results of the two partial testing steps do not reveal any defects.

Abstract: A system and method for range dependent weighting in ultrasound imaging. The system includes a transducer array, a data acquisition system, and an imaging processor. The transducer array receives a first ultrasound beam having a first focal depth. The data acquisition system receives a first ultrasound imaging signal from the array. The first signal includes first image data based on at least the first ultrasound beam. The imaging processor combines a first data contribution from the first image data with at least second image data from a second ultrasound imaging signal to create a spatially compounded image. The first data contribution is based on at least the focal depth of the first beam.

Abstract: There is provided a copying apparatus that copies a workpiece, includes a shoe that is brought into contact with the workpiece, an air cylinder that enables moving the shoe in a vertical direction, a clamping mechanism that grasps the workpiece from side surfaces placed in a direction orthogonal to a traveling direction and, and a lateral translatory slide guide that slides the clamping mechanism in the direction.

Abstract: A mid infrared range laser source for ultrasound inspection that comprises a high energy laser coupled with one or more harmonic generation devices. The high energy laser may be a CO2 laser and tuned to emit laser light at a single wavelength. The harmonic generation devices convert the laser beam into the mid infrared range for optimal ultrasound inspection.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is provided that includes a display processor that accesses data volumes stored in an image buffer successively to control generation of at least one of 2D and 3D renderings based on display parameters. The display processor obtains from the image buffer a first data volume defined based on first scan parameter values, while a probe acquires ultrasound information for a second data volume that is entered into the image buffer. The second data volume is defined based on second scan parameter values. A navigation view presents in real time the renderings generated by the display processor with their corresponding 31) orientation. A navigator is provided that controls the display of the navigation view in real time such that, as the user adjusts a display parameter value to change a view plane, images presented in the navigation view are updated to reflect the view plane.