Abstract: A method and ultrasonic meter system for determining pipe roughness. At least some of the illustrative embodiments are ultrasonic meters comprising a spool piece that couples within a flow of fluids, and a first transducer pair mechanically mounted to the spool piece and acoustically coupled to the flow of fluids (wherein the first transducer pair comprises an upstream transducer and a downstream transducer in operational relationship to the upstream transducer and defines a first chord there between). The ultrasonic meter is configured to determine diagnostic data based on acoustic signals transmitted between the first transducer pair (wherein the diagnostic data comprises an asymmetry of the flow of fluids in the spool piece, a cross flow of the flow of fluids in the spool piece, and a profile factor of the flow of fluids in the spool piece).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting a predetermined condition of a panel by transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the material (41) of the panel from first location (43a) to a second location (43b); measuring the transit time of the cyclically-repeating energy wave from the first location to the second location; and utilizing the measured transit time to detect the predetermined condition including the force on, the temperature of, a deformation in, the fatigue condition of, or a fracture in, structural panel, the presence of a force applied to, water on, or breakage in of the panel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting a position and/or a shape of an object located around an automotive vehicle is mounted on a structure of the vehicle such as a bumper. The ultrasonic sensor includes a receiving member for receiving ultrasonic waves reflected on the object to be detected and receiving element having plural vibrating portions. The receiving member is sectioned by intercepting slits into plural receiving regions each corresponding to each vibrating portion. The intercepting slit eliminates or suppresses crosstalk between neighboring receiving regions, and thereby reducing detection noises due to the crosstalk and improving detection sensitivity of the ultrasonic sensor. The shape of the intercepting slit is made to satisfy the formula: 0.35?L/T?0.60, where L is a depth of the slit and T is a thickness of the receiving member. In this manner, the crosstalk resulting in detection noises is sufficiently suppressed.

Abstract: A sensor system for determining the position of at least one edge of at least one web material traveling along a predetermined path. In one embodiment, the sensor system has at least one transmitter block having a plurality of transmitters capable of selectively transmitting ultrasonic signals and at least one receiver block having a plurality of receivers capable of generating receiver output signals in response to the receivers receiving at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the at least one transmitter block. The receiver block is spaced a distance from the transmitter block so as to define a sensor field of view therebetween whereby at least a portion of the at least one web material traveling along a predetermined travel path interferes with at least a portion of the ultrasonic signals transmitted by the at least one transmitter block.

Abstract: The system controls the frequency of an ultrasonic signal to be applied to a waveguide, such that the frequency corresponds to a preferred resonance mode of the waveguide and not to adjacent undesirable resonance modes. The system operates by carrying out a first scan of a predetermined portion of the generated signal, determining the number of resonance modes of the waveguide within this portion and selecting from these resonance modes either that one mode which is at a central frequency or that one mode which is at a frequency nearest thereto. The system may also set limits on each side of the selected resonance mode and carry out a second scan within these limits each time that the generator is activated to check whether the selected resonance mode is drifting.

Abstract: Methods are provided for using stress wave velocity measurements taken of a specimen at an early age to determine potential characteristics at a later age. The data may be used to, for example, evaluate specimens and/or families and/or clones at early ages to cut costs and/or to increase a rate of genetic gains. The specimens may be, for example, seedlings and/or explants of forestry and/or agricultural and/or horticultural species. The stress wave measurements may be obtained using conventional devices and/or systems and/or methods.

Abstract: A method for detection of mechanical defects in a semiconductor ingot section which has at least one planar surface, and a thickness at right angles to this surface of 1 cm to 100 cm, involves scanning the planar surface by at least one ultrasound head which is coupled via a liquid coupling medium to the planar surface and, at each measurement point (x,y) producing at least one ultrasound pulse which is directed at the planar surface of the ingot section, recording the ultrasound-pulse echo as a function of time, such that an echo from the planar surface, an echo from a surface opposite the planar surface, and further echoes are detected, with the positions (xp, yp, zp) of mechanical defects in the ingot section being determined from the further echoes.

Abstract: To perform a non-destructive condition assessment of a pipe carrying a fluid, an actual value representative of the propagation velocity of an acoustic disturbance propagating between two longitudinally separated points on the pipe is determined. A corresponding predicted value for the propagation velocity is computed as a function of at least one wall thickness parameter of the pipe by using a theoretical model for the propagation of acoustic waves in the pipe that assumes said pipe has a finite wall thickness with a predetermined circumferential thickness profile. The wall thickness parameter is then computed by matching the actual value with the predicted value, for example, by substituting the actual value in a formula predicting the theoretical value.

Abstract: In industrial sensing applications at least one parameter of at least one fluid in a pipe 12 is measured using a spatial array of acoustic pressure sensors 14,16,18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1, x2, x3 along the pipe 12. The pressure sensors 14,16,18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t), P2(t), P3(t) on lines 20,22,24 which are provided to signal processing logic 60 which determines the speed of sound amix of the fluid (or mixture) in the pipe 12 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques with the direction of propagation of the acoustic signals along the longitudinal axis of the pipe 12. Numerous spatial array-processing techniques may be employed to determine the speed of sound amix. The speed of sound amix is provided to logic 48, which calculates the percent composition of the mixture, e.g., water fraction, or any other parameter of the mixture, or fluid, which is related to the sound speed amix. The logic 60 may also determine the Mach number Mx of the fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for detecting the potential of a wood sample, such as a board, to stay on grade, i.e., resist warp, after it is put into service and/or its moisture has re-equilibrated with the surrounding environment. The systems and methods include various sensor technologies and subjection of obtained data to various models, algorithms, and/or other mathematical formulas.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining a characteristic such as sound speed for a fluid in a tube comprises means for applying a force to cause a change in a transverse dimension of a segment of the tube, wherein the change in the transverse dimension is reversible, and means for launching and receiving ultrasonic signals. Ultrasonic signals propagate through the tube along paths of different lengths. At least one of the paths is located entirely within the segment having the changed transverse dimension. The applied force may cause the transverse dimension to change continuously or in discrete steps. Path length differences between the paths are determined, and transit times are determined for each of the ultrasonic signals. The characteristic is determined based on information comprising the path length differences and the transit times.

Abstract: An accurate measure of normally operating noise is required for a useful noise measurement system. A device is needed to make a representative measure of the boat's acoustic power using measured boat sound level with integrated corrections for sensed distance to the boat and measured ambient sound level. This device needs to make this measurement process invisible, automatic, and accurate from a law enforcement point of view.

Abstract: The present invention provides sensors based on micromachined ultrasonic transducer technology. The sensors preferably include a plurality of sensor elements, but may include only one sensor element. Arrays of sensors are also provided. Sensor elements include a functionalized membrane supported over a substrate by a support frame. The functionalized membrane, support frame and substrate together form a vacuum gap. The sensor element is connected to an electrical circuit, which is configured to operate the sensor element at or near an open circuit resonance condition. The mechanical resonance frequency of the functionalized membrane is responsive to binding of an agent to the membrane. Thus, the sensor element also includes a detector, where the detector provides a sensor output responsive to the mechanical resonance frequency of the sensor element.

Abstract: The invention relates to monitoring of fluid-filled domains in various media including, for example, subterranean formations, construction elements, bones. Claimed are a method for determining characteristic sizes of a fluid-filled crack in a medium and a system for implementation thereof. In accordance with this method, oscillations of the fluid-filled crack are registered. Wave characteristics of standing interface waves propagating along the fluid-filled crack surfaces are determined based on the registered oscillations taking medium and fluid properties into account. The fluid-filled crack characteristic sizes are calculated based on the determined wave characteristics of the standing interface waves.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a depth of a crack from ultrasound scan data are provided. The method includes mapping multiple amplitude responses from the ultrasound scan data, each mapped amplitude response being representative of a signal from one of the sensors. The method further includes locating multiple linear responses among the mapped amplitude responses, each linear response being an indicator of a reflected signal from the crack. One or more sensor that corresponds to the linear responses from a given crack is identified. The depth of the crack is estimated using data from the identified sensors.

Abstract: A diagnostic device for use in a industrial process includes monitoring electronics or diagnostic circuitry configured to diagnose or identify a condition or other occurrence in the industrial process. The system can be implemented in a process device such as a flowmeter, and in one example an acoustic flowmeter. A transducer can also be used and a frequency response, such as resonant frequency, can be observed.

Abstract: Hand-held apparatus and method for determining relative and/or absolute axial position of a conduit end within a fluid coupling includes application of input ultrasonic energy in the form of transient shear waves and analyzing the reflected energy. Application of the input energy collected at different radial positions about a first axial location is used with wavelet based correlation techniques to better analyze the reflected energy signals. Quality of the abutment between the conduit end and a surface associated with the coupling may also be determined as a separate or combined feature of the axial position determination.

Abstract: An acoustical cell for analysis of materials by measuring parameters of acoustical resonanace. The cell comprises a main frame and an electroacoustical transducer assembly. The main frame includes at least one interstice and has substatially parallel exterior surfaces that engage, in use, with walls to define a resonant cavity into which a specimen for analysis is placed in use. The electroacoustical transducer assembly is acoustically coupled to at least one of the walls and comprises at least one electroacoustical transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 and method is provided that includes a spatial array of unsteady pressure sensors 15-18 placed at predetermined axial locations x1-xN disposed axially along a pipe 14 for measuring at least one parameter of a solid particle/fluid mixture 12 flowing in the pipe 14. The pressure sensors 15-18 provide acoustic pressure signals P1(t)-PN(t) to a signal processing unit 30 which determines the speed of sound amix(?) of the particle/fluid mixture 12 in the pipe 14 using acoustic spatial array signal processing techniques. The primary parameters to be measured include fluid/particle concentration, fluid/particle mixture volumetric flow, and particle size. Frequency based sound speed is determined utilizing a dispersion model to determine the parameters of interest. the calculating the at least one parameter uses an acoustic pressure to calculate.

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: An imaging method for observing the propagation of a shear wave simultaneously at a multitude of points in a diffusing viscoelastic medium. The shear wave is caused to be generated by firing at least one focused ultrasound compression wave into the viscoelastic medium by means of an array of transducers, and then emitting at a fast rate and using the same array of transducers, unfocused ultrasound compression waves serving to obtain a succession of images of the medium, and processing the images obtained in this way in deferred time in order to determine the movements of the medium during the propagation of the shear wave.

Abstract: A multiparameter acoustic signature inspection device and method are described for non-invasive inspection of containers. Dual acoustic signatures discriminate between various fluids and materials for identification of the same.

Abstract: A surface wave chemical detector comprising at least one surface wave substrate, each of said substrates having a surface wave and at least one measurable surface wave parameter; means for exposing said surface wave substrate to an unknown sample of at least one chemical to be analyzed, said substrate adsorbing said at least one chemical to be sensed if present in said sample; a source of radiation for radiating said surface wave substrate with different wavelengths of said radiation, said surface wave parameter being changed by said adsorbing; and means for recording signals representative of said surface wave parameter of each of said surface wave substrates responsive to said radiation of said different wavelengths, measurable changes of said parameter due to adsorbing said chemical defining a unique signature of a detected chemical.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the early detection of the presence of micro-organisms in food, particularly in milk and derivatives thereof. One of the main advantages of the invention lies in the fact that the aforementioned detection method can be performed inside the commercial packaging thereof without the need for said packaging to be opened. The presence of micro-organism is detected, before they can produce drastic changes in the physical properties of the product, according to changes in the propagation of elastic waves (velocity, attenuation and harmonic distortion) through the product and, moreover, different types of micro-organisms can be distinguished. The inventive detection method is performed under dry conditions and requires an environment with controlled humidity and temperature.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the velocity of ultrasonic surface skimming longitudinal waves on various materials are described herein. In embodiments, a surface skimming longitudinal wave is generated at a first location on a material, at least a portion of that wave is detected at a second location on the material, the time-of-flight of that wave between the first and second locations is determined, and then the velocity of that wave is determined. One or more crystallographic orientations of the material may then be determined based upon that velocity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the threshold value of screens which enable an evaluation of a sound coupling during the ultrasound testing of a series of spot welding joints of a selected type. Initially, a geometrical minimal thickness dMin is established for the spot welding joints. At least one echo of the front surface (entrance echo) is received in addition to one echo of the first reflection on a rear wall of the spot welding joint (first rear wall echo) and at least one further (n-th) rear wall echo. The propagation time tMin of the ultra sound pulse is defined for the path to the front surface to the rear wall and back to the front surface at a minimal thickness dMin and a propagation time tT for the total thickness. A first screen (B1) is set for the signal of the rear wall echo, starting at a moment in time t1S=tE+tMin?tSA and ending at a moment in time t1T=tE+tT+tSE, whereby tSA and tSE are additional small security measures.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor uses pairs of acoustic transducers to generate quasi-helical acoustic beams reflected multiple times from an inside surface of a pipe. The transducers are arranged so that each two pairs generate counter-rotating beams. When fluid flowing in the pipe has both a rotary and an axial flow component the rotary component adds to the apparent flow rate measured in one rotational direction and subtracts from that measured in the other. Hence, a combination of transit time measurements along the two paths can be used to cancel out the effects of the rotary flow component and yield a measure of the rate of flow along the pipe axis. In some cases multiple probes are used to increase the amount of flowing fluid that is sampled.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound sensor system, especially for a welding electrode, comprising a sensor (5, 6, 7, 10) which, during the detection process, passes ultrasonic waves of a desired oscillation mode into areas to be detected and/or detects ultrasonic waves. At least one material recess (2) is provided in a sensor support (1), and at least one sensor (5, 6, 7, 10) is arranged in said recess.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus comprises a mount, a housing, and a sensor. The mount is adapted to be disposed at least partially underneath a shoelace of a shoe. The housing is configured and arranged to be placed in at least first and second states in relation to the mount, wherein in the first state the housing is movable with respect to the mount and in the second state the housing is immovable with respect to the mount. There is a tongue on one of the mount and the housing and a groove on the other of the mount and the housing, the tongue being adapted to engage the groove when the housing is in the second state in relation to the mount and to disengage the groove then the housing is in the first state with respect to the mount. The sensor, which senses motion of the shoe, is disposed within the housing such that the sensor remains disposed within the housing when the housing is placed in the first state in relation to the mount and the housing is moved with respect to the mount.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for measuring a part with a coating having at least one acoustic transducer, and a buffer delay line having an impedance matched to an impedance of the coating.

Abstract: A structure including an ultrasonic transducer, a material database, and a material determination section. The ultrasonic transducer transmits ultrasound signals of a plurality of frequencies toward a printing paper over a frequency band covering 40 kHz to 100 kHz or more, and receives reflection signals. The material database stores information representing a reception signal on a material basis. The material determination section makes a material determination for the printing paper based on the information stored in the material database, and the signal (signal derived by amplifying a signal) received by the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a refractory furnace having an outer shell and an inner refractory brick lining includes a stress wave generator for generating stress waves that propagate through the outer shell and the refractory brick lining. A stress wave sensor senses reflected stress waves returning to the outer shell. A processing unit in communication with the stress wave sensor processes output generated by the stress wave sensor to generate data representing the condition of the refractory brick lining. In this manner, the location and geometry of anomalies within the refractory brick lining can be determined without requiring the refractory furnace to be shut down.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for non-destructive ultrasonic control, combining time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) and inclined longitudinal wave techniques, of weld joints assembling two abutted parts. The method consists of using the time-of-flight diffraction technique, displacing in the longitudinal or circumferential direction, along the weld joint to be controlled, at least one pair consisting of a first transducer and of a second transducer, one transmitting and the other receiving ultrasonic waves, these transducers being laterally positioned on either side of the joint to be controlled, these transducers comprising piezoelectric ceramics or crystals. Furthermore, it consists of displacing along the welded joint to be controlled, using the inclined longitudinal wave technique, at least a third transducer, so as to detect any defect of the joint located at a thickness ranging between 0.5 mm and 15 mm.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for imaging anisotropic media comprising selecting multiple points within the anisotropic media, which is to be imaged; determining an acoustic path between each selected point in the anisotropic media and a receiver position on the surface of the anisotropic media; calculating an acoustic wave velocity at all necessary points; determining an acoustic path length based on each selected point in the anisotropic media and the receiver position; determining a time delay for each acoustic wave between each image point and the receiver position on the surface of the anisotropic media; calculating a sum for each point selected based on the appropriate acoustic wave velocities and the acoustic path lengths; and generating an image of the anisotropic media using the coherent sums generated for each said image point selected.

Abstract: A method of estimating the displaced size of a knot in a lumber piece includes the steps of: translating the lumber piece downstream along a flow path between a radiation source and sensor while simultaneously irradiating the lumber piece with radiation from the first radiation source whereby the radiation is attenuated by the lumber piece; collecting a set of radiation intensity data from the radiation sensor as the lumber piece is irradiated; processing the set of radiation intensity data to sum the radiation intensity data and to provide radiation intensity profiles transversely of the flow path direction and corresponding density profiles transversely of the flow path direction; mapping the density profiles to model a set of three dimensional density profiles of the lumber piece; processing the radiation intensity data to determine a clear wood density threshold value for the lumber piece and a maximum density value of the density profiles; and, computing a ratio of the summed density profile values to th

Abstract: An electronic signal relating to a sonic wave when an intended gas does not exist in air is synchronized and locked in a feedback circuit constituting a phase-locked loop (PLL). Then, an electronic signal relating to another sonic wave when the intended gas exist in the air is input into the feedback circuit to release the synchronization (lock) of the feedback circuit to measure as a given electronic signal the difference in phase of the sonic wave in the air between with and without the intended gas to be detected. The intended gas can be detected as the electronic signal due to the difference in phase of the sonic wave.

Abstract: Methods and systems for determining the resonance frequency of a resonator, using the Doppler effect. An interrogating sonic beam including a carrier frequency and one or more resonator exciting frequencies is directed at a resonator disposed in a measurement environment. Resonator vibrations are excited by the resonator exciting frequencies. The carrier frequency is modulated by the vibrating part(s) of the resonator. The returning signal is received and analyzed to determine the amplitude of the Doppler shifted sideband frequencies. The resulting data is processed to determine the resonator's resonance frequency. Using calibrated resonating sensors having a resonance frequency that varies as a function of a physical parameter in a measurement environment, the method and systems allow determining the value of the physical variable from the sensor's resonance frequency.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring the wall thickness of a pipe in a pipe-rolling mill wherein a Fabry-Pérot interfero-meter has its mirror spacing set by providing an input to a linear activity for one of the mirrors from a controller receiving an input from a photodiode at the output side of the interferometer. A second control circuit regulates the amplification of that photodiode with at least one parameter derived from the rolling system, for example, the input optical signal to the interferometer or a disturbance value representing for example the temperature of the rolled product and obtained through an optical pyrometer. The incoming optical signal may be tapped to another photodiode also with a variable amplification amplifier and both amplifiers may be controlled by a second controller.

Abstract: A fermention process is monitored by detecting ultrasound backscattered from the cells as a function of time. A transducer 46 is placed in a fermentor 30 and transmits ultrasound towards a reflecting surface 50. The transducer receives that portion of the ultrasound which reflects from the reflecting surface 50, as well as that portion of the ultrasound which backscatters from cells 34 between the transducer 46 and the reflecting surface 50. Signals from the transducer are conditioned and subsequently processed to provide output to a controller regarding the status of the fermentation process in real time. The backscattering measurements can be used to determine a growth phase transition, such as the transition between the logarithmic growth phase of the cells and their stationary phase.

Abstract: A method, used in connection with a pulse-echo type sensor for determining the speed of sound in a gas, for improving the accuracy of speed of sound measurements. The sensor operates on the principle that speed of sound can be derived from the difference between the two-way travel time of signals reflected from two different target faces of the sensor. This time difference is derived by computing the cross correlation between the two reflections. The cross correlation function may be fitted to a parabola whose vertex represents the optimum time coordinate of the coherence peak, thereby providing an accurate measure of the two-way time diffference.

Abstract: A system to perform measurements on liquids, meat, viscous sugar or starch-based materials, and other foodstuffs using air-coupled ultrasound is provided. The technique uses ultrasonic transducers (advantageously capacitive transducers with polymer membranes), to generate ultrasonic signals in air, and to receive these signals after they have passed through the material under test. An ultrasonic pulse-compression process is then applied to increase the sensitivity of signals transmitted through the materials.

Abstract: An arrangement for tracking resonant frequency of electrically resonant structures through a single channel includes a variable frequency oscillator associated with each resonant structure which provides an excitation signal of a variable frequency encompassing a possible resonant frequency of the associated resonant structure. Coupling device(s) are provided which connect each variable frequency oscillator to said resonant structure(s). An I-mixer is provided for each oscillator which forms a synchronous detector, a first input of each I-mixer being connected to its associated oscillator and a second input being connected to the coupling device, each I-mixer mixing the excitation signal from the associated variable frequency oscillator with a response signal generated by the resonant structure(s) in response to each excitation signal.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the fiber volume fraction of a composite structure. The system includes a unit for ultrasonically determining the porosity volume fraction in the article, and a unit for calculating the volume fraction of the fibrous reinforcement material in the article based on the porosity volume fraction in the article and the mass densities of the article and the fiber and matrix materials within the article. The method entails determining the mass density of the article, obtaining the mass densities of the fiber material and the matrix material, ultrasonically determining the porosity volume fraction in the article, and then calculating the volume fraction of the fibrous reinforcement material in the article based on the porosity volume fraction in the article, the mass density of the article, the mass density of the matrix material, and the mass density of the fiber material.

Abstract: A sheet material identifying device for identifying the kind of sheet material by applying vibration on the sheet material. The identifying device has a vibrator for applying vibration on the sheet material, a vibration sensor for detecting, via the sheet material, vibration applied by the vibrator, a device for changing a vibrating state between the vibrator and the vibration sensor, and an identifying section for identifying the kind of sheet material based on a detection result of the vibration sensor. Also, an image forming apparatus making use of the sheet material identifying device and a method of identifying the kind of sheet material are provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring a condition having a known relation to, or influence on, the transit time of a cyclically-repeating energy wave moving through a transmission channel, by: (a) transmitting a cyclically-repeating energy wave through the transmission channel from a transmitter at one end to a receiver at the opposite end; (b) continuously changing the frequency of the transmitter according to changes in the monitored condition while maintaining the number of waves in the transmission channel as a whole integer; and (c) utilizing the changes in frequency of the transmitter to provide a continuous indication of the monitored condition. Operation (b) is preferably performed by detecting a predetermined fiducial point in each cyclically-repeating energy wave received by the receiver, but may also be performed by the use of a phase-locked loop circuit, to maintain the number of energy waves in the loop of the transmission channel as a whole integer.

Abstract: Ultrasonic apparatus and associated methods for the in-line monitoring of melting, mixing and chemical reaction processes of materials inside an enclosed chamber having rotating elements associated therewith are presented. The chamber may be heated and the rotating elements may be blades and/or screws. The chamber may be a heating barrel and the materials may be polymer and polymer composites pellets, metal pellets and chemical compounds. Ultrasonic sensors, which are preferably coupled to a wall of the chamber, may be high temperature ultrasonic transducers attached to the external surface of the chamber or ultrasonic buffer rods embedded into the chamber and coupled to cooled ultrasonic transducers. These sensors are operated in the reflection mode and are placed over the rotating elements. The number and locations of the sensors depend on applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of determining the thickness of a lubricant film disposed between two bodies by measuring and performing a frequency spectrum analysis on a reflected or transmitted part of an ultrasound wave propagated towards said film is disclosed.

Abstract: Generally described, a bending stiffness predicting system 20 includes a density measurement sub-system 24 and a sound wave velocity measurement sub-system 28. From the measurements of both density and speed of sound through the wood product received from the sub-systems 24 and 28, respectively, the bending stiffness (Y) may be predicted by calculating the bending stiffness (Y) according to the bending stiffness (MOE) equation: Y=k?V2/g; wherein k is the calibration constant, ? is the density or specific gravity of the member, V is the velocity of a sound through the member and g is the acceleration due to gravity. The calculation of wood product bending stiffness may be carried out manually, or may be calculated using a calculating sub-system 32 from the two measured values, density and velocity, according to Equation 1 above.

Abstract: A computer program for correlating coatings' material usage and cost impact with coatings ranges evaluated against an industry Cpk standard. Optimum range values are selected from the process and/or coatings applicators' manufacturer guidelines.

Abstract: A method for measuring the complex frequency-dependent dilatational and shear wavespeeds of a slab of material subjected to insonification. Transfer functions that are obtained by insonifying the material at different angles. Once this is accomplished, the transfer functions are manipulated with an inverse method to yield closed form values of dilatational and shear wavespeeds at any test frequency. The wavespeeds can be combined to determine complex Lamé constants, complex Young's modulus, complex shear modulus, and complex Poisson's ratio.