Abstract: A system for defect detection in plate like structures is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of transducers configured to be coupled to a periphery of complex-plate structure. A controller is electrically coupled to the plurality of transducers. The controller includes a machine readable storage medium and a processor in signal communication with the machine readable storage medium. The processor is configured to generate a plurality of guided wave signals using a first set of the plurality of transducers, receive the plurality of guided wave signals at a second set of the plurality of transducers, and generate tomographic pseudo-image of structural changes of the complex-plate structure based on the plurality of guided wave signals received at the second set of the plurality of transducers.

Abstract: A crack and thickness detecting apparatus for detecting a crack in a wafer and also detecting the thickness of the wafer. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic oscillating unit oscillating a first ultrasonic wave toward the upper surface of the wafer at a predetermined incident angle, an ultrasonic oscillating and receiving unit oscillating a second ultrasonic wave toward the upper surface of the wafer in a direction perpendicular thereto and also receiving reflected waves obtained by the reflection of the first and second ultrasonic waves from the wafer, a crack determining unit determining whether or not the crack is present in the wafer according to the first reflected wave, and a thickness calculating unit calculating the thickness of the wafer according to the second reflected wave. The ultrasonic oscillating and receiving unit alternately receives the first reflected wave and the second reflected wave.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring the strength of concrete using a surface wave velocity including an ultrasonic transmission and reception probe is provided. The apparatus is configured to include a surface wave velocity measurement device including an ultrasonic transmission probe and an ultrasonic reception probe. Further, a method of constructing the slip form of a concrete column member is provided. The method is capable of reducing the construction period by raising a concrete form rapidly and safely using a method of determining the slip-up time of the slip form based on the strength of concrete measured by the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention relates to novel processes for determining the quality of an uncrosslinked rubber mixture by means of ultrasound and to an apparatus suitable for this purpose.

Abstract: A coupling wedge for use with a ultrasounic phased array inspection system has a body with a bottom side configured to face the object to be tested and a front side generally oriented at an angle to the bottom side and a top side to be coupled with a phased array probe. The probe includes a plurality of apertures. The front side of the wedge has grooves formed with a plurality of reflectors that are positioned on the front side of the wedge, leaving a distance from the bottom side. The change in TOF values from the reflector to a specific aperture enable the determination of the temperature change in the wedge. An alarm to an operator or alternation of focal laws in the system for temperature compensation can be applied.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating and/or quantifying damage to wire strands of a wire caused during installation of a crimped wire connector, involves launching an ultrasonic wave having known characteristics into a wire at a location that is either the crimp or is adjacent the crimped wire connector, and detecting changes in the characteristics (e.g., amplitude and/or phase shift) of the wave as it is propagates along a length of the wire.

Abstract: A geometry compensating transducer attachment for ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes a geometry-compensating structure having at least one angled surface configured to engage the structure to be inspected, and the geometry-compensating structure having an acoustic velocity generally matching an acoustic velocity of the structure to be inspected.

Abstract: An automated blade crawler capable of scanning a multiplicity of non-destructive inspection sensors over a surface of an airfoil-shaped body such as a blade component. The blade crawler is movable in a spanwise direction, thereby enabling a sensor array to inspect the surface area on one or both sides of the blade component in one pass. The sensors concurrently output scan imaging data which is multiplexed, the multiplexed being transmitted (via an electrical cable or wirelessly) to data collection and display hardware at an operations control center.

Abstract: The structural integrity of a safe-life aircraft component on an aircraft is measured and assessed by a processing unit. The component includes a load-bearing metal element that is free from cracks. In the method, acoustic emissions generated in the metal element are converted into electronic signals. The acoustic emissions converted include relevant acoustic emissions resulting from changes in the structure of the element that make the element more susceptible to the formation of cracks. The electronic signals are set to a processing unit. The processing unit processes over time the signals in conjunction with stored reference data that allows a measure of the structural integrity to be made. Information providing a measure of the structural integrity of the aircraft component is outputted. Thus, deterioration of the structure of the component can be detected and monitored before a crack occurs.

Abstract: A method of determining the void rate in a biphase gas/liquid medium, corresponding to the volume fraction of gas corresponding to the presence of bubbles in the liquid medium in a total volume of gas and liquid, comprises: deployment of a bulk elastic wave resonator in contact and coupled acoustically with the biphase medium; measurement by nonlinear resonant ultrasound spectroscopy of the biphase medium comprising the scanning in terms of frequencies and amplitudes in a given range of frequencies and in a given range of amplitudes, of bulk elastic waves emitted and detected at said resonator placed in said medium and leading a set of resonance curves exhibiting maxima; determination of a straight line defined by the set of maxima of said curves and of the slope of said straight line; determination of the void rate on the basis of said slope. The method may be applied to a nuclear reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nondestructive ultrasonic test method in which at least one ultrasonic pulse is emitted into a workpiece under test by at least one ultrasonic transmitter (3), the ultrasonic pulse is reflected on boundary surfaces within the workpiece, the reflected ultrasound is received by at least one ultrasonic receiver (2), and the associated signals are evaluated, the ultrasound penetrating a damping block (4) that is arranged between the workpiece and the transmitter or receiver.

Abstract: An ultrasound time-of-flight diffraction reference block has a plurality of notches that extend into the block to simulate cracks, wherein the notches have a normal and transverse orientation with respect to a test path formed on the block.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of non-destructive inspection of mechanical structures (2) by using vibratory waves in order to detect local defects and/or changes of state. According to the invention, the method comprises: a first training stage in which a transient vibratory excitation is injected into an inspection zone (Z) and the received signals are picked up and time reversed in order to constitute reference excitation signals; a second training stage in which the reference excitation signals are emitted simultaneously and the resulting diverging signals are picked up in order to constitute reference response signals; and a stage of inspecting the mechanical structure (2), in which the reference excitation signals are emitted, the resulting diverging signals are picked up, and the diverging signals are compared with the reference response signals.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for non-invasive measuring of the sound velocity of a fluid, such as a liquid, flowing in a tubing having points of two different and known transverse length has one sensor mounted at each point connected to a circuit that provides signals to each sensor that are returned to it after passing through the tubing wall and flowing fluid and reflection from the tubing internal wall opposing each sensor and from which the round trip transit time of the signals is measured and the sound velocity calculated from the two measured round trip transit times and the differential between the known transverse lengths. Flexible tubing is placed in the slot of a measuring head which deforms it to provide the two points at one location or the slot has two sections of different transverse length along its length with a point at each section.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for evaluating received signals acquired during non-destructive ultrasonic testing of a test body, wherein ultrasound waves are generated inside the test body with an electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer acting as an ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound waves which propagate within the test body are converted into received signals with an electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer acting as an ultrasound receiver. The received signals are evaluated for the purpose of examining the test body.

Abstract: A method of assessing bolted joint integrity. A guided wave is sent through a structure containing at least one bolted joint. The guided wave that is subsequently propagated through the structure and interacted with the bolted joint is measured to obtain a measured result. At least one parameter of the guided wave after its travel through the structure, and after having been affected by a nonlinear acoustic behavior of the bolted joint, is analyzed. Either at least one guided wave parameter is compared to a wave propagation pattern of the bolted joint at a correct torque level, or variation of at least one guided wave parameter is compared, to determine changes in wave propagation time and/or wave propagation shape. An incorrect torque level of the bolted joint is inferred from any changes that are determined.

Abstract: A dialysis system that includes a dialysis machine, a tube connected to the dialysis machine, and a sensor system. The sensor system includes a head having a slot configured to receive the tube and a plurality of sensors secured to the head adjacent the slot. At least one of the plurality of sensors includes a light emitting element configured to transmit light through the tube when the tube is disposed in the slot and a light receiving element configured to receive the light emitted by the light emitting element after the light passes trough the tube.

Abstract: A non-intrusive sensor for in-situ measurement of recession rate of heat shield ablatives. An ultrasonic wave source is carried in the housing. A microphone is also carried in the housing, for collecting the reflected ultrasonic waves from an interface surface of the ablative material. A time phasing control circuit is also included for time-phasing the ultrasonic wave source so that the waves reflected from the interface surface of the ablative material focus on the microphone, to maximize the acoustic pressure detected by the microphone and to mitigate acoustic velocity variation effects through the material through a de-coupling process that involves a software algorithm. A software circuit for computing the location off of which the ultrasonic waves scattered to focus back at the microphone is also included, so that the recession rate of the heat shield ablative may be monitored in real-time through the scan-focus approach.

Abstract: A method of measuring a crystallographic orientation of an object using an ultrasonic transducer and a detector array including a plurality of ultrasonic detectors includes: determining a minimum distance between the transducer and the detector of the detector array closest to the transducer; placing the transducer and the detector array in contact with a surface of the object such that the transducer and the detector of the detector array closest to the transducer are separated by at least the minimum distance; using the transducer to generate an ultrasonic surface wave pulse in the surface of the object, the ultrasonic surface wave pulse having a pulse duration and including a longitudinal surface wave and a Rayleigh wave; and measuring a time of flight of a surface wave generated by the transducer between the transducer and each detector of the array to determine the crystallographic orientation of the object.

Abstract: The invention locates impaired sections of a pipeline, such as sections where the wall of the pipeline has been weakened or thinned. It provides a moveable device which passes through the pipeline and which has a first station. The moveable device has means to locate its position accurately. There is a second station, which is mounted either on the moveable device or in association with a fixed location on the pipeline wall. Either the first station or the second station has an acoustic or seismic pulse generator, and the other has a pulse receiver. The time taken for a pulse to travel from the pulse generator to the receiver is found to vary with the condition of the pipeline wall at the location where the moveable device is located at the time it receives (or sends) the pulse. The rate of change of velocity of the pulse as the device passes different locations in the pipeline is also found to vary with the condition of the pipeline wall at such location.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing signals which are generated by the reflection of ultrasonic waves by defects in the surface of objects during the non-destructive testing of objects such as pipes, bars, sheet metal, or uniform and complex carbon-fiber components. Said method comprises the following steps: emission of a complete wavefront onto at least one test section of the object, using a plurality of independent emission elements; receiving a wave reflected by the structure of the object by means of a plurality of receiver elements that are independent of one another; digitalization of the signals received by the receiver elements in digitizing steps; continuous modification of delay values and/or the number of receiver elements for each digitalization step (on-the-fly).

Abstract: A method for determining a pathology of a tissue sample. The method includes steps of coupling the tissue sample between two oppositely-facing ultrasonic transducers; acquiring a pulse-echo ultrasonic measurement and a through-transmission ultrasonic measurement of the tissue sample using the ultrasonic transducers; analyzing at least one of the pulse-echo ultrasonic measurement and the through-transducer transmission ultrasonic measurement using time domain analysis; analyzing at least one of the through-transmission ultrasonic measurements and the pulse-echo ultrasonic measurements using frequency domain analysis; and determining the pathology of the tissue sample based on at least one of the time domain analysis and the frequency domain analysis.

Abstract: Scattered waves from the defect of burst ultrasonic waves radiated from an ultrasonic transmitter to a structure in two different arrangements of the ultrasonic transmitter and an array receiver are received by the array receiver so as to obtain a reception signal. The reception signal is subjected to a band-pass filter that passes a specific frequency component, shifted by different time according to the position of each reception sensor element of the array receiver and then, added so as to obtain a processing signal. On the basis of the processing signal, an image of the defect is obtained, respectively. A common portion of the obtained two images is extracted.

Abstract: Pipeline wall thickness is measured as a function of position using ultrasound propagation. A series of predictive models is used, which define predictions of the ultrasound response signals as a function of different sets of parameters. The different sets that are determine of position dependent ultrasound speed at different sound frequencies and different spatial resolution. Successive iterative fitting process are executed, each fitting a combination of values of a successive set of parameters to the detected ultrasound response signals according to a respective model, using the values fitted values from the previous fitting process to initialize the next set of parameters for iterative fitting.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an inconsistency in an object. A signal sent from a first transducer unit is received at a second transducer unit. The signal is sent along a path through an object from the first transducer unit to the second transducer unit. The second transducer unit has segments. A velocity is identified at each segment in the segments for a number of modes for the signal to form identified velocities. A determination is made as to whether the inconsistency is present along the path through the object using the identified velocities for the number of modes for the signal.

Abstract: A method for inspecting a laminate structure may include transmitting a lamb wave through a selected portion of the laminate structure from an actuator at a predetermined location on a surface of the laminate structure. The method may also include receiving the transmitted lamb wave at a sensor at another predetermined location on the surface of the laminate structure. The method may additionally include detecting and characterizing an anomaly in the laminate structure based on the received lamb wave.

Abstract: Systems and methods for flaw detection and monitoring at elevated temperatures with wireless communication using surface embedded, monolithically integrated, thin-film, magnetically actuated sensors, and methods for fabricating the sensors. The sensor is a monolithically integrated, multi-layered (nano-composite), thin-film sensor structure that incorporates a thin-film, multi-layer magnetostrictive element, a thin-film electrically insulating or dielectric layer, and a thin-film activating layer such as a planar coil. The method for manufacturing the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, utilizes a variety of factors that allow for optimization of sensor characteristics for application to specific structures and in specific environments. The system and method integrating the multi-layered, thin-film sensor structure as described above, further utilizes wireless connectivity to the sensor to allow the sensor to be mounted on moving components within the monitored assembly.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an ultrasonic flaw detection device is provided with: an ultrasonic probe, which applies ultrasonic waves, by driving a plurality of ultrasonic elements, to a test object to be inspected, and which receives reflected ultrasonic waves from the test object; and an analysis unit, which analyzes the signals of the reflected ultrasonic waves received by the ultrasonic probe, and which calculates the flaw detection results. The analysis unit calculates the flaw detection results using an ultrasonic wave propagation path obtained on the basis of the surface information of the test object having the ultrasonic waves applied thereto, thereby obtaining highly accurate detection results even the surface of the test object is formed in complex shape.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting and/or scanning an object includes a substrate and a piezoelectric sensor unit arranged on or at this substrate and/or connected to this substrate. The rear side of the substrate facing away from the piezoelectric sensor unit has a surface structure including a plurality of elevated portions and recesses, with this surface structure being configured so that a diffuse scattering of ultrasonic waves incident on the rear side from the direction of the sensor unit takes place by it; and/or in that its elevated portions and/or recesses have a mean lateral extent in the range of 0.05 ?m to 1 mm, preferably from 0.1 ?m to 200 ?m, preferably from 0.2 ?m to 20 ?m, and/or a mean lateral extent which is smaller than or equal to the wavelength of an ultrasonic wave which can be produced by the piezoelectric sensor unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for evaluating and/or quantifying damage to wire strands of a wire caused during installation of a crimped wire connector, involves launching an ultrasonic wave having known characteristics into a wire at a location that is either the crimp or is adjacent the crimped wire connector, and detecting changes in the characteristics (e.g., amplitude and/or phase shift) of the wave as it is propagates along a length of the wire.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for evaluating rock specimens subjected to high pressures and temperatures by ultrasonic evaluation utilizing various transducer enhancements. Certain embodiments contemplate configuring ultrasonic evaluation systems to provide more accurate measurements, enhanced protection of transducer elements, fewer metal interfaces between transducer elements and test specimens, and easier access to transducer elements for maintenance and replacement. Additionally, certain embodiments allow for sequential or simultaneous p-wave and s-wave measurements of a test specimen. These enhancements translate into a more accurate and efficient ultrasonic evaluation system offering higher resolution measurements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method which allows simply, easily and accurately evaluating the fastening state of shoulder parts of a threaded joint for use as a joint of pipes or tubes, such as OCTG, during fastening or after fastening. The fastening state evaluation method for a threaded joint 100 of pipes or tubes according to the present invention is characterized in that it transmits ultrasonic surface waves from the internal surface of either one of the pin 1 and the box 2 toward the internal surface of the other one of the pin 1 and the box 2 through the shoulder parts 13, 23 of the pin 1 and the box 2, and on the basis of the transmitted wave intensity or the reflected wave intensity thereof, determines whether or not the fastening state of the threaded joint 100 is satisfactory.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of nondestructive and contactless testing of components (3), wherein ultrasonic waves (6) are irradiated onto the surface of the component (3) at a predefinable, non-perpendicular angle of incidence (9) using an ultrasonic transmission sound transducer (1) arranged spaced apart from the surface of the component (3) and the intensity of the ultrasonic waves (7) reflected from the surface of the component (3) is detected with time resolution and/or frequency resolution by the antenna array elements (2n) of an ultrasonic antenna array (2) configured for detecting ultrasonic waves (7) and the phase shift of the ultrasonic waves guided at the surface of the test body is determined therefrom with respect to the ultrasonic waves (7) directly reflected at the surface of the component (3).

Abstract: A device for determining the internal structure of a bone along a path directed into the bone (or other tissue) is disclosed. The device comprises a nozzle fluidically connected to a liquid reservoir for providing a liquid jet directed at the bone in the direction of the path; an ultrasonic transducer for generating ultrasonic waves through the liquid jet and for detecting echoes of the ultrasonic waves caused by changes in the acoustical impedance in the bone characterizing changes in the structure of the bone along the path; and an analyzer for interpreting the echoes into meaningful information relating to the location of the structural changes along the path.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a structural condition of a structure, comprising providing an excitation wave generator; providing an excitation wave sensor; injecting an excitation burst wave into the structure using the excitation wave generator; obtaining a measured propagated excitation burst wave using the excitation wave sensor; correlating the measured propagated excitation burst wave with one of a plurality of theoretical dispersed versions of the excitation burst wave; and providing an indication of the structural condition of the structure corresponding to the correlated measured propagated excitation burst wave. The method may offer a better localization of the reflection points and thus of the potential defects present in a structure under inspection, when compared with a group velocity-based or time-of-flight (ToF) approach. The method may be particularly useful for structural health monitoring (SHM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).

Abstract: (A) first data for defect amount estimation for the guided wave of a first frequency is obtained, the data indicating a relationship among amplitude of the reflected wave, a defect cross-sectional area and a defect width. (B) second data for defect amount estimation for the guided wave of a second frequency is obtained, the data indicating a relationship among amplitude of the reflected wave, a defect cross-sectional area and a defect width. (C) a guided wave of the first frequency is generated, and amplitude of a reflected wave is detected as first amplitude. (D) a guided wave of the second frequency is generated, and amplitude of a reflected wave is detected as second amplitude. (E) on a basis of the first and second data and the first and second amplitude, a defect cross-sectional area and a defect width of the defect part are estimated.

Abstract: A testing method using a guided wave generates a guided wave to propagate through a subject as a testing target in a longitudinal direction of the subject, detects a reflected wave of the guided wave and examines the subject on the basis of the reflected wave. The testing method includes the steps of (A) obtaining data for defect amount estimation beforehand indicating a relationship between a defect amount of the subject and a magnitude of a reflected wave, (B) generating a guided wave so as to propagate through the subject, and detecting a reflected wave of the guided wave, and (C) estimating a defect amount of the subject on the basis of the data for defect amount estimation obtained at (A) and the magnitude of the guided wave detected at (B).

Abstract: An ultrasonic aperture scanning system includes a transducer insert having an insert plug, an ultrasonic transducer carried by the transducer insert and an indicator unit having at least one indicator interfacing with the ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting an inconsistency in an object. A signal sent from a first transducer unit is received at a second transducer unit. The signal is sent along a path through an object from the first transducer unit to the second transducer unit. The second transducer unit has segments. A velocity is identified at each segment in the segments for a number of modes for the signal to form identified velocities. A determination is made as to whether the inconsistency is present along the path through the object using the identified velocities for the number of modes for the signal.

Abstract: A method and a device for the contactless detection of laminated, flat objects, particularly sheet-like recording media. There is a galvanic separation and mechanical decoupling between the transmitter and receiver to improve detection. These measures can be further improved with correction characteristic methods.

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 ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus is capable of inspecting a weld line and of detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an angle in an X?-Z plane. The direction of a normal to the surface is defined as an X axis. The direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis. The direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis. An axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X? axis. A control mechanism performs signal processing of signals reflected from the defect or defects to detect the defect or defects and to measure the length of the defect or defects.

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: Ultrasound inspection methods for noisy materials and related probes are disclosed to inspect a defect in a cast material that use polycarbonate delay layers having a first surface configured to be disposed on a surface of the cast material; and an acoustic crystal element disposed on a second surface of the polycarbonate delay layer.

Abstract: In a particular system for monitoring of a composite workpiece, at least one ultrasonic testing transducer is mounted to a surface of the composite workpiece and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy to and from the composite workpiece during mechanical loading of the composite workpiece. An ultrasonic pulser/receiver is operatively coupled to the at least one ultrasonic testing transducer. A computing system is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic pulser/receiver. The computing system includes a data acquisition component configured to acquire data from the ultrasonic puller/receiver and a data analysis component configured to analyze the acquired data. The data analysis component may be further configured to analyze the acquired data for initiation of failure of the composite workpiece and/or growth of failure of the composite workpiece. Further, failure of the composite workpiece may include cracking and/or delaminating and/or disbonding.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems for damage detection and for other detection of the state of a structure or material. Such damage detection and detection of the state of a structure may be performed and operated without the use of baseline data. The present invention may operate using time reversal acoustics or polarization characteristics of piezoelectric devices. The present invention may include a piezoelectric device including two or more piezoelectric transducers.

Abstract: A non-intrusive sensor for in-situ measurement of recession rate of heat shield ablatives. An ultrasonic wave source is carried in the housing. A microphone is also carried in the housing, for collecting the reflected ultrasonic waves from an interface surface of the ablative material. A time phasing control circuit is also included for time-phasing the ultrasonic wave source so that the waves reflected from the interface surface of the ablative material focus on the microphone, to maximize the acoustic pressure detected by the microphone and to mitigate acoustic velocity variation effects through the material through a de-coupling process that involves a software algorithm. A software circuit for computing the location off of which the ultrasonic waves scattered to focus back at the microphone is also included, so that the recession rate of the heat shield ablative may be monitored in real-time through the scan-focus approach.

Abstract: A method for an imaging ultrasonic inspection of a three-dimensional workpiece, in which ultrasonic waves are coupled into the workpiece with at least one ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic waves reflected within the workpiece are received by ultrasonic transducers and converted into ultrasonic signals forming the basis of the non-destructive imaging ultrasonic inspection.