Abstract: A method for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web (1) that is being processed by a fiber web processing machine comprising a fiber web processing station (2) is described. The method comprises the steps of arranging a generator (5) and a detector (6) of a generator-detector unit (4) on opposite sides of the traveling fiber web (1) downstream of the fiber web processing station; bringing the generator to emit an ultrasonic wave; bringing the detector to receive the ultrasonic wave; sending a signal representing the received ultrasonic wave to a control unit (10); and, in the control unit, analyzing the signal and extracting a value from the signal representing a measure of the received ultrasonic wave. A system for monitoring the structural state of a fiber web is also described.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a substrate is provided comprising applying ultrasonic waves to a substrate, receiving echo pulse signals transmitted through the substrate, and analyzing received echo pulse signals to detect defects in the substrate. Thus, defects in the substrate may be detected.

Abstract: A defect detection method of a turbine generator end ring includes a first ultrasonic testing step of conducting ultrasonic testing by an angle beam technique to the turbine generator end ring, a second ultrasonic testing step of conducting, when an indication echo is detected by the first ultrasonic testing step, ultrasonic testing by a focusing straight beam technique to a portion of the turbine generator end ring from which an indication echo is detected and an interpretation step of interpreting whether the indication echo is a defect echo or a false echo based on a testing result by the second ultrasonic testing step.

Abstract: A method of detecting defects in a railway track rail, the rail (101) having a longitudinal centre plane and a surface, the surface including a running surface (102), the method comprising directing an excitation laser beam (106) to an excitation position (103) on the surface of the rail (101) to induce an ultrasonic wave in the rail (101); and directing a detection laser beam (108) to a detection position (104) on the surface of the rail (101) to detect at least one predetermined property of the induced ultrasonic wave; wherein the excitation position (103) and the detection position (104) are located on the running surface (102) and displaced from the longitudinal centre plane of the rail (101).

Abstract: A system and method for assessing the quality of spot weld joints between pieces of metal includes an ultrasound transducer probing a spot weld joint. The ultrasound transducer transmits ultrasonic radiation into the spot weld joint, receives corresponding echoes, and transforms the echoes into electrical signals. An image reconstructor connected to the ultrasound transducer transforms the electrical signals into numerical data representing an ultrasound image. A neural network connected to the image reconstructor analyzes the numerical data and an output system presents information representing the quality of the spot weld joint. The system is trained to assess the quality of spot weld joints by scanning a spot weld joint with an ultrasound transducer to produce the data set representing the joint; then physically deconstructing the joint to assess the joint quality.

Abstract: Since ultrasonic velocities in anisotropic media can change by a factor of 3 or more depending on the direction of propagation, accounting for these changes is extremely important. Also many anisotropic materials are made up of multiple layers of varying orientation, hence the need to account for refraction at ply boundaries. In the present invention, an algorithm is used to calculate these velocities and travel times and properly account for refraction phenomena. Specifically a multilayer SAFT algorithm has been developed that will calculate the time shift, shift and sum A-scan waveforms in layered anisotropic media at any given depth, ply orientation, and number of plies. The algorithm showed an improvement in signal to noise ratio with synthetic data as was expected. This algorithm can be used as a replacement for homogenizing material properties in layered media and will calculate time shifts with increased accuracy since exact material properties are used.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a system and method for detecting defects in a manufactured object. These defects may include flaws, delaminations, voids, fractures, fissures, or cracks, among others. The system utilizes an ultrasound measurement system, a signal analyzer and an expected result. The signal analyzer compares the signal from the measurement system to the expected result. The analysis may detect a defect or measure an attribute of the manufactured object. Further, the analysis may be displayed or represented. In addition, the expected result may be generated from a model such as a wave propagation model. One embodiment of the invention is a laser ultrasound detection system in which a laser is used to generate an ultrasonic signal. The signal analyzer compares the measured ultrasonic signal to an expected result. This expected result is generated from a wave propagation model. The analysis is then displayed on a monitor.

Abstract: The measurement of a flaw height in a thick welded portion of a stainless steel specimen, which is difficult to perform by the TOFD method, can be conducted with more ease, with higher accuracy and in a shorter time than in the case of using tip echo techniques. In addition, it is possible to reduce variations in measurement results among individual inspectors. An ultrasonic wave 21 is launched by a transmitting probe 1 into a specimen 20 in a direction oblique to a flaw 24 to generate diffracted waves at the tip 25 of the flaw 24, then a diffracted wave 22 propagating upward directly from the flaw 24 and a diffracted wave 23 propagating upwardly of the flaw 24 after once reflected off the back 27 are received by a receiving probe 2 disposed above the flaw 24, and the height of the tip of the flaw 24 from the back 27 is measured from the propagation time difference between the received diffracted waves.

Abstract: A fishing reel directly measuring line travel (not velocity or acceleration) past two or more points along the line, with said data being fed back in real time to a comparative control loop which initiates a direct contact spool brake to slow or near-instantaneously halt spool rotation in order to maximize casting distance while eliminating backlash under all casting conditions. During the cast, the line length fed from the spool is prevented from exceeding (to the point of backlash) the line length being pulled out from the spool. During a cast in which the lure is suddenly halted (as in the case of the lure striking a structure or object), the system senses control instability and fully halts the spool rotation so that backlash is prevented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the quality of live, standing timber employs deep-set spike probes angled to create a longitudinal compression wave. Alignment tools and isolation of the probes provide an improved signal, automated detection of probe separation and amplitude-independent pulse discrimination process ensure higher reliability and repeatability of the measurements, and wireless operation provides operational efficiencies.

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: Systems and techniques for detecting the presence of foreign material in food utilizing optical backlighting and/or ultrasonic inspection are presented. In optical backlighting, a substantially monochromatic light source optically backlights a food stream with source light having a wavelength between about 500 and 600 nm. An image of the food stream is captured and the presence of foreign material is determined when a portion of the detected image exceeds a predetermined threshold. The technique is especially suitable for the detection of bone in chicken meat, and the light source can be a planar array of green LEDs. In ultrasonic inspection, a process stream is interrogated with pulses of ultrasound and the presence of foreign material is determined based on the detected off-angle ultrasound scattering response.

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: An ultrasonic probe suited for testing the integrity of sheet metal surfaces around fastener openings is provided with means to center the probe over such openings. Both a mechanical centering rod and an electronic display assist the user in centering such probe. Once positioned within tolerance limits, phased array ultrasonic beams search for defects within the metal surfaces, allowing for residual offsets in the centering of the probe. Also described are test fixtures for calibrating the probe.

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: Subsurface defects in a processed metal are detected by a laser-ultrasonic method involving generation of a surface acoustic wave at one location on the processed metal surface, and detection of a scattered acoustic wave at another location on the processed metal surface. The method can be used in-line to provide real time monitoring of laser cladding and other metal processing operations.

Abstract: A working apparatus has: a working equipment for doing works on a structure; an operation mechanism adapted to actively move the working equipment relative to the structure; and an adhering/traveling module coupled to the operation mechanism and adapted to adhere to the structure so as to have the weight of the working apparatus borne by the structure and travel/move on the structure for positioning. With this arrangement, the working apparatus can perform accurate positioning operations in a narrow environment and complex scanning operations by means of various pieces of the working equipment such as inspection sensors, and can secure a large working area within a short period of time and reduce the overall working hours.

Abstract: An inspection method can easily determine welding condition by just comparing an echo height returned from the weld zone of a real product with a master data. An master data is made based on the data from prepared test pieces corresponding to the real product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a failure detecting system that enables the detection of a break in a rail and the like by a simple network configuration. Detecting units (20 and 50), relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C) and terminal units (40 and 70) are arranged along rails (11, 11A and 11B). Using the rails (11, 11A and 11B) as transmission media, ultrasonic waves transmitted from the detecting units (20 and 50) are transmitted to the terminal units (40 and 70) by the relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C), and when the terminal units (40 and 70) receive the ultrasonic waves, the ultrasonic waves are returned from the terminal units (40 and 70), relayed by the relay units (30A, 30B, 60A through 60C), and transmitted to the detecting units (20 and 50). Thus, it is judged whether there is a break in the rails (11, 11A and 11B), based on the ultrasonic wave reception state in the detecting units (20 and 50).

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 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: A device for inspecting submersed plant parts is particularly suited for ultrasonic inspection of screws in the core baffle of a nuclear reactor pressure vessel. The device includes a remote-controlled underwater vehicle that is provided at its end face with a carrier that can be pivoted about a pivot axis oriented parallel to the longitudinal central axis of the underwater vehicle, and is provided with a holding device for an inspection head that is arranged on the carrier spaced apart from the pivot axis.

Abstract: Apparatus for non-destructively testing material to enable detection of any damage sites, comprising means for generating localized heating at any damage site in the material, and means for imaging the material to enable detection of any localized heating at the damage site.

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: A method for detecting vibration signatures in a reversible drive is disclosed. The method includes the steps of acquiring digital data representative of vibrations in the reversible drive and identifying and grouping together portions of data in a plurality of groups. The identified portions of data relate to a particular direction of travel of the reversible drive and the plurality of groups relate to travel in different directions of the reversible drive. The method can include the further step of processing at least one of the groups of data using signal processing techniques. A system and computer program product for practicing the method for detecting vibration signatures in a reversible drive are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for detecting changes in the properties of a polymeric material. A frame is hand held against the outside surface of a curved polymeric test specimen, e.g., fluid tank. A transmitting probe attached to the frame emits critically refracted ultrasonic waves that travel longitudinally across the chord of said curved test specimen and are detected by at least one receiving probe attached to the frame. A data processing system measures the travel time of the ultrasonic waves from the transmitting probe to the receiving probe and compares this measured travel time to an expected travel time. Variations in material properties along the penetration path of the ultrasonic waves can be detected from deviation in the measure travel time of the waves from the expected control values. Measuring the temperature of the polymeric specimen allows adjustment of the measured travel time of the waves to account for temperature effects on the polymeric material.

Abstract: An acoustic energy-based, non-contact or contact testing approach provides low cost, highly accurate, and reliable information to (a) identify flaws and anomalies and (b) assess the integrity of a particular material. This approach is not hindered by surface conditions or impediments, and indeed, looks beneath the surface of the material by propagating an acoustic wave through the material using two differential transducers. A dynamic differential measurement is made of the material under a load condition and an unloaded condition that allows identification and assessment of various characteristics of the material. Multiple “windows” of information may be generated that permit (a) direct detection of flaws, defects, and anomalies using a scattering technique, (b) detection of crack closure and opening used to assess the stability of the material, (c) determination of strain on the material which relates to its performance, and (d) determination of defect dynamics linked to the defect size and stability.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit that is lowered into vertically supported pipe filled with seawater. The apparatus includes a pipe weld location detector module carried by the inspection unit. The apparatus also includes a rotating time of flight diffusion (TOFD) module and a non-rotating wall thickness module carried by the inspection unit. The module includes a pair of rotatably mounted weld volume inspection transducers rotatable by an operator and adapted to inspect for and obtain data on weld volume defects. The TOFD module has a fluid carrier positioned within the TOFD module and contains an acoustic fluid. The non-rotating wall thickness module also contains an acoustic liquid and includes a plurality of fixedly mounted wall inspection transducers adapted to obtain data on wall thickness of a portion of the pipe.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting and automatically identifying defects in technical equipment, is disclosed. Measurement signals varying in time are downloaded as spectrograms to a computer memory. Using a predetermined criteria a set of designated peak values is created. Using another predetermined criteria the set of designated peak values is divided into two subsets. Then in one of the subsets, peak groups differing from each other by the basic frequency values are distinguished. The second subset, created from the set of designated peak values, is searched for the presence of sidebands for peaks from each specified peak group and if the sidebands are present the basic frequency of the sidebands is calculated. Then the existence of a defect in the technical equipment is detected, and identified by comparing the basic frequencies and the basic frequencies of the sidebands with the frequency values collected in the computer memory.

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 system and method for determining at least one parameter related to a train traversing on a railway track is provided.

Abstract: A method for processing echoes in a time-of-flight ranging system or level measurement system. The method comprises applying an entropy filter to the echo profile. The entropy filter comprises determining the information content in the echo profile. The entropy filter determines the occurrences of a pattern in the bit stream representing magnitudes in the echo profile. Repeated occurrences of the pattern are used to characterize the echo signal as having low randomness (i.e. higher information content) indicative of a potential echo pulse or as having high randomness (i.e. lower information content) indicative of noise.

Abstract: A method of analysis long range guided wave data reflected from defects and geometric features such as welds in a structure. The method involves acquiring two sets of data, and time shifting one set of data relative to the other. Data points that match in time after the shifting are considered to represent defects or geometric features in the structure. The result of the method is exclusion of false signal data and automation of data analysis.

Abstract: The present invention uses the generation and detection of acoustic guided waves to evaluate the condition of the insulation on electrical wiring. Low order axisymmetric and flexural acoustic modes are generated in the insulated wire and travel partially in the center conductor and partially in the outer insulation. The stiffness of the insulation and the insulation's condition affect the overall wave speed and amplitude of the guided wave. Analysis of the received signal provides information about the age or useful life of the wire insulation. In accordance with the present invention, signal transmission occurs at one location on the electrical wire to be evaluated, and detection occurs at one or more locations along the electrical wire. Additional receivers can be used to improve measurement accuracy. Either the transmission transducer or one or more receiver transducers may be angled at other than 90 degrees to the wire.

Abstract: The speed of sound c is determined in a material as a function of the temperature T by heating an end of an elongated sample body of the material of the temperature and determining the time difference for the receipt of echoes from two reflective zones at the heated end. The opposite end of the body is cooled in a water bath which can couple an ultrasonic test head to the body.

Abstract: A method and system for determining meat quality in cattle is provided. In preferred embodiments the method comprises obtaining an ultrasound measurement of a cattle specimen between the 12th rib and 13th rib at weaning age. The ultrasound measurement is utilized to extrapolate a harvest quality parameter. Based on the harvest quality parameter, and preferably a yield grade, the specimen is categorized. Particularly preferred harvest quality parameters are ribeye area, fat thickness, intramuscular fat and ribeye shape. Method for determining tenderness, stress and intramuscular fat are described and claimed.

Abstract: A nondestructive inspection method for composite structures, including thick core structures, is disclosed that imparts a vibration force into the structure and analyzes the response over a range of frequencies to find possible damaged areas. The composite structure is struck to induce vibration at a series of test points and the response of the composite structure as a function of acceleration at each test point is measured. The structural anomalies in the composite structure occur at structural stiffness irregularities near anomalies and are detected with a Gapped Smoothing Method operating on the data and plotting a structural irregularity index as a function of frequency and position.

Abstract: The present invention uses the generation and detection of acoustic guided waves to evaluate the condition of the insulation on electrical wiring. Low order axisymmetric and flexural acoustic modes are generated in the insulated wire and travel partially in the center conductor and partially in the outer insulation. The stiffness of the insulation and the insulation's condition affect the overall wave speed and amplitude of the guided wave. Analysis of the received signal provides information about the age or useful life of the wire insulation. In accordance with the present invention, signal transmission occurs at one location on the electrical wire to be evaluated, and detection occurs at one or more locations along the electrical wire. Additional receivers can be used to improve measurement accuracy. Either the transmission transducer or one or more receiver transducers may be angled at other than 90 degrees to the wire.

Abstract: An inspection apparatus includes an inspection unit that is lowered into vertically supported pipe filled with seawater. The apparatus includes a pipe weld location detector module carried by the inspection unit. The apparatus also includes a rotating time of flight diffusion (TOFD) module and a non-rotating wall thickness module carried by the inspection unit. The module includes a pair of rotatably mounted weld volume inspection transducers rotatable by an operator and adapted to inspect for and obtain data on weld volume defects. The TOFD module has a fluid carrier positioned within the TOFD module and contains an acoustic fluid. The non-rotating wall thickness module also contains an acoustic liquid and includes a plurality of fixedly mounted wall inspection transducers adapted to obtain data on wall thickness of a portion of the pipe.

Abstract: A system and technique for detecting the presence of foreign material is presented. An ultrasound transmitter interrogates the bulk material and an array of detectors receives the off angle ultrasound scattering response of the bulk material. The presence of foreign material is determined when the off angle scattering response exceeds a predetermined threshold. The technique is especially suitable for the detection of bone in meat.

Abstract: The testing results, etc. of surface flaws such as cracks formed in or just below a surface of a body to be detected are displayed using colors within different color regions in the color space when displaying, on the basis of a preset threshold value, the test signal ranging in magnitude from zero to the threshold value and the test signal falling in magnitude beyond the threshold value while changing the color and/or the depth of color little by little within each of the color regions according to the magnitude of the test signal. This enables small flaw signals, etc. to be displayed without exception, thereby preventing small flaws, etc. from being overlooked.

Abstract: Described herein is a technology for facilitating diagnosis of the operation of devices or machines based, at least in part, upon the acoustics of such.

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: Methods and apparatus for atmospheric sounding using acoustic chirps are disclosed, the transmitted and echo chirps being compared in a mixer that yields frequency sums and differences. Preferably, the mixing is performed as a complex multiplication in the Fourier domain. In one system (1) a signal generator (5) such as a PC sound card drives a loudspeaker (3) that serves as a transmitter and echo pulses are detedcted by a microphone (4) that serves as a receiver. Chirps transmitted by the loudspeaker (3) travel by different paths (7a and 7b) due to reflection from TILS or thermal inversion layers (2a and 2b) at different altitudes. The transmitted and echo chirp signals are compared in a mixer (6) from which various outputs (8 and 9) can be generated. One output (8) might be the magnitude of the difference between the transmitted and echo chirp tones, instant by instant, which is indicative of the altitudes of the respective TILs.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-destructive cleanliness evaluation in sputter targets using radio frequency waveform phase change and amplitude detection is disclosed. The apparatus acquires phase change and amplitude for a plurality of data points. The method disclosed for characterizing the sputter target material (52) employs the phase change and amplitude magnitude data for calculating cleanliness factors and generating pareto histograms.

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

Abstract: A flaw detection system using acoustic Doppler effect for detecting flaws in a medium wherein there is relative motion between the medium and system includes a transducer, spaced from the medium to be inspected, for introducing to and sensing from the medium an acoustic signal that propagates in the medium at a predetermined frequency; and a detector, responsive to the sensed propagating acoustic signal, for detecting in the sensed acoustic signal the Doppler shifted frequency representative of a flaw in the medium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for distance measurement, comprising a transmission element (9) for emitting pulsed acoustic or electromagnetic waves. Said transmission element is provided at a first end of a distance (L) or at a known distance from said first end. The device contains a receiving element (13) for the emitted waves. Said receiving element (13) receives said waves at a second end of the distance (L) or, after reflection at the second end, at the first end. An evaluation and control unit (11) calculates the distance (L) from the running time and the signal speed. According to the invention, a telescope tube (3) with two engaging tube elements (5, 7) is used between the first and second end. The transmission element (9) and the receiving element (13) are arranged on the tube elements (5, 7) respectively or are coupled thereto via waveguides. One of the tube elements can also be coupled to a displaceable element which can change location.

Abstract: All independent acoustical physical constants (elastic constants, piezoelectric constants, dielectric constants and density) of a material are predetermined as a function of its chemical composition, and the calibration line between the acoustic velocity for each of the substrate crystal plane, the propagation direction and the propagation mode, and other chemical and physical properties is numerically calculated with ease without making any experiments.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and an apparatus for detecting anomalies in a wooden member. The apparatus includes a first roller device comprising a first array of transducers, and a second roller device comprising a second array of transducers. A first transducer in the first array of transducers communicates with more than one transducer in the second array of transducers. The apparatus may be designed such that the wooden member may pass between the first roller device and the second roller device. In addition, the first array of transducers and the second array of transducers maintain an orientation perpendicular to the moving direction of the wooden member as the first roller device and the second roller device roll along the wooden member. Each of the transducers operate in an ultrasonic frequency range. Also, each transducer in the first array of transducers is acoustically isolated from each other transducer.