With Signal Analyzing Or Mathematical Processing Patents (Class 73/602)
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Patent number: 8028581Abstract: A method of inspecting a rotatable shaft for the presence of defects may include continuously rotating a shaft under an applied load. As the shaft is rotated, an ultrasonic signal may be propagated along the length of the shaft. Attenuated or reflected ultrasonic signals may be collected from the shaft as the shaft is rotated. The presence of a defect in the shaft is determined by analyzing the collected ultrasonic signals.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.Inventors: Blair C. Perkins, Gordon E. Smith
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Publication number: 20110232385Abstract: A photoacoustic imaging apparatus includes a signal processor. The signal processor includes an adding unit configured to add received signals obtained by acoustic wave detecting devices to obtain a summed signal, a normalizing unit configured to normalize the summed signal for each acoustic wave detecting device with reference to an amplitude value in the received signal in the acoustic wave detecting device at the time when a maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained to obtain a normalized signal, a reducing unit configured to subtract the normalized signal from the received signal for each acoustic wave detecting device to obtain a reduced signal in which the amplitude value in the received signal at the time when the maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained is reduced, and an imaging unit configured to generate image data using the reduced signals.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHAInventor: Ryuichi Nanaumi
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Publication number: 20110232386Abstract: According to one embodiment, An ultrasonic flaw detecting apparatus comprising: a transducer in which a piezoelectric element array for transmitting ultrasonic waves to and receiving echo signals from a test object; an element driving unit for scanning the piezoelectric element array at a predetermined cycle and causing the ultrasonic waves; a synthesizing unit for synthesizing an internal image of the test object based on the echo signals received by the piezoelectric element array; and a signal replacing unit for replacing the received echo signal with an echo signal in which a bottom echo of the test object is removed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2011Publication date: September 29, 2011Applicant: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Yoshino ITO, Hirokazu KARASAWA, Yoshio UEDA, Tsuyoshi HIEDA, Tetsuya YADOGUCHI, Tetsuo KAWAKAMI, Kouichi KOKUBO, Hideo ISOBE, Kazuyuki HARUNA, Masamitsu NIKI
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Patent number: 8020445Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus for improving accuracy of internal inspection of an object to be inspected and enabling an automatic determination by means of ultrasonic waves.Type: GrantFiled: June 13, 2005Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha ToshibaInventors: Masahiro Katayama, Hirokazu Karasawa, Motohisa Abe, Takahiro Ikeda, Yoshino Ito
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Patent number: 8015877Abstract: A method for generating an image of an anomaly may include generating a pulse wave into a structure being evaluated from each of a plurality of sensors and collecting any scattered wave data caused by the pulse wave impacting an anomaly. The scattered wave data may be collected by the same sensor that generated the pulse wave or by a different sensor. The method may also include identifying any backscattered wave data from a distal edge or border of any anomaly relative to a location of the sensor collecting the scattered wave data. The method may additionally include processing the backscattered wave data from each of the sensors collecting the scattered wave data to generate a two dimensional image of any anomaly. The method may further include presenting the two dimensional image of any anomaly.Type: GrantFiled: April 15, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventor: Jeong-Beom Ihn
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Patent number: 8015876Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Airbus Operations LimitedInventors: Murad El-Bakry, Kathryn Jane Atherton, Christophe Armand Nicolas Paget
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Patent number: 8006558Abstract: A sample 10 is measured by generating ultrasound at 12, for example by using a laser 22 and spatial light modulator 26. The ultrasound is detected at 16, for example by optical beam deflection techniques. A characteristic of the generation at 12 is swept across a range of values to vary the efficiency of generation of ultrasound. The value of the characteristic, which corresponds with the peak amplitude detected at 16, is identified to provide a measure of the acoustic velocity at the region 12. The method is executed at a plurality of sites 12, 20 to provide a set of spatially resolved measurements of the sample 10. This allows an image of the sample to be created.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2006Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: The University of NottinghamInventors: Matthew Clark, Stephen Sharples
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Publication number: 20110203374Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, a transmitter for configured to supply a signal to the ultrasonic probe and forming an ultrasonic beam, a receiver configured to receive a reception signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam to an object, a signal processor configured to form an ultrasonic image on the basis of the reception signal, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, and a control unit configured to control the transmitter, the receiver, the signal processor and the display unit, comprising a setting unit configured to set an operation mode of the transmitter to a low power consumption operation mode or a high spatial resolution operation mode.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 21, 2009Publication date: August 25, 2011Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATIONInventor: Mitsuhiro Oshiki
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Patent number: 8001841Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting ultrasonic flaw detection of an object processes an echo signal received from the object being tested in at least three signal channels, wherein the echo signal is scaled to different degrees along each channel to increase and extend the dynamic range of an associated A/D converter system, in a manner which dispenses with the need for using numerous analog high pass and low pass filters and a variable gain amplifier. This reduces complexity and avoids performance limitations. The digital to analog converters sample the differently scaled input signal and a selection circuit selects the output of the digital output obtained from that analog to digital converter which has the highest gain, but which has not overflowed. The digital outputs are seamlessly merged to produce an output that can be displayed as a scan display which shows the location of faults.Type: GrantFiled: July 20, 2006Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Olympus NDTInventor: Andrew Thomas
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Patent number: 8001842Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting ultrasonic flaw detection of an object processes an echo signal received from the object being tested in at least three signal channels, wherein the echo signal is scaled to different degrees along each channel to increase and extend the dynamic range of an associated A/D converter system, in a manner which dispenses with the need for using numerous analog high pass and low pass filters and a variable gain amplifier. This reduces complexity and avoids performance limitations. The digital to analog converters sample the differently scaled input signal and a selection circuit selects the output of the digital output obtained from that analog to digital converter which has the highest gain, but which has not overflowed. The digital outputs are seamlessly merged to produce an output that can be displayed as a scan display which shows the location of faults.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2009Date of Patent: August 23, 2011Assignee: Olympus NDTInventor: Andrew Robert Thomas
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Patent number: 7997138Abstract: A method for predicting the performance of tubular goods includes using a computer readable three-dimensional representation of tubular good which includes computer readable measurements of discrete segments of the wall of said tubular acquired by ultrasonic detection means, along with associated data representing the position of discrete segment and optionally ovality data to predict the effect of stress conditions, including tensile, bending, collapse, burst and aging forces upon said tubular and optionally analyzing sequential inspection of the same tubular good over a period of time predict when failure is likely to occur, and to avoid failure while maximizing the use of the tubular good.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2009Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Inventors: George M. Sfeir, Jeffrey S. Banks, Dennis L. Rogers
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Patent number: 7997139Abstract: A method for the nondestructive inspecting of coated or uncoated pipeline, using ultrasonic guided waves excited on the outer or inner pipe surface, wherein at least one or more transducers are individually or simultaneously excited to generate ultrasound, wherein multiple received signals with different focal spot positions are processed and combined to produce a reduced number of final waveforms that show defect axial positions in the pipe, wherein a data calibration scheme is utilized to adjust velocity variability for all the guided wave modes at different frequencies, and wherein the hardware arrangement has at least one pulser channel and one receiver channel for the collection and storage of signals.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2008Date of Patent: August 16, 2011Assignee: FBS, Inc.Inventors: Steven E. Owens, Li Zhang, Joseph L. Rose
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Patent number: 7992439Abstract: An ultrasonic probe head, in particular for an ultrasonic flow meter having a housing and an ultrasonic transducer in the housing, wherein ultrasonic signals can be created and/or detected by the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic transducer can be emitted and/or received via an ultrasonic window. A thin, relatively flexible solid interface layer is provided between the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic window, the surface of the ultrasonic window having contact with the solid interface layer has a specified roughness and the ultrasonic transducer is impacted with a force, wherein the material of the solid interface layer and the ultrasonic window, the specified roughness of the surface of the ultrasonic window and the force are attuned to one another so that the solid interface layer nestles into the ultrasonic window of the housing at least also by plastic deformation.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2008Date of Patent: August 9, 2011Assignee: Krohne AGInventors: Aart Jan van Bekkum, Jeoren Martin van Klooster
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Patent number: 7987724Abstract: The apparatus and method prevent inspection omission when ultrasonic flaw detection using a transducer array is applied to inspection of a test object being conveyed at a high speed.Type: GrantFiled: May 25, 2006Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: JFE Steel CorporationInventor: Hajime Takada
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Patent number: 7987718Abstract: Forces are applied to a device under test and its mechanical response is measured by a laser vibrometer (50). The forces are applied without making physical contact with the device by producing an acoustical force with an ultrasonic beam (54). One embodiment employs two confocal transducers (56, 58) that produce beams that flood the device. Drive signals modulate the ultrasonic beams to produce the desired forces, and the use on a plurality of ultrasonic beams enable selective excitation of different modes of vibration of the object (7).Type: GrantFiled: December 16, 2005Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and ResearchInventors: Thomas M. Huber, James F. Greenleaf, Mostafa Fatemi-Booshehri
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Patent number: 7984649Abstract: A panel inspection apparatus includes a resonant frequency extracting unit for extracting a plurality of resonant frequencies of a panel, a resonant frequency selecting unit for selecting a combination of resonant frequencies consisting of two resonant frequencies A and B with different vibration propagation paths among the extracted plurality of resonant frequencies, a non-defective range generating unit for generating a non-defective range on a coordinate system in which resonant frequencies A and B are taken on coordinate axes by statistically processing a set of the resonant frequencies A and B selected for each of a plurality of non-defective panels determined as non-defective in advance, and a panel quality determining unit for determining whether the quality of the panel to be inspected is good based on comparison between resonant frequencies A and B selected for the panel to be inspected and the non-defective range generated by the non-defective range generating unit.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2008Date of Patent: July 26, 2011Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.Inventors: Ichiro Kono, Kenzo Takeda, Shin Yoshida
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Patent number: 7975547Abstract: A sensor is disclosed for analyzing information, such as interfacial interactions, found in various systems. A sensor is located proximate to an interface that is to be studied. The sensor is actuated in order to produce acoustical signals. The frequency of oscillation of the sensor is varied in order to enable the sensor to produce acoustical signals at different harmonics. The different acoustical signals are used to analyze the system at various distances from the surface of the sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Drexel UniversityInventor: Ryszard M Lec
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Patent number: 7975548Abstract: An acoustic apparatus adapted to operate in a gas filled space from a first side of an object to be measured for making a non-contact thickness measurement thereof includes an electro acoustic transducer, a transceiver coupled with the electro acoustic transducer and adapted to excite electro acoustic transducer to output an acoustic signal towards the object to be measured and receive an acoustic response signal therefrom, and a signal processor adapted to process the response signal and determine a thickness of the object. The electroacoustic transducer has a transducer-to-gas acoustic interface, and the transceiver is adapted to operate the electroacoustic transducer so as to emit into a gas filled gap an acoustic broad band pulse towards the object and to receive an acoustic resonance response signal in the acoustic response signal at a level that allows acquisition of the resonance response signal above a predetermined signal to noise level.Type: GrantFiled: September 12, 2008Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: Det Norske Veritas ASInventors: Åge A. Olsen, Jostein Jacobsen, Tore Magne Halås Skar, Petter Norli, Ashild Bergh, Nils-Otto Negård, Steinar Låg
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Patent number: 7971485Abstract: A method of testing an elongate wooden element includes injecting an input acoustic signal into the element, detecting a return acoustic signal at a surface of the element, and determining a spectral profile for the return signal. In at least a predetermined range in the spectral profile, each resonance peak is detected whose amplitude exceeds a first predetermined value, and from the resonance peaks so detected the number of higher peaks is determined whose amplitude exceeds 3 dB. For each of said higher peaks a quality factor Q is calculated, a mean quality value Qm is determined, and Qm is then compared with a predetermined value to provide an indication of the presence or absence of external decay of the element. A ratio R of the number of higher peaks to the number of resonance peaks detected, and the statistical spread S of the average Q for the spectral profile, are calculated and compared with a predetermined boundary function Fn(R,S) to determine acceptability or unacceptability of the pole.Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2007Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: CPI Quetra LimitedInventors: Rodney David Greenough, John Anthony Moran
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Patent number: 7971484Abstract: A method for evaluating the reliability of steel in terms of inclusions is characterized in that the inclusions of approximately 100 ?m or less in maximum inclusion size are evaluated by microscopy combined with the extreme-value statistical analysis; the inclusions of approximately 100 ?m or greater in maximum inclusion size are evaluated by the ultrasonic flaw detection testing performed at a frequency of 5 to 25 MHz; and the reliability of the steel is evaluated based on the results of the extreme-value statistical analysis applied to the results of the microscopy and the results of the ultrasonic flaw detection testing combined.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Sanyo Special Steel Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kaiko Sato, Misaki Nagao, Kazuhiko Hiraoka, Ichiro Takasu, Yasukasu Unigame
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Patent number: 7966883Abstract: An inspection system is provided to examine internal structures of a target material. This inspection system includes a generation laser, an ultrasonic detection system, a thermal imaging system, and a processor/control module. The generation laser produces a pulsed laser beam that is operable to induce ultrasonic displacements and thermal transients at the target material. The ultrasonic detection system detects ultrasonic surface displacements at the target material. The thermal imaging system detects thermal transients at the target material. The processor analyzes both detected ultrasonic displacements and thermal imagery of the target material to yield information about the target material's internal structure.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2006Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Lockheed Martin CorporationInventors: Peter William Lorraine, Donald Robert Howard, Harry Israel Ringermacher, Marc Dubois, Thomas E. Drake
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Patent number: 7966882Abstract: A method for determining a velocity and density of a fluid without requiring the transmission of ultrasound through the fluid, and a system for performing such a method. The method involves the steps of delivering, receiving and analyzing ultrasound pulses sent from a longitudinal and a shear wave transducers to a member that is in contact with a fluid. The ultrasound pulses reflecting between surfaces provide a first ultrasound pulse echo series, that is transmitted, received and processed. The shear wave ultrasound pulses are also delivered through a shear wave transducer at a predesignated angle relative to the interface of the member and the fluid and the results of this are received to obtain a second ultrasound pulse echo series. Reflection coefficients for the first and second ultrasound pulse echo series are then calculated and the density of the fluid and the velocity of sound in the fluids are extracted.Type: GrantFiled: April 23, 2008Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventor: Margaret Stautberg Greenwood
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Patent number: 7958769Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2006Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Olympus NDTInventors: Pierre Langlois, Michael Drummy
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Patent number: 7958783Abstract: Device and method for recording vibrations transmitted from a vehicle to a person. The person is using a cushioned and preferably sprung vehicle seat of a vehicle by way of at least one detector unit for detecting vibration values, whereby the detector unit is arranged on the vehicle seat frame or an associated component and an analysis unit for analyzing the vibration values detected calculates vibration results for the vibration acting on the person using a preset transmission function.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: Grammer AGInventors: Volkhart Meyder, Ing Steffen Pankoke, Dieter Müller
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Publication number: 20110132091Abstract: 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).Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2009Publication date: June 9, 2011Inventors: Stephan Falter, Roman Koch, Walter De Odorico, Gerhard Finger, Klaus-Peter Busch
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Patent number: 7954379Abstract: The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2009Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Texas SystemInventors: Raffaella Righetti, Johathan Ophir
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Patent number: 7954378Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining a separation, spacing or distance of an object from an ultrasonic sensor, in which ultrasonic pulses are emitted by a transducing or sensing element and in which ultrasonic pulses reflected by the object are detected by the same transducing element. According to the invention, the method is characterized in that there is a spectral analysis of the signal detected by the transducing element, that the multiple echo frequency attributed to multiple echoes of the ultrasonic pulses is determined in the spectrum of the detection signal and that on the basis of the multiple echo frequency the separation of the object from the ultrasonic sensor is determined. The invention also relates to an ultrasonic sensor for determining the separation of an object.Type: GrantFiled: December 19, 2007Date of Patent: June 7, 2011Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbHInventors: Oliver Hasieber, Frank Schwiderski
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Publication number: 20110126624Abstract: An apparatus for performing ultrasonic inspection of an object, during one measurement on the object, triggers a sequence of excitations of the probe system and receives a sequence of substantially identical echo signals reflected from the object, and further scales each echo signal to different degrees to increase and extend the dynamic range of the echo signals. An A/D converter is then used to digitize the scaled signal sequentially in a manner which dispenses the need for using numerous A/D converters and the associated filters. The digitized signal samples are then combined to produce a single digital output in a manner that is not over-flowed and with desirable resolution.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2009Publication date: June 2, 2011Inventor: Andrew THOMAS
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Publication number: 20110126625Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 4, 2011Publication date: June 2, 2011Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.Inventors: Hirohisa MIZOTA, Naoyuki Kono, Atsushi Baba
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Patent number: 7950283Abstract: A method of predicting workpiece deformation prior to machining that causes the workpiece to deform through release of residual stresses. The method includes emitting a beam of ultrasound waves onto the workpiece surface in such a way that a longitudinal wave is propagated in a given direction under and substantially parallel to the surface, positioning at least one transducer in receive mode on the surface to receive a subsurface longitudinal wave that has been propagated, and measuring the propagation velocity of the subsurface longitudinal wave. The method further includes performing these steps in two workpiece regions, a first region sensitive to residual stresses and a second region somewhat insensitive to residual stresses, then calculating a difference in propagation velocity between the velocity measured in the first region and the velocity measured in the second region and from the difference, deducing the deformation that will result from machining the first region.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: SNECMAInventors: Jean-yves Francois Roger Chatellier, Eric Charles Louis Le Letty
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Patent number: 7950284Abstract: Device for ultrasonic inspection of a wall of a pipeline that encloses a fluidum. The device is arranged to be moveable along a device axis through the pipeline along a longitudinal direction of the pipeline. The device is provided with electronic means, a body, a transmitting transducer and at least two receiving transducers, mutually spaced apart in a first transducer array along an array direction that is directed substantially parallel to the device axis. The electronic means are arranged to operate the transmitting transducer for transmitting a first ultrasonic signal to propagate through the fluidum to reach the wall, and to operate the at least two receiving transducers for receiving a second ultrasonic signal, which originates from the first ultrasonic signal after it is modified by the wall, according to a tandem method. The at least two receiving transducers are operated for receiving substantially simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Röntgen Technische Dienst B.V.Inventors: Frederik Hendrik Dijkstra, Paul André De Jong, Herman Jozef Moolenaar, Thomas Theodorus A. Van Overbeek
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Patent number: 7946986Abstract: A medical ultrasound system. A base unit is included having system electronics, a user interface and ultrasound control electronics. An ultrasound therapy head is in electronic communication with the base unit. The therapy head includes a replaceable, sealed transducer cartridge with a coupling fluid therein. A cooling system is provided for cooling the coupling fluid. A plurality of guide indicators are positioned around the therapy head to align with crossed lines on a patient so as to properly align the therapy head prior to use. The therapy head can provide variable treatments to an area while the therapy head is in contact with a patient.Type: GrantFiled: June 4, 2010Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Medicis Technologies CorporationInventors: Craig R. Bockenstedt, Jeffrey R. Crunkilton, Gregory T. Wing, Frederick J. Bennett, Blake W. Little
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Patent number: 7946177Abstract: A method of detecting a deviation angle in a single-crystal metal structure is disclosed. The single-crystal metal structure has a crystallographic orientation, a length, a first side, a second side, and a first axis extending through the structure. The method comprises determining the length of the single-crystal metal structure along the first axis, transmitting a signal through the single-crystal metal structure from the first side, the signal oriented to propagate along the first axis, receiving the signal, determining a time-of-flight for the signal to traverse the length from the first side to the second side, determining a speed of the signal based on the time-of-flight and the length, and comparing the speed of the signal to a reference speed to detect the deviation angle.Type: GrantFiled: November 24, 2008Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.Inventors: Harry Lester Kington, Surendra Singh, Mark C. Morris
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Patent number: 7942058Abstract: A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. The present invention includes a database of data, wherein a first set of data is used for comparison with a second set of data to determine the conditions of the material microstructure.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Board of Regents of the Universtiy of NebraskaInventor: Joseph Alan Turner
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Patent number: 7942057Abstract: 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.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Stora Enso ABInventors: Thorulf Pettersson, Jan Lif, Magnus Björklund, Susanne Lindh
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Patent number: 7938008Abstract: A method of performing a non-destructive examination of a piece of material, having the steps of providing an angle beam wedge and at least two transducers placed upon the wedge, wherein the transducers are placed in a phased array, placing the wedge upon the piece of material to be examined, producing a guided wave into the piece of material to be examined, wherein the guided wave is placed into the material through a synthetically changed incident angle, receiving the guided wave from the piece of material, and determining one of a presence of defects and lack of defects in the piece of material from the received guided wave. Transducers used may include 360 degree guided wave, radial polarized units, parallel shear units for shear horizontal activation and guided wave wheel probes.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2007Date of Patent: May 10, 2011Assignee: FBS, Inc.Inventors: Steven E. Owens, Joseph L. Rose, Roger L. Royer, Jr.
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Publication number: 20110100089Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 29, 2010Publication date: May 5, 2011Applicant: OLYMPUS NDTInventors: Pierre Langlois, Michael Drummy
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Patent number: 7934425Abstract: A method for inspecting a part by a non-destructive ultrasound inspection, the part is immersed in an acoustic wave conducting medium and an incident ultrasound wave having a wide beam of section ? is emitted into the ultrasound-conducting medium towards the part. The characteristics of the waves reflected by faces of the part to be inspected are measured on at least a small section ?, the characteristic dimensions of which are substantially less than those of the section ?. The location of the section or sections ? is determined such that, despite the possible variations of the position of the part and the relative slopes of its faces, the section ? is always located in the volumes passed through by the reflected waves, for example substantially in an area close to the axis of the incident beam when the incident beam is controlled to be oriented substantially in a direction perpendicular to a face of the part.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Airbus FranceInventors: Pierre Barbeau, Guillaume Ithurralde
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Patent number: 7934424Abstract: A material characteristic measurement approach measures an internal state of a material by measuring the nonlinear shift in velocity induced by different acoustic energies. The technology for implementing this measurement approach is relatively simple, robust, permits portable measurements, does not require that an unloaded initial condition of the material be measured or otherwise known in order to determine a characteristic of the material, can be applied using one or more transducers, and does not require physical contact with the material.Type: GrantFiled: July 24, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Luna Innovations IncorporatedInventors: Mark J. McKenna, Joseph S. Heyman
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Publication number: 20110088473Abstract: Embodiments of techniques and technologies to verify the interference fit of fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transducer is positioned to transmit a shear ultrasonic signal through a region of a fastener which is subject to stress when the fastener experiences an interference fit. The shear ultrasonic signal is transmitted through a region of the fastener subject to the stress. As the transmitted ultrasonic signal encounters the region, it is mode converted corresponding to a degree of interference which the fastener is experiencing. A return ultrasonic signal from the fastener is received with the transducer. From the return ultrasonic signal, a processor determines the degree of interference fit which the fastener is experience and outputs an indication of the same.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 15, 2009Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Karl E. Nelson, Gary E. Georgeson, Paul S. Rutherford, Mark McKenna
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Publication number: 20110088474Abstract: A system and method is provided for using acoustical pulses generated from an airborne laser source to locate objects under water. An array of acoustic sensors, such as passive sonobuoys at the ocean surface, is deployed in known or determinable locations by aircraft. Each area surrounded by acoustic sensors comprises a search cell, within which sonar scattering data can be used to locate objects. Following sonobuoy deployment, the aircraft uses the laser to rapidly generate many laser-acoustic pulse sources within each search cell, which in turn generate spherical acoustic pulses traveling through the water. The acoustic sensors receive the acoustic pulses, either on a direct path or on a scattered path after the pulse strikes an underwater object. The sensors record the acoustic signatures of the received pulses and transmit data of the recorded acoustic pulses to a processor such as processor on a nearby ship.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2010Publication date: April 21, 2011Applicant: The Government of the United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventors: Theodore G, Jones, Tsih C. Yang, Steven L. Means, Edward R. Franchi, Kwang B. Yoo
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Patent number: 7926350Abstract: A method for the non-destructive inspection of a test body using ultrasound is disclosed, in which at least one ultrasonic transducer couples ultrasonic waves into the test body and ultrasonic waves reflected inside the test body are received by ultrasonic transducers and converted into ultrasonic signals, which form the basis of the non-destructive inspection.Type: GrantFiled: June 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.Inventors: Michael Kröning, Andrey Bulavinov, Krishna Mohan Reddy, Ludwig Von Bernus
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Publication number: 20110083511Abstract: A signal processing apparatus scans a beam of elastic waves into an object to be examined, acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scan lines, and performs signal processing to form a tomographic image of said object to be examined from the received waveform data of the plurality of scan lines. The signal processing apparatus includes a scan line correlation calculation part (009) that calculates a correlation value of received waveform data between a first scan line and a second scan line that has a prescribed correlation with the first scan line, for a plurality of positions on the scan lines, and a correlation change position extraction part (010) that extracts, from among the plurality of positions on said scan lines, a position at which the correlation value becomes a value different from a prescribed value as a position at which a unique region can exist.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 24, 2009Publication date: April 14, 2011Applicants: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA, KYOTO UNIVERSITYInventors: Hirofumi Taki, Kenichi Nagae, Toru Sato
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Patent number: 7921691Abstract: A method of determining properties of a formation fluid based on measurements of fluid sound speed, a measurement of fluid density, or both. The properties include compressibility, thermal conductivity, and gas oil ratio. The compressibility of a fluid is equal to the reciprocal of the product of the sound speed squared and fluid density. The density and the sound speed can be measured acoustically. The method further includes a manner of processing data including applying the Savitzky-Golay method and utilizing a variable thresholding technique.Type: GrantFiled: March 17, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Baker Hughes IncorporatedInventors: Rocco DiFoggio, Weimin Yao
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Patent number: 7921717Abstract: Disclosed are a system and method of selecting one or more operational parameters of an ultrasonic imaging system. In particular, methods and means are disclosed for automatically or semi-automatically determining a best operating frequency, or for determining whether a system should operate in a fundamental imaging mode or a harmonic imaging mode.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.Inventors: John I. Jackson, Lewis J. Thomas, Constantine Simopoulos
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Patent number: 7921575Abstract: A method is provided for assembling a measurement device for use in measuring a machine component. The method includes providing a coordinate measuring machine (CMM). The method also includes combining ultrasonic inspection (UT) capabilities and CMM capabilities to form an inspection probe. The inspection probe is installed on the CMM so that the inspection probe measures external boundaries of the machine component with the CMM capabilities and substantially simultaneously measures internal boundaries of the machine component with the UT capabilities.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Francis Howard Little, Yanyan Wu, Jian Li, Nicholas J. Kray
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Patent number: 7905148Abstract: The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignees: National Institute of Health (NIH), U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Inventors: Raffaella Righetti, Jonathan Ophir
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Patent number: 7905147Abstract: The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning.Type: GrantFiled: July 11, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignees: National Institutes of Health (NIH), U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS)Inventors: Raffaella Righetti, Johathan Ophir
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Patent number: 7900516Abstract: To simply and accurately determine the position of an edge, the depth or the height of a flaw including a surface crack, a corroded portion near the surface layer of a thick specimen, and a minute damage.Type: GrantFiled: July 6, 2007Date of Patent: March 8, 2011Assignee: Central Research Institute of Electric Power IndustryInventors: Hiroyuki Fukutomi, Shan Lin, Tetsuo Fukuchi
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Patent number: 7895895Abstract: A computer implemented method, or hardware filtration apparatus, and computer usable program code for measuring porosity in materials. An ultrasonic signal is emitted from a transmitting transducer in an ultrasonic measurement system into a material. A response signal is received at a receiving transducer in the ultrasonic measurement system from the material. The response signal is filtered to pass only frequencies in the response signal within a selected frequency range to form a filtered response signal. A porosity level of the material is identified using the filtered response signal.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2007Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: The Boeing CompanyInventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Carrie Ann Decker, Barry A. Fetzer, Kevin M. Uhl