Abstract: Methods and systems for producing a visually-perceived representation of a sub-millimeter-sized blood vessel located at a depth of many centimeters in the biological tissue, in which the background clutter is suppressed (by at least 30 dB using SVT and additional 23 dB using a combination of morphology filtering and vessel enhancement filtering) as compared to an image obtained with the use of a B-mode ultrasound imaging, while at the same time maintaining the morphology of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A computerized bone motion tracking system according to one exemplary embodiment is configured to: provide a non-invasive means for accurate measurement and tracking of the motion of a bone using a volumetric ultrasound transducer and a three dimensional position measurement system; provide relative measurements of one bone relative to another bone of a joint; decompose relative joint motion into specific components; and measure joint instability and range of motion.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ultrasonic inspection of elongated composite members in a single scan pass using pulse echo phased arrays operating in a bubbler method. The system concept is fully automated by integrating an inspection probe assembly to a robot and using the robot to move the inspection probe assembly along the part (i.e., outside of an inspection tank); and by integrating tooling fixtures that move out of the way as the inspection probe assembly travels along the length of the part during the inspection. In addition, the system allows for generally elongated composite members having lengthwise variation in shape, curvature and dimensions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for passively detecting the presence of near-surface human-scale underground anomalies using earth field measurements. A sensor is used to measure at least one electric or magnetic component of the Earth's electromagnetic field at a frequency of 5 kHz or greater in proximity to the Earth's surface for a given area. The measured intensities are used to identify variations indicative of the presence of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly. Measuring the intensity of at least one component of the electromagnetic field at a plurality of frequencies of 5 kHz or greater can be used to determine the depth and characteristic of a near-surface human-scale underground anomaly.

Abstract: The present invention presents a positioning assembly to guide an invasive device toward a tissue object of a living body under ultrasonographic visualization. The positioning assembly is a part of an apparatus that controllably introduces an invasive device into a tissue object. The positioning assembly of the present invention is configured to improve on ultrasonographic guidance and to reduce chances of contamination of the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention presents an apparatus and methods to stereotactically guide insertion of invasive tubular devices to a tissue target of a living body. The apparatus comprises a positioning guide control assembly and a positioning guide assembly that is reversibly coupled with and operated by the positioning guide control assembly, and rotationally adjustable and lockable. The positioning guide control assembly releasably houses a ultrasound transducer head to visualize and aim at the tissue target and adjusts an insertion angle of an invasive tubular device placed in the positioning guide assembly.

Abstract: A method and apparatus including an interferometer is provided for sequentially recording interferometric sectional images at different depths, in particular for analyzing an eye. By use of an interferometer, which includes an optical reference path and an optical sample path, a sample beam scans a measuring region of a sample, in particular of an eye, so as to generate a deep sectional image. The optical and geometric paths in a sample arm and/or reference arm of the interferometer can be switched quickly between two or more positions. The path length of the sample beam and/or of the reference beam is changed by way of a path length switching unit, deep sectional images are generated at least at two different depths of the sample, and the change of the path length in the switching unit takes place by deflection of the beam paths to different geometric paths.

Abstract: An automatic sonic/ultrasonic data acquisition system for collecting data from concrete railroad ties. The system has a frame, a wheel carried by the frame and constructed and arranged to rotate relative to the frame such that the wheel can roll along the top of a rail, an axle suspended from the frame and adapted to be rotated relative to the frame via rotation of the wheel, one or more sensors coupled to the axle and constructed and arranged to contact the ties as the frame is moved along the rails, and an energy source for initiating in the ties compressional and/or shear/Rayleigh waves that are sensed by the sensors.

Abstract: A system and method that allow inspection of hollow structures made of composite material, such as an integrally stiffened wing box of an aircraft. A wing box comprises top and bottom skins connected by a plurality of spaced spars. The system employs a plurality of scanners for inspecting different portions of each spar. The system uses dynamically controlled magnetic coupling to connect an external drive tractor to computer-controlled scanners that carry respective sensors, e.g., linear ultrasonic transducer arrays. A system operator can control the various components by means of a graphical user interface comprising multiple interaction regions that represent the individual scanner motion paths and are associated with respective motion script files.

Abstract: A system for performing ultrasonic testing on a composite part includes an ultrasonic transducer, a shoe for holding the transducer, and means for automatically adjusting position of the transducer during ultrasonic testing. The transducer position is adjusted to account for geometry variations in the part.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring wall thicknesses of objects, includes a coordinate measuring machine that has a probe holder and an object support. The coordinate measuring machine is configured to provide relative movement between the probe holder and the object support in three dimensions. The apparatus also includes an ultrasonic test probe which is held by the probe holder. The coordinate measuring machine brings the transducer of the ultrasonic test probe into contact with a position on a surface of an object at the object support so that the probe can measure an object wall thickness at the probe contact position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) system operable to inspect target materials is provided. This ultrasonic NDE system includes an articulated robot, an ultrasound inspection head, a processing module, and a control module. The ultrasound inspection head couples to or mounts on the articulated robot. The ultrasound inspection head is operable to deliver a generation laser beam, a detection laser beam, and collect phase modulated light scattered by the target materials. The processing module processes the phase modulated light and produces information about the internal structure of the target materials. The control module directs the articulated robot to position the ultrasound inspection head according to a pre-determined scan plan.

Abstract: A system for performing ultrasonic testing on a composite part includes an ultrasonic transducer, a shoe for holding the transducer, and means for automatically adjusting position of the transducer during ultrasonic testing. The transducer position is adjusted to account for geometry variations in the part.

Abstract: A capacitive microfabricated ultrasonic transducer (cMUT) is operated to improve its performance during harmonic imaging in non-linear media, such as in contrast agents or in human tissue. The cMUT is operated by inverting the transmit waveform to adjacently spaced azimuth elements, and combining at least two additional firings without adjacent inversion, for each transmit vector, thereby canceling the second harmonic generation of the cMUT; and thus, the performance of harmonic imaging using the cMUTs can achieve improvement.

Abstract: The invention includes a system and a method of scanning fingerprints. A system may include an imaging surface, an ultrasound transducer, a probe arm joined to the transducer, a driver capable of moving the pivot location linearly and the transducer arcuately, a measurer capable of measuring a linear position of the pivot-location and an arcuate position of the transducer, and a coupler capable of coupling information corresponding to the linear position and the arcuate position with information from the transducer.

Abstract: The invention relates to a fingerprint scanning system and a method of scanning a fingerprint. A system according to the invention may have (a) an imaging surface capable of receiving a finger, (b) a rotatable disk, the disk having a pivot-location about which the disk rotates, (c) an ultrasound transducer joined to the disk and capable of providing information corresponding to a fingerprint of the finger, (d) a disk driver capable of rotating the disk in order to cause the transducer to move along a substantially circular path, (e) a linear driver capable of moving the pivot-location linearly, (f) a measurer capable of measuring linear positions of the pivot-location and arcuate positions of the transducer; and (g) a coupler capable of producing sets of coupled information, each set comprising one linear position of the pivot-location, one arcuate position of the transducer and information produced from the transducer at the pivot-location and arcuate position.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph, an ultrasonic transducer, an inspection device, and an ultrasonic imaging device enabling easy and quick inspection and high-resolution or high-speed processing are provided. Barium titanate (BaTiO3) or lead zirconate titanate (PZT) is used for a piezoelectric material constituting the ultrasonic transducer, and the thickness thereof is 0.1 ?m to 100 ?m. Included therein are a drive section capable of driving an arbitrary one of piezoelectric layers, a detecting section detecting electrical signals generated by the plural piezoelectric layers based on echoes from an inspection object, the echoes being originated from an ultrasonic wave generated by the driven piezoelectric layer, and a processing section performing processing for visualizing a state of the inspection object based on the detected electrical signals.

Abstract: A method of inspecting a part in immersion using a focused beam of ultrasound waves oriented perpendicularly to the surface of the part, the method including, when the axis of the focused beam is close to an edge of the part, tilting the axis towards the edge relative to the normal to the surface of the part in order to eliminate the lateral shadow zone over all or substantially all of the depth of the part.

Abstract: Systems and methods to obtain an ultrasonic image of a large detection area are disclosed. A system includes a source of ultrasound generating ultrasonic energy and projecting the ultrasonic energy from a projecting end and an adapter interfaced to the projecting end and ultrasonically coupling the source of ultrasound to a first surface of the structure to be imaged at an adjustable angle of incidence. A method includes ultrasonically coupling a source of ultrasonic energy to a first surface of a structure to be imaged with an adapter, the adapter adjustable to a select a first angle of incidence and a second angle of incidence, projecting ultrasonic energy into the structure, and detecting a reflected acoustic energy from the structure with an ultrasound camera. A first angle of incidence is selected to introduce a longitudinal wave into the structure, and a second angle of incidence is selected to introduce a shear wave into the structure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relates to an improved laser for the optical detection of ultrasound. The primary task of this “first” detection laser is to illuminate the spot where a “second” laser is used to generate ultrasound in the part under test. The scattered light from the first laser is collected and analyzed with an interferometer to demodulate the surface vibrations caused by the return echoes of the ultrasound at the surface of the part. The improved detection laser (first laser) is constructed using a diode-pumped fiber laser to produce a high power single-frequency laser source.

Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope including an ultrasonic transducer and a balanced linear motor assembly is disclosed. The balanced linear motor assembly includes a counterweight that is mounted for movement along a linear path that is parallel to the first linear path on which the transducer travels. The counterweight has a mass that is generally equal to the mass of the rotor and the transducer. The counterweight is being adapted to be moved, when the scanning acoustic microscope is used to interrogate a sample, along the second linear path at the same time that the rotor and transducer are being moved along the first linear path to allow the transducer to accelerate and decelerate without creating vibration.

Abstract: A method and a device for testing a structural component having a complex surface contour utilizing ultrasound, at least one ultrasonic head (UPK) being guided along the surface contour (OK) of the structural component (BT) by means of a manipulator (MM) having several axial drives (MX, MJ, MZ, MA, MB) in several axes at a defined spacing (A) along the surface contour (OK) of the structural component (BT). To also ensure a high measuring accuracy in structural components which have a complex curved surface contour, the axial drives (MX, MJ, MZ, MA, MB) of the manipulator (MM) are synchronously moved along predetermined support points, a trigger drive (MRT) is controlled in synchronism with the axial drives (MX, MJ, MZ, MA, MB) and moved together with all engaged axial drives according to a predetermined surface line (OL) reproducing the surface contour (OK) and the trigger drive (MRT) generates equidistant trigger pulses relative to the surface line (OL) of the complex surface contour.

Abstract: Method and implementing apparatus useful in acquiring data on acoustic features within a sample provides a pulsed acoustic probe and a stage system for effecting relative movement between the sample and the probe. The stage system is commanded such that the probe interrogates a non-rectangularly bounded space on the sample surface or within the volume of the sample. Acoustic energy reflected from or transmitted through the sample is sensed. Amplitude signals are developed from the sensed acoustic energy. Data characterizing the developed amplitude signals are stored for subsequent processing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an ultrasonic testing system. The system tests a manufactured part for various physical attributes, including specific flaws, defects, or composition of materials. The part can be housed in a gantry system that holds the part stable. An energy generator illuminates the part with energy and the part emanates energy from that illumination. Based on the emanations from the part, the system can determined precisely where the part is in free space. The energy illumination device and the receptor have a predetermined relationship in free space. This means the location of the illumination mechanism and the reception mechanism is known. Additionally, the coordinates of the actual testing device also have a predetermined relationship to the illumination device, the reception device, or both.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner for inspection of radiused regions having scanner supports which include pivoted fingers containing the transducers and hands supporting the fingers attached to vertical arms by pins. The angle of the hands are controlled by the vertical position of the arms.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering a laser beam from a remote laser source through a gantry positioning system for performing ultrasonic testing on a test object. The invention provides for closed-loop error correction of a laser beam delivered through the gantry members of a gantry positioning system (GPS) to ensure unobstructed transmission of the laser beam as the GPS changes operates and changes shape. The invention provides for ultrasonic testing of a test object for identifying material defects by moving the end gantry member of the GPS thereby permitting data acquisition of the test object from various fields of view. The invention also provides for controlling the divergence of the laser beam used for ultrasonic testing.

Abstract: A levitated rotor, neutrally buoyed in ultrasound transmission fluid, moves to position and aim an ultrasound transducer in up to five servo-controlled coordinates of position and tilt rotation. Stator drive/sense windings drive the rotor via a rotor magnet and sense coordinates via inductive interactions with a rotor coil. For five-axis control, one set of stator windings controls two-axis lateral translation while a second set controls axial translation plus two-axis tilt rotation. The windings produce a comparatively linear relationship between the five rotor geometric coordinates and the electromagnetic couplings that drive and sense these coordinates. To produce this linearity seamlessly over a wide coordinate range coming close to the windings, each set of windings is divided into overlapping subsets. A two-way drive/sense matrix mapping translates between up to five control coordinates and more than five winding circuits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasonic scanner system and method for the imaging of a part system, the scanner comprising: a probe assembly spaced apart from the surface of the part including at least two tracking signals for emitting radiation and a transmitter for emitting ultrasonic waves onto a surface in order to induce at least a portion of the waves to be reflected from the part, at least one detector for receiving the radiation wherein the detector is positioned to receive the radiation from the tracking signals, an analyzer for recognizing a three-dimensional location of the tracking signals based on the emitted radiation, a differential converter for generating an output signal representative of the waveform of the reflected waves, and a device such as a computer for relating said tracking signal location with the output signal and projecting an image of the resulting data.

Abstract: A system which rapidly determines the elastic stiffness constants of materials in plate shape as well as characterize material flaws that are affecting these constants. Rapid (below a minute) nondestructive evaluation system allow for the determination of material stiffness constants, low noise data acquisition algorithm for measuring spectral data. A real time method of displaying leaky Lamb wave spectral data.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ultrasound testing of disc bodies which are shrunk onto shafts and have an unknown contour.The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for ultrasound testing of a disc body (2), which is shrunk onto a shaft (1), in the region of the shrink seating (3) and of the adjacent shrinkage influence zone, the disc body (2) having side pieces (4, 5) which taper radially outwards from the shrink seating in cross-section. The contour of the disc body (2) is scanned and its geometry is derived in this way. A geometric reflection surface is determined. Test parameters and test positions are determined from the disc body geometry in accordance with a predetermined test technique, and ultrasound test heads (9, 10) are coupled, using the determined test parameters, to the side pieces (4, 5) in order to cover the determined test paths. The associated apparatus has a geometry identification device which detects the geometry of the disc body (2) before the actual test procedure.

Abstract: A servo system for directing the operation of an ultrasound beam is described. The system includes a rotor and stator combination that utilizes electromagnetic forces to move the ultrasound beam in translational and rotational directions. In an embodiment of the invention the rotor is a permanent magnet that may be levitated and moved using a plurality of stator coils. Sensors are used to determine the position of the rotor, which information is used by a controller to regulate the stator operation designed to effect movement of the rotor. The sensors are preferably hall effect sensors. The permanent magnet is optionally placed in a fluid having buoyancy characteristics that reduce the electromagnetic force required to levitate the rotor. The rotor may be located off center within a housing so as to conform to asymmetrical viewing requirements, such as in transcranial Doppler ultrasound measurements.

Abstract: An integrated apparatus for inspecting the arms of jet pump beams using eddy current technology, while also scanning the borehole region using ultrasound technology. In order to inspect the jet pump beam arms, a special scanner is required to properly move an eddy current coil in two dimensions over the complex machined surface on top of the arms. The scanner has two axes of motion and can perform a raster scan in either direction. The inspection payload, an eddy current probe, moves the length of the scanning axis and then the payload is indexed (i.e., moved a small distance) along the indexing axis. The payload is then moved smoothly back along the length of the scanning axis. Data is collected only during motion along the scanning axis. The scanner has a unique curved track design for maintaining the orientation of the eddy current probe perpendicular to the inspection surface. It allows inspecting the top flat surface and the curved edges of the jet pump beams.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for measuring and then controlling the refracted angle of ultrasonic waves propagating through a component. The method directly measures the actual refracted angle of ultrasound in an industrial component while performing nondestructive examination by measuring the slopes of characteristic echo-dynamic lines. These slopes are related to the angle of refraction by a simple mathematical relationship. A pattern recognition filtering method is used to identify the echo-dynamic pattern. The slope of an echo-dynamic line is computed after an edge detection algorithm is applied to the data.

Abstract: A scanning range of an object under examination is divided into m pieces (m is an integer equal to or more than 2) in a subscanning direction. One measurement condition or one parameter is set in m steps, and an ultrasonic measurement is performed on the object under examination while allotting successively the m-stepped measurement conditions or the m-stepped parameters to the respective scanning regions divided in the subscanning direction. A plurality of measurement images obtained under the m-stepped measurement conditions are displayed so as to permit comparison on a screen, and one of the m-stepped measurement conditions or m-stepped parameters which corresponds to an image selected from the displayed screen is set as the measurement condition.

Abstract: A receiving beamformer is provided which simultaneously generates a plurality of receiving beam signals corresponding to receiving beams of a plurality of directions on the basis of signals received by an array of vibrator elements for receiving an ultrasonic wave. This receiving beamformer includes a variable amplifying unit for amplifying the received signals in accordance with the depth of measurement to produce output signals, an A/D converting unit for converting the output signals from the variable amplifying unit into digital signals at a predetermined sampling period, a digital delay unit for receiving each of the digital signals and for producing a plurality of delayed signals corresponding to the receiving beams for each of the digital signals, and a first adding unit for adding the delayed signals corresponding to each of the receive beams and to the respective digital signals.

Abstract: A rotor of on ultrasonic testing device for rotation-symmetrical test-pieces has drillings arranged in pairs for test head supports and test head supports arranged in these drillings. These supports are longitudinally adjustable along the axis of the drilling. The supports are sealed in the drilling and carry at least one test head. The drillings arranged in pairs are arranged in staggered array along the axis of rotation of the rotor or around the periphery of the rotor. Each pair has a rotary drive which as a shared activating system and facilitates synchronous rotation in an opposite direction of the two test head supports of the pair around the axis of the drilling.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test device for rotationally symmetrical test specimens permits performing oblique error testing. A probe carrier is mounted within a bore hole of a rotor such that its position can be rotationally adjusted about the axis of the bore hole and also adjusted longitudinally in the direction of the axis of the bore hole. Thus, especially in combination with an angle probe or an inclination-adjustable probe, the acoustic irradiation angle can be adjusted by rotation of the probe carrier. In this way, it is possible to achieve test paths for rotors that range continuously between every test spiral pitch.

Abstract: A real time ultrasonic surface contour mapping system is provided including a digitally controlled phased-array of transmitter/receiver (T/R) elements located in a fixed position above the surface to be mapped. The surface is divided into a predetermined number of pixels which are separately scanned by an arrangement of T/R elements by applying phase delayed signals thereto that produce ultrasonic tone bursts from each T/R that arrive at a point X in phase and at the same time relative to the leading edge of the tone burst pulse so that the acoustic energies from each T/R combine in a reinforcing manner at point X. The signals produced by the reception of the echo signals reflected from point X back to the T/Rs are also delayed appropriately so that they add in phase at the input of a signal combiner. This combined signal is then processed to determine the range to the point X using density-corrected sound velocity values.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic inspection of a reactor nozzle involves positioning emitter and receiver transducers on the exterior vessel wall near the nozzle. The emitter transducer is positioned and oriented so that it generates both primary longitudinal and transverse beams. The primary longitudinal beam is directed at the inner radius of the nozzle. The transverse beam is directed toward the interior vessel wall at an angle of about 30.degree. to the normal. Most of the energy of the transverse beam is converted to a secondary longitudinal beam also directed toward the inner radius of the nozzle. The receiver transducer is positioned on the exterior vessel wall about 4" from the emitter transducer so as to be able to detect reflections of both the primary and second longitudinal beams from any potential defect in the nozzle volume adjacent the inner radius.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus of non-destructive testing wherein a generally bidirectional wave generating electromagnetic acoustic transducer is pivotally mounted upon a base with this transducer being continuously rotated or oscillated upon the base as it is moved with respect to the workpiece (or the workpiece is moved with respect to the base). This oscillation or rotation causes a wave to be generated along an arc with these waves extending radially outward from the base so that any flaws in the workpiece can be struck at an angle as close to 90 degrees as possible (the optimal incident angle).

Abstract: An ultrasonic system and method for imaging a surface wherein a C-mode ultrasonic scan is performed over a fixed area of the surface and range gating is applied to that area to a given depth below the surface. For use of the system and method in fingerprint imaging, a live finger is placed upon a sensitive surface, the portion of the finger on the surface is scanned using the ultrasonic energy, and ultrasonic energy returned from the finger portion is received and converted into spatial frequency components to determine the pattern of ridges and valleys of the fingerprint.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection and imaging instrument scans an object under examination, the object having an inspection plane at a predetermined depth, in the direction slanted to the depth (slant scanning), in such a way as to cause rectilinear scanning as viewed from the plane. Measured data on a peak value corresponding to each measurement point obtained from the slant scanning are displayed in the form of a picture on the screen of a display relative to each measurement point. The image displayed on the picturee at that time is most clearly demonstrated, provided an image portion in the vicinity of a test portion corresponding to a test surface is brought into focus in the depth direction.

Abstract: Improved apparatus and method are provided for locating and mapping sediment in a container, which is at least partially filled with liquid. A sonar transducer is mounted with the container for emitting acoustic energy into the liquid and for receiving reflected acoustic energy. The sonar transducer is rotatable about mutually perpendicular first and second axes to provide a dual-axis capability. The transducer is controlled to emit discrete acoustic signals and receive reflected acoustic signals along discrete scanning axes at each rotational position in a predetermined sequence of rotational positions. The distance between the transducer and a corresponding point of reflection along each scanning axis is compared to a predetermined reference distance along the corresponding scanning axis. The reference distance represents the distance between the transducer and an inner surface of the container along the corresponding scanning axis.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the remote inspection for stress corrosion cracking of welded shut boiling water reactor shroud access cover plates is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a streamline housing having a top side with lugs for the attachment of lowering lines on either end of the housing. Medially of the streamline housing and projecting downwardly from the bottom of the streamline housing, there is provided a central rotating pedestal with a rubber base. The rotating pedestal and rubber base enable the entire housing to rest on and rotate relative to the pedestal and rubber base. A first motor interior of the housing rotates the housing at a bevel gear rigidly mounted to the central pedestal. A second motor rotates a threaded shaft driving a ball screw with an attached mount for an ultrasound transducer. The mount and transducer responsive to rotation of the ball screw traverse along the elongate dimension of the housing over an opening through the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit. In one embodiment, each successive scanning plane is parallel to the first scanning plane.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasonic transducers mounted linearly on a belt that is contained and supported by a housing. The housing has wheels and handles mounted on its sides to allow an operator to grasp the apparatus and roll it across the surface of a test object along a line normal to the belt. The transducers are electrically connected to various devices which enable pulse echo testing to be performed on the test object and make the results immediately available as a picture either on paper or on a video monitor. The belt is moved laterally and cyclically back and forth as the apparatus is rolled longitudinally and the transducers are sequentially excited to emit ultrasonic waves, thus testing a swath having a width equal to the extremes of lateral motion of the line of transducers. A dynamic counterbalance swings 180.degree. out of phase with the cyclic motion of the belt, and serves to damp out the vibration generated by the belt's motion.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.

Abstract: A compound ultrasonic scan of an object is effected with a pair of transducers mounted adjacent to the object but spaced apart from each other. Each transducer is operated as a "wobbler" transducer. That is, the transducer transmits pulses of ultrasonic energy into the object and receives echoes from acoustic discontinuities in the object while the transducer is oscillated mechanically, through a predetermined angle, about an axis which passes through the transducer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional imaging system for obtaining a three-dimensional image of an object being scanned ultrasonically comprises a source arrangement for sequentially transmitting ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in a first scanning plane, followed by sequential transmission of ultrasonic energy toward the object in successive directions in successive scanning planes parallel to the first scanning plane, a detector arrangement for receiving reflected energy and converting the reflected energy to electrical signals, and a processor for processing the electrical signals to develop reconstructed image data of the object, the reconstructed image data comprising forward projections of the object into a left image plane and a right image plane to form left and right images, respectively, the left and right images forming a stereo pair for composite display by a display unit.