Abstract: A method for checking a weld (1) between a first metal pipeline (2) and a second metal pipeline (4), in particular an austenitic weld, the method comprising at least the following method steps: (a) a first ultrasonic beam (30) is transmitted to an interface (26) between the weld and the first pipeline situated on a first side (28) of the weld; (b) a reflection of the first ultrasonic beam (30) on the interface (26) situated on the first side (28) of the weld is received and a first received signal corresponding thereto is generated; (c) a second ultrasonic beam (40) different from the first ultrasonic beam (30) is transmitted to the interface (26) situated on the first side (28) of the weld; (d) a reflection of the second ultrasonic beam (40) on the interface (26) situated on the first side (28) of the weld is received and a second received signal corresponding thereto is generated; (e) the first received signal and the second received signal are processed in combination for checking the weld (1).

Abstract: Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object's outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing.

Abstract: A system for inspecting a pipeline having at least two transducers divided into segments, the segments each containing a number of sensors, wherein a maximum number of segments is equal to a number of transducers, an arrangement configured to send, receive and store signals, wherein the arrangement has a number of pulser channels and a number of receiver channels, wherein the arrangement has at least one multiplexing arrangement for multiplexing signals from the arrangement; and a time delay arrangement connected to the arrangement configured to send, receive and store signals. The system may also provide for focal point skewing, near real time coating compensation for proper excitation mode, adjusted time delay capability and the ability to focus beyond changes in geometry.

Abstract: The invention may be embodied as a fingerprint scanner having an ultrasonic wave detector, a platen, an ultrasonic wave generator located between the detector and the platen. The invention may be embodied as a method of scanning a finger. One such method includes providing a platen, a detector and a generator, the generator being placed between the platen and the detector. A finger may be provided on the platen, and an ultrasound wave pulse may be sent from the generator toward the finger. The wave pulse may be reflected from the finger, and received at the detector. The received wave pulse may be used to produce an image of the finger.

Abstract: A part holder for immersion ultrasonic testing having a solid buffer material with acoustic properties that match the immersion fluid is disclosed. Test systems and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic testing of an object, wherein at least one test moment an ultrasonic test signal (S1, S2) is transmitted into the object (2), while after a particular verification period (?t1, ?t2) measured from said test moment, an ultrasonic verification signal (S1?, S2?) is transmitted into the object (2), a possible echo of said test signal (S1, S2) being received from said object (2) at a particular first measuring moment, the possible echo being accepted as being the echo (E1, E2) of said test signal (S1, S2) only when the echo (E1?, E2?) of the verification signal is received at a particular second measuring moment. In addition, the invention provides an apparatus, evidently intended and designed for carrying out such a method and a use of such an apparatus.

Abstract: There is provided a method for detecting an abnormal portion (defect, non-adhering portion, and seized portion) lying at a contact region between each part of a pin and each part of a box forming a threaded joint to be used as a joint of pipe or tubes such as OCTG. This invention provides an ultrasonic testing method of a threaded joint of pipes or tubes including a pin having an external thread part, a metal seal part, and a shoulder part on an outer peripheral surface, and a box having an internal thread part, a metal seal part, and a shoulder part corresponding to each part of the pin on an inner peripheral surface and being fastened with the pin by way of a lubricant.

Abstract: The present invention has a structure capable of detecting the scattered-type penetrator having oxides each with the size of several ?m sparsely and widely dispersed. Specifically, the structure includes a wave transmission unit 6 for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to the welded surface of the welded portion 2 in a pipe axial direction of the pipe 1 such that the beam width of a transmission beam 8 is brought into a range from 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, and a wave reception unit 7 for receiving at least a portion of the reflection wave (reception beam 9) at the welded surface. The wave transmission unit 6 and the wave reception unit 7 include transmission/reception units formed of different groups of transducer elements on at least one or more array probes 5 arranged in the circumferential direction of the pipe.

Abstract: A centering apparatus for internal nondestructive testing of a tube to be inspected includes an elongated shaft member coupled to an inspection probe; a plurality of fingers, pivotally attached at a first end thereof to a mounting surface affixed to the shaft member, the plurality of fingers circumferentially surrounding the shaft member; and an expansion mechanism, disposed between the plurality of fingers and the shaft member, the expansion mechanism configured to selectively and outwardly extend a second end of the plurality of fingers with respect to a longitudinal axis of the shaft member, so as to bring the second end of the plurality of fingers into contact with an inner surface of the tube to be inspected, thereby centering the inspection probe within the tube.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus, which is pushed onto the outer surface of the reactor pressure vessel, transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to and from a penetration having a welded portion while changing an incident angle of the ultrasonic wave. Based on a result of reception of an echo obtained by the reflection of the ultrasonic wave on the inner surface of the penetration, an inclination angle of the penetration relative to a wall surface of the reactor pressure vessel is measured. A circumferential direction position of the penetration, which corresponds to the inclination angle, is calculated based on the relationship of an inclination angle and a circumferential direction position, which have been calculated in advance. Then, the circumferential direction position can be obtained as information on the inspection position.

Abstract: In a method and a device for testing a weld seam (8), located on the inner surface of a reactor pressure vessel (2), by which the outer circumference of an instrumentation nozzle (4) leading into the interior of this reactor pressure vessel (2) is welded onto the reactor pressure vessel (2), an ultrasound test probe (20) with a linear ultrasound transducer array (30) is inserted into the instrumentation nozzle (4), which ultrasound transducer array (30) is parallel to the central axis (12) of the instrumentation nozzle (4) in terms of its longitudinal direction, and is used to couple a transmitted ultrasound signal (S) into the instrumentation nozzle (4) in the region of the weld seam (8) and to receive a reflected ultrasound signal (R).

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites. The system comprises a memory module associated with one or more inspection sites, with each memory module storing one or more performance parameters corresponding to the associated inspection site. The system also comprises a measuring device operable to collect performance data of each associated inspection site. The system further comprises a portable reader configured to read the memory module, and in association with the measuring device, to compare the one or more performance parameters with the performance data to validate the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonic scanning of a wafer assembly is disclosed. The wafer assembly is held in a wafer chuck and rotated. A transducer generates ultrasound in the wafer assembly and the ultrasound emitted from the wafer assembly is sensed. A controller adjusts the relative positions of the wafer and the transducer and controls the transducer to generate ultrasound at a number of scan points.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A transmission probe and a reception probe for transmitting and receiving a wideband ultrasonic wave are provided. Each time when the locations of the probes and are moved, a received wave Gj(t) is obtained. Based on a spectrum Fj(f) corresponding to the received wave Gj(t), a narrowband spectrum FAj(f) is extracted. A component wave GAj(t) corresponding to the narrowband spectrum FAj(f) is found by inverse Fourier transformation. A longitudinal wave primary resonance frequency f1 having a relationship with a thickness W (mm) of an inspection target and a primary resonance frequency fS1 of a transverse wave generated by mode conversion are calculated. A comparative display of the component waves GAj(t) is presented using f1, fS1 and sizing coefficients ns1, ns2, ns3 and ns4 for high precision inspection.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically inspecting a component comprises a first ultrasonic transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal into a component having rotational symmetry and a second ultrasonic transducer for detecting the reflected, or transmitted, ultrasonic signal. A motor and a turntable produce relative rotation between the rotationally symmetrical component and the first and second transducers. Motors, a carriage and tracks on a frame provide relative radial motion between the rotationally symmetrical component and the first and second transducers to scan the whole of a surface of the rotationally symmetrical component. An ultrasonic signal analyzer analyses the detected ultrasonic signal by monitoring for ultrasonic signals having an amplitude above a predetermined amplitude and not having rotational symmetry and a display provides an indication that any detected ultrasonic signals above the predetermined amplitude and not having rotational symmetry is a potential flaw in the component.

Abstract: A method of examining a steam generator heat exchange tube from the outside surface employing ultrasonic nondestructive inspection techniques. An ultrasonic transducer contacts the outside surface of the tube and transmits a pseudo helical Lamb wave into the wall of the tube chosen to have a mode that does not significantly interact with water in the tube. The reflected waves are then analyzed for changes in modes to identify defects in the wall of the tube.

Abstract: A circumferential angle of incidence ?i of an ultrasonic wave transmitted from an ultrasonic probe 1 upon a tubular test object P and an axial angle of incidence ?i of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the ultrasonic probe 1 upon the tubular test object P are set based on a ratio of thickness to outer diameter t/D of the tubular test object P so that an internal refraction angle ?k calculated from the circumferential angle of incidence ?i, the axial angle of incidence ?i, and the ratio of thickness to outer diameter t/D of the tubular test object may be not less than 35° and not more than 60°.

Abstract: A spot welding inspecting apparatus is provided with: a gun chip; a signal transmitting part; an ultrasonic sensor; an inner cylinder; a through hole; a partitioning cylinder; a first flow path; a second flow path; and a third flow path. The inner cylinder is inserted to an outer cylinder of spot welding gun and holds the ultrasonic sensor. The through hole is provided on the inner cylinder. The partitioning cylinder surrounds the through hole and is inserted into a gap between the ultrasonic sensor and the outer cylinder. The first flow path is formed between the inner cylinder and the partitioning cylinder by passing the through hole from an inner portion of the inner cylinder. The second flow path is formed at the gun chip to be circulated around a front end of the partitioning cylinder. The third flow path is formed between the outer cylinder and the partitioning cylinder. A cooling agent flows in an order of the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path.

Abstract: A method for non-destructive testing of a drive shaft that is accessible by only one of its ends in longitudinal waves, using a multi-element annular ultrasonic transducer. Such a transducer consists of independent elements that can be excited by electrical pulses of the same frequency, but for which different electronic phase shifts will be applied, in the invention, to the pulses transmitted to the elements. Such an electronic phase shift allows the focussing or deflection of a final beam synthesized by all the elements constituting the transducer, the said final beam being concentrated to adopt a generally cylindrical shape with a cross-section that is far smaller than the cross-section of the shaft to be tested and is highly energetic over a long distance due to the waveguide effect created by the cylindrical geometry of the shaft.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe carrier includes a base, a first side arm having a first end thereof attached to the base and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the base on one side of a tube, and a second side arm having a first end thereof attached to the base and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the base on an opposite side of the tube, at least a portion of the first and second side arms being biased towards each other to removably secure the carrier around at least a portion of a circumference of the tube. An ultrasonic probe is attached to the base, and the carrier and ultrasonic probe are rotatable around the tube to scan at least one of: the circumference of the tube and a weld disposed around the circumference of the tube.

Abstract: Non-destructive testing device for pipes. It extracts information on defects from signals captured by ultrasound receivers following the selective excitation of ultrasound transmitters according to a selected time rule. The receivers form an arrangement with a selected geometry, coupled in an ultrasound fashion, with relative rotation/translation movement, with the pipe.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission medium is received in a medium container, and an opening of the container is sealed by a polymer membrane. An inspection object is received in an inspection object receiving container body that is a separate body from the medium container and whose opening is formed opposite the polymer membrane of the medium container. The opening of the inspection object receiving container body is covered by the polymer membrane of the medium container, and a measurement environment space formed by a frame body, the polymer membrane, and the inspection object is reduced in pressure to cause the polymer membrane to be in intimate contact with the inspection object. Then, flaw detection is performed by emitting and applying an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe to the inspection object via the ultrasonic transmission medium and the polymer membrane.

Abstract: A system for monitoring a weld process is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic wave generator adapted to deliver an ultrasonic signal to a target material during a weld operation. The system also includes a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements with opposite directions of polarization relative to each other, the ultrasonic receiver elements configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material. The system further includes an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements. The electronic circuit is configured to receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements; wherein the respective signals comprise the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal. The electronic circuit is also configured to output the ultrasonic signal devoid of the noise signal.

Abstract: A method for the inspection and repair of a tube includes electrical discharge machining an access hole into the tube, optionally at or near the uppermost location on the tube, near the upper header; performing inspection of the tube, optionally using a visual or an eddy current inspection technique; providing an inner diameter flush-mounted plug insert which has been machined for re-inserting into the access hole; and attaching the plug insert to the tube.

Abstract: To precisely measure bead cutting shapes of electric resistance welded pipes without being affected by difference in luminance level between cut and uncut portions in optical cutting images, an image is obtained by overlaying an optical cutting image with the optical cutting image subjected to thinning processing. A profile of the welded pipe is approximated with a quadratic function and a region containing the bead apex coordinates is identified as the bead. Shape data of the pipe surface at the portion corresponding to the bead portion is obtained from the preset left and right boundaries of the bead portion and the apex position of the separately-calculated bead portion, and bead width, height, slope angle, and unevenness at the left and right boundaries between the bead portion and base pipe portion, are each calculated, based on the left and right bead shape approximation functions and base pipe shape approximation function.

Abstract: A method for inspecting joined material interfaces, such as butt fusion pipe joints of plastic pipes, using ultrasonic waveforms to discriminate between acceptable and unacceptable interfaces. The waveforms (amplitude vs time) having been transmitted to a material interface of interest are divided into a number of time zones and the amplitudes of the waveforms within the time zones compared against waveform amplitudes obtained from known acceptable joined material interfaces to determine the quality of the material interface of interest.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic inspection method and ultrasonic inspection apparatus capable of easily inspecting a weld line and detecting a circumferential crack and an axial crack that are present in the weld line. An ultrasonic probe is placed on the surface of a structure and transmits an ultrasonic wave. A welded part is present on the opposite surface to the surface on which the ultrasonic probe is placed. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted at an optional in an X?-Z plane defined by an X? axis and a Z axis, when the direction of a normal to the surface on which the ultrasonic probe is placed is defined as an X axis, the direction in which the weld line extends is defined as a Y axis, the direction perpendicular to the X axis and the Y axis is defined as a Z axis, and an axis obtained by rotating the X axis around the Z axis is defined as an X? axis.

Abstract: Method for non-destructive inspection of defects in a surface of a pipeline or storage tank. The method includes carrying out a first way of non-destructive inspection for determining a first defect pattern and carrying out a second way of non-destructive inspection for determining a second defect pattern. The method includes identifying at least one defect of the first defect pattern and at least one defect of the second defect pattern which represent one and the same defect, and comparing the dimensions and optionally also the positions of the identified defects so as to obtain a difference in dimensions and optionally also in the positions. The method also includes obtaining a plurality of such differences and obtaining at least one parameter representing said differences, and correcting the dimensions and optionally also the positions of defects of the first defect pattern by using the at least one parameter.

Abstract: An inspection assembly adapted to traverse an inspection surface, the assembly includes: a crawler body including a first side and a bottom side, wherein the first side is adapted to face a first inspection surface and the bottom side is adapted to engage a second inspection surface separated from the first inspection surface by a gap; a suction module in the crawler body adapted to create a suction between the first inspection surface to bias the crawler body against the first inspection surface; at least one roller mounted in the crawler body adapted to engage the first inspection surface, and at least one mast having a mount to receive a sensor, wherein said mast extendable from the crawler body into the gap.

Abstract: The ultrasonic testing method according to the invention includes the steps of arranging an ultrasonic probe 1 having a plurality of transducers 11 so as to face a tubular test object P, and causing the transducers appropriately selected from the plurality of transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves so that the ultrasonic waves are propagated in the tubular test object in a plurality of different propagation directions, wherein a ultrasonic testing condition by the ultrasonic probe is set so that respective external refraction angles ?r of the ultrasonic waves in the plurality of propagation directions are approximately equivalent and/or respective internal refraction angles ?k of the ultrasonic waves in the plurality of propagation directions are approximately equivalent.

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

Abstract: Generally speaking, the method of the present invention is performed by making various ultrasonic scans at preselected orientations along the length of a material being tested. Data from the scans are then plotted together with various calculated parameters that are calculated from this data. Lines or curves are then fitted to the respective plotted points. Review of these plotted curves allows the location and severity of defects within these sections to be determined and quantified. With this information various other decisions related to how, when or whether repair or replacement of a particular portion of a structure can be made.

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: Disclosed are an ultrasonic testing system and an ultrasonic testing technique for a pipe member capable of detecting minute flaws of several hundreds of microns or less located at positions in the wall thickness inside portion of a welded portion of a seam-welded pipe and the like without omission and further easily setting optimum conditions when the size of the pipe is changed. A transmitting beam, which is focused to the welded portion at an oblique angle, is transmitted using a part of the group of transducer elements of a linear array probe as a group of transducer elements for transmission, a receiving beam, which is focused at the focusing position of the transmitting beam at an oblique angle, is formed using the transducer elements of a portion different from the above group of transducer elements for transmission as a group of transducer elements for reception, and a flaw echo is received from the welded portion.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes systems, apparatus, and methods for monitoring a pipeline network having plural inspection sites. The system comprises a memory module associated with one or more inspection sites, with each memory module storing one or more performance parameters corresponding to the associated inspection site. The system also comprises a measuring device operable to collect performance data of each associated inspection site. The system further comprises a portable reader configured to read the memory module, and in association with the measuring device, to compare the one or more performance parameters with the performance data to validate the performance data while in proximity to the associated inspection site.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for inspecting tubes or pipes preferably includes at least one sealed inspection pig having a length to diameter relationship based on a known bend radius of a tube or pipe to be inspected. A plurality of such pigs may be used where such pigs are interconnected, sealed, and releasable by design and where an inspection transducer is located approximately centrally between the ends of at least one of the pigs.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for coupling ultrasound between an ultrasonic transducer and an object. A scanning element is attached to an ultrasonic transducer to form an integral transducer assembly in which an ultrasound emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer is positioned in a fluid cavity of an upper chamber. The ultrasonic transducer assembly may be moved relative to the object to be scanned in order to adjust the focus of the ultrasound. Adjusting a lower wall of the upper chamber in close proximity to the object to be scanned forms a thin film of coupling fluid between a planar region of the lower wall and the upper surface of the object.

Abstract: Deterioration of reinforced concrete pipes is checked and the deterioration progress level is classified. Based on the inspection result, a portion to be inspected in detail in an inspection area is selected. With respect to the selected portion to be inspected in detail, the pipe thickness and the diameter of reinforcing bars are measured and the location of reinforcing bars in the portion to be inspected in detail are checked. Using the data of the thickness of a pipe, the diameter of the reinforcing bar and disposition of the reinforcing bars, structural analysis is carried out and the strength of the reinforced concrete pipe is calculated. The calculation result is used as information for evaluating the deterioration state of the reinforced concrete pipe.

Abstract: Diagnosing operation of an impulse piping line in an industrial process is provided. A vibration source transmits a vibration signal through the piping and a vibration signal receiver receives the vibration signal. The operation of the impulse piping line is diagnosed, such as failure or impending failures, based upon the received vibration signal.

Abstract: Minute flaws present on the interior of a high (t/D) metal pipe having a ratio (t/D) of the wall thickness t to the outer diameter D of greater than 15% is carried out with high accuracy and certainty by angle beam flaw detection without an accompanying decrease in detection efficiency or cost increase. This is an ultrasonic probe which, as viewed from the center of a high (t/D) metal pipe, performs flaw detection of the metal pipe by obliquely impinging ultrasonic waves from a transducer on the metal pipe and generating refracted longitudinal waves and refracted transverse waves which are propagated inside the metal pipe. The front end portion of the transducer has at least a portion with an asymmetrically curved shape having a radius of curvature which progressively increases from one end towards the other end of the front end portion.

Abstract: The invention is objected to enable the provision of an vessel steel plate measuring device capable of measuring the thickness of vessel steel plate, even in the case of a vessel having a vessel mirror part formed by a spherical or conical curved surface such as a reactor (reaction vessel) and various kinds of obstructions at a vessel barrel. The structure of the device is characterized in that a supporting point member 20 is detachably provided from a supporting point set at the central axis of the vessel mirror part 1a of a reactor 1, and a traveling carrier 6 traveling on a steel plate of the vessel mirror part 1a and having plural ultrasonic probes 7 mounted thereon is connected to one end of a turning radius regulating member 19 rotatively provided around the supporting point member 20.

Abstract: In a shaft coupling monitoring apparatus for monitoring a spider joint using outer peripheries of four shafts of a cross shaft as rolling contact surfaces, each of the shafts contains therein a sensor for detecting any damage on the rolling contact surface thereof. Even in a case where the spider joint is incorporated in a driving shaft such as of a rolling mill, the monitoring apparatus may provide high-accuracy and early detection of any damage such as flaking on the rolling contact surface defined on each of the shafts of the cross shaft.

Abstract: A device for destruction-free testing of ferromagnetic component walls with respect to elongate defects has a sending transducer that excites ultrasound waves in a wall area of a ferromagnetic component wall magnetized in a predetermined direction of magnetization. The ultrasound waves propagate on a path oriented by the sending transducer. A receiving transducer receives the ultrasound waves at a spacing from the sending transducer. The configuration of the sending transducer and a high frequency emitted by the sending transducer, which high frequency is to be determined based on a thickness of the ferromagnetic component wall, are selected so as to effect excitation of horizontal shear waves of higher order. The path orientation is selected at a slant angle to the predetermined direction of magnetization. The receiving transducer is positioned lateral to the path and is oriented toward a predetermined testing area of the wall section in the path.

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: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a technique for quickly detecting a defective portion including wastage, which has occurred in piping having a straight piping portion or a bending zone, in the nondestructive inspection using a guided wave. A guided wave sensor 3 included in a guided wave inspection device 4 is mounted to the outer surface of piping 1. A guided wave is propagated to an inspection area of the piping 1. If a defective portion exists, the guided wave sensor 3 receives the guided wave that has been reflected from the defective portion. As a result, the guided wave inspection device 4 can acquire receive information including receive information derived from the defect.

Abstract: A spot welding inspecting apparatus is provided with: a gun chip; a signal transmitting part; an ultrasonic sensor; an inner cylinder; a through hole; a partitioning cylinder; a first flow path; a second flow path; and a third flow path. The inner cylinder is inserted to an outer cylinder of spot welding gun and holds the ultrasonic sensor. The through hole is provided on the inner cylinder. The partitioning cylinder surrounds the through hole and is inserted into a gap between the ultrasonic sensor and the outer cylinder. The first flow path is formed between the inner cylinder and the partitioning cylinder by passing the through hole from an inner portion of the inner cylinder. The second flow path is formed at the gun chip to be circulated around a front end of the partitioning cylinder. The third flow path is formed between the outer cylinder and the partitioning cylinder. A cooling agent flows in an order of the first flow path, the second flow path and the third flow path.

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.