Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system particularly adapted for imaging skeletal structure, such as the spinal column. An ultrasound scanning head for generating ultrasound waves and for receiving reflected ultrasound signals is mounted on a transporter for moving it linearily along the spine between a cervical reference point and a sacral reference point. A position transducer monitors the position of the transducer along the spine and a counter measures the time between the ultrasound pulse and its echo to determine the distance from the transducer face to the tissue interface responsible for generating the echo. The distance and range data is smoothed and analyzed in a digital computer using algorithms that distinguish between the echoes received from bone and other tissue such as lung tissue. The bone data is further processed via computer to produce a visual representation of the spine and rib structure sufficient for the diagnosis of spinal misalignment characteristic of scoliosis.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ultrasonic test probe for use in connection with testing workpieces wherein the angle of propagation of the ultrasonic search beam is adjustable. The probe comprises a linear array of ultrasonic transducer elements and a plastic wedge. An acoustic lens disposed between the array and the wedge causes the individual ultrasonic beams to come to a focus at an acoustic energy exit aperture of the probe. The angle adjustment of the ultrasonic beams is accomplished by energizing in-phase a respective group of transducer elements forming the array.

Abstract: In an exemplary embodiment, a transducer element row W.sub.1 through W.sub.m has a signal delay device for the delay of arriving echo signals in such a manner that phase balance of the individual signals result at the output. It is the objective of the disclosure to construct such an apparatus with which, given a specified number of transducers, the grating lobes in the directional response of the antenna are eliminated, and nevertheless the electronic outlay can be kept within boundaries. This objective is achieved in that the signals are transmitted, in groups, respectively, by the delay device to individual adders whose output signals are linked in a unit for quasi-multiplicative processing. In the case of digital technique, through binary signal processing, a considerable simplification results accompanied by the elimination of the interfering directional response of the resolution capability.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system including an array of ultrasound transducers and a transporter for moving the transducers over a human back. The movement of the ultrasound transducers define a plane and a position transducer produces a position signal representative of the position of the ultrasound transducers in the plane. There is a means for producing a range signal representative of the distance between the transducers and the objects imaged in the back. The range signals are digitized and stored in an array in a digital memory with the position of each stored range signal in the array corresponding to the position of the transducer from which the range signal was obtained in the plane at the time the range signal was received. The range information is printed on a page or displayed on a cathode ray tube with the position of the printed data on the page or the data displayed on the cathode ray tube corresponding to the position on the plane of the back from which the data was obtained.

Abstract: A process and a device for the nondestructive ultrasonic testing of the material of generator rotor teeth providing with an inserted slot wedge, using a probe arrangement including transmit probes, reference probes and defect detection probes which are disposed on a support plate in such a manner as to be movably attached to the teeth, wherein ultrasonic beams are transmitted and reflected by the rotor teeth flanks and the reflected beams are received in a reference probe utilizing a two-fold deflection of the sound at the tooth flanks which are inclined with respect to the tooth back. An ultrasonic beam, reflected by any existing defects of a given type and orientation, is selectively received outside the receiving range of the normally reflected acoustic beam by means of a defect detection probe, and the damaged locations is detected by comparison of the ultrasonic signals received by the reference and defect detection probes.

Abstract: Beams of ultrasound are transmitted into a rail. The transmission alternates between vertical and oblique beams. Transmission of the beams and reception of ultrasonic echoes is accomplished by a probe which includes a two channel ultrasonic transducer. The echoes are displayed simultaneously on two linear arrays of LED's which are arranged to resemble the relationship between a vertical beam and an oblique beam.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system having a linear array of ultrasound transducers and a transporter system for moving the transducers along the human back. There is a means for producing a position signal indicative of the position of the array along the plane of the back, and a means for producing a range signal representative of the distance of objects interacting with the ultrasound signal from the transducer. An output means, such as a printer or cathode ray tube display, is responsive to the range signal and the position signal to produce an output representative of the structure of the body imaged during the back scan.

Abstract: This ultrasonic imaging apparatus has an array (44, 52 or 100) of transducer elements (44, 50 or 104) for transmitting ultrasonic signals having a first predetermined center frequency (fc1) into an object (12) to be analyzed through use of the transmitted signals reflected from within the object. A means (150, 116-1 through 116-X and 120-1 through 120-X) is connected to transmit the ultrasonic signals from the array (44, 52 or 104) in a stepped array mode. A means (150, 116-1 through 116-X and 120-1 through 120-X) is connected to transmit the ultrasonic signals from the array (44, 52 or 104) in an angle scanning mode. There is a means (150, 128-1 through 128-X) for focusing the transmitted signals at a desired depth within the object (12). The reflected signals sensed by the apparatus have a second center frequency (fc2) less than the first center frequency (fc1) as a result of signal attenuation by the object (12).

Abstract: The echo signals from ultrasonic transducer elements are filtered by a plurality of prestage band pass filters having different central frequencies and frequency pass bands. The filtered echo signals from those band pass filters are composed by an adder into a composite echo signal. This composite echo signal from the adder is filtered by a variable band pass filter whose central frequency is shifted and whose frequency band is fixed, whereby the echo signal components passed through the prestage band pass filters are extracted sequentially. The echo signal components from the variable band pass filter are converted by a signal processing circuit into a tomographic signal, which is displayed as a tomographic image by a display.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system particularly adapted for scanning large body areas such as the back. There is a plurality of ultrasound transducers, each mounted in a transducer shoe, and each shoe in turn mounted on a plunger which seats in the bore of a housing so that it is free to move independently from the other transducers in a direction parallel to the bore, but is constrained to move with the other transducers in the two perpendicular directions. A spring seated in the bore between the housing and the plunger provides a bias force to maintain a positive and uniform contact between the transducer and the back.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system for observing the state within a measured object by transmitting ultrasonic waves to the interior of a measured object such as the human body and by receiving acoustic waves reflected from the object. The system employs plural probe units which contain electric-acoustic transducers and are mutually isolated. A transmitting circuit causes the plural probe units almost simultaneously to transmit ultrasonic waves having different characteristics. A receiving circuit contains filters for isolating and extracting acoustic signals having characteristics corresponding to those particular transmitted ultrasonic waves from the other acoustic signals received. This system thereby obtains an acoustic image corresponding to each scanning line, and by means of scanning the measured object with each of the probe units, a display of the object's movement is obtained with plural scanning lines.

Abstract: An echography device with dynamic focusing and sectorial scanning, comprising a transmitting portion (16) and a receiving portion (18) constituting piezoelectric transducers (4), juxtaposed in a form of a linear bar (2), each transducer (4) being associated with a delay line (26,32), the delays applied when a wave is being received being determined as a function of a reference dependent on the delays when the wave is being retransmitted and stored in a digital memory (34), the said reference being fed into a frequency adjustable oscillator (42) associated with a servo-device (38, 56, 54) through a computer.

Abstract: The ultrasonic apparatus contains an imaging lens for focusing ultrasound waves, a diverging device for receiving converging ultrasound waves from the lens and for transmitting ultrasound waves such that beams coming from a single object point are focused along a focal line, and an ultrasound detector positioned at the focal line indicating the ultrasound waves. The detector contains a large number of elongated detector elements. In particular, the diverging device comprises an acoustic mirror containing a reflecting surface which has a diverging effect on impinging beams of ultrasound waves. Preferably, the mirror may have a reflecting surface which is formed by a large number of parallel parabolic lines.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sector scanner using rotating transducers includes a transducer support wheel having a circumferential rim surface with a plurality of recessed seats within the circumferential surface for receiving inwardly facing transducers. The wheel and recessed seats provide accurate alignment of the transducers and acoustic mirrors direct ultrasonic energy between the transducers and ports.

Abstract: In the exemplary disclosure, the apparatus includes electronic delay circuitry for delaying echo signals produced in use by a multiplicity of transducers of the apparatus such that the phase relationship between respective echo signals is substantially maintained.

Abstract: An electronic linear scan mode and an electronic sector scan mode are selectively used individually or in combination under the control of a mode selection means provided for determining a scan mode for an ultrasonic probe consisting of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception timing of which is controlled by a scanning control means in accordance with the determined scan mode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic signal transducer is characterized in that the piezoelectrically active element has a first unitary electrode over the entire surface of one face and a matrix of a plurality of individual electrodes on the opposite face. In the receive mode, such an arrangement effectively constitutes a plurality of individual transducers arranged in the matrix array while maintaining the efficacy of a unitary structure. The signals from the individual electrodes are individually amplified, full-wave rectified, and combined additively to produce a composite signal which eliminates the phase cancellation of the ultrasonic pulses distributed over the face of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: Steering and focusing acoustic beams in ultrasonic echoscopy, and in other acoustic techniques, can be effected using linear arrays of acoustic transducers. The focusing and steering can be improved by using linked delay lines connected to the transducers when the transducers operate in a receive mode, with delay values which are both linear and quadratic values of the distance of the respective transducer from the center of the array.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for providing an ultrasonic sectional view by exciting elements in a plane ultrasonic transducer to form focusing waves. The reflected waves are received and time-coordinated by means of a circuit for each element or each set of elements, whereby the reflected waves are geometrically correctly placed in a visualizing screen. According to the invention the circuits are uniform.

Abstract: In the illustrated embodiment, ultrasonic transmitter/receiver elements are arranged along a curved formation within a housing containing a coupling medium which is a good conductor of ultrasonic energy (for example a water medium) and are successively excited to direct ultrasonic beam energy via the coupling medium to an ultrasonic window of the housing. The transducer elements are mounted at different angular orientations such that their beam paths converge external to the ultrasonic window. The curvature of a carrier for the transducer elements may be controlled to adjust the distance of the point of convergence beyond the window without changing the length of the acoustic path in the coupling medium, or the transducer elements and/or ultrasonic window may be bodily shifted to simultaneously change the length of the acoustic path and the distance of the convergence point beyond the window.

Abstract: A scanning unit comprises two sound transducer heads for projecting sound beams, which are caused to scan a common section plane. Echo signals are derived from the echoes generated in response to said sound beams and are displayed on a fluorescent screen at locations which are geometrically coordinated with the locations at which the corresponding echoes have originated. The sound beam from one sound transducer head scans the section surface in an area which is generally rectangular or has only slightly divergent side edges. The sound beam from the other sound transducer head scans the section surface in an area which has greatly divergent side edges. These areas of the section surface are displayed on different areas of the fluorescent screen. Such scanning unit can be adapted to object of various shapes.

Abstract: An input circuit is disclosed for variably adapting the dynamic range of an ultrasonic frequency electrical signal to the dynamic range of a signal receiver to which the signal is applied. A band pass filter admits the appropriate band of signal frequencies to the receiver to provide optimum signal-to-noise conditions. A JFET device is shunted across the receiver input and its drain-to-source impedance is varied to control the peak voltage developed by the signal. Control of the impedance of the JFET device may be effected in a pre-programmed manner as a function of time, in response to the amplitude of the signal applied to the receiver input, or in response to both. In either case, the amplitude of the applied signal is constrained to remain substantially within the dynamic range of the receiver.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed in an ultrasonic display and recording system of the type utilized in diagnostic medicine with particular applicability in cardiovascular diagnosis. The system includes a multi-element transducer for generating and receiving ultrasonic energy which is propagated into and reflected back from the cardiovascular region of the patient being examined, and also includes means for generating a two-dimensional real time display and/or image of the zone of examination. TM recording means are associated with the system and may be actuated to effect a TM recording corresponding to a preselected region of the real time image being observed. An ECG output signal is also displayed in real time with the two-dimensional image, and photographs of the displays may be produced at selected points in the ECG cycle in accordance with a setting made by the system operator.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for ultrasonically imaging objects of interest. The apparatus includes an elongate source of coherent acoustic waves which are brought to a line focus and propagated in an object of interest. The acoustic waves are detected by an elongate linear array of substantially point receivers which are located parallel to the elongate source and substantially at the line focus. The elongate source and the linear receiver array are translated together relative to the object of interest so that an area is swept out across the object of interest. The amplitude and the phase of the acoustic waves scattered by the object of interest are detected by the receiver array, digitized and back wave reconstructed to yield a digital image of the object of interest.

Abstract: Apparatus for the ultrasonic examination of an object, comprises:a transducer array comprising a plurality of adjacent transducer elements for directing pulses of ultrasonic energy along a beam into the object, characterized in that the width of each of the transducer elements in the direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the element is non-uniform along the length of the element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator is illustrated for ultrasonic scanning of internal body regions, particularly for obtaining ultrasonic echo sectional views thereof for medical diagnostic purposes, wherein an ultrasonic transducer system directs sequential pulses of ultrasonic energy along successive beam paths converging toward a virtual focal point, and a planar reflector is interposed to reflect the energy pulses and is inclined at an angle deviating from 90.degree. relative to each incident beam path for the purpose of producing an actual convergence of the reflected beam paths externally of the applicator. The depth of the actual convergence point within the body to be scanned may be varied by means of a longitudinally adjustable acoustic window. The actual convergence point may also be shifted by angular adjustment of the reflector.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system is provided for forming an orthographic and a tomographic image of an object. The system comprises a receiving transducer array having a plurality of elements positioned at the lattice points of a parallelogram and a transmitting transducer array having a plurality of elements arranged in a straight line parallel to one side of the parallelogram at a period equivalent to the length of the side. A receiving beam former compensates for the delay time of the received signal for each element in the receiving transducer array and adds the compensated signals for all the elements. The receiving beam former comprises a quadrature demodulator which decomposes the output of a receiving transducer element into the inphase component and the quadrature component of a transmitting carrier signal.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to an apparatus for imaging a body, such as an ultrasonic imaging system. In the disclosed apparatus, means are provided for transmitting energy, such as ultrasound energy, into the body. A transducer is provided for converting energy reflected from the body, typically ultrasound echoes, into electrical signals. The transducer, which is divided into a plurality of defined segments, such as concentric annular segments surrounding a central circular segment, is utilized for both transmitting and receiving. A plurality of register devices are provided, preferably analog registers of the charge-transfer type. The input of each of the register devices is coupled to a respective one of the transducer segments. A first clock is associated with each of the register devices. A plurality of second clocks are also provided, each being associated with one of the plurality of register devices.The second clocks have different characteristic clock rates.

Abstract: A transducer comprising a longitudinal bar of piezoelectric material having one longitudinal face substantially covered with a first electrode and the opposite longitudinal face in contact with a predetermined plural number of separate electrodes spaced along the length thereof, permits all detected echoes to be processed by a single low input impedance amplifier permanently coupled to the first electrode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic applicator is illustrated for ultrasonic scanning of internal body regions, particularly for obtaining ultrasonic echo sectional views thereof for medical diagnostic purposes, wherein an ultrasonic transducer system directs sequential pulses of ultrasonic energy along successive beam paths converging toward a virtual focal point, and a planar reflector is interposed to reflect the energy pulses and is inclined at an angle deviating from 90.degree. relative to each incident beam path for the purpose of producing an actual convergence of the reflected beam paths externally of the applicator. The depth of the actual convergence point within the body to be scanned may be varied by means of a longitudinally adjustable acoustic window. The actual convergence point may also be shifted by angular adjustment of the reflector.

Abstract: A dynamically variable electronic delay line for real time ultrasonic imaging systems is disclosed so as to controllably phase the signals associated with an array of electro-mechanical transducer elements and thereby enable the selective scanning and dynamic focusing of a target. A controllable variable electronic time delay apparatus is coupled to each of the electromechanical transducer elements of the array and in one embodiment thereof constitutes an electronic memory having separate write-in and read-out addressing capabilities. The signals associated with a respective ultrasonic transducer element are fed in at selected write-in addresses and subsequently read-out and extracted after an initial time delay interval. The write-in and read-out address pointers of the memory are continuously sequenced during operation of the device and the time delay interval is a function of the difference between the addresses, as well as the clock rate.

Abstract: A system and method for performing ultrasonic inspection of a length of test material with ultrasonic transducing means emitting a beam of ultrasonic energy from within sealed wheel means containing a coupling fluid therein and having a flexible cylindrical surface member transparent to the ultrasonic beam and arranged for rolling contact along the test material. The system and method are characterized by spaced leading and trailing wheel means arranged for rolling contact along the length of test material. Ultrasonic transducer means in each of the leading and trailing wheel means are oriented so that a beam of ultrasonic energy emitted from the transducer means in one wheel means will enter the test material, be reflected from the bottom surface thereof, and be directed to and received by the transducer means in the other wheel means.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection system for inspecting objects, such as pipe, is disclosed which includes an ultrasonic inspection probe or search unit, and the usual ultrasonic transducers and electronics associated with the probe. The system also includes novel apparatus for continuously tracking and recording operation with respect to a reference point or area, on the object being inspected. For this purpose, the inspection probe includes one or more sources of radiant energy which are periodically actuated as the probe is moved about the object being inspected, and a plurality of receiving devices or microphones located at a fixed relationship with respect to the area being inspected or to a known reference point on the area, such as a weld. The location of the probe can be determined and recorded from information obtained by receipt of the signals from the source of radiant energy by two or more of the receiving devices.

Abstract: A search unit for detecting internal flaws in the web of a railroad rail includes a plastic polymer shoe having a base surface contoured to conform generally to the web surface and of sufficient width to extend substantially across the width of the web. A plurality of dual ultrasonic transducers, each transducer including a transmitter and a spaced receiver, form a linear array across the width of the shoe and are angled with respect to each other. A couplant fluid is injected between the shoe and the rail web through fluid inlets in the shoe as the unit is slid along the rail.

Abstract: The device comprises an elongated acoustic wave translating isotropic body and a pair of transducers applied over one of the two parallel end faces thereof. Said transducers are arranged with relatively crossed axes of linear transversal polarization. The other end face of the isotrope body is intended to be applied to a sample or a structure made of an acoustically active substance presenting anisotropy, either intrinsic or induced, with respect to acoustical polarization. The length of the isotropic body is such that when the transducers are both simultaneously driven by pulsed high frequency voltages which are modulated in respective phase quadrature by a low frequency oscillation, the two transversal acoustic waves propagated through the body vectorially combine so that the opposite end face of the body is the subject of a constant amplitude acoustic wave which rotates at the speed of the pulsation of the low frequency.

Abstract: The seam of a pipe is tested sequentially from various directions and with differently directed test beams to search for differently oriented defects, and repeatedly for stepwise testing each portion of the same.

Abstract: An acoustic focusing device occupying a fixed aperture is used to both illuminate internal structure of a visually opaque object with a scanning focused beam of ultrasonic energy and for returning a reflected signal portion of the scanning focused beam passed therethrough for detection. The use of such a fixed-aperture focusing device permits deep soft tissue of a living human being to be displayed with high resolution for medical diagnostic purposes in a manner compatible with a real time frame rate.

Abstract: An improvement to a pulse-echo ultrasonic-imaging system, which permits the displaying of a three-dimensional representation of internal structure such as the soft tissue within the body of a living human being. The improved system includes a focusing device, such as an acoustic lens or an acoustic axicon, which provides a depth of field for the scanning focused beam which is several times the focused spot size of the scanning focused beam and which is at least as great as the depth dimension of the structure.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of polyethylene-jacketed, cast expive billets including an immersion tank and a roller system for axially rotating the billet while immersed in the coupling fluid. A drive mechanism traverses a pair of laterally opposed transducers axially of the rotating billet for through-transmission inspection of the majority of the billet. A second drive mechanism sweeps a third transducer through a 90.degree. arc for pulse-echo inspection of the hemispherical base of the billet.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for use in inspecting drill pipe or like tubular members being tripped into or out of a well borehole comprises a plurality of ultrasonic wheel-type search units arranged on a frame which defines a vertical passage for the tubular member. The search units are symmetrically disposed around the tubular member and are urged into sonic coupling with the member by means of pneumatic cylinders each having an extendible and retractable member for radially moving its respective search unit in a horizontal plane. The search unit assembly includes a number of stabilizer guide wheels for engaging the surface of the tubular member. The pneumatic cylinder is associated with a self-relieving pressure regulator for maintaining the search wheel contact with the tubular member at a constant pressure. A method of inspecting a string of pipe during a tripping operation is also provided.

Abstract: The camera comprises an emitting section and a receiving section which are both located on the surface of a portion of a cylinder. The receiving section consists of juxtaposed and parallel strips located in the central part of the portion of cylinder. The emitting section consists of two groups each constituted by a band of parallel strips which is placed on each side of the receiving section. Each emitter is constituted by a pair of strips having parallel sides each forming part of a directrix of the cylinder. Electronic means are provided for exciting the different emitting strips and collecting the signals received by the different receiving strips.

Abstract: A system for continuously determining the eccentric characteristics of a tube wall, including a positioning assembly supported by the tube when it travels in its lengthwise direction. Two thickness sensors are supported by the positioning assembly and have sensing axes disposed in a predetermined angular relation with respect to one another about the periphery of the tube. The two sensors continuously measure the wall thickness of the tube at the predetermined angular locations as the tube moves in its lengthwise direction. Signal processing circuits are provided for continuously computing the eccentricity characteristics of the tube based entirely upon the comparative values of the thickness readings of the sensors.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring the radial dimensions of a cylindrical tube by ultrasonics by means of which it is possible to measure the radial dimensions of said tube in directions perpendicular to the direction of the ultrasonic beam or beams emitted by one or more transducers, comprising a fixed ultrasonic transducer, whose emitting part is shaped like a cylindrical ring emitting ultrasonic pulses in accordance with a bundle of rays substantially parallel to the generating lines of the cylindrical tube, a truncated cone-shaped mirror whose apex angle is equal to 90.degree. and whose axis is parallel to the radii of the bundle of ultrasonic rays emitted by the transducer or transducers, a rotary shield having at least one opening arranged between the transducer and the tube whose radial dimensions are to be measured and means for collecting the ultrasonic echo returned by the tube and for measuring the time gaps separating the reception of said echos.

Abstract: When mapping out the internal cross-sectional dimensions of elongated, tubular bodies, correlated values of the external cross-sectional dimensions and wall thicknesses are measured along measuring lines from the outside of the body and the sum of the wall thicknesses measured along each measuring line is subtracted from the external cross-sectional dimension measured along the same or substantially the same measuring line. This avoids the use of measuring means in the interior of the tubular bodies, whereby the measuring can be carried out much faster and without the danger of injuring the internal surface of the bodies.