Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for improving the resolution and quality of an image formed by signals from an array of receivers. Multiple receivers introduce variations in arrival times that can be less than the period of an operating signal, and also less than the period associated with a sampling operation. Thus, multiple receivers allow sampling of fine features of reflected signals that would be considered beyond the resolution associated with the operating signal. Use of multiple receivers also provides an effective sampling rate that is greater than the sampling rate of an individual receiver. Similar advantages can be obtained using multiple transmitters. Such advantageous features can be used to obtain high resolution images of objects in a medium in applications such as ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature of the conductor in a buried, undersea or submerged electrical power cable.

Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature of the windings in a transformer or other electrical apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for determining the remaining service life of electrochemical energy generation and storage device including batteries, supercapacitors, DSSC solar cells and fuel cell. Measurements are performed by passing ultrasonic oscillations through the test object. The apparatus of the present invention comprises two arrays of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic probes between which the object being tested is affixed. Polyurethane tips are used for matching the acoustic resistance of the probes with the test object body. The apparatus positions the transmitting and the receiving probe arrays relative to each other. The calibration characteristic for determining the remaining service life of a the test object are established from the signal values from the ultrasonic probes related to the number of charge-discharge cycles obtained at various charge values.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission.

Abstract: Equipment of the invention uses a volume focusing flaw detection method. In a sectional view of a material m being tested, a plurality of transducers 1 . . . 1 of one of array probes 10 are arranged along one side of a rectangular shape of the material being tested, and a plurality of transducers 1 . . . 1 of the other of the array probes 10 are arranged along one of sides adjacent to the one side.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method which is used to detect defects on a component of a turbine. Said method comprises the following steps; at least one ultrasonic signal is emitted and captured by means of a group beam examination head on a flat region of the component which is to be examined. The invention is characterized according to the following steps: the group of the beam examination heads are distributed into several virtual examination heads and at least one ultrasonic signal is emitted and captured by at least two of the virtual examination heads which is directed to an individual flat region which is to be examined.

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 of analyzing ultrasonic inspection data from turbine wheel or bucket dovetail fingers for a crack about a ledge thereof with the turbine wheel or bucket having a number of adjacent holes therethrough. The method may include inserting an ultrasonic probe into a first hole, rotating an ultrasonic beam of the ultrasonic probe to scan the adjacent holes, scanning each adjacent hole, and determining the presence of the crack in the ledge by the failure to receive a signal from one or more of the adjacent holes.

Abstract: The transmitter/receiver for a convex probe and linear probe are used to drive a sector probe. Usually, when an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus using a convex probe and linear probe uses a sector probe, it selects vibration elements of N in number, which is equal to the number of channels of the sector probe, out of vibration elements of L in number (N is smaller than L), so that the selected elements are distributed at a virtually constant pitch in the alignment of vibration elements, and turns on only high voltage switches which are connected with the selected vibration elements to implement the sector scanning with the transmitter/receiver. It becomes possible to implement the sector scanning by using the transmitter/receiver having channels less than the number of vibration elements of the sector probe.

Abstract: A device for the nondestructive recording of a rotational movement, e.g. of a probe, on the surface of a specimen. A translational movement on the surface of the specimen can be detected. To this end, the device has a transmitter which is set up to transmit a temporal sequence of excitation signals Si, which penetrate into the specimen at least to some extent and interact with it. Furthermore, an array is provided, which is based on a plurality of receivers which are set up to receive echo signals, which result from the interaction of the excitation signals Si, transmitted by the transmitter, with the specimen. The echo signals for an excitation signal Si which are absorbed by the receivers form a set M (Si) of measurement values. Finally, an evaluation unit is provided, which is set up to determine a rotational movement of the device on the surface from a plurality of measurement value sets M (Si) which are correlated with temporally sequential excitation signals Si.

Abstract: An acoustic transducer assembly comprises a bipolar transducer (1) having an active surface with opposite ends that move towards and away from one another in response to an applied electrical fields. An acoustic decoupling material (2) is fixed to one end of the transducer surface, the acoustic decoupling material being such that it substantially prevents acoustic signals passing therethrough and substantially prevents coupling of the transducer's active surface.

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: A method and apparatus are provided to identify unacceptable levels of porosity, microcracking or defects attributable to thermal damage. Ultrasonic signals are introduced into the workpiece, such as by means of an ultrasonic transmitter. The ultrasonic signals propagate along a predefined axis of propagation oriented at an offset angle relative to a predefined reference direction oriented normal to the workpiece. Backscattered signals are received, such as by an ultrasonic receiver, from the workpiece. A measure representative of the cumulative energy of the backscattered signals received over a predefined time interval is then determined, such as integration performed by a processing element. An anomalous response may then be detected based upon the measure representative of the cumulative energy of the backscattered signals. This anomalous response may be representative of at least a predefined amount of porosity, microcracking or thermal damage.

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: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus may include a chamber partly filled with water from a first portion of the chamber to a water-line disposed apart from a second portion of the chamber, and at least one transducer disposed apart from the water-line. The at least one transducer may emit ultrasonic signals through a portion of a part being inspected towards the water-line. The water-line may reflect the ultrasonic signals emitted from the at least one transducer off the water-line, back through a portion of a part being inspected, and back to the at least one transducer. In such manner, one or more portions of a complex-shaped part may be inspected.

Abstract: A system for detecting leaks in vehicles comprises memory, a plurality of transducers, at least one sensor, an input device, and logic. The memory stores a plurality of transmit profiles. The transducers are disposed in a vehicle and configured to emit acoustic energy. The sensor is disposed outside of a vehicle and configured to sense the acoustic energy emitted by the transducers, and the input device is configured to receive a vehicle identifier identifying the vehicle. The logic is configured to select one of the transmit profiles for the transducers based on the vehicle identifier and to cause the transducers to emit the acoustic energy according to the selected transmit profile. The logic is further configured to detect at least one leak in the vehicle based on sample values indicative of the acoustic energy sensed by the at least one sensor and to provide an indication of the detected leak.

Abstract: In an exemplary configuration, a system for structural health monitoring is provided. The system includes a battery-less nano-PWAS device, the device comprising an array of nano-PWAS transducers and a tag antenna.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test method for detecting a defective portion more precisely in a noncontact reflection way, and ultrasonic test instrument used for the method. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted from a transmitter (20 (21)) provided on one side of an object under test, and the reflected wave is received by a receiver (30 (31)) provided on the same side. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted/received through an air layer between the transmitter and the object (100) under test and between the receiver and the object (100). The relative positions of the transmitter (20), the receiver (30), and the object (100) are so determined that the air propagation time ta of the air path (RA) between the transmitter and the receiver is longer than the propagation time tb of the reflected wave in the reflection path (RB). The propagation of the ultrasonic wave through the solid body between the transmitter and the receiver is blocked.

Abstract: In a non-limiting, exemplary system for in-situ monitoring of a composite workpiece, at least one ultrasonic testing transducer is mounted to a surface of a composite workpiece and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy to and from the composite workpiece during mechanical loading of the composite workpiece. An ultrasonic pulser/receiver is operatively coupled to the at least one ultrasonic testing transducer. A computing system is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic pulser/receiver. The computing system includes a data acquisition component configured to acquire data from the ultrasonic pulser/receiver and a data analysis component configured to analyze the acquired data. The data analysis component may be further configured to analyze the acquired data for initiation of failure of the composite workpiece and/or growth of failure of the composite workpiece. Further, failure of the composite workpiece may include cracking and/or delaminating and/or disbonding.

Abstract: Encoded transmission and reception which reduces time side lobe are realized while suppressing increase of circuit scale. Transmission signals corresponding to a composite modulation code sequence composed from two or more modulation code sequences are outputted as transmission signals. A reception means demodulates reception signals stepwise by two or more demodulators. The demodulator can be thereby divided into two or more stages, and therefore with a circuit scale corresponding to the sum of the operation circuit numbers of two or more demodulators, time side lobe reduction effect can be obtained at a level equivalent to that obtainable with a circuit scale corresponding to the product of the operation circuit numbers of two or more demodulators.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided which use a sensor holder constructed from rapid prototyping, such as stereolithography, and which is configured to support a plurality of inspection sensors typically arranged in an ordered matrix array and possibly with one or more additional inspection sensors aligned for inspection of difficult to inspect features of a structure such as radius corner or edge features. Rapid prototype integrated matrix array inspection apparatus, systems, and methods provide fast and efficient methods of constructing custom inspection devices.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis system includes an ultrasonic probe, which has an array of plural ultrasonic transducer elements, for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to an object, and for receiving an echo signal thereof to output a detection signal. A testing unit sets a testing mode, and operates in test operation of the plural ultrasonic transducer elements while the testing mode is set, so as to acquire a testing detection signal. There is a display panel. A display control unit controls the display panel to display information of the testing detection signal obtained for each of the ultrasonic transducer elements. Furthermore, the testing unit, when in a first inspection, drives the ultrasonic transducer elements together to obtain the testing detection signal, and when in a second inspection, drives the ultrasonic transducer elements by at least one element to obtain the testing detection signal.

Abstract: An obstacle detecting apparatus includes sensors and a processing unit. Each of the sensors are rendered operational by predetermined parameters. The processing unit transmits the parameters to the sensors and includes a vehicle state detector, a condition determiner, a communication controller, and a parameter setting processor. The vehicle state detector detects a running state of the vehicle. The condition determiner determines that the running state of the vehicle is one of an operating condition indicating that the sensors should be operated and a forbidding condition indicating that the operation of the sensors should be forbidden. The communication controller performs communication with the sensors. The parameter setting processor transmits the parameters to the sensors and receives a response indicating completion of the process.

Abstract: A method for an imaging ultrasonic inspection of a three-dimensional workpiece, in which ultrasonic waves are coupled into the workpiece with at least one ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic waves reflected within the workpiece are received by ultrasonic transducers and converted into ultrasonic signals forming the basis of the non-destructive imaging ultrasonic inspection.

Abstract: A method for measuring a vibration from four or more equidistant points in a chamber, comprising centering a chamber surface around a center point, containing a fluid within the chamber surface, measuring a fluid vibration from at least four measuring points in juxtaposition with the chamber surface, wherein at least two measuring points are located along a first axis passing through the center point and at least two measuring points are located along a second axis passing through the center point.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying a sample, involves illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, transmitting an acoustic signal against the sample from one portion and receiving a resulting acoustic signal on another portion, detecting a change of phase in the acoustic signal corresponding to the light of varying wavelengths, and analyzing the change of phase in the acoustic signal for the varying wavelengths of illumination to identify the sample. The apparatus has a controlled source for illuminating the sample with light of varying wavelengths, a transmitter for transmitting an acoustic wave, a receiver for receiving the acoustic wave and converting the acoustic wave to an electronic signal, and an electronic circuit for detecting a change of phase in the acoustic wave corresponding to respective ones of the varying wavelengths and outputting the change of phase for the varying wavelengths to allow identification of the sample.

Abstract: The intensity of first reflected ultrasonic waves reflected from an end of a first electrode tip is measured while the electrode tip is separated from a workpiece. The intensity of second reflected waves reflected from the end of the electrode tip is measured while the electrode tip contacts with the workpiece. Based on the above intensities, an intensity ratio (reflectance) and the fraction of the waves entering the workpiece are determined from the following equations. reflectance=(intensity of second reflected waves)/(intensity of first reflected waves) fraction of waves entering the workpiece=1?reflectance From a predetermined correlative relationship between a contact area of a region enabling ultrasonic waves to be incident on the workpiece and the determined fraction of the entering waves, a ratio (contact area ratio) is determined between a total area of the region and a contact area of the region contacting with the workpiece.

Abstract: The method for obtaining an image of a part to be inspected includes the steps of determining, by simulation, the ultrasonic field (s0) generated by the propagation of a wave in a flawless reference part; transmitting an ultrasonic wave toward the part to be inspected; measuring the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected; subtracting from the field (um) returned by the part to be inspected an ultrasonic field (u0) obtained from a previous corresponding measurement on the reference part; calculating a variable related to the topological energy (ET) in the reference part on the basis of the field (s0) determined by simulation and of the field (um?u0) obtained by subtraction; and determining the image of the part to be inspected on the basis of the values for this variable.

Abstract: A method for examining the interior material of an object, such as a pipeline or a human body, from a surface of an object using ultrasound having a frequency of at least 100 KHz, wherein the ultrasound is supplied to the interior material of the object. The reflections and/or diffractions of the ultrasound from the interior material of the object are received using ultrasonic receivers which are acoustically coupled to the surface of the object at positions which are distributed in two dimensions of the surface of the object, at different points in time or not, wherein, with each of the feelers, a receiving signal is generated, wherein the receiving signals are processed in combination in order to determine, according to the principle of inverse wave field extrapolation, where in the interior material of the object reflections and/or diffractions occur.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for representing ultrasound signals which are obtained with the aid of an ultrasound test device for the non-destructive testing of a test body. The ultrasound test device has at least two array test heads, each having a plurality of individual transmitters and a plurality of receivers, and a monitor having a display.

Abstract: Improved apparatus, systems, and methods for inspecting a structure are provided that use a probe having two ultrasonic transducer arrays. This enables simultaneous testing using two different test frequencies. The probe uses pulse echo ultrasonic signals at different frequencies to inspect the structure. The probe includes a support body having a fluid conduit formed therein. The fluid conduit provides flow paths for a couplant (such as water) that is used to couple the ultrasonic signals between the structure under test and the arrays. The fluid conduit is configured to quickly eject couplant and bubbles contained in the couplant.

Abstract: An automated scanning system and method, utilizing specialized dual phased array ultrasonic transducers for producing and detecting Rayleigh waves in ceramic bearing balls are provided for nondestructive, non-contact inspection of ceramic bearing balls. The phased array ultrasonic transducer utilizes a complex curvature configuration that enables the dual phased array ultrasonic transducers to focus ultrasonic energy onto the ball to optimally generate and receive Rayleigh wave signals in the spherical objects.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a plurality of vibrating parts, a plurality of receiving elements, and a waveguide. Each of the vibrating parts vibrates when a corresponding ultrasonic wave reflected by a detection object is transmitted thereto, and receives the ultrasonic wave. Each of the elements includes corresponding one of the vibrating parts and detects the object using the corresponding ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave is transmitted through the waveguide to each of the elements. The waveguide includes a first opening facing the object, a second opening, and a reflecting surface that reflects the ultrasonic wave in a direction to each of the vibrating parts. The ultrasonic wave enters through the first opening. The second opening is not viewable from the first opening. The second opening holds the elements such that the each of the vibrating parts faces a direction where the each of the vibrating parts receives the ultrasonic wave.

Abstract: A method and a device for the ultrasonic testing of a workpiece having an uneven surface is provided. An ultrasonic test head containing a multiplicity of transducer elements arranged rigidly in a linear array, is acoustically coupled to a workpiece. The ultrasonic test head can be driven in a time-delayed manner with a delay time predetermined for each transducer element. The propagation time of an ultrasonic signal transmitted by an individual transducer element and reflected from the surface and received by this transducer element is measured for a number of the transducer elements and is used for correcting the delay times. The transducer elements are subsequently driven with these corrected delay times.

Abstract: A device for the destruction-free testing of components, in particular of concrete components with ultrasound is suggested, which comprises at least one sensor module with several ultrasonic testing heads functioning as transmitters and/or receivers. The sensor module is provided with a device for producing transmitter impulses for the ultrasonic radiation and with a device for acquiring the readings. Several sensor modules for forming an array are mechanically connected to one another. Furthermore, a control- and evaluation device for activating the sensor modules with their ultrasonic heads and for evaluation of the readings delivered by the sensor modules is provided, which via a bus system is connected with control- and data leads to the sensor modules.

Abstract: A method is described for nondestructive testing of a test body having at least one acoustically anisotropic material area using ultrasound. The method of the invention includes ascertaining or providing directionally specific sound propagation properties which describe an acoustically anisotropic material area; coupling ultrasonic waves into the acoustically anisotropic material area of the test body; receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from an interior of the test body using ultrasonic transducers; and analyzing ultrasonic signals generated by the ultrasonic transducers so that an analysis is performed which is directionally-selective on a basis of directionally-specific sound propagation properties of the anisotropic material.

Abstract: A method and circuit arrangement for processing signals which are produced during disturbance-free examination of objects such as pipes or sheet metal, by reflecting ultrasonic waves at defective spots on the structure of the object. According to the method, a complete wave front is emitted on at least one section of the object which is to be examined by means of a plurality of independent transmitting elements, a wave reflected by the structure of the object is received by means of a plurality of receiving elements which are independent of each other, the signals received by the receiving elements are digitalized, and the digitalized signals are stored in a storage element according to amplitude and propagation time. In order to detect defective points on the structure of the object in a faster manner with improved signal/noise ratio, the defective points are detected by a phase-locked addition of the stored amplitude values of the propagation time.

Abstract: A thermometer and extensometer for cables and conductors is described. The travel time of one or more acoustic signals along a conductor is used to determine the temperature along the conductor and the length of the conductor. The acoustic frequency is selected to minimize temporal dispersion of the propagating acoustic energy. The technique can be used to measure the temperature and sag of an overhead power line, the temperature of the windings in a transformer, or the temperature of the central conductor in a coaxial power cable.

Abstract: An acoustic testing apparatus for testing a laminate material comprising at least one layer of a first material having a first velocity for a first vibration mode and at least one layer, adjacent to said first layer, of a second material having a velocity for a second vibration mode, approximately equal to said first velocity, said acoustic testing apparatus comprising: a first transducer for projecting an acoustic test signal onto a first layer of said at least one layer of a first material disposed in a testing zone, wherein a second transducer for receiving said test signal from said testing zone, and in that said first transducer is adapted to project said test signal at an angle so as to generate in said first layer vibrations of at least said first vibration mode, wherein said vibrations of said first vibration mode are incident on an interface with said layer of said second material under an incidence angle so as to produce in said second layer vibrations of at least said second vibration mode, so that

Abstract: A method and system for microstructural evaluation and degradation evaluation of an object are provided. The method comprises insonifying at least one subvolume of the object with ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency and acquiring receive energy from the object at the fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic frequency thereof. A nonlinearity parameter is determined using the receive energy. The nonlinearity parameter is then used to determine a grain size for the subvolume of the object and a variation of the grain size within the object. The nonlinearity parameter is also used to determine fatigue damage or a residual stress.

Abstract: A dynamically configurable ultrasound transducer element and related circuits and methods. The transducer may comprise an array of capacitive transducer elements, a row decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a column decoder coupled to said array of capacitive transducer elements, a bias voltage source coupled to said row decoder, and a driving signal source coupled to said column decoder. Preferably, a master clock also is provided to allow for a synchronization of signals between the row decoder and column decoder.

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

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor for detecting an object includes: a substrate; a transmission device for transmitting an ultrasonic wave; a plurality of reception devices for receiving the ultrasonic wave; and a circuit for processing received ultrasonic waves, which are received by the reception devices after the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmission device is reflected by the object. The transmission device and the reception devices are integrated into the substrate. The dimensions of the sensor are minimized, and detection accuracy of the sensor is improved.

Abstract: A system for mapping a condition of a structure that includes a plurality of support members covered by a wall is disclosed and includes a computer processor having a memory, a two-dimensional model of the structure stored in the memory and a three-dimensional model generator operatively associated with the computer. A density sensor that includes an ultrasonic transducer is operatively connected to the computer processor and provided with an ultra wideband transmitter. A position locating system is provided for determining the position of the ultra wideband transmitter, and hence the density sensor, in a frame of reference and communicating the position to the computer processor which displays indications of density on a three-dimensional model of the structure. A method for mapping a condition of a structure is also disclosed.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic sensor, a first receiving device is configured to be sendable and receivable an ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic wave sent from the first receiving device is transmitted through a vibration-reducing member disposed between the first receiving device and a second receiving device, and the second receiving device detects the ultrasonic wave. The ultrasonic sensor self diagnoses whether the second receiving device is operated without malfunction based on a detection signal of the second receiving device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for inspecting a generator rotor is provided. The system includes a phased-array ultrasound transducer that includes an active face including a plurality of transducer elements formed in an array, the elements are configured to be excited in a predetermined sequence to generate a transmission beam of ultrasound energy at a plurality of angles with respect to the active face. The elements are configured to receive ultrasound echoes through the active face. The system also includes a transducer wedge including a coupling face configured to couple to the transducer and a transmission face configured to couple to the rotor. The wedge is configured to refract the ultrasound transmission beam at a predetermined angle at the transmission face such that the beam enters the component at an angle substantially normal to a load surface of the rotor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for non-destructive inspection of a test body. The apparatus includes a probe, a transmitter operably connected to the probe, a receiver operably connected to the probe and a monitor with a display operably connected to the receiver for representing the echo signals received. The receiver receives echo signals. The transmitter generates transmitter pulses and delivers the transmitter pulses to the probe, wherein the probe delivers ultrasonic pulses and insonifies them at a certain angle (?) into a test body. The pulses penetrate the test body where the test pulses are at least once reflected from a rear wall of the test body forming, as a result thereof, at least one first leg that extends from an entrance surface to the rear wall and a second leg that extends from the rear wall to the entrance surface. The echo signals received are represented on the display so as to show from which leg the echo signals originate.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus used in a method for determining the limpness of sheet material, in particular of bank notes, wherein the sheet material is irradiated with sound waves, sound waves emanating from the sheet material are captured and the limpness of the sheet material is determined therefrom. An especially simple and reliable determination of limpness even independent of the degree of soiling of the sheet material can be achieved by measuring both the transmitted and the reflected sound waves and to form a mathematical ratio of the reflected and transmitted sound-waves, in order to determine the limpness.

Abstract: In the ultrasonic inspection method and equipment, a high-resolution and high-S/N-ratio inspection image can be speedily acquired with ease-of-operability. Inspection of the inside of the inspection target is performed by changing incident angle of the ultrasonic wave oscillated from the array-probe ultrasonic sensor. Then, while performing the inspection, the array-probe ultrasonic sensor is sequentially displaced from the position to the position via the position by using the displacement member. This displacement allows acquisition of inspection images on each position basis. Finally, the inspection images thus acquired are visualized as a processed image by adding or averaging the inspection images by shifting the images by displacement quantity of the array-probe ultrasonic sensor.