Abstract: The invention relates to a tactile sensor comprising a base plate provided at a first side with a plurality of electrically conducting wires forming a row, and provided at a second side opposite to the first side of the base plate with a plurality of electrically conducting wires forming a column, each of these wires forming cross points with the electrically conducting row wires. Each of the column wires forms an electrical contact with the row wires near each cross point, which electrical contacts are located at the first side of the base plate. The first side of the base plate is provided with a covering having a pressure-dependent electrical resistance and which, together with the electrical contact of the column wires and the row wires, is suitable to form one or more current paths. The covering is divided into segments, with each segment covering at least two adjacent cross points.

Abstract: A method of simultaneously reconstructing and testing a straddle-mount turbine blade hub with the turbine blades in place. The method employs a sector scan ultrasonic phased array mounted on one face of the hub to inspect the opposite face.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angular measurement system is disclosed. The system is comprised of three parts, a control box used to collect and process data, an ultrasonic transducer, and a reflector block. The reflector block is configured so that it intercepts transmitted pulses received over a wide range of angles back to the transducer. All the components are self contained within a transportable housing which is attached to the aircraft deck during measurement of tip-off angle. The range of angle measurement is permitted because of the use of the unique reflector block which comprises a plurality of reflector segments for reflecting ultrasonic pulses transmitted at various ranges of angles.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for the ultrasonic inspection of a multilayer metal workpiece consisting of at least one parent metal layer and a clad metal layer, and having an outer surface, at least one boundary surface, and an inner surface, the device comprising a housing accommodating at least three spaced-apart, ultrasonic transducing means capable of receiving electrical input signals, initiating transmission of ultrasonic waves to the workpiece, and receiving reflected ultrasonic waves to be transduced into electrical output signals, the transducing means being constituted by an acoustic prism having a first face for at least indirectly contacting a workpiece, a second face extending in a plane forming an angle .alpha. with the plane of the outer surface of the workpiece, and a piezocrystal attached to the second face, wherein the distance L.sub.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an array of transducer elements, a predetermined number of transducer and receiver channels less than the number of transducer elements in the array, and an electronic switch for selecting transducer elements for connection to the transmitter and receiver channels. A method using the imaging system for ultrasound imaging with a sector scan pattern includes determining, from a sector aperture size and a sector aperture location on the array, a mapping of the transducer elements to the transmitter and receiver channels. Focusing delays are determined from a sector angle and a focus for the sector scan pattern, and the focusing delays are converted to mapped focusing delays using the mapping. Ultrasound energy is transmitted and received along sector scan lines of the sector scan pattern in response to the mapped focusing delays, and signals representative of an image along the sector scan lines are provided.

Abstract: A self-tuning crystal notch filter suitable for rejecting a carrier signal in a receiver channel of a receiver of an ultrasound imaging system. The crystal notch filter has a resonant frequency which is electronically tuned. Tuning is done under software control without operator intervention. The software instructs a channel other than the one being tuned to transmit into the transducer. The receive channel being tuned amplifies the received signal and then passes the amplified signal through the notch filter and the TGC amplifier to the corresponding digital signal processing (DSP) circuit via an analog-to-digital converter. The software reads the amplitude of the digital receive signal output from the DSP circuit. By programming a D/A converter incorporated in the notch filter, a value can be found that minimizes the amplitude of the signal output by the DSP circuit, i.e., maximizes the amount of carrier signal being rejected. This value is then used during subsequent imaging data acquisition.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of locating defects within microcomponents using ultrasonic technology. A pulse-echo mode transducer and a through-transmission mode transducer are arranged around a component in order to introduce ultrasonic sound waves to perform inspections of both sides of the component to be tested which reduces the overall testing time by simultaneously providing a composite image of both sides of the component. By eliminating a scan process, an increase of the rate at which components are inspected is achieved.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for enhancing the side-lobe performance of a sparse ultrasonic transducer array using harmonic imaging to reduce all beam sidelobe (including grating lobe) levels. Harmonic imaging consists of using the active transducer elements to transmit an ultrasound signal (wideband or narrowband) of center frequency f.sub.0 and receive at one or more harmonic frequencies nf.sub.0, where n.gtoreq.2.

Abstract: Device for testing ferromagnetic materials, such as pipelines and the like, for faults, cracks, corrosion, etc. An one electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer includes at least one high frequency current coil and an arraay of permanent magnets which create a magnetic field for exciting and/or detecting ultrasonic waves in the wall of the ferromagnetic material. The ultrasonic transducer is located between the pole pieces of an additional magnet arrangement that produces a magnetic prefield in the material wall.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transceiver has a function of displaying a modified B scope. The ultrasonic transceiver transmits ultrasonics to an inner part of a test object at an angle of inclination to a surface of the test object, receives echoes from discontinuity in the test object, and displays, based on an outcome of the reception, an image which shows a state of transmission of the ultrasonics in the test object. When displaying the image, origins of time axes on the screen are shifted through a coordinate transformation of the outcome of reception to avoid the difference in lateral positions of images of single discontinuity. Consequently, it is possible to accurately discern the location, size, configuration, and posture of the discontinuity when the outcome of reception is displayed in a rectangular display window.

Abstract: A method for automatic state control, inspection, cleaning and/or surface treatment of structures, especially measuring the thickness of plate constructions and pipes by means of ultrasound signals from a self-propelled, remotely controllable unit. The self-propelled unit is continuously moved in the measurement area, and a transmitter transmits an ultrasound signal in a direction substantially perpendicular to the surface of the construction. A reflected signal is received by a receiver which determines thickness and material quality of the construction at the measurement spot, on the basis of the received reflected signal, and parameters such as transit time for the reflected signal. The self-propelled unit performs self-positioning by means of previously known spots on the construction.

Abstract: A method for determining a length of a pile which includes the steps of affixing a plurality of sound sensors in a vertical array adjacent to the pile, generating an elastic wave adjacent the pile such that the elastic wave propagates through or from the pile, radiating the elastic wave from the pile such that the sound sensors receive the radiated elastic wave, and analyzing the radiated elastic wave so as to determine the length of the pile. The elastic wave can be radiated so as to create upwardly propagating waves and downwardly propagating waves within the pile. The radiated elastic waves can also produce refracted elastic waves along a length of the pile and diffracted elastic waves at a bottom of the pile. The data from the radiated elastic waves is analyzed so as to be determinative of the length of the pile.

Abstract: An ultrasonic test head for ultrasonically testing flaws in a workpiece includes a common housing. An ultrasonic transducer configuration is disposed in the common housing. At least one ultrasonic transducer array is disposed in the common housing for operation in a pulse echo mode for transverse waves propagating in a workpiece. The ultrasonic transducer configuration includes at least two acoustically separate ultrasonic transducers to be operated in a transmit/receive mode for longitudinal waves propagating near a surface in the workpiece. In a method for operating the ultrasonic test head, each ultrasonic transducer array or arrays is operated in a transmit/receive mode.

Abstract: A method of non-destructively evaluating or validating a processed area of an object such as a metallic laser shock peened surface by determining Rayleigh wave angles at various positions on the surface.

Abstract: A device for continuously measuring the quantity of coal inside a ball grinder including an ultrasound wave or electromagnetic wave emitter and a wave receiver. The emitter and the receiver are disposed so that the wave passes through at least part of the interior of the grinder. The receiver is associated with an electronic circuit for deducing the quantity of coal by comparing the signal received with data obtained from previous calibration measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic angle-beam probe and a method for operating the angle-beam probe include an approach wedge to be driven into a gap. The overall height of the probe sets limits which preclude testing starting from a specific gap width. At least two approach wedges are provided in order to give the angle-beam probe a testing sensitivity that is maintained even in the case of a reduced overall height. A device is provided which can be assigned to a pulse generator, a sound evaluator or a connecting element to a sound transducer, in order to influence a sound echo time.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasonically scanning a surface includes a plurality of pairs of 180 degree oppositely disposed transducers mounted in a rotatable head having a central axis about which the head is rotatable. A positioning system for positioning the transducers such that all beam axes of the transducers intersect the central axis at a single point. Axes of each pair are equiangular with respect to the centerline and axes of different pairs have incident and reflective angles between beam axes and the central axis that are different from those of other pairs. Incident and reflective angles of different pairs of transducers are preferably predetermined and in close proximity to a predetermined angle over a range of angles bracketing a predetermined critical angle. A translating system is preferably included for effecting translational motion between the head and the surface such that the single point lies substantially on the surface during scanning.

Abstract: An optoacoustic system comprises an optoacoustic transducer including a first array of acoustic transducers and a second array of optical fibers; an acoustic subsystem for controllably exciting at least a first subset of the acoustic transducers to generate acoustic pulses with a prescribed pulse width, and for forming a first image based on return acoustic pulses reflected from a patient; an optical subsystem for controllably generating optical pulses to be transmitted through at least a first subset of the optical fibers toward the patient, and for forming a second image based on light reflected from the patient; and image correlation means for correlating the first and second images. The first and second arrays may take various forms, including the form of an annular array in which the acoustic transducers are arranged coaxially and the optical fibers are disposed around an outer periphery of the first array. The first and second arrays may also take the form of linear arrays.

Abstract: A configuration flexible computer-controlled ultrasonic diagnostic test equipment arrangement for examining large turbine rotors incorporates improved ultrasonic signal "pulser-receiver" circuitry that is used to drive one or more an ultrasonic transducers and to receive and amplify ultrasonic returns from a specimen under test. The improved pulser-receiver circuitry comprises both an ultrasonic pulse generating circuit and an associated ultrasonic return signal linear amplification circuit. The pulse generating circuitry and the ultrasonic return signal amplification circuitry are modular and functionally independent of each other and, consequently, may be used together in the testing system or as stand-alone instrumentation. Overall ultrasonic diagnostic system flexibility is significantly enhanced by providing improved pulser-receiver circuitry with digitally driveable computer control inputs in addition to manual controls to enable selecting initial parameters and transducer position settings.

Abstract: A process using ultrasonic inspection for testing the internal soundness of cathode sputtering targets, whose active part is made of aluminum with a very high degree of purity or a very pure aluminum alloy, consisting, after selection of an ultrasound sensor functioning at an operating frequency greater than 5 MHz, preferably between 10 and 50 MHz, and adjusting the appropriate measurement sequence, using a target immersed in a liquid and which has ceratin artificial defects simulating decohesions in the target, taking a count in terms of size and number of the internal decohesions per unit volume and selecting, for the applications requiring a very high degree of etching fineness, the targets with a decohesion density of .ltoreq.0.1 decohesion larger than 0.1 mm/cm.sup.3 of active metal of the target, and cathode sputtering targets selected according to the process having no more than 0.1 internal decohesion larger than 0.1 mm/cm.sup.3 of active metal of the target.

Abstract: A device for the non-destructive testing of hollow tubular objects using ultrasound. The device has a stage for transmission of ultrasonic waves and a stage for reception of ultrasonic signals. The transducer structure includes an assembly of annular individual transducers which are juxtaposed in a coaxial fashion or, in an alternative embodiment, two annular arrays, each of which consists of an assembly of juxtaposed individual transducers. Moreover, the stages for the transmission and reception can simultaneously select, from the assembly or from each of the assemblies, at least one transmitter transducer (2(I)) and at least one receiver transducer (2(j)). This selection forms a transducer sub-assembly which can be displaced at will by electronic scanning along the axis of the succession of transducers in order to enable optimum execution of the so-called TOFD testing method.

Abstract: A non-contact apparatus for monitoring the contents of a container, especially but not exclusively for quality control monitoring purposes associated with high speed packaging processes, comprises a non-contact ultrasound generation member, adapted so as to generate an ultrasound signal within the container (1). A non-contact detection scheme is employed to enable the contents of the container to be monitored by analysing ultrasound signals that have propagated through or round the container (1) either transmitted through or reflected from the containers contents. In use, the apparatus may be adapted to provide information about container fill level (h) or the presence or absence of an insert (14) such as a head forming device by analysing the measured signal profiles generated by a ultrasound detection member (3).

Abstract: A microelectromechanical sensor for detecting acoustic signals propagating through the ground, including reflected signals, has a cantilever provided with capacitance measurement to detect deflection or twisting of the cantilever due to the presence of acoustic signals. The cantilever size and shape may be changed to increase sensitivity to a particular frequency. An array of sensors may be used to detect buried objects, such as land mines.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a blown film extrusion apparatus in which film is extruded as a tube from an annular die and then pulled along a predetermined path. The improved blown film extrusion apparatus includes a system for gauging and controlling the surface of the extruded film tube, which includes a number of components which cooperate together. At least one transducer is provided and positioned adjacent the extruded film tube for transmitting interrogating pulses to, and receiving interrogating pulses from, the extruded film tube, and for producing a signal corresponding to a detected position of the extruded film tube. A control system is provided for substituting a filtered position signal derived from a dynamic filtering process in lieu of the detected position signal. An air flow controller is provided for varying a quantity of air within the extruded film tube in response to the control system for urging the extruded film tube to a desired position.

Abstract: A method has been invented of providing feedback regarding tolerance for a dimension of a concrete block in relation to a datum in a computer-based system with a CPU, an input connected to the CPU, a memory associated with the CPU, a data transmitter connected to the CPU, a controller card connected to the data transmitter, an ultrasound transducer connected to the controller card, a timing device connected to the controller card, a memory means associated with the controller card, a feedback device connected to the controller card, and an environmental adaptator. Also, the invention can be described as an environmentally adaptable computer-based apparatus utilizing ultrasound for providing feedback regarding the dimensional quality of concrete blocks positioned on pallets traveling on a conveyor. The apparatus has a first memory for controlling a CPU, an input, an ultrasound transducer, a timing device, a second memory, a controller card, a data transmitter, a CPU, and a feedback device.

Abstract: A phased array sector scanning ultrasonic system includes a separate receive channel for each respective element in an ultrasonic transducer array. Each receive channel imparts a delay to the echo signal produced by each respective element. The delayed echo signals are summed to form a steered, dynamically focused and dynamically windowed receive beam even when the transmit beam does not emanate from the center of the array. The receiver has a beamformer including a multiplicity of beamformer channels. The beamformer dynamically increases delays to each channel without introducing unwanted discontinuities, by combining and synchronizing a FIFO and an interpolator. The interpolator uses "Wallace tree" adders to accumulate bit-shifted versions of the inputs. The number of additions is less than the number of bits which would be needed to represent equivalent coefficients.

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing system can receive data from at least two ultrasonic transducers and process the data in parallel to each other. The testing system can compress the data by a fixed ratio by storing the value of the sample having the highest-amplitude out of a group of samples. The testing system can also provide threshold-based run-length encoding by compressing data by only storing samples which exceed a user-defined threshold value as well as a user-defined range of samples surrounding said samples. The ultrasonic testing system also provides a hardware gate for storing a peak amplitude and associated time-of-flight for a user-defined interval and a gate for storing the time-of-flight for the first excursion of the data through a user-defined threshold and interval. The operation of these gates or the storage of waveform data may be delayed by a constant delay or until the data exceeds a user-selectable threshold during a user-selectable time interval.

Abstract: A device for measuring a distance between a panel and a shadow mask included in a color CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) of the present invention includes a range finder having an emitter for emitting an ultrasonic pulse, and a receiver for receiving it. The emitter emits the ultrasonic pulse toward the inner surface of the panel on which the shadow mask is mounted. The distance or so-called Q value is measured on the basis of a lag between the time when a first reflection from the shadow mask reaches the receiver and the time when a second reflection from the inner surface of the panel reaches the receiver. The device is capable of measuring the Q value without resorting to the removal of the shadow mask, and measuring Q values even smaller than 5 mm without contacting the shadow mask. In addition, the device is easy to handle and small size.

Abstract: A composite scan pattern for ultrasound imaging includes a linear or curved linear scan pattern and one or more sector scan patterns. The sector scan patterns abut the linear or curved linear scan pattern along its boundaries to form the composite scan pattern. The linear or curved linear scan pattern can be steered to a desired angle .theta. for obtaining a high quality image. The sector apertures can be reduced in width and the linear scan pattern can be increased in width for imaging at shallow depths. The composite scan pattern provides a wide field of view for both shallow imaging and deep imaging.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring bottom scour adjacent a foundation structure extending into the bottom of a stream of flowing water is disclosed. An elastic wave source is used for transmitting elastic waves through the water, the scour zone, and the bottom adjacent the foundation structure. The elastic waves are transmitted directly to an array of receivers and indirectly through the foundation structure to produce refracted signals that also travel to the receivers. The array of receivers are adapted for substantially vertical positioning such that a portion of the receivers will sense elastic waves that travel through the water above the scour, a portion will sense elastic waves that travel through the scour, and a portion will sense elastic waves that travel through the bottom adjacent the structure. Means are utilized for recording the time required for the elastic waves to reach each receiver to measure the depth of scour next to the foundation structure.

Abstract: Detection and gauging of a joint (18) in a rotating and axially moving drilling tool (16) subject to transverse axial displacement is achieved by positioning an ultrasonic sensor assembly (12) coaxially encircling the tool in a plane perpendicular to the tool. The sensor assembly (12) generates more than one reflected pulse to represent changes in tool (16) diameter by transmitting a beam from at least one ultrasonic sensor (32) toward the tool (16) as the tool axially advances or recedes, perpendicularly piercing the plane of the sensor assembly (12). Each reflected pulse is converted to an electrical output signal, all of which signals are summed to minimize measurement distortion due to noise and transverse axial displacement of the rotating tool and compared to a threshold detection voltage in a signal processor (14) to generate a detection output pulse.

Abstract: A method and system are provided to detect defects in a material. Waves of known frequency(ies) are mixed at an interaction zone in the material. As a result, at least one of a difference wave and a sum wave are generated in the interaction zone. The difference wave occurs at a difference frequency and the sum wave occurs at a sum frequency. The amplitude of at least one nonlinear signal based on the sum and/or difference waves is then measured. The nonlinear signal is defined as the amplitude of one of the difference wave and sum wave relative to the product of the amplitude of the surface waves. The amplitude of the nonlinear signal is an indication of defects (e.g., dislocation dipole density) in the interaction zone.

Abstract: A testing head is provided which operates in accordance with the contact technique and has a flexibly constructed adaptor piece that is adapted to an intended contour of the conical bottom surface. A ring structure, which is disposed on the base surface of the adaptor piece, is constructed as a one-piece or multiple-piece ultrasonic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasonic flaw detecting apparatus for efficiently detecting a flaw existing in a deep portion of a multi-layer structure includes a first sensor arranged so as to transmit an ultrasonic wave into a different property layer surrounded by a medium having a different acoustic impedance in the multi-layer structure, a function generator for generating a pulse-shaped sine wave, a power amplifier for amplifying and supplying the pulse-shaped sine wave to the first sensor, a second sensor arranged so as to receive a boundary echo from the different property layer, a first amplifier for amplifying the boundary echo received by the second sensor, an intensity detector for judging the intensity of an amplified signal of the boundary echo, a third sensor arranged so as to receive an echo from a flaw inside a layer in a deep portion of the different property layer, a second amplifier for amplifying the flaw echo received by the third sensor, a recorder for recording the amplified flaw echo signal, and a control unit

Abstract: The ultrasonic testing device for weld seams (28) in pipes, sheets and containers, preferably for circumferential welds in pipelines, is fitted with two identical test head supports (20), each fitted with at least one test head (e.g., 23), arranged in lateral inversion to the weld seam, which acoustically irradiate from the basic material (30) of the pipes or sheets laterally into the weld seam (28) and are coupled to the surface of the basic material (30) opposite the root (32) of the weld seam (28).

Abstract: A two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer for forming images. The transducer has a plurality of transducer elements for producing ultrasonic bursts in a predetermined manner, and receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject under examination due to the ultrasonic bursts. The plurality of transducer elements are arranged in an array into columns and rows, the columns of the transducer elements arranged in a scanning plane for scanning the subject under examination in order to form a two-dimensional profile of the subject, and the rows of the transducer elements having groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements being oriented in a elevational plane. Each of the groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements are mechanically arranged to have a focus at specified locations distant from the transducer which is within the subject under examination.

Abstract: By arranging a pair of an ultrasonic wave transmitting sensor and an ultrasonic wave receiving sensor in opposition across a crack in a reinforced concrete construction. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting sensor at a first position. A reflected wave is then received by the ultrasonic wave receiving sensor at the first position. Also, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the ultrasonic wave transmitting sensor at a second position. A reflected wave is then received by the ultrasonic wave receiving sensor at the second position. The received waves at two positions are provided mutual phase shift for a predetermined period and summed in reversed phase for deriving a rise time of the wave reflected from the crack.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic system comprises a monitoring device juxtaposable to a patient for collecting individualized medical data about the patient's condition, and a digitizer operatively connected to the monitoring device for digitizing the data. A computer is operatively connected to the digitizer and a memory which stores medical data for a multiplicity of previously diagnosed medical conditions. The computer is operated to compare digitized data about the patient's condition with the data stored in the memory and for deriving a diagnosis as to the patient's condition. The computer is connected to an output device, e.g., a printer, for communicating the derived diagnosis to a user.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for the ultrasonic testing of a component accessible only through a gap, includes driving a carrier accommodating an ultrasonic testing head into an annular gap and bringing the ultrasonic testing head into a position of alignment with the component, for the purposes of repeated testing of components disposed in the poorly accessible gap. Subsequently, the ultrasonic testing head is driven out from the carrier approximately at right angles to the driving-in movement, and is brought into contact with the component. After completing the testing process, the ultrasonic testing head is driven once more into the carrier and brought into a position of alignment with the next component.

Abstract: In the present invention, a control system uses acoustic data produced by an ultrasound system to assess whether the acoustic environment presented to the ultrasound system's transducer is an imaging environment, such as patient's body, or a nonimaging environment, such as air. Various operating parameters of the ultrasound system may be controlled based on the assessment. In the nonimaging environment, the control system reduces the amplitude of a drive signal applied to the transducer, substantially reducing power dissipation in the transducer. The control system detects a transition to the imaging environment and returns the drive signal to the amplitude used in the previous imaging environment. If the nonimaging environment persists for greater than a predetermined time period, the control system initiates a standby mode which substantially reduces power consumption by the ultrasound system. The control system is readily integrated into the imaging stream of an ultrasound system.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting breakage of a web of material traversing a machine for feeding the web, and a method for the same. The apparatus includes a housing for mounting three transducers, a first transducer adapted to periodically emit a burst of energy for a period of time, the burst of energy being reflected off an object and producing an echo signal. A second transducer adjacent to the first transducer receives a portion of the echo signal, and a third transducer also adjacent to the first transducer receives another portion of the echo signal. The strongest portion of the echo signal is used to detect whether the web is broken.

Abstract: Apparatus for examining carcasses on a slaughter line, in which an ultrasound transducer comes into contact with a surface of the carcasses. The ultrasound transducer is adapted to be mounted immovably on a stationary frame of the slaughter line so that as the carcass transport mechanism of the slaughter line moves the carcasses across the ultrasound transducer, the carcasses rest on the ultrasound transducer with a considerable part of their weight.

Abstract: A non-destructive examination device has an excitation current generation device for supplying an excitation current based on a control signal from a control device, a vibration excitor device for generating an elastic wave in accordance with athe excitation current and for vibrating an examination target to be examined by using the elastic wave; a response detection device (an acceleration sensor) for detecting a response of the vibration of the examination target caused by the elastic wave and for processing the response data in order to select desired examination information. The excitation current generation device generates the excitation current of an alternating pulse wave such as a pulse wave, or a rectangular wave, or a triangular wave, or a sine wave based on the control signal which is also a pulse signal. It can be acceptable to incorporate a plurality of the vibration excitor devices on the examination target in the non-destructive examination device.

Abstract: A triaxial force sensor using a hemispherical target supported by a compliant element such as a spring or an elastomer supported by a rigid support member. The sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed in a plane at equal intervals about the target and vertically and laterally offset from the target. The transducers are oriented at an oblique angle to the plane, and aimed at the target in its rest position. The target is displaced by sufficient force applied to elastically deform the compliant element, which displacement alters the transit times of ultrasonic signals from the transducers which are reflected from the target. If at least three sensor units are employed non-colinearly, the six force-torque components, F.sub.x, F.sub.y, F.sub.z, M.sub.x, M.sub.y, M.sub.

Abstract: Ultrasonic testing apparatus 10 and method for ultrasonically scanning an oilfield tubular 42,56. The apparatus includes four ultrasonic arrays 12, 14, 16, 18 each containing a plurality of individual watertight ultrasonic transducers 20. Axially adjustable ultrasonic arrays 100, 121 include axially spaced sockets 102, 106, and 122, 124, 126, respectively, for controlling an axial movement thereof to preferably discrete positions associated with each selected range of diameters of oilfield tubulars to be tested. Within that range of diameters, the ultrasonic testing apparatus 10 reliably provides for a constant 100% coverage of the tubular to be tested. During scanning, the tubular 56 is moved axially and rotationally with respect to an ultrasonic testing apparatus 50 to provide a helical scan pattern along the length of the tubular 56.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing ultrasonic spectroscopy provides for rapid evaluation of test materials with good amplitude, balanced response at all test frequencies. A swept frequency signal is generated which is applied to a transmit transducer coupled to a test part. A receive transducer provides a detected signal that is fully digitized for real-time or post signal processing. The created swept frequency signal can be equalized from data obtained from direct coupling between transmit and receive transducers. The resultant data is analyzed for amplitude and/or phase information as a function of frequency and can be used to analyze filter characteristics, identify resonances, characterize material signatures and many other applications.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic inspection of a conduit are provided. The method involves directing a first ultrasonic pulse at a particular area of the conduit at a first angle, receiving the reflected sound from the first ultrasonic pulse, substantially simultaneously or subsequently in very close time proximity directing a second ultrasonic pulse at said area of the conduit from a substantially different angle than said first angle, receiving the reflected sound from the second ultrasonic pulse, and comparing the received sounds to determine if there is a defect in that area of the conduit. The apparatus of the invention is suitable for carrying out the above-described method. The method and apparatus of the present invention provide the ability to distinguish between sounds reflected by defects in a conduit and sounds reflected by harmless deposits associated with the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves has a transmitter for sending a pair of ultrasonic waves to a sample. The pair of ultrasonic waves have substantially symmetric waveforms with respect to zero sound pressure. One of the ultrasonic wave is separated from the other ultrasonic wave. An acoustoelectric, ultrasonic transducer receives the pair of ultrasonic waves affected by the sample. The acoustoelectric, ultrasonic transducer converts the pair of ultrasonic waves into a pair of electric signals accompanied by phonon-charge carrier interaction. Each of the electric signals includes an acoustoelectric signal insensitive to phase and a piezoelectric signal sensitive to phase. A processing device processes the pair of electric signals so as to remove the piezoelectric signal and obtain the acoustoelectric signal.

Abstract: A device for identifying fingerprints by use of ultrasound having an electronic evaluating circuit, a hollow cylinder of length L with a cover and a base plate, wherein the ultrasonic speed through the liquid equals c' and the cover is made from a material with ultrasonic speed c". The outer side of the cover is planar to serve as a supporting surface for the fingerprint. The inner side is either convex (c'>c') or concave (c'<c") with a spherical radius R and the condition L=R/.vertline.(c"/c')-1.vertline. must be satisfied. The individual ultrasonic receiver is arranged in the center of the base plate and extends over the smallest possible surface area. At least one annular transmitter is arranged concentrically around the individual ultrasonic receiver.

Abstract: A triaxial force sensor using a hemispherical target supported by a compliant element such as a spring or an elastomer supported by a rigid support member. The sensor includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed in a plane at equal intervals about the target and vertically and laterally offset from the target. The transducers are oriented at an oblique angle to the plane, and aimed at the target in its rest position. The target is displaced by sufficient force applied to elastically deform the compliant element, which displacement alters the transit times of ultrasonic signals from the transducers which are reflected from the target. If at least three sensor units are employed non-colinearly, the six force-torque components, Fx, Fy, Fz, Mx, My, Mz, can be determined from the pulse transit times, the speed-of-sound in the medium or media between the transducers and the target, the deformation response of the compliant element, and the known geometry and spacing of the transducers.