Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring system includes an ultrasonic probe and a sheet member. The ultrasonic probe has an ultrasonic sensor section and a probe side engaging section. Ultrasonic waves emitted from the ultrasonic sensor section are transmitted through the sheet member to a target sample. The sheet member has a sheet side engaging section. The probe side engaging section slidably engages with the sheet side engaging section so that the ultrasonic probe slides along the sheet member while the ultrasonic sensor section faces a sheet surface of the sheet member.

Abstract: An active ultrasonic room occupancy sensor with the output amplitude of the transmitter controlled by the amplitude of power applied to the transmitter to control the zone of coverage for a sensor. An adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage to the transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver. Alternatively, the power applied to the receiver may also be controlled by an adjustable voltage regulator under control of the microcontroller to improve receiver efficiency.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to ultrasonic inspection of welds and more particularly, to apparatus and methods for ultrasonic inspection of welds on access hole covers found in boiling water reactors having jet pumps. The apparatus includes a base, a center frame coupled to the base and projecting vertically relative to the access hole cover, a radial arm structured to rotate on the center frame and having attached thereto a first pneumatic linear thruster and a second pneumatic linear thruster, and a skew motor assembly and transducer are attached to the first pneumatic linear thruster for scanning the access hole cover weld. The skew motor assembly is structured to control the angle of the transducer and the first pneumatic linear thruster is structured to raise and lower the transducer.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus that transmits an acoustic wave to an object, and receives and analyzes the reflected acoustic wave to acquire internal information of the object, comprises a probe that transmits and receives the acoustic wave; a holding member disposed between the object and the probe to hold the object; and an air bubble detection unit that detects an air bubble present between the object and the holding member on the basis of an intensity of the acoustic wave received after a first time from the transmission by the probe, the first time being calculated on the basis of a time when the acoustic wave reaches a predetermined distance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for ultrasonic non-destructive testing provides an elongate strip of ultrasound transmissive material coupled at a proximal end to an object under test. The elongate strip has a transverse cross-section with a width and thickness giving an aspect ratio greater than unity and matched to the ultrasonic transducer such that excitation induces a substantially non-dispersive ultrasonic signal to propagate along the elongate strip to the proximal end and to enter the object under test. These non-dispersive pulses are particularly suited for time-of-flight measurements, thickness measurements, crack measurements and the like. The elongate strip helps to separate the transducer from a potentially hostile environment associated with the object under test. The elongate strip also has a large area of contact with the object under test allowing efficient transmission of energy into the object under test.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined transducer cell (10) comprising a substrate (12), and a membrane (14) disposed above a total membrane area (Atotal), wherein a cavity (20) is formed between the membrane (14) and the substrate (12), the membrane comprising a hole (15) and an edge portion (14a) surrounding the hole (15). The cell (10) further comprises a stress layer (17) on the membrane (14), the stress layer (17) having a predetermined stress value with respect to the membrane (14), the stress layer (17) being adapted to provide a bending moment on the membrane (14) in a direction towards the substrate (12) such that the edge portion (14a) of the membrane (14) is collapsed to the substrate (12). The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing such pre-collapsed capacitive micro-machined transducer cell (10).

Abstract: A pulse generation circuit and method includes using digital signals to trigger a first and second varying analog signals and detecting when they reach one or more reference levels. In response to the first and second varying analog signals reaching one or more reference levels, a first and a second digital control signals are produced and provided as input to a pulser producing a voltage excitation pulse having a width and timing defined by the first and second digital control signals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic generator is provided, in which the control system can easily be changed in accordance with a cleaning application and a cleaning process. The ultrasonic generator according to the present invention, which causes an ultrasonic transducer to oscillate a signal for ultrasonic vibration, includes a programmable multiple control circuit having a signal generation circuit for generating a signal, and an output adjustment circuit for adjusting the output of the signal from the programmable multiple control circuit, wherein the programmable multiple control circuit has a power control circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a phase comparison circuit electrically connected to the output adjustment circuit, a frequency control circuit electrically connected to the phase comparison circuit, and a signal modulation circuit electrically connected to the frequency control circuit via the signal generation circuit.

Abstract: The ultrasonic sensor has a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed two-dimensionally on a sensor substrate. The sensor substrate is divided into areas by an X axis and a Y axis which intersect one another in plan view looking at the sensor substrate along the thickness direction. In each of the areas, each of the lower electrode lines which leads out from the lower electrode of each of the ultrasonic transducers has a linear segment which extends in a direction away from the substrate center point where the X axis and Y axis intersect.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system for monitoring the condition of elongate structural elements and more particularly but not exclusively, to a system for monitoring and detecting cracks and breaks in railway rails. The invention furthermore extends to the methodology of designing and developing such a system. The method includes the steps of identifying modes of propagation and signal frequencies that can be expected to travel large distances through an elongate structural element; selecting a suitable mode of propagation and frequency of operation; designing a transducer that is adapted to excite the selected mode at the selected frequency; numerically modelling the transducer as attached to the elongate structural element; and analyzing a harmonic response of the selected mode of propagation to excitation by the transducer in order to validate the transducer design.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide an unexpected detecting apparatus enabled to evaluate an evenness of a compound coated on an electrode of a battery. The detecting apparatus (1) detects an evenness of a compound (12) coated on an electrode (10) of a battery, and includes a first sensor (20) for measuring a mass per unit area of the compound (12) in any points thereof, a second sensor (30, 50) for measuring a thickness of the compound (12) in the any points, and a holder (40, 60) for holding the first and second sensors (20, 30, 50), in which the first and second sensors (20, 30, 50) measure the mass and thickness at the same time, and the evenness is evaluated on the basis of the measured mass and thickness.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes an ultrasonic element. The ultrasonic element includes an ultrasonic oscillator for sending, receiving or transceiving ultrasonic waves, an element body having an opening for passage of ultrasonic waves formed on one surface, the ultrasonic oscillator being arranged within the element body, and terminal portions protruding from the element body to feed an electric current to the ultrasonic oscillator. The ultrasonic sensor further includes a housing having an opening formed on one surface for communication with the opening of the element body. The housing includes a receiving portion for receiving the ultrasonic element and a positioning portion integrally formed with the receiving portion to position the ultrasonic element in place. The ultrasonic sensor includes a printed wiring board arranged to interpose the ultrasonic element between the printed wiring board and the receiving portion. The terminal portions of the ultrasonic element are mounted to the printed wiring board.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring method and an ultrasonic measuring system use or include at least one actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set each consisting of a first ultrasonic sensor and a second ultrasonic sensor, for measuring the basis weight of an electrode paste, and a calibration ultrasonic sensor set consisting of a pair of first calibration ultrasonic sensor and second calibration ultrasonic sensor. The calibration ultrasonic sensor set performs calibration during measurement of the thickness of the electrode paste, and the actual-measurement ultrasonic sensor set calculates the basis weight of the electrode paste, using a measurement condition value obtained by the calibration ultrasonic sensor set.

Abstract: An ultrasonic wave propagation time measurement system comprises: a transmitting section that transmits an electromagnetic wave signal indicating transmission timing and an ultrasonic wave signal, and a receiving section that detects the transmitted electromagnetic wave signal and the ultrasonic wave signal and calculates an ultrasonic wave propagation time based on reception times of the electromagnetic wave signal and the ultrasonic wave signal; and an initial mode setting mechanism that constitutes an optimum ultrasonic wave transmission/reception system by selecting the set values of one or more setting parameters is provided in a controlling unit that controls the transmission of the signals in the transmitting section and in a data processing unit that controls the detection and calculation in receiving section.

Abstract: Ultrasound generating apparatus (10) comprises an arbitrary waveform generator (12) to provide a waveform output at (14), representing a waveform. A power amplifier (16), which may be an operational amplifier, is operable to amplify the waveform output (14) in power and amplitude to provide a power output (18) for applying to an ultrasonic transducer (20).

Abstract: An ultrasonic testing apparatus includes an array probe 3 disposed to face a flange-side rim face 16 of a wheel 1. The ultrasonic testing apparatus also includes an array flaw detector having a function of transmitting transmission-reception control signals to the array probe, and a personal computer having a function of setting various parameters for the array flaw detector, and receiving signals from the array flaw detector so as to generate images such as an A-scope image and a B-scope image. When detecting a flaw, the array probe is disposed in such a manner that a transducer face thereof faces the flange-side rim face. At this time, an angle between the transducer alignment direction of the array probe and the radial direction of the wheel 1 is set to be 20 to 60° when viewed in the axial direction, and the flaw detection is carried out at this angle.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detection method and system are disclosed. The ultrasonic detection method includes providing an ultrasonic detection system having a first ultrasonic device arrangement and a second ultrasonic device arrangement, positioning the ultrasonic detection system in a peripheral offset position with respect to an object to be measured, and transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic beam between the first ultrasonic device arrangement and the second ultrasonic device arrangement, thereby obtaining ultrasonic detection information about the object. Additionally or alternatively, the transmitting and receiving of the ultrasonic detection method obtains data on a volume greater than that which is capable of being analyzed by a single probe arrangement. The ultrasonic detection system includes the first ultrasonic device arrangement and the second ultrasonic device arrangement positioned in a peripheral offset position with respect to an object to be measured.

Abstract: A noncontact measurement and wireless transmission system for measuring distances. The noncontact measurement and wireless transmission system includes a support member; a measurement assembly being supported by the support member; and a transmitter being in operable communication with the measurement assembly for transmitting data output to a computer system for analysis.

Abstract: A device for detecting a selvage of a material web or the selvage position in one measuring direction. The device comprises at least one ultrasonic sensor, with the ultrasonic sensor comprising a transmitter element and a receiver element. The external contour of at least one of the transmitter elements and/or of the receiver elements comprises at least one arc segment side and at least one flattened side.

Abstract: An array probe 3 is provided with an array probe body 32 having a plurality of transducers 31 linearly arranged. The array probe is provided with a vibration insulating member 4 that is installed onto a transducer surface 33 to absorb the vibrations of the transducer surface, and an installation frame 5 for installing the vibration insulating member. The vibration insulating member has an opening part 41, and the width dimension of the opening part is smaller than the width dimension of the transducer surface. By installing the vibration insulating member having the opening width dimension corresponding to the distance from a test object surface of a target flaw onto the transducer surface, ultrasonic testing is performed, whereby even for a flaw near the surface, flaw echo is made less liable to be buried in surface echo, and the flaw can be detected easily.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for testing a pipe includes a first and second transducer rings attached to the pipe and spaced apart along a length of the pipe. The first transducer ring includes a plurality of transmitters for transmitting a wave, such as a non-dispersive guided wave. The first transducer ring transmits the wave along the pipe. The second transducer ring includes a plurality of receivers for receiving the wave. A relative position of the first transducer ring with respect to a circumferential position of the second transducer ring is determined based on characteristics of the wave received by the second transducer ring. A method of positioning the ultrasonic sensor assembly on the pipe is also provided.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasonic testing probe and an ultrasonic testing apparatus capable of reducing the time required for flaw detection while maintaining the flaw-detection capability, irrespective of the shape of the inner surface of a tested object. A first probe (21) and a second probe (22) are provided, in each of which a plurality of oscillators that transmit ultrasonic waves to a tested object (T) and detect the ultrasonic waves reflected from the tested object (T) are arrayed. The first probe (21) is disposed closer to a flaw in the tested object (T) than the second probe (22) is. The first probe (21) generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves that propagate on an inner surface (T5) of the tested object (T) opposite to an outer surface (T2) thereof where the first probe (21) and the second probe (22) are disposed and transverse ultrasonic waves that propagate from the outer surface (T2) toward an inside of the tested object (T).

Abstract: In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor that has a simplified structure, ensures high water resistance, and shortens the manufacturing time. An ultrasonic sensor includes a transducer, an electronic circuit substrate on which an electronic circuit is arranged to process an ultrasonic signal transmitted and received via the transducer, and a housing including a substrate retainer that retains the electronic circuit board. The substrate retainer includes a lid welded to an open portion thereof to hermetically seal the substrate retainer against the entry of a liquid.

Abstract: A probe is used to inspect the health of a corner radius within an elongate internal cavity of a structure. The probe is transported through the cavity on a carriage that maintains the probe a substantially constant distance from the corner radius as the carriage traverses changes in the cross sectional shape of the cavity.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic probe for the non-destructive testing of metal work pieces, particularly pipes, for transverse defects, comprising a row-shaped arrangement of oscillator elements located on a lead wedge for coupling to the work piece. According to the invention, the lead wedge is designed as a wedge-shaped hollow body, which is filled with fluid and the wedge angle of which is a maximum of 24, and which is arranged on the work piece such that the intromission angle into the work piece is a maximum of 70.

Abstract: Ultrasonic transmitters that can be used for ranging in mobile devices are disclosed. In some examples, an ultrasonic transmitter device can be configured to transmit ultrasonic signals in multiple frequency bands. The transmitter can include multiple sets of ultrasonic transmitters, each capable of transmitting in a different frequency band. In other examples, frequency-adjustable ultrasonic transmitters can be used. The transmitters can be configured to change one or more of a length, mass, or tension of a membrane to change a resonant frequency of the membrane. In some examples, the transmitter can include a non-uniformly shaped membrane capable of vibrating at more than one resonant frequency. The ultrasonic transmitters can be included within a housing configured to control the flow of air within and out of the housing. The transmitter membrane can further be formed on a patterned substrate configured to increase the sound pressure levels produced by the transmitter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic detection assembly detects a characteristic in a test object. The ultrasonic detection assembly includes a phased array probe positioned in proximity to a peripheral surface of the test object. The phased array probe includes a plurality of transducer elements. The transducer elements of the phased array probe transmit a sound beam into the test object. The sound beam is movable by the phased array probe within the test object to detect the characteristic. A method of detecting a characteristic in the test object with the ultrasonic detection assembly is also provided.

Abstract: An alignment tool for use in inspecting a ring gear of a gearbox. The ring gear includes an outer surface and a plurality of gear teeth extending radially inwardly from the outer surface. The alignment tool includes a support member that extends between a leading edge and a trailing edge. The support member is removably mountable to the ring gear outer surface such that the leading edge is oriented substantially parallel to a forward surface of the ring gear. A guide member extends outwardly from the support member. The guide member includes a guide edge that is oriented with respect to a centerline of a gear tooth.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring a process variable. The apparatus includes a housing, a mechanically oscillatable unit, and a transducer unit, which is arranged and clamped between two housing elements in such a manner that a predeterminable pressure acts on the transducer unit along an imaginary axis. An equalizing element is provided, whose coefficient of thermal expansion and/or height are/is selected in such a manner that a temperature-related expansion of the equalizing element during a temperature-related expansion of a housing element to be compensated leads to the pressure acting on the transducer unit being greater than or equal to a predeterminable prestress limit value.

Abstract: A rolling search unit including an ultrasonic device and a heat exchanger mounted within a fluid-filled tire may be utilized to perform ultrasonic testing on an underlying railroad rail. The ultrasonic device may transmit or receive ultrasonic beams into or from the railroad rail, and the heat exchanger may be utilized to maintain the temperature of the fluid within the tire at a preferred level or within a preferred range. In such a manner, the results of testing obtained using the rolling search unit may be standardized regardless of the ambient temperature in the environment where the testing is being performed, and regardless of any heat gained or lost by the rolling search unit during operation.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for ultrasound probes are provided. In certain implementations, a receive switch for an ultrasound probe includes a first field effect transistor (FET) and a second FET electrically connected in series between a first terminal and a second terminal with the FETs' sources connected to one another. The receive switch includes a positive threshold detection and control circuit for turning off the receive switch when a voltage of the first terminal is greater than a positive threshold voltage, and a negative threshold detection and control circuit for turning off the receive switch when the first terminal's voltage is less than a negative threshold voltage. The receive switch further includes a gate bias circuit that can bias the gates of the first and second FETs so as to turn on the receive switch when no positive or negative high voltage conditions are detected on the first terminal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor assembly for a test object includes a sensor array having a plurality of sensor elements. The sensor elements detect a characteristic of the test object. The sensor elements are arranged in a matrix formation. Each of the sensor elements includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal and a receiver for receiving the transmitted signal. The sensor array has a curvature that substantially matches a curvature of the test object. A method of detecting characteristics of the test object is also provided.

Abstract: The non-destructive testing of a test object by way of ultrasound includes: (a) radiating directed ultrasonic pulses into the test object at an irradiation angle ? wherein the irradiation angle ? is set electronically, (b) recording echo signals that result from the ultrasonic pulses radiated into the test object, and (c) determining an irradiation position X0 in which echo signals can be recorded that can be associated with an error in the volume of the test object. The method also includes (d) determining the irradiation angle ?max for which the ERS value of the error reaches its maximum at position X0, (e) changing the irradiation position X0?X1 on the surface of the test object, the change of the irradiation position being captured, and (f) electronically adjusting the irradiation angle ? in such a manner that the ERS value of the error reaches its maximum in the changed irradiation position X1.

Abstract: A structural health monitoring system capable of maintaining electrical contact with sensors affixed to a rotating structure. One such structural health monitoring system comprises a rotatable structure, a plurality of sensors each affixed to the rotatable structure, and an interface. The interface has an inner housing and an outer housing, and maintains a plurality of individual electrical connections, each of the individual electrical connections being an electrical connection between one of the sensors and an electrical contact maintained on the outer housing, the electrical connections configured to be maintained during rotation of the structure. The inner housing is affixed to the structure and the outer housing is rotationally coupled to the inner housing, so that the inner housing is free to rotate with respect to the outer housing during rotation of the structure and the sensors, while maintaining the electrical connections.

Abstract: A sound wave testing device is provided. The sound wave testing device comprises at least one sound output unit for providing at least one first sound signal, at least one sound-collecting element disposed above the at least one sound output unit, at least one sound-receiving unit disposed at one end of the at least one sound-collecting element, and an isolating element disposed between the at least one sound output unit and the at least one sound-collecting element, in which the solar panel is disposed on the isolating element. The at least one first sound signal is transformed into at least one second sound signal while passing through the solar panel. The at least one second sound signal is received and transmitted to at least one sound-receiving unit, and the at least one second sound signal is transformed into at least one digital signal for output.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for testing composite structures in which ultrasonic waves are used to detect disbonds in the structures are described. The apparatus comprises a flexible structure carrying acousto-optical transducers such as fiber Bragg gratings. During use, the apparatus is mechanically and conformally coupled to the structure under test.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasound probe including a bonded chemical barrier. The chemical barrier is manufactured between a matching layer and a lens layer by cross-sectionally applying a sputtering layer formed of a nichrome (NiCr) layer and a titanium (Ti) layer onto polyetherimide (PEI) to thereby completely prevent lifting of the lens layer or rising of the matching layer. In addition, as the chemical barrier is attached between the lens layer and the matching layer by using an epoxy adhesive, or a urethane adhesive, the ultrasound probe is fully resistant to long time soaking in an antiseptic, an abstergent, a gel, or the like.

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

Abstract: A system and a method for enabling ultrasonic inspection of multiple or varying radii of a composite part without making mechanical adjustments to compensate for changes in the radius dimension. The system may comprise one or more ultrasonic pulser/receivers, one or more ultrasonic transducer arrays, a probe body or shoe to hold and position the array(s), ultrasonic data acquisition application software to drive the array(s), and ultrasonic data acquisition application software to select the best signal response for each column of pixels to be displayed. The inspection methodology enables the examination of smooth curved fillets which change shape along the length of the part.

Abstract: A transducer main body has, on a front end side thereof, an oscillating plane having a bent shape in a side view and corresponding to a larger-diameter curved surface formed at a bend of a laminated part. Over the oscillating plane of the transducer main body, a plurality of piezoelectric oscillators are distributed in a matrix in a bent direction and a width direction. In each oscillator group, a controlling unit 5 switches the piezoelectric oscillators to transmission and reception piezoelectric oscillators by turns in the width direction according to a preset transmission/reception pattern and processes a received signal from the reception piezoelectric oscillator according to an aperture synthesis method.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a plurality of transducer modules, a substrate on which each of the plurality of transducer modules is arranged, and a buffer member which buffers the movements of the upper portions of the transducer modules, wherein the buffer member is disposed on the substrate between the plurality of transducer modules and on the substrate outside of the plurality of transducer modules.

Abstract: A sensing assemblage (1) for capturing a transit time, phase, or frequency of energy waves propagating through a medium is disclosed to measure a parameter of the muscular-skeletal system. The sensing assemblage (1) comprises a transducer (2) and a waveguide (3). The transducer (2) is coupled to the waveguide (3) at a first location. A second transducer (11) can be coupled to the waveguide (3) at a second location. An interface material that is transmissive to acoustic energy waves can be placed between transducers (402, 404) and a waveguide (414) to improve transfer. The interface material (408, 410) can affix the transducers (402, 404) to the waveguide (414). Alternatively, a reflecting feature (5) can be placed at a second location of the waveguide (3) to reflect acoustic waves back to the transducer (2) where transducer (2) emits energy waves into the medium and detects propagated energy waves.

Abstract: A plurality of subsets of ultrasonic transducers in an array of ultrasonic transducers are configured to transmit ultrasonic waves at various angles simultaneously toward a test object so that an anomaly of any orientation in the test object can be detected efficiently.

Abstract: Non-contact microelectronic device inspection systems and methods are discussed and provided. Some embodiments include a method of generating a virtual reference device (or chip). This approach uses a statistics to find devices in a sample set that are most similar and then averages their time domain signals to generate the virtual reference. Signals associated with the virtual reference can then be correlated with time domain signals obtained from the packages under inspection to obtain a quality signature. Defective and non-defective devices are separated by estimating a beta distribution that fits a quality signature histogram of inspected packages and determining a cutoff threshold for an acceptable quality signature. Other aspects, features, and embodiments are also claimed and described.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection system includes a part fixture at least partially submerged in a liquid bath. The part fixture includes at least one surface with a plurality of elongated protrusions extending from the surface and a fluid flow ingress aperture in the surface. A part to be inspected is secured on the fixture by circulating the liquid through a channel in the fixture such that the liquid flows around the part and into the ingress aperture. The part engages and is supported by the elongated protrusions, wherein the elongated protrusions are configured such that they do not interfere with the ultrasonic testing performed on the part.

Abstract: A capacitance type vibration sensor has a substrate including a hollow portion, a vibration electrode plate, which is arranged facing the hollow portion at an upper surface side of the substrate and which vibrates by sound pressure, and a fixed electrode plate which is arranged facing the vibration electrode plate and which is opened with a plurality of acoustic perforations passing therethrough in a thickness direction. The capacitance type vibration sensor has an air path, which communicates a space between the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate to the hollow portion, between an upper surface of the substrate and a lower surface of the vibration electrode plate in at least one part of a periphery of the hollow portion. The capacitance type vibration sensor also has an air escape portion, which is a perforation or a groove formed in the substrate.

Abstract: The amount of time required to complete reception of photoacoustic signals and reflected acoustic signals is shortened in an image generating apparatus. Light is irradiated onto a subject. Sampling of photoacoustic signals is initiated and sampled photoacoustic signals are stored in a memory. Acoustic waves are transmitted toward the subject in a state in which sampling of the photoacoustic signals is being conducted. Reflected acoustic signals are sampled continuous with the photoacoustic signals, and sampled reflected acoustic signals are stored in the memory. A photoacoustic image and an ultrasound image based on data stored in the memory.

Abstract: A generator structure has alternating linear regions which are respectively relatively absorbing and relatively non-absorbing. When the structure is illuminated, the spatial contrast in the absorption created by the characteristics of the regions gives rise to mechanical effects within the workpiece, such as localized heating. This results in ultrasound being created to propagate through the workpiece.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for scanning a workpiece (100) comprises providing an insert (120) insertable within a countersunk bore (106), the insert (120) being acoustically mounted to the workpiece (100) in order to scan regions below the countersunk area.