Sonic Wave Transmitter Or Receiver Transducer Patents (Class 73/632)
  • Patent number: 8364414
    Abstract: A biological information processing apparatus includes the following elements. A light source irradiates biological tissue with light. A transducer functions as an ultrasonic wave transmitting unit that applies an ultrasonic wave to a local region in the biological tissue. A photodetector detects modulated light obtained by modulating the light from the light source with the ultrasonic wave in the local region. The transducer also functions as an acoustic wave detecting unit that detects an acoustic wave emitted from the local region at a time when the local region absorbs the light from the light source. An absorption characteristic in the local region is calculated using an acoustic signal, serving as an output of the acoustic wave detecting unit, on the basis of a light intensity in the local region calculated based on a modulation signal, serving as an output of the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Takahiro Masumura
  • Patent number: 8359926
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in accordance with the invention includes: an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to an object to be tested and receiving an ultrasonic wave from the object; an ultrasonic transmitter/receiver configured to provide a signal that causes the ultrasonic probe to transmit an ultrasonic wave and signal-processing a signal received from the object by the ultrasonic probe; an ultrasonic image constructor configured to construct an ultrasonic image from the signal-processed received signal; an image display for displaying the ultrasonic image; a controller configured to control the ultrasonic transmitter/receiver, the ultrasonic image constructor and the image display to work properly; and a temperature sensor, provided on the ultrasonic probe, configured to sense the temperature of the ultrasonic probe and outputting the sensed temperature to the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Masa Yamamoto
  • Publication number: 20130019683
    Abstract: A control valve monitoring system is disclosed. The control valve monitoring system includes at least one sensor connected to one of a valve stem or valve shaft, and the at least one sensor detects a change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft. A device for providing data regarding the change in mechanical integrity of one of the valve stem or valve shaft is provided, allowing maintenance of the valve shaft or valve stem to be conducted in an efficient manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2012
    Publication date: January 24, 2013
    Applicant: FISHER CONTROLS INTERNATIONAL LLC
    Inventors: Kenneth H. Carder, Shawn W. Anderson
  • Patent number: 8347722
    Abstract: Sensors affixed to various such structures, where the sensors can withstand, remain affixed, and operate while undergoing both cryogenic temperatures and high vibrations. In particular, piezoelectric single crystal transducers are utilized, and these sensors are coupled to the structure via a low temperature, heat cured epoxy. This allows the transducers to monitor the structure while the engine is operating, even despite the harsh operating conditions. Aspects of the invention thus allow for real time monitoring and analysis of structures that operate in conditions that previously did not permit such analysis. A further aspect of the invention relates to use of piezoelectric single crystal transducers. In particular, use of such transducers allows the same elements to be used as both sensors and actuators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Acellent Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Xinlin Qing, Shawn J. Beard, Irene Li
  • Publication number: 20130003063
    Abstract: A conveying apparatus for conveying an object, the object having at least a non-opaque portion, including a light source, an optical detector and a backing measurement apparatus, the light source for illuminating the object, the optical detector for acquiring information at least relating to at least one chromatic characteristic of the non-opaque portion, the backing measurement apparatus including a backing material, a backing support and a plurality of rollers, the backing material exhibiting at least one of determined chromatic characteristics and determined optical characteristics, the backing support for supporting the backing material, the plurality of rollers for rolling the backing material over the backing support, wherein light emitted by the light source optically interacts with the backing material consistently through the non-opaque portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANCED VISION TECHNOLOGY (A.V.T.) LTD
    Inventors: STEVEN C. HEADLEY, Alan M. Then, Rui Xu, Mark Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 8336383
    Abstract: An apparatus testing axle shafts includes i) a test bench to receive a tubular axle shaft including a wall exhibiting variable known external and internal radius profiles, ii) at least one ultrasonic probe to analyze at least one selected portion of the wall in a selected angular sector and thus acquire analysis data, iii) a controller to control the test bench to place each probe on the wall external or internal surface in at least one first site selected as a function of its profiles and a possible loading of the shaft such that it analyses the first and second selected wall portions respectively in at least one first and at least one second selected angular sector oriented in first and second opposing longitudinal or transverse directions, to thus acquire analysis data for various relative angular positions of the shaft in relation to the probe, and iv) a processor to create from these acquired analysis data maps representing the transverse or longitudinal orientations and positions of indications of echoe
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: V & M France
    Inventors: Frederic Lesage, Alexandre Noel, Renato Nogueira De Paula
  • Patent number: 8333115
    Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus operable within a channel associated with a structure is described. The apparatus includes at least one transducer and a holder. The holder includes a material having a flexibility and tensile strength such that a spring force is provided for maintaining a position of said holder within the channel of the structure. The holder includes a plurality of transducer indexing nodes therein for mounting of the transducers, and each node provides a single point of contact between the holder and the transducer. The transducer indexing nodes are fabricated having a material flexibility and tensile strength with respect to a remainder of the holder for positioning of the transducers along surface variances that define the channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Jeffry James Garvey, Patrick L. Anderson, Barry A. Fetzer
  • Publication number: 20120312098
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an memory, an determination unit, an instruction unit, a specifying unit, and an redetermination unit. The memory stores upper limit values of parameters for restricting the powers in display modes. The determination unit determines the powers in the modes so as not to exceed upper limit values of the parameters. The instruction unit inputs an instruction to increase/decrease the power of a specific mode. The specifying unit specifies the parameter value in the specific mode. The redetermination unit determines an upper limit value of the parameter in a mode different from the specific mode based on the upper limit value of the parameter in the specific mode and the parameter value specified by the specifying unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicants: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION, KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
    Inventors: Yoshihito Abe, Shigeru Akiyama, Tatsuya Funaki
  • Patent number: 8327709
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of structures and materials using a highly nonlinear medium for the generation and detection of one or multiple highly nonlinear pulses (or highly nonlinear waves) impinging on a material or structure. The apparatus includes pulse exciters that induce the propagation of highly nonlinear, weakly nonlinear or linear stress waves in the material, system, or structure to be inspected and/or detectors for the observation and the detection of the output waves from the material/structure being tested. The NDE method includes the use of the tunable highly nonlinear apparatus as impulse exciter alone, or in combination with an accelerometer or a nonlinear sensor to detect the outgoing pulse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignees: University of Pittsburgh, California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Chiara Daraio, Piervincenzo Rizzo
  • Publication number: 20120294636
    Abstract: A grammage detection sensor which detects a grammage of a recording medium using an ultrasonic wave includes a transmitting unit configured to transmit the ultrasonic wave and a receiving unit including a first vibration member configured to receive the ultrasonic wave that is transmitted from the transmitting unit and passes through the recording medium. The receiving unit includes a guide member configured to guide the ultrasonic wave that passes through the recording medium to the first vibration member. A length from a surface of the first vibration member to a plane including an end plane of the guide member along a line that passes through a center of the first vibration member and is perpendicular to the first vibration member is approximately n times of one-half wavelength of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transmitting unit where n is an integer of one or greater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Tsutomu Ishida
  • Publication number: 20120291554
    Abstract: A heat-resistant ultrasonic sensor forms a piezo-electric ceramics film with a thickness of 0.5 mm or smaller and a Curie point of 200° C. or higher on a flexible metal plate. A thin metal film that is an electrode is attached to a top surface of the piezo-electric ceramics film and a metal wire mesh covers the thin metal film and is attached to a top surface of the thin metal film. A core of a heat-resistant coaxial cable is connected to the metal wire mesh at a connection point. The heat-resistant coaxial cable is fixed to the thin metal plate with a metal fixing member that is a ground portion. An electric insulating cover is attached to the thin metal plate and covers the piezo-electric ceramics film, the thin metal film, the metal wire mesh, the connection point, the fixing member, and the core of the coaxial cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Atsushi BABA, Yoshinori Musha, Masahiro Koike
  • Publication number: 20120285251
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound therapy system using high-intensity focused ultrasound. The present invention improves ultrasound and heat release characteristics and provides an ultrasound probe which easily performs manufacturing and maintenance processes. According to the present invention, a housing is recessed on the inward side around the upper-part edge. A plurality of mounting holes are uniformly formed from the outside at a constant radius to the edge in the center of the upper part. And a plurality of probe units are respectively installed to the plurality of mounting holes to form a sphere in the upper part of the housing wherein a first connection pin is protruded to the lower part of the housing in the lower part of a copper connection bar and a rear block, a piezoelectric wafer, and an acoustic matching layer are sequentially stacked on the upper part of the connection bar.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: Humanscan Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Min Rhim, Ho Jung, Do Kyeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120285250
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound therapy system using high-intensity focused ultrasound. The ultrasound therapy improves ultrasound and heat release characteristics and provides an ultrasound probe which easily performs manufacturing and maintenance processes. According to the present invention, a housing is recessed on the inward side around the upper-part edge. A plurality of mounting holes is uniformly formed from the outside at a constant radius to the edge in the center of the upper part. A plurality of probe units is respectively installed in the plurality of mounting holes to form a sphere on the upper part of the housing. And a grounding film covers the sphere which the plurality of probe units forms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: HUMANSCAN CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sung Min Rhim, Ho Jung, Do Kyeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20120280824
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus that senses the intensity of sounds and the velocity of objects. Specifically, the present invention relates to an apparatus that may prevent an audio signal from reaching a user, make a warning noise, or otherwise alert the user when a object is noisy and/or approaching the user at a threatening rate. More specifically, the present invention takes data from the surrounding area and compares it to one or more thresholds to determine an object's threat level. The present invention relates to one or more speakers, and includes, generally, one or more microphones to receive and measure the intensity of surrounding noises and one or more range sensors to detect distance, velocity, and acceleration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Eric Allen Zelepugas
  • Publication number: 20120272739
    Abstract: An ultrasonic probe and a method for the nondestructive testing of a test specimen are described, which are activatable individually or in groups as phased array for the emission or reception of ultrasonic plate waves in a predefinable propagation direction in the test specimen wall to be tested. At least one ultrasonic transducer segment with at least two segment parts emits an ultrasonic plate wave field into the test specimen and which are activatable jointly and simultaneously as a phased array. The at least two segment parts are arranged along a common plane so that the ultrasonic wave fields provided from or received by the at least two segments mutually overlap and each have a main propagation direction which encloses an acute angle ? in a projection of the plane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2012
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventors: Norbert BOTH, Frank Niese
  • Publication number: 20120266676
    Abstract: A method for measuring a propagation time difference includes: sending a transmitted ultrasound pulse, which is provided with a transmission reference instant and which includes an envelope and a carrier frequency, into a spatial region and receiving a received ultrasound pulse that corresponds to the transmitted ultrasound pulse transmitted. A coarse time difference is provided by comparing the transmission reference instant with an envelope of the received ultrasound pulse, for at least two cycles of transmission/reception in opposite directions of transmission. A fine time difference is provided by comparing the transmission reference instant with an instantaneous variation of the received ultrasound pulse, for the at least two cycles of transmission/reception in opposite directions of transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Gerhard Hueftle, Michael Horstbrink, Tobias Lang, Samí Radwan, Bernd Kuenzl, Roland Wanja
  • Publication number: 20120266675
    Abstract: Operating an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes providing a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: James D. Huffman, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Publication number: 20120269031
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size that is smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: James D. Huffman, Gary A. Kneezel
  • Publication number: 20120271824
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enhancing performance curve generation, damage monitoring, and improving non-destructive testing performance. Damage standards used for performance curve generation are monitored using a non-destructive testing (NDT) sensor during a damage evolution test performed with the standard. The evolution test may be intermittently paused to permit ground truth data to be collected in addition to the NDT sensor data. A damage evolution model may be used to estimate ground truth data during the intervening periods of the damage evolution test. The NDT sensor data and ground truth data are used to generate performance curves for the NDT system. Multiple sensors may be monitored at multiple locations on the damage standard and multiple damage evolution tests may be performed with multiple damage standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: JENTEK Sensors, Inc.
    Inventors: Neil J. Goldfine, Yanko K. Sheiretov, Floyd W. Spencer, David A. Jablonski, David C. Grundy, Darrell E. Schlicker
  • Publication number: 20120266677
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer for use in a fluid medium includes at least one transducer core having at least one electroacoustic transducer element, and further includes at least one housing having at least two housing parts. At least one first housing part at least partially encloses the transducer core such that a rear side of the electroacoustic transducer element which faces away from the fluid medium is accessible. Furthermore, at least one second housing part is connected to the first housing part. The ultrasonic transducer is essentially terminated by the second housing part on its side, which faces away from the fluid medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Inventors: Roland Mueller, Gerhard Hueftle, Michael Horstbrink, Tobias Lang, Sami Radwan, Bernd Kuenzl, Roland Wanja
  • Patent number: 8291766
    Abstract: In a method and device for ultrasonic testing of a workpiece, a multiplicity of ultrasonic testing pulses are launched into the workpiece from a test surface thereof. At least two ultrasonic testing pulses are launched into the workpiece to be tested at launching points that are spaced apart from one another by a test step width measured along the test surface. A single measured value (?) assigned to a local point located in the workpiece is calculated on the basis of the received signals assigned to the at least two ultrasonic testing pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Intelligendt Systems & Services GmbH
    Inventors: Günter Engl, Friedrich Mohr, Michael Kröning, Krishna Mohan Reddy
  • Patent number: 8286493
    Abstract: An apparatus and a method that achieve physical separation of sound sources by pointing directly a beam of coherent electromagnetic waves (i.e. laser). Analyzing the physical properties of a beam reflected from the vibrations generating sound source enable the reconstruction of the sound signal generated by the sound source, eliminating the noise component added to the original sound signal. In addition, the use of multiple electromagnetic waves beams or a beam that rapidly skips from one sound source to another allows the physical separation of these sound sources. Aiming each beam to a different sound source ensures the independence of the sound signals sources and therefore provides full sources separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: AudioZoom Ltd.
    Inventor: Tal Bakish
  • Publication number: 20120247212
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitting and receiving device is provided for measuring the transmission and/or reflection of ultrasonic waves on a thin material sheet, in particular on a foil sheet. The device may include a plurality of ultrasonic transmitters, a plurality of ultrasonic receivers, wherein the number of the ultrasonic transmitters corresponds to the number of the ultrasonic receivers, and one receiver electronics respectively for each of the ultrasonic receivers or each a group receiver electronics respectively for a predetermined number of ultrasonic receivers. A method is provided for ultrasonic absorption and/or transmission measurement, in which signals are emitted by multiple ultrasonic transmitters at the same time or nearly at the same time which are received by ultrasonic receivers and in which the received signals are evaluated in parallel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventor: HELMUT KNORR
  • Publication number: 20120247211
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Inventors: Seiichi MATSUMOTO, Hiroyuki KAWAKI, Shinya KUROKI, Kazuhiro UCHIDA
  • Publication number: 20120240680
    Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor includes a transceiver block having a transceiver device for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves, and a circuit board mounted with an electronic circuit for processing ultrasonic signals transmitted and received through the transceiver device. A housing of the ultrasonic sensor includes a storing portion having an opening. The circuit board is stored within the storing portion, and the opening of the storing portion is closed by the transceiver block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2012
    Publication date: September 27, 2012
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroshi URASE, Yasushi Nagano
  • Patent number: 8272270
    Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement waveguide rod which is easy to manufacture and is capable of preventing a noise echo. An ultrasonic flaw detection waveguide rod 2 is arranged with a probe on one axial end thereof and a contact surface to be brought into contact with a test piece on the other end thereof. The cross-sectional shape of the rod 2 perpendicular to the axial direction is a polygon having sides any one (41A) of which is not parallel to any of the other sides 41B, 41C, 41D. Since at least a pair of the sides 41A, 41C opposed to each other are not parallel to each other, an ultrasonic wave P is allowed to reflect off outer surfaces making up the nonparallel sides 41A, 41C, enabling the ultrasonic wave P to be prevented from returning to the probe 3 as a noise echo. For example, the ultrasonic wave component reflected perpendicularly by one outer surface is reflected by the opposite outer surface and travels toward the outer surface having the side 41D. Hence, an echo or a noise hardly returns to the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: Nagaoka University of Technology
    Inventors: Ikuo Ihara, Motonori Kawasaki
  • Patent number: 8261615
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining and/or monitoring at least one process variable of a medium, including: at least one mechanically oscillatable membrane, which has a plurality of natural eigenmodes; and at least one driving/receiving unit, which excites the membrane to execute mechanical oscillations and/or which receives mechanical oscillations from the membrane. The driving/receiving unit and the membrane are embodied and matched to one another in such a manner, that the membrane executes only mechanical oscillations, which correspond to modes, which lie above the fundamental mode of the membrane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: Endress + Hauser GmbH + Co. KG
    Inventors: Sergej Lopatin, Helmut Pfeiffer, Sascha D'Angelico
  • Publication number: 20120222485
    Abstract: An ultrasound measurement system and a method for carrying out ultrasound measurements is provided that includes a data acquisition unit and a transducer for coupling an ultrasound pulse into a connecting element and for extracting an ultrasound pulse echo from the connecting element. The ultrasound measurement system proposed according to the invention comprises the data acquisition unit which has a combination of analog and digital electronics for excitation and driving of the transducer. This is separated from a data processing unit and is in contact therewith via a wired or wireless connection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventor: Manfred STICKEL
  • Publication number: 20120216576
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly is provided comprising an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic booster, an ultrasonic probe, and a booster cooling unit. The ultrasonic booster is connected to the ultrasonic transducer to amplify acoustic energy generated by the ultrasonic transducer and transfer the amplified acoustic energy to the ultrasonic probe. A seated end of the ultrasonic probe is positioned in a probe seat of the ultrasonic booster. The booster cooling unit is positioned to regulate the temperature of the probe seat of the ultrasonic booster such that the assembly supports a temperature dependent press-fit engagement of the seated end of the ultrasonic probe and the probe seat of the ultrasonic booster. The temperature dependent press-fit engagement is such that the seated end of the ultrasonic probe can be reversibly moved in and out of the probe seat at an elevated temperature THOT and is fixed in the probe seat at room temperature TCOLD.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel Robert Boughton, Scott Michael Jarvis, Jonghak Kim, Zhiqiang Shi
  • Patent number: 8246544
    Abstract: There is provided a first storage for storing digital reception beam data converted from a reception beam formed from an ultrasonic received signal; a first control component for controlling reading and writing of data from/in the first storage; a filter coefficient calculation portion for calculating a filter coefficient based on information on the reception beam, the information including a positional relationship between the reception beam and a transmission beam; and a first spatial filter operation portion for subjecting each of a plurality of the reception beam data including data of beams received in parallel from a single transmission beam to filtering processing for reducing a difference in image quality between adjacent beams based on the filter coefficient. Image data output from the first spatial filter operation portion are converted into scanning of a display monitor so as to display an image on the display monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Akiko Uchikawa, Yoshihiko Ito, Yasuhiro Nakamura
  • Publication number: 20120203474
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a structural health monitoring system, for example a system used in the non-destructive evaluation of an aircraft structure. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for evaluating one or more anomalies within a structure using a structural health monitoring system that includes at least three transducers arranged in operative contact with the structure such that no two transducers are aligned to be parallel. A transducer excites an elastic wave that propagates through the structure, and reflections from any anomalies within the structure are collected by the three transducers. These collected signals are analysed to identify an anomaly within the structure. Time of flight techniques are used to determine the location of the anomaly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 6, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Grzegorz Marian Kawiecki, Rosa Maria Rodriguez, Pawel Kudela, Wieslaw Ostachowicz
  • Patent number: 8234922
    Abstract: Provided is ultrasonic diagnostic equipment including: an equipment body; a display unit provided to the equipment body and configured to display an ultrasonic image; an equipment-side connector provided in the equipment body; and an ultrasonic probe having a probe-side connector to be connected to the equipment-side connector in a detachable manner. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the probe-side connector through a cable and configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves. The probe-side connector and the equipment-side connector are formed in structures capable of sending and receiving the ultrasonic waves even in the case of a 180-degree reverse connection of the probe-side connector to the equipment-side connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Oonuki, Muneki Kataguchi, Yasuhisa Makita
  • Patent number: 8234924
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: Optech Ventures, LLC
    Inventors: Indu Saxena, Lothar Kempen, Chai Tea
  • Publication number: 20120192651
    Abstract: Multi probe unit for an ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus, includes a plurality of probes contacting a surface of an object to be inspected; a plurality of connection members connecting two neighbor probes of the plurality of probes with each other; support members disposed on top portions of the plurality of probes so as to be spaced apart from the plurality of probes; and a pressing member connecting the plurality of probes with the support member and pressing the plurality of probes to the object to be inspected. According to the present invention, a plurality of probes smoothly contacts a flexural surface of an object to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicants: INDE SYSTEM CO., LTD., KOREA RESEARCH INSTITUTE OF STANDARDS AND SCIENCE
    Inventors: Seung Seok Lee, Ki Bok Kim, Young Gil Kim, Hyun Jae Shin, You Hyun Jang
  • Publication number: 20120192652
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2011
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: TEXMAG GMBH VERTRIEBSGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Wolfgang Krauth, Lars Zwerger
  • Patent number: 8230741
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonograph and the like capable of easily specifying defective parts of an ultrasound probe and appropriately treating the defective parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Takahiro Suita, Keisuke Kawahara
  • Patent number: 8230742
    Abstract: An apparatus for emitting and/or receiving ultrasound in a predetermined frequency range comprises at least one ultrasonic converter for converting ultrasound into electrical signals and/or converting electrical signals into ultrasound, and a holder having at least one ultrasonic channel formed therein in which the ultrasonic converter is disposed at least partly and/or through which ultrasound can pass from or to the ultrasonic converter. The holder has at least one non-fibrous surface layer adjacent to at least one portion of the ultrasonic channel, whose impedance is smaller than that of an inside layer of the holder neighboring to the surface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Giesecke & Devrient GmbH
    Inventors: Jan Domke, Joseph Lohner, Hans-Uwe Moosler
  • Patent number: 8220332
    Abstract: A conduit toner and detector to identify an unknown conduit route or direction in combination with a pull box or junction box from one end to another end using a sound generator and a sound detector, comprising: an enclosure and a sound generator for generating a detectible sound pressure; an electrical power source powering the sound generator through a power button; the sound generator operates in a detectable sound range, thus a sound detector is used to notify the presence of sound waves inside the conduit that is being tested with or without existing cables in place. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Inventor: Erkan Gunal
  • Publication number: 20120174674
    Abstract: A geometry compensating transducer attachment for ultrasonic inspection of a structure includes a geometry-compensating structure having at least one angled surface configured to engage the structure to be inspected, and the geometry-compensating structure having an acoustic velocity generally matching an acoustic velocity of the structure to be inspected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Barry A. Fetzer, Christopher R. Brown, William J. Tapia, David Brooks
  • Publication number: 20120174675
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe (100) includes an elongate handle (102) with first and second end regions (101, 103). The probe (100) further includes first and second blade sections (104, 112). The first blade section (104) is attached to the first end region (101) and extends in a direction away from the first end region. The second blade section (112) is movably attached to the first end region (101) and extends in the same direction as the first blade section (104). The second blade section (112) is configured to move between a first position in which the second blade section (112) is next to the first blade section (104) and a second position in which the second blade section (112) is further away from the first blade section (104). The probe (100) further includes transducer array (110) affixed to the first blade section (104) opposite the first end region (101) and in between the first and second blade sections (102, 104).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: B-K MEDICAL APS
    Inventor: Niels-Christian Lendrick Sasady
  • Patent number: 8215175
    Abstract: A quantitative evaluation device and method of an atomic vacancy, which are capable of efficiently and quantitatively evaluating an atomic vacancy existing in a silicon wafer. A quantitative evaluation device 1 is equipped with a detector 5 including an ultrasonic generator 27 and an ultrasonic receiver 28, a silicon sample 6 formed with the ultrasonic generator 27 and the ultrasonic receiver 28 on a silicon wafer 26 comprising perfect crystal silicon, a magnetic force generator 4 for applying an external magnetic field to the silicon sample 6, and a cooler 3 capable of cooling and controlling the silicon sample 6 to a range of temperatures lower than or equal to 50K.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Niigata University
    Inventors: Terutaka Goto, Hiroshi Kaneta, Yuichi Nemoto
  • Publication number: 20120167690
    Abstract: The ultrasonic testing method according to the invention includes the steps of arranging an ultrasonic probe 1 having a plurality of transducers 11 so as to face a tubular test object P, and causing the transducers appropriately selected from the plurality of transducers to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves so that the ultrasonic waves are propagated in the tubular test object in a plurality of different propagation directions, wherein a ultrasonic testing condition by the ultrasonic probe is set so that respective external refraction angles ?r of the ultrasonic waves in the plurality of propagation directions are approximately equivalent and/or respective internal refraction angles ?k of the ultrasonic waves in the plurality of propagation directions are approximately equivalent.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SUMITOMO METAL INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventor: Masaki YAMANO
  • Patent number: 8205501
    Abstract: A mobile object includes a wall member to which an ultrasonic sensor is fixed. The wall member has a through hole through which an oscillating face of the ultrasonic sensor is exposed from the wall member. A closing member closes a gap generated between the wall member and the ultrasonic sensor. The closing member connects an edge of the through hole located outside of the wall member and an edge of the oscillating face of the ultrasonic sensor. The closing member has an outer face exposed from the wall member, and the outer face of the closing member has asperities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Denso Corporation
    Inventors: Tadashi Nakamura, Takeo Tsuzuki
  • Publication number: 20120152022
    Abstract: An ultrasound-based measuring device includes a measurement body, at least one ultrasonic transmitter for coupling ultrasonic measurement signals into the measurement body, and at least one ultrasonic receiver for detecting the ultrasonic measurement signals reflected at an end face of the measurement body. The at least one ultrasonic transmitter emits both a longitudinal and a transverse measurement signal. The influence of a physical disturbance variable on the measurement section traversed by the measurement signals during a determination of a measurement pressure prevailing at the end face and/or of a measurement temperature prevailing at the end face can be taken into account on the basis of the propagation times and a difference between the propagation times of the longitudinal and transverse measurement signals reflected at the end face.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventors: Frank Schatz, Juergen Graf, Gottfried Flik, Georg Bischopink, Fabian Henrici
  • Publication number: 20120152021
    Abstract: A method for ultrasonic imaging comprises: emitting Doppler pulses to a target to be detected; performing a Doppler scan with Doppler pulses; receiving echo signals from the target, wherein the echo signals include Doppler pulse echo signals; processing the echo signals, wherein processing comprises an imaging step, the imaging step comprising parallel processing steps including a 2D image processing step, a flow image processing step, and a spectrum image processing step, wherein the 2D image processing step is configured for processing the echo signals to obtain 2D image signals, the flow image processing step is configured for processing the echo signals to obtain flow image signals, and the spectrum image processing step is configured for processing the echo signals to obtain spectrum image signals; and displaying the processed echo signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Publication date: June 21, 2012
    Applicant: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Zhongwei Ma, Linxin Yao
  • Publication number: 20120144920
    Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for coherent ultrasonic imaging. A receiver array has a plurality of receiver elements on a substrate to detect in-phase and quadrature components of a received signal corresponding to a transmit signal. Each of the receiver elements includes a receiver transducer and a thin-film transistor (TFT) receiver circuit. The TFT receiver circuit includes a quadrature detector having a mixer to mix a received signal with a reference signal in a composite bias signal that is distributed across the plurality of receiver elements. A transmitter is acoustically coupled to the plurality of receiver elements to generate the transmit signal through an imaging medium.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: PALO ALTO RESEARCH CENTER INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Serena Han Ying Wong, Jeng Ping Lu, Raj B. Apte
  • Patent number: 8196473
    Abstract: In a device and method for non-destructive materials testing with at least one ultrasonic transducer, the transducer is able to be moved by a movement system in at least one direction to a workpiece surface. The emission of ultrasonic by the ultrasonic transducer is able to be synchronized with the activation of the movement system so that electrical interference caused by the movement system occurs at times at which no echo is expected for ultrasonic emitted by the transducer. The method and device can be applied to non-destructive materials testing with ultrasound.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Stefan Hain, Hubert Mooshofer
  • Publication number: 20120137779
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: SALZGITTER MANNESMANN LINE PIPE GMBH
    Inventors: Alfred Graff, Gert Fischer, Karl-Heinz Breckel, Jochen Berkemeier
  • Patent number: 8186224
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor with a transducer unit, which is located at a measurement end in a housing sleeve, with connection means at a connection end of the housing sleeve opposite to the measurement end, with a module carrier received in the housing sleeve and on which is placed a sensor electronics and which extends along an axis of the housing sleeve, with illuminants for the optical signaling to the outside of operating and/or switching states of the sensor. The sensor is characterized in that there is a separate, plate-like illuminant carrier, that a plurality of illuminants are placed on the illuminant carrier and that the illuminant carrier is positioned transversely to the module carrier in the vicinity of the transducer unit. The invention also relates to a method for the manufacture of a sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Pepperl + Fuchs GmbH
    Inventor: Dierk Schoen
  • Publication number: 20120118064
    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).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2010
    Publication date: May 17, 2012
    Inventors: Hirotoshi Matsumoto, Masatsugu Shimizu, Kiyotaka Aoki, Shinichi Tsuji