Abstract: A pulse echo device for obtaining information about matter discontinuities in flowing fluid with a transmitter-receiver lens having a concave surface located to direct ultrasonic energy transversely to the direction of fluid flow and to a focal region and a blind hole surrounded by a ridge with an acoustical transducer therein.

Abstract: An acoustic lens having nonuniform cross sectional thickness is disposed in the path of an ultrasonic energy search beam traveling from a transducer probe to an object to be examined. In an alternative embodiment the lens has at least one contoured surface. As the lens undergoes motion in a plane substantially normal to the direction of the search beam, the search beam exhibits a varying focal zone depth and beam path for providing real time ultrasonic scanning of the examined object.

Abstract: A linear transducer array for 90.degree. or other wide angle sector scans is covered by a body contacting wear plate made of a material such as filled silicone rubber or polyurethane epoxy in which the longitudinal sound velocity is equal to or less than that in the body and in which the acoustic impedance for longitudinal sound waves is approximately equal to that of the body. Refraction, if it occurs, enhances the field of view without reducing the transmission of acoustic energy. The wear plate provides mechanical support for a fragile front surface matched array.

Abstract: An object surrounded by media of differing acoustical impedances (e.g., an anatomical organ surrounded by other kinds of tissue within the human body) is acoustically imaged by an array of ultrasonic transducers affixed to the outer surface of an ultrasonic lens. In a preferred embodiment, the lens is homocentric, with the common center of curvature of the inner and outer surfaces of the lens being located at a relatively small acoustic aperture in the body so that object points distributed over a relatively large solid angle from the aperture can be imaged with minimum lens aberations. Where the object to be imaged is a human heart, the acoustic aperture is most conveniently located at an intercostal space between adjacent ribs.

Abstract: The device comprises a lens and a source for emitting a beam of parallel light rays or ultrasonic rays at right angles to a flat dioptric element. The lens surface which is located opposite to the radiation-emitting source is flat and the lens surface located opposite to the dioptric element is such that the refracted rays are incident upon the dioptric element at a constant angle. The wave which is incident upon the dioptric element and corresponds to the beam refracted from the lens and the wave refracted from the dioptric element and corresponding to the incident wave are in phase along a predetermined path on the surface of the dioptric element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner for producing a sector scan in an object to be examined in which one or more ultrasonic transducers traverse an arcuate path with respect to a reflector which is positioned to receive the ultrasonic waves scanning the surface of the reflector from each of the transducers and converge such waves at a point of a preselected distance in front of the reflector. In general, the ultrasonic waves are converged at a point outside the scanner and inside the object to produce a sector scan in the object having its center at the convergence point. In one embodiment of the scanner the reflector only partially reflects the ultrasonic waves and an additional stationary transducer is provided which is positioned to produce ultrasonic waves which radiate through the reflector and coincide with one of the lines of the sector scan, thus permitting simultaneous M-mode or pulse Doppler echo information to be obtained in perfect registration with the sector scan lines.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducing unit comprising a central section, which cooperates with only a small portion of the relatively large aperture of an acoustic lens, and an annular section, which cooperates with the remainder of the aperture, can be selectively operated by switch means to utilize the relatively large depth of focus detected signal of the central section alone or to utilize the relatively small depth of focus detected signal of both the central and annular sections together.

Abstract: Non-destructive testing with ultrasonic energy is performed by scanning a focused ultrasound beam until a region of interest is detected and rescanning this region with the beam focused at a plurality of depths. Apparatus for ultrasonic body scanning for medical purposes may include an actively driven transducer crystal which may be dynamically focused. A beam of energy produced by the transducer will be coupled to the patient by a liquid path and a movable mirror may be interposed along the liquid path to cause scanning of the beam.

Abstract: A pulser circuit for providing electrical exciting pulses to a transducer in an ultrasonic testing apparatus in which a transducer transmits ultrasonic energy corresponding to the pulses into a test specimen. The pulser circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with a source of charging potential and a load impedance. A pair of switching transistors are connected in parallel and to the capacitor and the charging potential. A second switching transistor is connected directly across the capacitor. The first switching transistors turn on and cause the charged capacitor to develop the leading edge of a pulse across the load impedance. The leading edge turns on the second switching transistor which provides a direct discharge path for the capacitor and thereby shapes the pulse. Diode means is connected across the load impedance to assist in rapid recharging of the capacitor. The diode means is forward biased to provide a clamped reference potential for the pulse.

Abstract: An improvement to a pulse-echo ultrasonic-imaging system employing an acoustic focusing device occupying a fixed aperture to both illuminate internal structure of a visually opaque object with a scanning focused beam of ultrasonic energy and for returning a reflected signal portion of the scanning focused beam passed therethrough for detection. The improvement makes it possible to employ a large numerical aperture spherical lens exhibiting aberration as the focusing device by utilizing a corrector plate. The corrector plate causes the lens to image a flat transducer in a flat image field. Were it not for the corrector plate, the lens aberration would provide an undesired curved image field. The improved system is suitable for displaying deep soft tissue of a living human being for a medical diagnostic purpose.

Abstract: A pulse echo device with a concave transmitter-receiver surface located to direct ultrasonic energy to a focal point spaced therefrom transversely of a conduit, the focal point being a distance transversely of the conduit less than twice the thickness of the conduit.

Abstract: Device for the inspection of tubes by ultrasonics comprising a probe constituted by an ultrasonic transducer fixed to a mirror which receives the ultrasonic wave emitted by the transducer and centered on the axis of the probe, means for moving the probe within the tube to be inspected and means for detecting the ultrasonic echos reflected by the tube, wherein it also comprises means for introducing an acoustic coupling liquid into the volume between the tube, transducer and mirror when the probe penetrates the tube to be inspected and for discharging said liquid when the probe leaves the tube, said means substantially comprising a flexible pocket reservoir filled with liquid and placed in the lower part of the probe and connected to the volume to be supplied with liquid, whereby said pocket is flattened when it penetrates the tube to be inspected following the probe, which has the effect of expelling part of the liquid contained therein in the direction of said volume, the said liquid returning by gravity int

Abstract: Combination Doppler and B-scan ultrasonic imaging apparatus is disclosed which includes visual display means for the simultaneous visual display of received ultrasonic Doppler and B-scan information. The apparatus includes first and second focused transducers associated with the Doppler and B-scan systems, which transducers are individually mounted for movement along parallel linear paths. The transducers each comprise a generally semi-cylindrical shaped body of piezoelectric material having opposite end faces upon which electrodes are disposed for connection to Doppler and B-scan transmitter and/or receiver units. The flat side walls of the piezoelectric bodies are positioned closely adjacent a mid-plane extending between the transducers, and means are provided for focusing the transducers at substantially the same depth for operation along a common focal region at, or adjacent, the mid-plane. One such focusing means includes acoustic lenses carried by the piezoelectric bodies.

Abstract: An ultrasonic scanner having a housing, an ultrasonic transducer disposed within the housing and mounted for movement in a predetermined path therewithin. Magnetic means are provided for effecting movement of the transducer in a predetermined path, and electrical means are provided for energizing the transducer and receiving signals therefrom.The scanner may be servo-controlled and be provided with position sensing means for determining the position of the transducer within the predetermined path, and signal processing means for receiving feedback signals from said position sensing means and adjusting said transducer position responsive to said feedback signals indicating the existence of a departure from the desired transducer position.

Abstract: A convergent ultrasonic beam is formed by an emitter made as a sphere and directed to a piece under test. Having been reflected from the surface of the piece and from the defect, the ultrasonic beams are separated in space. The ultrasonic beam carrying information on the defect is displayed.

Abstract: A device and method for determining the time-temperature history of a solid, liquid or gaseous medium where the temperature is expressed as a single value of the total temperature conditions to which the medium has been subjected over a given time, the invention involving use of a fluid tight container having a spherical cell of constant wall thickness and permeable to water vapor, the cell containing a dry desiccant and the container being filled with water. Similarly, the vapor pressure history of the medium may be determined by use of a second, non-containerized, spherical cell together with the containerized cell.