Nonvibrating Transducer Patents (Class 73/643)
  • Publication number: 20150000411
    Abstract: Used is an object information acquiring apparatus including an irradiation unit for irradiating an object with a laser beam, a wavelength switching unit for selecting a wavelength of the laser beam, a restriction unit for restricting an output value of the laser beam, a probe for receiving acoustic waves that are generated from the object irradiated with the laser beam, and a configuration unit for generating characteristic information relating to the object in use of the acoustic waves, wherein the restriction unit restricts the output value according to the wavelength selected by the wavelength switching unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2014
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Tadaki Watanabe, Daisuke Nagao
  • Publication number: 20140366634
    Abstract: A pipe damage detection apparatus and method are disclosed. The pipe damage detection apparatus includes an ultrasonic supply unit configured to supply an ultrasonic signal to a pipe; an ultrasonic reception unit configured to receive the ultrasonic signal of the pipe; and an analysis unit configured to analyze the ultrasonic signal received by the ultrasonic reception unit, and determine whether the pipe is damaged. The pipe damage detection apparatus and method can detect whether a pipe that is difficult for an inspector to access because it is coated with an insulating material or buried in the ground is damaged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Applicant: Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology
    Inventors: Hoon Sohn, Hyeon Seok Lee, Jin Yeol Yang
  • Publication number: 20140360272
    Abstract: Provided is a capacitive transducer drive device capable of adjusting a potential difference applied between electrodes of a cell with a simple configuration. A capacitive transducer to be driven by the drive device includes a cell including: a first electrode included in a vibrating membrane; and a second electrode formed to oppose the first electrode through intermediation of a gap. One of the first electrode and the second electrode of the cell is electrically connected to a first DC voltage applying unit, and the other of the first electrode and the second electrode of the cell is electrically connected to a second DC voltage applying unit. A voltage to be applied by the second DC voltage applying unit is set to be lower than a voltage to be applied by the first DC voltage applying unit. The voltage to be applied by the second DC voltage applying unit is variable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kandori
  • Publication number: 20140360273
    Abstract: Certain examples provide a transparent ultrasonic transducer including a transparent substrate and a transparent optical resonator positioned on the transparent substrate. The transparent optical resonator is to facilitate excitation of a biological sample and to receive acoustic emission from the biological sample triggered by the excitation, for example. Certain examples provide a ring resonator ultrasonic detector including a microscope cover slide. The microscope cover sheet includes a substrate and a ring optical resonator positioned on the substrate. The example ring optical resonator is to facilitate illumination of a biological sample and to receive acoustic emission from the biological sample in response to the illumination.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventors: Hao F. Zhang, Cheng Sun
  • Patent number: 8904871
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems relating to temperature dependent photoacoustic imaging are provided. In such methods and systems, a tissue sample may be exposed to thermal energy and electromagnetic radiation to generate an acoustic signal, which may be detected. The amplitude of the acoustic signal may be determined and correlated with a tissue property, such as the presence or absence of macrophages or foam cells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Stanislav Emelianov, Bo Wang, Jignesh Shah, Konstantin Sokolov, Jimmy Su, Yun-Sheng Chen, Wolfgang Frey
  • Publication number: 20140356132
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for measuring vibration amplitudes of the blade tips in a turbomachine, comprising a support mounted in an orifice of a casing of a turbomachine and wherein are housed two optical guides for the emission and reception of a light signal exiting inside the casing across from the tips of the blades of a turbine wheel. Each optical guide comprises an optical fibre connected by a mechanical connector to a needle of which the core is made of a material able to transmit a light signal and which is resistant to temperatures less than or equal to 1100° C. and which exits at its distal end in the casing across from the blade tips.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2013
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: SNECMA
    Inventor: SNECMA
  • Patent number: 8887572
    Abstract: A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. An example system includes a number of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves towards a target region on a specimen, a voltage source configured to excite the first and second ultrasonic transducers, and a processor configured to determine one or more properties of the specimen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska
    Inventor: Joseph A. Turner
  • Publication number: 20140290370
    Abstract: An optical microresonator based RF oscillator sensor for measuring mass, temperature, and particle/molecule concentration. An optical energy source is coupled to the optical microresonator to generate optical power oscillations at Rf frequencies. A stable or reference RF oscillation frequency is established which allows for measuring oscillation frequency variations induced by the interaction of the substance with the optical microresonator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Inventor: Mani Hossein-Zadeh
  • Patent number: 8813571
    Abstract: There is provided an optical microphone for detecting an acoustic wave propagating in an ambient fluid, the optical microphone including: a propagation medium section; a light source for emitting a light wave to be transmitted through a diffraction region in the propagation medium section; and a photoelectric conversion section for detecting the light wave having been transmitted through the propagation medium section. A first acoustic wave which is a portion of the acoustic wave and a second acoustic wave which is another portion thereof are allowed to propagate in the propagation medium section so as to simultaneously arrive at the diffraction region, and an interference component between a +1st order diffracted light wave and a ?1st order diffracted light wave of the light wave generated based on a refractive index distribution of the propagation medium occurring in the diffraction region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Takuya Iwamoto, Masahiko Hashimoto, Ushio Sangawa, Yuriko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 8806950
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 8806949
    Abstract: An electromagnetic ultrasound transducer is disclosed for receiving linearly polarized horizontal shear waves from an electrically conductive workpiece including a magnetizing unit, which provides a side facing the workpiece, along which a number n of permanent magnets are attached in at least two rows arranged next to one another in such a manner that the magnetic polarities of the magnetic poles which face the side alternate along a row periodically with a period length which corresponds to a trace wavelength ?s and a HF coil arrangement with conductor sections in at least two rows running parallel to one another, through which current can pass in mutually opposite directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventor: Frank Niese
  • Patent number: 8789422
    Abstract: An electromagnetic-acoustic transducer for ultrasonic testing of test objects which are composed substantially of an electrically conductive material includes a magnet system that produces a magnetic field intended to penetrate into the test object, and an inductive coil arrangement that produces an electromagnetic alternating field superimposed on this magnetic field in the test object, and that detects electromagnetic alternating fields emitted from the test object, wherein magnet system is arranged in a magnetization unit, the coil arrangement is arranged in a probe unit separate from the magnetization unit, the probe unit is mounted such that it can move relative to the magnetization unit in the area of the magnetic field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Institut Dr. Foerster GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Michael Ege, Jürgen Wanner
  • Patent number: 8770031
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-destructive testing. An embodiment of the present disclosure provides a non-destructive inspection system comprising a capacitive acoustic transducer and a control unit connected to the capacitive transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: Steven Kenneth Brady
  • Publication number: 20140116146
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing a composite structure. A pulsed laser beam having a number of properties is generated. Each of the number of properties is within a selected range. The pulsed laser beam generated by the generation laser system is directed towards a composite structure comprised of a number of composite materials. A number of ultrasonic waves are formed in the composite structure when the pulsed laser beam contacts the composite structure without causing any undesired inconsistencies in the composite structure outside of selected tolerances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventor: The Boeing Company
  • Patent number: 8701491
    Abstract: A method of performing near-field acoustic holography comprises the following steps. Establishing (102) acoustic data representing a set of near-field acoustic holography measurements at a first set of positions. Extrapolating (204) acoustic data using a model-based extrapolation to obtain extrapolated acoustic data relating to a plurality of positions outside the aperture. Applying (108) a spatial frequency transform to the padded acoustic data to obtain data in a spatial frequency domain. Propagating (110) the Fourier transformed acoustic data. Applying (112) a regularization in a wavenumber domain. Performing (114) an inverse spatial frequency transform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignees: Stichting voor de Technische Wetenschapen, Technische Universiteit Eindhoven
    Inventors: Rick Scholte, Ines Lopez Arteaga
  • Patent number: 8677826
    Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for evaluating received signals acquired during non-destructive ultrasonic testing of a test body, wherein ultrasound waves are generated inside the test body with an electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer acting as an ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound waves which propagate within the test body are converted into received signals with an electromagnetic ultrasonic transducer acting as an ultrasound receiver. The received signals are evaluated for the purpose of examining the test body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V.
    Inventors: Hans-Jürgen Salzburger, Frank Niese
  • Patent number: 8661907
    Abstract: A plurality of sensors output information into a distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) system via acousto-mechanical signals. The sensors are coupled to the optic fibre at the centre of the DAS system indirectly, the acousto-mechanical signal being transmitted via an intermediary body, such as the ground or a conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Optasense Holdings Ltd.
    Inventors: Richard John Davis, David John Hill
  • Patent number: 8661905
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ifeanyi Charles Ume, Abel Valdes, Jie Gong, Razid Ahmad
  • Publication number: 20140047923
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and devices for an Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT) comprising: a ceramic wear surface disposed about a first aperture of an EMAT tip portion, a transducing coil means disposed within a volume of the EMAT tip portion; where at least one magnet and an insulative surface may be interposed between the ceramic wear surface and the insulative structure. Optionally, a signal transmitting means may be configured to conduct a signal from the transmitting coil means via a second aperture of the tip.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventor: FRANK PASSARELLI
  • Publication number: 20140033822
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic wave generating apparatus and an ultrasonic system including the same. The ultrasonic transducer includes a light-absorbing layer configured to absorb light incident on the light-absorbing layer and to generate heat based on the absorbed light; and a thermoelastic layer which is disposed on the light-absorbing layer and which is configured to thermally expand based on the heat to generate ultrasonic waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong-seop YOON, Sung-chan KANG, Yong-hyup KIM, Mi-ae PARK, Jai-ick YOH, Seok-hwan LEE, Woon-bae KIM, Jong-seok KIM, Hye-lynn SONG, Eui-yun JANG
  • Patent number: 8631705
    Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: Pure Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip M. Hoyt
  • Patent number: 8621931
    Abstract: A laser vibrometer makes non-contact measurements of vibrations of a target. A laser produces a laser beam, and a beamsplitter splits the laser beam into a reference beam and a first target beam. A first frequency shifter/splitter splits the first target beam into a pair of target beams each having a frequency different than a frequency of the other target beams. The target beams are reflected from the target to a detector, and the reference beam is combined with the target beams such that the detector receives the target beams and reference beam together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: DSO National Laboratories
    Inventors: Poh Boon Phua, Yu Fu
  • Patent number: 8616062
    Abstract: In an ultrasonic inspection method or ultrasonic inspection system in which an ultrasonic wave is propagated to an test object via a medium such as a liquid or a gas, an incident position of the ultrasonic wave is accurately and reliably identified. In an ultrasonic inspection method based on an immersion technique, an optical irradiator is mounted on an ultrasonic wave transmitting/receiving unit, an optical marker is irradiated from the optical irradiator to the test object, and an irradiated position of the optical marker is imaged using imaging equipment in order to perform inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Hitachi-GE Nuclear Energy, Ltd.
    Inventors: Naoyuki Kono, Isao Yoshida, Masahiro Koike, Yoshio Nonaka, Hiroyuki Nakano, Kenichi Otani, Chihiro Matsuoka, Masafumi Imai
  • Publication number: 20130333475
    Abstract: A device for implementing a method for pickling/stripping and for simultaneously non-destructively checking a part (100), the device including: a. an energizing laser head capable of generating pulsed energisation (212) on the surface of a part (100, 300) according to an energy spectrum adapted for the detachment of the particles (231) adhering to the surface; b. a detection laser head (220) connected to the energizing laser head and capable of measuring the response of the part to a pulse generated by the energizing head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: AIRBUS OPERATIONS (S.A.S)
    Inventors: Hubert Voillaume, Benjamin Campagne, Franck Benthouhami
  • Patent number: 8596129
    Abstract: An EMUS transducer system for producing linearly polarized transverse waves having a variably predeterminable polarization direction within a test specimen containing at least ferromagnetic material portions and having a test specimen surface, a magnetization unit produces a magnetic field orientated parallel to the test specimen surface within the test specimen. At least one HF coil on the test specimen surface produces or detects a HF field combined with the magnetic field orientated parallel to the test specimen surface within the test specimen. The magnetization unit includes at least three magnetization bodies spatially separated from one another to introduce a magnetic field into the test specimen. The magnetic flux emanating from at least one of magnetization bodies a spatial direction relative to the test specimen surface is varied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventor: Frank Niese
  • Patent number: 8596128
    Abstract: A nondestructive evaluation system, consisting of a metrology device and a directable acoustic transducer, is used to measure the variation of the surface when stress is applied. The directable acoustic transducer selects the location of the applied stress. The difference between the surface during stress application and in the absence of stress detects both surface and buried defects along the location of the stress. By scanning the beam from the acoustic transducer, the location of the stress can be adjusted, enabling the system to locate the detected defect in three dimensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: RAN Science & Technology, LLC
    Inventor: Russell M. Kurtz
  • Patent number: 8578759
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for intrusion detection. The apparatus includes an acoustic source, a laser light source, a pressure-sensitive optical fiber including a first end and a second end. The second end is connected to the laser light source and oriented toward the acoustic source. The laser light source generates a laser pulse traveling through the pressure-sensitive optical fiber toward the acoustic source. The laser pulse includes a time-of-flight. The acoustic source generates an acoustic wave. The acoustic wave includes a plurality of evanescent wave fronts. The plurality of evanescent wave fronts, upon scattering from a non-uniform material region, radially contracts the pressure-sensitive optical fiber to alter the time-of-flight of the laser pulse along the pressure-sensitive optical fiber by increasing the fiber length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: David C. Calvo, Jill P. Bingham, Michael Nicholas
  • Patent number: 8567253
    Abstract: An opto-acoustic transducer assembly includes a substrate; at least one layer of opto-acoustic material coupled to a surface of the substrate, where the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material generates sound waves when struck by pulses of pump light; and an acoustic lens configured to focus sound waves generated by the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material towards a sample. The acoustic lens is further configured to collect sound waves returning from the sample and to direct the returning sound waves to the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material. In one non-limiting embodiment the at least one layer of opto-acoustic material is interposed between the substrate and the acoustic lens, and the substrate is substantially transparent to light having wavelengths of interest.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Brown University
    Inventors: Humphrey J. Maris, Arto V. Nurmikko
  • Patent number: 8555725
    Abstract: A portable non-contact sensor system including a laser generator subsystem, a laser detector subsystem, an an analysis subsystem. The laser generator subsystem is configured to project a plurality of laser pulses at a surface of an object that is to be characterized. The laser detector subsystem is configured to receive return laser pulses from the object. The analysis subsystem is configured to analyze the received return pulses and characterize the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Brandt Innovative Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Kurt Brandt, Mark Stephen Williamsen
  • Patent number: 8542127
    Abstract: A device and method for discovering, identification and monitoring of mechanical flaws in metallic structures is disclosed, based on magneto-graphic/magnetic tomography technique to identify stress-related defects. The technique is specifically optimized for extended, not-accessible underground and underwater metallic structures quality control, emergency alarms as well as timeline planning for structural repairs and maintenance work. Examples of the technique implementation include pipes for oil and gas industry, detection of flaws in rolled products in metallurgical industry, welding quality of heavy duty equipment such as ships, reservoirs, etc. It is especially important for loaded constructions, such as pressured pipes, infrastructure maintenance, nuclear power plant monitoring, bridges, corrosion prevention and environment protection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventors: Valerian Goroshevskiy, Svetlana Kamaeva, Igor Kolesnikov, Leonid Ivlev
  • Patent number: 8534129
    Abstract: A photoacoustic multipass cell includes a light source, an acoustic resonator and a reflecting arrangement configured in a concentrating manner for reflecting light into the acoustic resonator. Additionally, the light source is arranged at least partially within the reflecting arrangement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Foerderung der Angewandten Forschung E.V.
    Inventors: Andras Miklos, Judit Angster
  • Patent number: 8511165
    Abstract: An EMAT that generates horizontally polarized shear ultrasonic waves is combined with a PZT that generates longitudinal ultrasonic waves to provide simultaneous or sequential inspection of a test component material for improved accuracy in estimating properties of the material or detecting and estimating the dimensions of defects in the material. The transducer combination is constructed so that the EMAT and PZT elements are concentric and therefore interrogate approximately the same volume of the test component material. Nonferromagnetic insulators, such as elastomers, are installed on the bottom surface of PZT component to increase the transmission and reception the ultrasonic waves into the test component. Ferromagnetic, acoustic-absorbing materials are installed on the top surface of the EMAT coil component to minimize generation of ultrasonic waves in the bias magnet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Inventor: Borja Lopez Jauregui
  • Patent number: 8499637
    Abstract: A device and system is provided for amplifying vibrations resulting from underwater acoustic signals. In operation, a laser interrogation beam is directed along an axis at the retro-reflector device and is responsive to reflections directed along the axis of the interrogation beam. The retro-reflector device reflects a signal back to a source and a tracking signal superimposed on an interrogation beam enables continuous sensing of the reflected signal to reduce signal dropout. A glint tracker is provided for tracking the tracking beam on the surface. A tracker system superimposes the tracking and interrogation beams and is responsive to reflected glints in order to establish a directional location. An interferometer responsive to the reflected interrogation beam produces an interference signal for enabling continuous measurement of surface vibrations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Fletcher A. Blackmon, Lynn T. Antonelli, Anthony J. Kalinowski
  • Patent number: 8485037
    Abstract: An apparatus comprising a vibration generation system, a vibration measurement system, and an optical system associated with the vibration measurement system, and a controller. The vibration generation system is configured to generate acoustic energy that causes vibrations to occur in the ground. The vibration measurement system is configured to transmit laser beams to the surface of the ground in which the vibrations occur, receive responses to the laser beams, and generate vibration data from the responses. The optical system is configured to direct the laser beams to the surface of the ground such that the laser beams have a selected spatial arrangement relative to the surface. The controller is configured to determine whether an object is present under the surface of the ground using the vibration data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: John F. Takacs, Frederick L. Davis, James E. Brown, Cecil L. Hayes, Wilfred Shigeki Otaguro
  • Publication number: 20130145851
    Abstract: A magnetostrictive phased array transducer for transducing shear horizontal bulkwaves including a plurality of magnetostrictive members each having a bottom surface of a plate-shaped structure made of a ferromagnetic material, which is mounted to be adhered closely to the surface of a mounting place; an insulator disposed on a side surface of each magnetostrictive member; a meander coil having a plurality of coil lines extended in the direction parallel with the bottom surface on each insulator, wherein adjacent coil lines are connected so that current flows in the opposite directions to each other, thereby generating a dynamic magnetic field with respect to each magnetostrictive member; and a magnet mounted to generate a static magnetic field perpendicular to the dynamic magnetic field. When the current is supplied to the meander coil, a plurality of magnetostrictive members generate a plurality of shear horizontal bulkwaves while being deformed by the magnetostriction effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science
    Inventor: Korea Research Institute of Standards and Scienc
  • Publication number: 20130111999
    Abstract: A method is described for non-destructive material testing on a workpiece comprising an electrically conductive material using EMUS transducers, each of which has a magnet unit for locally introducing a magnetic field into the workpiece, and also has a radio frequency (RF) coil arrangement, which interacts with the magnetic field. The invention is distinguished in that at least two transcuers are spaced apart along a surface of the workpiece. At least a first EMUS transducer generates and also measures ultrasound waves within the workpiece and the second EMUS transducer functions as a reception transducer for at least detecting ultrasound waves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Inventors: Gerd Dobmann, Gerhard Hübschen, Jochen Kurz
  • Publication number: 20130111998
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for an electromagnetic acoustic transducer. An apparatus comprises a conductive material and a current inducer. The conductive material is configured to generate a magnetic field, wherein the magnetic field has magnetic flux lines that are substantially fixed and the conductive material has a temperature that is equal to or less than a critical temperature at which the conductive material has substantially zero electrical resistance. The current inducer is configured to cause an electric current to flow in a test object that interacts with the magnetic field, wherein the electric current has a frequency that generates an acoustic wave in the test object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2011
    Publication date: May 9, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: John Ralph Hull, Michael Strasik, Richard H. Bossi
  • Patent number: 8434366
    Abstract: Traditional photoacoustic sensors generally operate in a passive mode, which can degrade the performance. Here, however, a photoacoustic sensor has been disclosed that operates an acoustic resonance chamber and a transducer in an active mode so as to avoid the problems associated with traditional photoacoustic sensors; in particular, because the acoustic resonance chamber operates at near atmospheric pressure such as 100's Torr as opposed to 1 m Torr type of pressure for radio spectroscopy, the sensor is allowed to be scaled to operate on an integrated circuit or IC.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Chih-Ming Hung, Django Trombley
  • Publication number: 20130098158
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: IMPERIAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: IMPERIAL INNOVATIONS LIMITED
  • Patent number: 8408064
    Abstract: A distributed acoustic wave detection system and method is provided. The system may include a fiber optic cable deployed in a well and configured to react to pressure changes resulting from a propagating acoustic wave and an optical source configured to launch interrogating pulses into the fiber optic cable. In addition, the system may include a receiver configured to detect coherent Rayleigh noise produced in response to the interrogating pulses. The CRN signal may be use to track the propagation of the acoustic wave in the well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Arthur H. Hartog, Douglas Miller, Kamal Kader, Gareth P. Lees, Graeme Hilton, Stephen Mullens
  • Patent number: 8402828
    Abstract: A macromolecular docking event between a macromolecule of a first type (e.g. an antibody) and a macromolecule of a complementary type (e.g., an antigen) may be detected by dispersing macromolecules of the first type in a microscopic test region within an aqueous test volume and introducing at least one macromolecule of the complementary type into the microscopic test region. When the complementary macromolecule docks with one of the macromolecules of the first type, micro-acoustic radiation propagating through the microscopic test region is detected and the micro-acoustic wave emitted by the macromolecular docking is identified. Methods and apparatuses for detecting macromolecular docking events in such a manner are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: William J. Peria
  • Publication number: 20130068028
    Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: PURE TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130047731
    Abstract: A system and method for providing laser generated ultrasound technique utilizing superimposed line sources is presented. The system and method can generate narrowband Lamb waves with a dominant wavelength by superimposing signals of line sources at the pitch corresponding to the desired wavelength. The superposition can be performed in software after data are collected to permit flexibility in the wavelength selected. Selecting the dominant wavelength in signals can reduce signal complexity and the speeds and frequencies of wave modes with the selected wavelength can be determined through dispersion curves. One or more additional techniques including, but not limited to, two-dimensional Fourier transforms and wavelet analysis can be used to further reduce the complexity of the signals. The system and method can be used, for example, for defect detection in thin plates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2011
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: Georgia Tech Research Corporation
    Inventors: Ifeanyi Charles UME, Tsun-Yen WU
  • Patent number: 8356517
    Abstract: An integrated transducer device includes an optical transducer and an acoustic transducer integrally joined with the optical transducer. The acoustic transducer includes a membrane responsive to acoustic signals, the membrane being aligned with the optical transducer such that optical signals emitted or received by the optical transducer pass through the membrane. A propagation direction of the acoustic signals emitted or received by the acoustic transducer is collinear with a propagation direction of the optical signals emitted or received by the optical transducer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Avago Technologies Wireless IP (Singapore) Pte. Ltd.
    Inventors: Osvaldo Buccafusca, David Martin
  • Patent number: 8354842
    Abstract: A segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer capable of generating a high frequency shear wave in a structure such as a rod or a pipe, a structural fault diagnosing apparatus including the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer, and a method of operating the segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer are shown. The segmented magnetostrictive patch array transducer includes a plurality of magnetostrictive patches attached along a circumference of a rod member; a plurality of insulators that are disposed on the magnetostrictive patches; a plurality of meander coils, each of the meander coils comprising a plurality of coil lines extending along the circumference direction of the rod member on each of the insulators, wherein a current flows through adjacent coil lines in opposite directions to one another; and a plurality of magnets that respectively form a magnetic field along the circumferential direction of the rod member on the magnetostrictive patches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: SNU R&DB Foundation
    Inventors: Hoe Woong Kim, Young Eui Kwon, Yoon Young Kim
  • Patent number: 8342028
    Abstract: Disclosed is a photoacoustic measurement apparatus that irradiates a light beam onto a subject, from a same side as that of an acoustic wave detector, and that measures photoacoustic waves. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus has: an acoustic wave detector; a diffraction grating member provided in front of a detection surface of the detector; a light source that generates a light beam; and an optical system that guides the light beam from the light source towards the diffraction grating member. The diffraction grating member is configured such that the light beam led to the diffraction grating member is outputted by the diffraction grating member towards a subject surface that opposes the detection surface of the detector. As a result, light beams can strike a biological body in a near-perpendicular angle. This affords greater illumination efficiency, and allows light of substantial light energy to be irradiated deep inside biological structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Shigeru Ichihara, Takahiro Masumura, Shuichi Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20120304774
    Abstract: A laser beam having a single wavelength emitted from a laser light source is converted at a wavelength shifter into a laser beam having at least two wavelengths, which is further demultiplexed at a beam splitter into a laser beam having a first wavelength and a laser beam having a second wavelength. The output power and pulse width of the laser beam having the first wavelength are adjusted by a first controller so as to reach levels appropriate for generating ultrasonic vibrations without causing damage to an inspection object. The output power and pulse width of the laser beam having the second wavelength are adjusted by a second controller so as to reach appropriate levels for detecting the above-described ultrasonic vibrations. These laser beams are multiplexed by a multiplexer into a single laser beam to be focused onto a surface of the inspection object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Inventor: Masahito Ishioka
  • Patent number: 8322219
    Abstract: An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Pure Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Philip M. Hoyt
  • Patent number: 8316715
    Abstract: The invention is a vibration sensor with a carrying element capable of being set into vibration; a conversion device having a field coil to set and/or tap the carrying element into vibration; an anchor mounted in the field coil; and, a vibration element to transmit the vibrations from the carrying element into/from a surrounding space. The anchor is designed as two parts, having a permanent magnet and a coil core connected to the field coil, with an air gap arranged therebetween and lying in the area of the axial extension of the field coil. The permanent magnet is connected to the carrying element to transmit vibrations; and, the field coil and the permanent magnet are arranged to interact in such a way that any vibration of the permanent magnet induces current flow in the field coil and/or induces vibration of the permanent magnet in the field coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: Vega Grieshaber KG
    Inventors: Joern Jacob, Holger Gruhler, Josef Fehrenbach, Martin Mellert, Frank Becherer
  • Patent number: 8312773
    Abstract: A laser ultrasonic device is disclosed. The laser ultrasonic device comprises an ultrasonic generation system capable of generating ultrasonic waves on a surface of a sample, said system comprising a first collection of optical fiber output ends arranged in a first pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Pavel Alexeyevich Fomitchov