Acoustic Parameter Patents (Class 73/645)
  • Patent number: 11782823
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method to automatically capture weather data during testing. The method includes receiving a selected test to run, wherein the test is associated with a Test Case Execution Record (TCER). The method further includes running the test. The method also includes determining, in response to starting the test, a set of weather data. The method includes storing the set of weather data in a first database, wherein the stored weather data is unalterable. The method further includes receiving a set of results for the test. The method also includes storing the set of results in a second database. Further aspects of the present disclosure are directed to systems and computer program products containing functionality consistent with the method described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Lee Thomas, James H. Tammaro
  • Patent number: 11668681
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detection system is provided that detects a state of a structure consisting of a first member that supports a traveling surface along which a vehicle travels from downward; a second member provided on an opposite side of the traveling surface with respect to the first member; and a welded portion that is provided along an end of the second member facing the first member and fixes the first member and the second member. The detection system includes: a first sensor group including first AE sensors; a second sensor group including second AE sensors; and a position orientator that performs separately a first determination that determines a generation source position of elastic waves based on the detection results of the first AE sensors and a second determination that determines the generation source position of elastic waves based on the detection results of the second AE sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Takashi Usui, Kazuo Watabe, Takahiro Omori, Hidefumi Takamine, Akihiro Kasahara
  • Patent number: 11614425
    Abstract: Various embodiments include a method for determining the mixing ratio R of a fluid comprising a mixture of at least two different fluids for a technical process in a device comprising: irradiating an ultrasonic signal with a transmission level along a measuring distance running inside a measuring section; measuring a receiving level of the ultrasonic signal at one end of the measuring distance; determining an ultrasonic attenuation of the ultrasonic signal attenuated by the fluid based at least on the transmission and receiving levels of the ultrasonic signal; measuring a temperature of the fluid flowing through the measuring section; and determining a mixing ratio of the at least two different fluids from the determined ultrasonic attenuation and from the measured fluid temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: SIEMENS SCHWEIZ AG
    Inventor: Hilmar Konrad
  • Patent number: 11515698
    Abstract: Disclosed is an energy storage system having an arc monitoring function. The system includes: an outer casing storing an energy storage unit and a PCS therein; a sound sensor installed outside the outer casing to detect sound generated from an inside of the outer casing; a temperature and humidity sensor installed outside the outer casing to detect humidity and temperature of the outer casing; and an arc detection device analyzing a frequency of a sound generated in the energy storage unit and the PCS based on correlation between temperature and humidity to detect an arc signal included in the sound and monitoring an arc based on the detected arc signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: SN Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Soo Joon Song, Seung Seop Kim
  • Patent number: 11123625
    Abstract: It is disclosed a method, and a system (30) capable of localizing ball hit events on a sports court. From on acoustics data acquired (22) of ball hit events by individual distributed sensors or microphones, ball hitting patterns are identified (24) in the data from each individual sensor. Based on the identified ball hitting patterns and geometric constraints of a sports court and the distribution of sensors, ball hit events are detected (26). The localization of the detected ball bit events is determined (28) based on the geometrical constraints of the sports court and the sensor distribution. The system has a number of advantages of which some are that it is cheap to install, it is non-invasive, and that it can easily be extended to provide higher precision of ball hit event localization.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: József Stéger, Nóra Fenyvesi, István Gódor, Zsófia Kallus
  • Patent number: 10074397
    Abstract: Loud sounds with fast rise times, like gunfire and explosions, can cause noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL). Unfortunately, current models do not adequately explain how impulsive sounds cause NIHL, which makes it difficult to predict and prevent NIHL on battlefields and other hostile or rugged environments. Fortunately, the impulsive sounds experienced by soldiers and others working in rugged environments can be recorded using a compact, portable system that acquires, digitizes, and stores high-bandwidth audio data. An example of this system can be mounted on a helmet or other article and used to record hours of audio data at a bandwidth of 20 kHz or higher, which is broad enough to capture sounds with rise times less than 50 ms. An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) digitizes these broadband audio signals at rate of 40 kHz or higher to preserve the impulse information. A processor transfers the digitized samples from a buffer to a memory card for later retrieval using an interrupt-driven processing technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Joseph J. Lacirignola, Trina Rae Vian, David F. Aubin, Jr., Thomas F. Quatieri, Kate D. Fischl, Paula P. Collins, Christopher J. Smalt, Paul D. Gatewood, Nicolas Malyska, David C. Maurer
  • Patent number: 9179451
    Abstract: Techniques of frequency spectrum usage in a wireless communication system include configuring two or more downlink carriers, each having a downlink carrier center frequency, to have a total occupied bandwidth that is constrained within an allocated downlink frequency spectrum. Further, the techniques include transmitting, to a user equipment (UE), two or more downlink carrier center frequency indicators that each identify a downlink carrier center frequency of each of the two or more downlink carriers. Also, the present techniques may include transmitting, to the UE, at least one uplink carrier center frequency indicator that at least relatively identifies at least one uplink carrier center frequency of at least one uplink carrier that is configured to have an independent, variable offset relative to one or more of the more than two downlink carriers. As such, these aspects allow new ways of squeezing carriers into the downlink while not impacting UE transmitter complexity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mario Mark Scipione, Sharad Deepak Sambhwani
  • Patent number: 9160158
    Abstract: Systems and methods are presented for detecting high-impedance faults (HIFs) in an electric power delivery system using a plurality of coordinated high-impedance fault detection systems. In certain embodiments, a method for HIFs may include receiving first and second current representations associated with first and second locations of the electric power delivery system respectively. Based on at least one of the first and second current representations, the occurrence of an HIF may be determined. A relative location of the HIF may be determined based on a relative amount of interharmonic content associated with an HIF included in the first and second current representations, and a protective action may be taken based on the determined relative location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Edmund O. Schweitzer, III, Mangapathirao Venkata Mynam, Daqing Hou
  • Publication number: 20150104048
    Abstract: A capacitance sensor has a substrate, a vibration electrode plate formed over an upper side of the substrate, a back plate formed over the upper side of the substrate to cover the vibration electrode plate, and a fixed electrode plate arranged on the back plate facing the vibration electrode plate. At least one of the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is divided into a plurality of regions. A sensing unit configured by the vibration electrode plate and the fixed electrode plate is formed in each of the divided regions. The plurality of sensing units output a plurality of signals having different sensitivities. At least some sensing units of the sensing units have vibration electrode plates having areas different from the areas of the vibration electrode plates in the other sensing units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2013
    Publication date: April 16, 2015
    Inventors: Yuki Uchida, Takashi Kasai
  • Patent number: 8991260
    Abstract: A pseudo rock includes a housing, a strain sensor, a three-axis acceleration sensor, a vibration generator and a controller. The housing has an average shape and size of rocks. The strain sensor detects a stress acting in positive and negative directions of each axis with respect to three-dimensional coordinates using the center of the housing as the origin. The three-axis acceleration sensor detects acceleration acting in each axis of the three-dimensional coordinates. The vibration generator produces vibration in a specific direction with respect to the three-dimensional coordinates. The controller converts respective detected values of the strain sensor and the three-axis acceleration sensor into vibration pulses of specific patterns and outputting the vibration pulses to the vibration generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Akebono Brake Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takashi Kunimi, Shinichi Akutagawa
  • Publication number: 20150061696
    Abstract: The invention relates to a DC electrical power supply source including a protective housing and electrical energy storage devices disposed in the protective housing. The storage devices are connected electrically in series by way of interconnection elements. There is an acoustic sensor configured to measure ultrasounds and a filling medium disposed in the housing. The filling medium exhibits a homogeneous acoustic impedance and forms a continuous acoustic link between the interconnection elements and the acoustic sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventors: Jawad Dahmani, Viviane Cattin, Pierre Perichon
  • Publication number: 20150047433
    Abstract: A photoacoustic wave measurement device includes: (a) a pulsed-light outputter that outputs a pulsed light; (b) an arrangement member disposed between a pulsed-light output end of the pulsed-light outputter and a measurement object, the arrangement member being adapted to allow the pulsed light to pass therethrough; and (c) a photoacoustic wave detector that receives a photoacoustic wave generated by the measurement object by the pulsed light and that converts the photoacoustic wave into an electric signal, the photoacoustic wave measurement device being adapted to receive the electric signal from a photoacoustic wave sensor in which the photoacoustic wave detector is farther from the measurement object than the pulsed-light output end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2013
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventors: Taiichiro Ida, Yasushi Kawaguchi
  • Patent number: 8950262
    Abstract: A device for measuring a sound source distribution in three-dimensional space is provided in which tracer particles included around an object are irradiated with a two-dimensional laser sheet within an x-y plane at two times separated by a short time interval, images of the irradiated tracer particles are taken, and two in-plane velocity components of the tracer particles in the laser sheet and one out-of-plane velocity component perpendicular to the laser sheet are measured based on the images taken. Further, the velocity field of the three velocity components in three-dimensional space is measured by obtaining three velocity components within a plurality of planes spaced apart in a z-axis direction perpendicular to the laser sheet and stacking the three velocity components within the plurality of planes in the z-axis direction. The sound source distribution around the object is measured from the velocity field.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Minoru Teramura, Yuichi Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 8917880
    Abstract: Methods of operating an audio device are provided. A method includes calculating estimated sound pressure levels (SPLs) for drive signals directed to an ear canal receiver (ECR) during a time increment ?t; calculating an estimated SPL_Dose during the time increment ?t using the estimated sound pressure levels; and calculating a total SPL_Dose at a time t of the audio device using the estimated SPL_Dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Personics Holdings, LLC.
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • Patent number: 8905624
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling a mixing system at a peak energy efficiency point, maximum response point or reduced sound generation point based on displacement, velocity, acceleration or jerk operating conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Inventors: Harold W. Howe, Peter A. Lucon, Jeffrey D. Thornton, Brian Jay Seaholm
  • Patent number: 8893848
    Abstract: The invention is an electric sweep type seismic vibrator source of the type used in seismic prospecting for hydrocarbons. The source uses an engine and generator combination to create electric power for all systems on the source such as driving a frame of linear electric motors that direct a rod or piston to contact the ground in a recurring fashion along with driving the source from location to location through a survey area. Preferably, a foot is arranged on the bottom end of the rod or piston for contact with the ground and by engaging the grid of motors to push down against the ground in a rapid progression, acoustic energy is created and delivered into the ground for geophones to sense and record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Peter M. Eick, Joel D. Brewer
  • Patent number: 8892374
    Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying electrical sources of audible acoustic noise may involve identifying first frequency content of a circuit board, wherein the first frequency content is associated with at least one of acoustic noise and a vibration of the circuit board. Second frequency content of an electrical signal associated with the circuit board may also be identified. In addition, a coherence between the first frequency content and the second frequency content may be determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Jessica Gullbrand, Willem M. Beltman, Karthik Sankaranarayanan, Jose A. Cordova, Carlos A. Lopez, Eric Baugh
  • Publication number: 20140305221
    Abstract: A surface acoustic wave sensor of the invention includes: a piezo element that propagates a surface acoustic wave; an electrode that carries out conversion of an electrical signal and a surface acoustic wave; and a porous base member into which liquid infiltrates and which comes into contact with the piezo element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2012
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Inventors: Takashi Kogai, Hiromi Yatsuda
  • Publication number: 20140297204
    Abstract: Apparatus is provided having an acoustic-based air probe with an acoustic source configured to provide an acoustic signal into a mixture of concrete; and an acoustic receiver configured to be substantially co-planar with the acoustic source, to respond to the acoustic signal, and to provide signaling containing information about the acoustic signal injected into the mixture of concrete.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 18, 2012
    Publication date: October 2, 2014
    Applicant: CIDRA CORPORATE SERVICES INC.
    Inventors: John Biesak, Douglas H. Loose, Michael A. Davis
  • Patent number: 8840565
    Abstract: A test battery method and system for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Sonicom, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Keefe
  • Publication number: 20140260635
    Abstract: Golf performance and equipment characteristics may be determined by analyzing the impact between a golf ball and an impacting surface. In some examples, the impacting surface may be a golf club face. The impact between the golf ball and the surface may be measured based on sound and/or motion sensors (e.g., gyroscopes, accelerometers, etc.). Based on motion and/or sound data, various equipment-related information including golf ball compression, club head speed and impact location may be derived. Such information and/or other types of data may be conveyed to a user to help improve performance, aid in selecting golf equipment and/or to insure quality of golfing products.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: NIKE, INC.
    Inventor: Nicholas A. Leech
  • Publication number: 20140260634
    Abstract: A wind power turbine blade inspection system includes a sensor positioned on the blade root end bulkhead to receive airborne acoustic signals emanating from anomalies in rotating turbine blades during cyclic stress loading, a three axis accelerometer to determine the gravity vector and other sources of cyclic acceleration with respect to the acoustic signals and a signal analysis system configured to analyze the sensor and accelerometer signals to provide data for wind power asset management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: DIGITAL WIND SYSTEMS
    Inventor: John W. Newman
  • Publication number: 20140230557
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting underwater sounds is disclosed. An embodiment of the apparatus includes a substrate with a vacuum-sealed cavity. A support structure and an acoustic pressure sensor are situated on the substrate. The support structure of the apparatus may include a first oxide layer situated on the substrate, a silicon layer situated on the first oxide layer, and a second oxide layer situated on the silicon layer. The acoustic pressure sensor of the apparatus includes a first electrode layer situated on the substrate, a piezoelectric layer situated on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer situated on the piezoelectric layer. In one embodiment, the surface area of the second electrode layer is between about 70 to 90 percent of the surface area of the piezoelectric layer. In various embodiments, the support structure is thicker than the piezoelectric layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2013
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Applicants: Agency for Science Technology and Research (A"STAR), PGS Geophysical AS
    Inventors: Jinghui Xu, Julius Ming-Lin Ming-Lin Tsai, Winston Sun, Chengliang Sun
  • Patent number: 8758248
    Abstract: Methods and systems for ultrasound imaging are presented. The method includes configuring a plurality of apertures in a transducer array of an ultrasound imaging device, where the apertures include one or more transducer elements. Further, one or more reference pulses are delivered to a plurality of target regions to detect corresponding initial positions. Additionally, a pushing pulse is delivered to at least two of the plurality of target regions through at least two of the plurality of apertures. The plurality of apertures is focused at specific target regions in the plurality of target regions using a compound delay profile. Subsequently, one or more tracking pulses are delivered to the plurality of target regions for detecting corresponding displacements of at least the specific target regions. Further, ultrasound imaging methods that deliver a plurality of short pushing pulse segments and/or tracking pulses to corresponding target regions in an interleaving manner are described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Feng Lin, Michael Joseph Washburn, Christopher Robert Hazard
  • Publication number: 20140077446
    Abstract: There are provided a paper conveying apparatus, a jam detection method and a computer-readable, non-transitory medium that can suppress erroneous detection of a jam. The paper conveying apparatus includes a sound signal generator, provided with a sound detector near a conveyance path of a paper, for generating a sound signal, and a sound jam detector for determining whether a jam has occurred based on a variation of a component of the sound signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: PFU LIMITED
    Inventors: Masanobu Hongo, Tetsuo Funada, Nobuhisa Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 8662093
    Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for measuring the strength of ultrasonic waves are provided. They are capable of measuring the strength of ultrasonic waves easily and at low cost without using a sound pressure meter. The ultrasonic wave strength measuring apparatus has a particle source soaked in a cleaning liquid, an oscillator to generate the ultrasonic waves whose strength is going to be measured to vibrate the particle source so that particles are eluted from the particle source into the cleaning liquid, a counter to count the number of particles in the cleaning liquid, and an operation unit to find the strength of the applied ultrasonic waves based on the counted number of particles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2014
    Assignee: NHK Spring Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shuichi Akutsu
  • Publication number: 20140053650
    Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing an acoustic sensor having a high degree of directivity is disclosed. The sensor includes a rotatable plate that is attached to a substrate with mounts. In one aspect the mounts are freely rotatable and the torque on the plate is measured using detectors disposed on springs that provide a resistance to rotation of the plate. In another aspect the plate is mounted to the substrate with mounts that torsionally deform during rotation of the plate. These detectors measure the torque on the plate according to the torsional deformation of the mounts. Methods of improving the signal to noise ratio of acoustic sensors having multiple detectors are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 27, 2014
    Applicant: Board of Regents, The University of Texas System
    Inventors: Neal A. HALL, Michael L. KUNTZMAN, Donghwan KIM, Nishshanka HEWA-KASAKARAGE
  • Patent number: 8635914
    Abstract: An acoustic sensor system includes a first plurality of acoustic sensors, and an acoustic transmitter structured to generate acoustic noise to mimic acoustic noise induced by an electrical conductivity fault. A smaller second number of acoustic sensors of the first plurality of acoustic sensors are structured to identify a plurality of locations in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of electrical joints, in order that the smaller second number of acoustic sensors can monitor the plurality of electrical joints of the electrical distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2014
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Thomas J. Schoepf
  • Publication number: 20140020470
    Abstract: According to a method by a frequency analysis of tap tones at the time when a tightness of a ripple member fixed by an elastic force has been tapped by a hammer or a method of detecting a response at the time when the ripple member has been vibrated, an enough precision cannot be obtained for a tightness estimation. A tapping force is applied to a plurality of positions on the member surface, thereby allowing a plurality of tap tones to be generated. Feature amounts are obtained from the plurality of tap tones. An average feature amount is obtained by averaging the feature amounts. The tightness of the ripple member is estimated from the average feature amount by using a correlation between the tightness of the ripple member and the average feature amount.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: January 23, 2014
    Applicant: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventor: Hitachi, Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8627723
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring frequency and amplitude of an input signal representative of an echolocation call. In one example, a system includes a combination of a digital sampling channel and a zero crossing measurement channel that are configured to simultaneously measure the echolocation call and produce a combined, time-synchronous data set representative of the echolocation call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Wildlife Acoustics, Inc.
    Inventor: Ian Agranat
  • Patent number: 8607628
    Abstract: A method for determining properties of a formation is described herein. The method includes disposing a well-logging tool in a borehole. The well-logging tool includes a device for varying temperature of the formation and two acoustic logging probes located symmetrically along the well-logging tool length relative to the device for varying temperature of the formation. During the logging tool movement in the borehole, continuous varying of the formation temperature, continuous acoustic logging, and continuous measurement of formation temperature are performed. Dependencies of the measured velocity and attenuation of the Stoneley waves as functions of the measured temperature of the formation are obtained. Based on the obtained dependencies, properties of the formation are determined.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Schlumberger Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Marwan Charara, Anton Vladimirovich Parshin, Evgeny Nikolaevich Dyshlyuk, Oleg Mikhailovich Zozulya, Sergey Sergeevich Safonov
  • Publication number: 20130319121
    Abstract: This application describes methods and apparatus for distributed acoustic sensing providing enhanced sensitivity for certain acoustic signals. The method uses a fibre optic distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) apparatus (106) to detect acoustic signals wherein the fibre optic distributed acoustic sensor comprises at least one optical fibre (104) deployed in an area of interest (204) such that at least one section of said optical fibre is deployed to monitor the acoustic response of a cavity (206) to incident acoustic signals. The cavity is dimensioned such that the cavity resonates at a desired frequency and thus the relevant sensing portions of the DAS sensor show an enhanced response to acoustic signals which excite resonance in the cavity. The optical fibre (104) may be deployed to run through said cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Applicant: OPTASENSE HOLDINGS LIMITED
    Inventors: David John Hill, Christopher John Kelly
  • Publication number: 20130277776
    Abstract: A packaged MEMS device and a method of calibrating a packaged MEMS device are disclosed. In one embodiment a packaged MEMS device comprises a carrier, a MEMS device disposed on the substrate, a signal processing device disposed on the carrier, a validation circuit disposed on the carrier; and an encapsulation disposed on the carrier, wherein the encapsulation encapsulates the MEMS device, the signal processing device and the memory element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2012
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Applicant: INFINEON TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventors: Christian Herzum, Martin Wurzer, Roland Helm, Michael Kropfitsch, Stefan Barzen
  • Patent number: 8555726
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include an acoustic sensor having piezoelectric material housed in a cartridge and sealed with a solid nonporous stainless steel cover. The systems include additional elements to tune the performance of the acoustic sensor for measuring shockwaves on the surface of an aircraft, such as a helicopter. In particular, the system includes several vibration isolating elements including foam pads and O-rings disposed between the cartridge and the cover for isolating the piezoelectric material from aircraft vibration and turbulence. Additionally, the systems and methods include circuitry for converting analog electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric material, in response to acoustic signals, to digital electrical signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Raytheon BBN Technology Corp.
    Inventors: James Edwin Barger, Ronald Bruce Coleman, John N. Stanley
  • Publication number: 20130160556
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein include an acoustic sensor having piezoelectric material housed in a cartridge and sealed with a solid nonporous stainless steel cover. The systems include additional elements to tune the performance of the acoustic sensor for measuring shockwaves on the surface of an aircraft, such as a helicopter. In particular, the system includes several vibration isolating elements including foam pads and O-rings disposed between the cartridge and the cover for isolating the piezoelectric material from aircraft vibration and turbulence. Additionally, the systems and methods include circuitry for converting analog electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric material, in response to acoustic signals, to digital electrical signals.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: Raytheon BBN Technologies Corp
    Inventors: James Edwin Barger, Ronald Bruce Coleman, John N. Stanley
  • Patent number: 8462956
    Abstract: A system for monitoring sound pressure levels at the ear includes an ambient sound microphone (ASM) for receiving ambient sounds and an ear canal microphone (ECM) for producing audio signals as a function of ambient sound received at the ambient sound microphone and a sound signal received from an associated personal audio device. A logic circuit is operatively associated with the ASM and ECM calculates a total SPL_Dose experienced by the ear at a time t. The total SPL_Dose is calculated by determining SPL_Dose for periods ?t as measured at the ECM. The logic circuit may select an action parameter in response to the Total SPL_Dose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Personics Holdings Inc.
    Inventors: Steven W. Goldstein, John Usher, Brian Fligor, John P. Keady
  • Publication number: 20130118261
    Abstract: Each of a plurality of acoustic sensors (acoustically coupled to a structure for monitoring) is connected to a network bus system via a preamplifier for capturing, processing and reporting acoustic events in a structure, for example aircraft structures. Each of the preamplifiers processes the acoustic event signals received from the sensors when an acoustic emission resulting from an acoustic event (defect in a structure, impact on the structure etc), and passes digital processed signal data relating to the detected acoustic event to a Remote Data Concentrator over the network for collation. The collated data is then stored and/or further processed (at a later time or in near real-time) to determine the source and/or location of detected acoustic emissions in the structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: ULTRA ELECTRONICS LIMITED
    Inventors: Ian McGregor Stothers, Richard Andrew Hinchliffe
  • Patent number: 8434367
    Abstract: An acoustic sensor system includes a first plurality of acoustic sensors, and an acoustic transmitter structured to generate acoustic noise to mimic acoustic noise induced by an electrical conductivity fault. A smaller second number of acoustic sensors of the first plurality of acoustic sensors are structured to identify a plurality of locations in an electrical distribution system having a plurality of electrical joints, in order that the smaller second number of acoustic sensors can monitor the plurality of electrical joints of the electrical distribution system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Eaton Corporation
    Inventors: Xin Zhou, Thomas J. Schoepf
  • Publication number: 20130036823
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring frequency and amplitude of an input signal representative of an echolocation call. In one example, a system includes a combination of a digital sampling channel and a zero crossing measurement channel that are configured to simultaneously measure the echolocation call and produce a combined, time-synchronous data set representative of the echolocation call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2011
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: WILDLIFE ACOUSTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Ian Agranat
  • Publication number: 20130006550
    Abstract: Systems and methods of identifying electrical sources of audible acoustic noise may involve identifying first frequency content of a circuit board, wherein the first frequency content is associated with at least one of acoustic noise and a vibration of the circuit board. Second frequency content of an electrical signal associated with the circuit board may also be identified. In addition, a coherence between the first frequency content and the second frequency content may be determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: Jessica Gullbrand, Willem M. Beltman, Karthik Sankaranarayanan, Jose A. Cordova, Carlos A. Lopez, Eric Baugh
  • Publication number: 20120330108
    Abstract: A method of correlating sonic activity with electric activity in an entity of interest includes interrogating, via a sonic sensor device, the physical structure, shape and/or form of an object in the entity of interest, interrogating, via an electric field sensor, the electric and/or magnetic potential associated with the object or the physical displacement of the geo-electric field by the object while avoiding resistive contact with other portions of the entity of interest, and linking results from the sonic sensor device to results from the electric field sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Inventor: Thomas Andrew DAWSON
  • Publication number: 20120291556
    Abstract: An acoustic navigation system includes a vessel and an interrogation unit towed behind the vessel below the surface of the water, a tail acoustic transponder trailing behind the interrogation unit, and a pair of surface acoustic transponders towed behind the vessel on the surface of the body of water. The interrogation unit generates an acoustic interrogation signal and receives responses from each of the tail acoustic transponder and the surface acoustic transponders from which it triangulates its position. The surface acoustic transponders may further include GPS receivers for receiving positioning information from GPS satellites. Additional acoustic transponders on instruments located on the floor of the body of water respond to the interrogation signal to allow triangulation of the location of the instruments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2012
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: Steven C. Constable, Kerry W. Key
  • Publication number: 20120234096
    Abstract: A body has a first portion whose exterior surface is similar to that of a corresponding, first portion of a portable media device. An acoustic aperture is formed at a location that is similar to that of a built-in earpiece, speaker, or microphone aperture in the media device. An acoustic port is formed in the exterior surface of the body, and is adapted to be coupled to a sound test tool. An internal cavity acoustically couples the acoustic port to the acoustic aperture. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Justin Gregg, Michael M. Lee
  • Publication number: 20120236299
    Abstract: Methods and devices for the formation of droplets of a first fluid in a second fluid and the encapsulation of particles or cells within such droplets are disclosed. Impetus for droplet formation is provided by the creation of a transient bubble, which may be induced using a pulsed laser. Droplet volume and the frequency at which droplets are formed can be controlled by modulation of the pulsed laser. The disclosed methods and devices are particularly suitable for use in microfluidic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 9, 2012
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: THE REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
    Inventors: PEI-YU CHIOU, TING-HSIANG S. WU, SUNG-YONG PARK, MICHAEL A. TEITELL
  • Publication number: 20120216619
    Abstract: A device for measuring a sound source distribution in three-dimensional space is provided in which tracer particles included in a steady flow around an object (12) are irradiated with a two-dimensional laser sheet (Ls) within an x-y plane at two times having a very short time interval, images of the irradiated tracer particles are taken from two intersecting directions in the laser sheet (Ls) by imaging means (32A, 32B), and two in-plane velocity components of the tracer particles in the laser sheet (Ls) and one out-of-plane velocity component perpendicular to the laser sheet (Ls) are measured based on the images taken at the two times. Further, the velocity field of the three velocity components in three-dimensional space is measured by obtaining three velocity components within a plurality of planes spaced apart in a z-axis direction perpendicular to the laser sheet (Ls) and stacking the three velocity components within the plurality of planes in the z-axis direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 30, 2012
    Applicant: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Minoru Teramura, Yuichi Fukuchi
  • Patent number: 8241224
    Abstract: A test battery method and system (10, 100, 200, 225) for use in assessing auditory function (e.g., the screening or diagnosis of impairments, fitting of hearing aids, etc.) is provided which performs one or more auditory tests including, for example, an acoustic reflectance test. Such an acoustic reflectance test may be a reflectance tympanometry test that includes a feedback system to control (426) static pressure in the ear canal. Such acoustic reflectance tests may be used alone or in combination with one or more other auditory tests. Further, for example, such a battery of tests may include middle-ear muscle reflex tests in combination with one or more other auditory or hearing tests.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Sonicom, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Keefe
  • Patent number: 8240200
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method for characterizing an impact in a fabric. The system may include a sensing element woven in the fabric wherein a parameter of the sensing element depends on a strain in the sensing element; a transducer coupled to the sensing element wherein the transducer is configured to generate an output based on the parameter of the sensing element; and a controller coupled to the transducer, the controller configured to receive the output of the transducer, to determine a strain in the sensing element based, at least in part, on a change in the output of the transducer, and to characterize the impact in the fabric based on the strain in the sensing element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
    Inventors: Isaias S. Chocron, Arthur E. Nicholls, Charles E. Anderson, Jr., James D. Walker
  • Patent number: 8225666
    Abstract: A method for determining a shear modulus of an elastic material with a known density value is provided. In this method, a spatially modulated acoustic radiation force is used to initially generate a disturbance of known spatial frequency or wavelength. The propagation of this initial displacement as a shear wave is measured using ultrasound tracking methods. A temporal frequency is determined based on the shear wave. The shear modulus of the elastic material at the point of excitation may be calculated using the values of the spatial wavelength, material density, and temporal frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: University of Rochester
    Inventor: Stephen McAleavey
  • Publication number: 20120167691
    Abstract: In a method for recording and reproducing pressure wave signals, a wave pressure recording and an analog digital converter are to be linked. Higher dynamics are to be effected at identical bit depths and lower bit depths are to be required for identical dynamics. All information provided by the pressure wave signal is calculated and stored on the basis of detected and directly quantified wave pressure differences of the pressure wave signal. In addition, coefficients can be stored and, if necessary, retransformed into absolute wave pressures. In this way, the pressure wave signal can be reproduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Albert Gilg, Utz Wever
  • Patent number: 8181540
    Abstract: Tactile sensors are disclosed that mimic the human fingertip and its touch receptors. The mechanical components are similar to a fingertip, with a rigid core surrounded by a weakly conductive fluid contained within an elastomeric skin. The deformable properties of the finger pad can be used as part of a transduction process. Multiple electrodes can be mounted on the surface of the rigid core and connected to impedance measuring circuitry within the core. External forces deform the fluid path around the electrodes, resulting in a distributed pattern of impedance changes containing information about those forces and the objects that applied them. Strategies are described for extracting features related to the mechanical inputs and using this information for reflexive grip control. Controlling grip force in a prosthetic having sensory feedback information is described. Pressure transducers can provide sensory feedback by measuring micro-vibrations due to sliding friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: University of Southern California
    Inventors: Gerald E. Loeb, Jeremy Fishel, Nicholas Wettels, Veronica J. Santos, Raymond Peck