Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073100820 | Apparatus for measuring by use of vibration or apparatus for measuring vibration (e.g., acoustic or ultrasonic) | 74 |
20080264144 | Electrical connection of energy harvesting devices - An energy harvesting system and method. An array of cantilevers with PZT films is electrically connected to an energy harvesting device that converts vibration energy to electrical energy. An AC output signal provided by the cantilevers can be rectified to a DC output, thereby avoiding impairment in total electrical output. The DC output terminals can be connected in parallel and/or in series in order to achieve a higher voltage and/or a higher current that prevents the output from different cantilevers from counteracting one another. The connection circuitry includes one or more rectifying components integrated with one or more micro-cantilevers into a single integrated circuit chip. An oscillograph can be utilized to monitor the DC output voltage signal from an associated testing circuit. | 10-30-2008 |
20090013756 | Mail piece stiffness detector - An apparatus for determining the stiffness of mail pieces includes a bar or similar deflector for contacting a mail piece conveyed past the bar by a conveyor system, and vibrates when in contact with a passing mail piece, either due to the impact of the mail piece or by the action of a device which causes the deflector to vibrate before the mail piece hits it. A sensor measures a parameter indicative of change in the vibrations of the deflector and generates a signal indicative of the measured parameter. A processor, e.g. programmable controller or circuit, receives the signal from the sensor and determines a stiffness value for the mail piece based on decay in vibrations of the deflector caused by contact with the mail piece. | 01-15-2009 |
20090090165 | AUDIOMETER WITH INTERCHANGEABLE TRANSDUCER - An audiometer including a processor controlled test signal generator is adjustable so as to produce a uniform output signal when coupled with a transducer load. Each transducer set to be used with the test signal generator includes recordable indicia in written or electronic form, upon which correction values for adjusting the electronic signal output of the audiometer module to produce a desired sound output from the each transducer in the transducer set. When the transducer set is connected to the audiometer module, the correction values are either retrieved automatically from the electronic indicia, which may be an EEPROM, or are input to the processor manually by a user through an interface such as a keyboard. These correction values are then used by the processor to dynamically adjust the output of the audiometer to correct for sound output response deviation of each transducer in the transducer set. | 04-09-2009 |
20090282895 | Calibration for a Nondestructive Material Testing System - Calibration for a nondestructive ultrasonic material testing system is provided, the system having a multiplicity of ultrasound transducers which are linearly movable as a whole but are arranged fixed with respect to one another, for example mounted fixed in a single sensor holder. In order to achieve optimal alignment of the sensors with a specimen, the mechanical tolerance-induced offset between the beam direction of the ultrasound transducers and the ideal beam directions is found, for example with the aid of a mean straight line. It is then minimized by using the available degrees of freedom of the sensor holder, for example possible tilting of the sensor holder. | 11-19-2009 |
20090288471 | Calibration for a Nondestructive Material Testing System - Calibration for an ultrasonic nondestructive materials testing system is specified, the system having an array of ultrasonic transducers which can be linearly moved and pivoted. In order to compensate for the offset between the beam direction of the ultrasonic transducers and the rotation point of the pivoting system or another desired point of the transducers, this offset is determined using a calibrating body which is, for example, spherical. | 11-26-2009 |
20100058831 | METHOD FOR CALIBRATING A SCALE FACTOR IN AN AXISYMMETRICAL VIBRATING GYROMETER - The method of calibrating a scale factor of an axially-symmetrical vibrating rate gyro operating by applying an amplitude control signal (CA) and a precession control signal (CP) to a vibrator member ( | 03-11-2010 |
20100083732 | Disk Drive Emulator And Method Of Use Thereof - A disk drive emulator for testing a test slot of a disk drive testing system includes an emulator body, an interface connecter disposed on the emulator body, and at least one vibration sensor disposed on the emulator body. The emulator body comprises a material having a tensile modulus of at least 40×10̂6 Psi. | 04-08-2010 |
20100107725 | CALIBRATION METHOD OF ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION AND QUALITY CONTROL METHOD AND PRODUCTION METHOD OF TUBULAR BODY - An ultrasonic flaw detection is performed to a welded portion | 05-06-2010 |
20100122566 | Testing An Acoustic Property Of An Ultrasound Probe - Embodiments for testing an acoustic property of an ultrasound probe including a plurality of transducer elements are disclosed. A Shlieren image of an ultrasound probe and a visualized acoustic field of an ultrasound signal generated when one of the transducer elements is excited are acquired. A preprocessing including noise removal and position calibration upon the Shlieren image is then carried out. An acoustic property of the ultrasound probe is tested based on the preprocessed Shlieren image. | 05-20-2010 |
20100132434 | INTERCHANGEABLE MEASUREMENT HOUSINGS - Apparatus, methods for forming the apparatus, and methods for operating the apparatus provide a modular unit of hardware to make measurements in a well. The modular unit may include a housing arranged for placement in a drill-string element, where the housing includes a sensor and is structured such that the housing is transferable to another drill-string element without a calibration of the sensor during or after the transfer. The drill-string elements associated with the transfer may be of different sizes. | 06-03-2010 |
20100139362 | Calibration Method for SAW Sensors - A calibration process for an SAW sensor of the differential resonator type incorporated in an assembly, the sensor having two resonance frequencies (f1, f2) which vary differently as a function of the value of a physical magnitude (G) of the assembly. The process comprises the steps of: establishing an averaged calibration function (F | 06-10-2010 |
20100218589 | Method for Configuring an Array of Transducers in an Ultrasonic Test Apparatus - A method for configuring an array of transducers in an ultrasonic test apparatus for detecting flaws in welds connecting the edges of metal bodies such as plates or pipelines. The method comprising: providing geometrical data of the bevelled edges of the bodies before being welded; identifying different facets of the geometry of the edges; providing geometrical data of a reference plate including a reflector; selecting the angles; and the positions of the transducers in accordance with the geometry of the edges; mounting the transducers to a scanning mechanism in accordance with the selections made; connecting the transducers to at least one control unit for transmitting ultrasound and receiving echo signals by means of the transducers and subsequently calibrating by means of the reference plate the positions of the transducers relative to the scanning mechanism and calibrating gain and gate settings by means of the reference plate. | 09-02-2010 |
20100218590 | AUTOMATED THICKNESS MEASUREMENT DEVICE - A transducer apparatus may include a slide housing, an inner housing, a member attached to the inner housing, a free-floating transducer housing, a transducer, and transducer springs. The inner housing may be moveably disposed within the slide housing. The member attached to the inner housing may be for moving the inner housing relative to the slide housing. The free-floating transducer housing may in at least one position be freely moveably disposed relative to the inner housing. The transducer may be attached to the free-floating transducer housing and may freely change orientations relative to a surface being measured when the free-floating transducer housing is in the at least one position. The transducer springs may attach the free-floating transducer housing to the inner housing. | 09-02-2010 |
20100218591 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING RELATIVE COAL FLOW IN PIPES FROM A PULVERIZER - Pulverizer coal flow pipes feed a mixture of air and coal to burners in electric utility coal fire facilities. A method and apparatus for sensing relative coal flow in the pipes uses acoustic emission (AE) sensors to detect flow in each pipe. Sensed relative flow in the pipes is used to balance flow in the pipes and to further adjust pipe coal flow. Sensed flow is used with control parameters of a furnace to maximize power plant efficiency and to ensure compliance with emissions requirements. | 09-02-2010 |
20100313628 | SYSTEM FOR TESTING PERFORMANCE OF ARRAY ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER - A performance inspection system for an array ultrasound transducer includes: a driver for selectively applying an electric signal to all or some parts of constituent channels of the array ultrasound transducer; an acoustic power measurement unit for measuring an ultrasound acoustic power emitted from individual channels receiving the same voltage from the driver; a radiation conductance conversion unit for measuring a voltage signal applied to each channel although the driver applies different voltages to the individual channels, and converting the measured voltage into an ultrasound acoustic power acquired when the same voltage is applied to the channels; and a channel uniformity estimation unit for estimating uniformity of the acoustic power value acquired by the radiation conductance conversion unit or uniformity of acoustic power values of the individual channels measured under the same voltage. | 12-16-2010 |
20110030448 | ACOUSTIC SYSTEM QUALITY ASSURANCE AND TESTING - Embodiments of the invention provide for testing acoustic systems. According to one embodiment, testing an acoustic system can comprise receiving a signal from the acoustic system at a testing device via one of a plurality of channels between the acoustic system and the testing device. At least one pulse from a pattern pulses of the signal can be detected with the testing device by matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern for the acoustic system. For example, matching the pattern of pulses to an expected pulse pattern can comprise determining whether the pulse pattern includes a first pulse type. If the pulse pattern includes the first pulse type, a determination can be made whether the pulse pattern further includes a second pulse type. If the pulse pattern further includes the second pulse type, a subsequent pulse of the second pulse type can be identified and detected. | 02-10-2011 |
20110056267 | METHOD OF CALIBRATING A CONSTANT VOLTAGE SUPPLY FOR AN ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER OF A WIRE BONDING MACHINE - A method of calibrating a voltage for use with an ultrasonic transducer of a wire bonding machine in a constant voltage mode is provided. The method includes: (1) determining an impedance value associated with operation of the ultrasonic transducer; and (2) establishing an adjusted voltage level for use with the ultrasonic transducer in the constant voltage mode based on the determined impedance value. | 03-10-2011 |
20110094288 | MAPPING ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCERS - Ultrasound transducers may be mapped by varying a focus-affecting parameter and adjusting the parameter so as to improve focus quality. In some embodiments, mapping involves successively varying the phase of one transducer element, or group of elements, with respect to a constant phase of the other transducer elements, and determining the phase at which a tissue displacement in the ultrasound focus is maximized. | 04-28-2011 |
20110100089 | DETECTION OF CHANNEL SATURATION IN PHASE-ARRAY ULTRASONIC NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING - The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device. | 05-05-2011 |
20110120209 | Detector and Methods of Detecting - An ultrasonic detector ( | 05-26-2011 |
20110132067 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DERIVATION AND REAL-TIME APPLICATION OF ACOUSTIC V-PATH CORRECTION DATA - A system and method for carrying out non-destructive testing and inspection of test objects to assess their structural integrity uses a calibration module configured to provide V-Path time of flight (TOF) correction data over a plurality of object thickness points, obtained from an object or objects having known thicknesses using the same physical probe as is used for the inspection measurements. When a probe launches acoustical waves into a test object and an instrument and a control system compute a time of flight value of the acoustical waves launched by the probe, the pre-obtained V-Path TOF correction data is used to correct the measured time of flight computed by the instrument. | 06-09-2011 |
20110232360 | AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION ERROR DETECTION FOR ULTRASONIC INSPECTION DEVICES - Disclosed is a method and an NDT/NDI calibration process that automatically detects erroneous TOF readings by providing a predetermined time acceptance window. During the calibration process, TOF readings acquired by a UT device are validated to determine whether the TOF reading for the thin test block falls within the range of the predetermined time acceptance window. If the TOF reading for the thin block (T | 09-29-2011 |
20110239730 | CALIBRATION DEVICE FOR MASS FLOW METERS - A calibration device for mass flow meters including a test piece measuring section into which the mass flow meter test piece to be calibrated can be inserted, a device for creating a flow of a medium through the test piece measuring section and a temperature-measuring device positioned in the test piece measuring section for detecting the temperature of the medium. The temperature-measuring device is position in the flow such that the flow is disturbed as little as possible, while at the same time being capable of highly-accurate detection of the temperature of the flowing medium. In particular, the temperature-measuring device is an ultrasonic temperature-measuring device that is configured to emit an ultrasonic signal into the medium and determine the temperature of the medium by measuring a speed of the emitted ultrasonic signal. | 10-06-2011 |
20110283767 | Sonic resonator system for testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials - Disclosed herein is a sonic resonator system for use in testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials. Also disclosed herein are a method of calibrating the sonic resonator system to work with a particular composite bond joint, and a method of non-destructive testing the “pass-fail” of the bonded composite bond strength, based on a required bond strength. | 11-24-2011 |
20110283768 | SELF-CALIBRATING VIBRATION SENSOR - An antenna in a radar sensor is vibrated at a known frequency and velocity in a direction generally normal to the antenna surface. A response received by the antenna is used to scale or calibrate sensor responses at frequencies of interest. | 11-24-2011 |
20120060585 | Assessment and Calibration of a Crimp Tool Equipped with Ultrasonic Analysis Features - A method is provided for calibrating ultrasonic signals passed through a crimp formed with respect to a deformable body via an ultrasonically-equipped crimp tool (UECT). The UECT verifies a crimp quality using the ultrasonic signals. The method includes forming the crimp, transmitting a first signal, e.g., a pulse, to a first transducer of the UECT, and converting the first signal, using the first transducer, into a second signal which defines an ultrasonic pulse. This pulse is transmitted through the UECT into the crimp. A second transducer converts the second signal into a third signal, which may be further conditioned, and the ultrasonic signals are calibrated using the third signal or its conditioned variant. An apparatus for calibrating the ultrasonic signals includes a pulse module (PM) electrically connected to the first and second transducers, and an oscilloscope or display electrically connected to the PM for analyzing an electrical output signal therefrom. | 03-15-2012 |
20120067107 | WIRELESS INTERFACE FOR AUDIOMETERS - An interface adapted for use with an audiometer, including a digital wireless interface supported by a base unit and a remote unit wherein the base unit receives signals from the audiometer and provides the signals to the remote unit via the digital wireless interface. | 03-22-2012 |
20120125078 | SONIC WAVE PINCH DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A MOVABLE PANEL - A pinch detector for a movable panel is provided having a deformable and resilient channel; a sonic wave transmitter at one end of the channel having a predetermined output; a sonic wave receiver at a second end of the channel; and a controller connected to the transmitter and receiver; wherein the controller selectively activates the transmitter and generates a command in response to a predetermined attenuation of sonic wave input from the sonic wave receiver. The predetermined output of the sonic wave transmitter is in the range of about 30 to 50 kHz at a range of about 3 to 24 volts, but is preferably about 40 kHz at about 5 volts. The deformable and resilient channel can be disposed within a sealing element of a movable panel. Optionally, the sonic wave can be modulated. Compositions for the sonic tube can include latex, rubber, EPDM, foam, combinations thereof, and the like. | 05-24-2012 |
20120291520 | CALIBRATION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ACOUSTIC PROBES - An acoustic probe calibration system includes a waveguide and a moveable piston. The waveguide extends from a front end to an opposite back end along a longitudinal axis and defines a cavity extending from the front end to the back end. The piston is disposed within the cavity of the waveguide and is configured to move within the cavity of the waveguide along the longitudinal axis of the waveguide. An acoustic probe is inserted into the waveguide to define an interior chamber between the acoustic probe and the piston. The acoustic probe determines pressure responses to acoustic stimuli inside the interior chamber. The piston is moveable to a plurality of different positions within the waveguide to change a size of the interior chamber such that the acoustic probe can determine the pressure responses within the interior chambers. | 11-22-2012 |
20120318038 | ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER TEST APPARATUS AND APPLICATIONS THEREOF - In one aspect, testing apparatus for ultrasound transducers comprising arrays of transducing elements are described herein. In some embodiments, a test apparatus for an ultrasound transducer having a curved transducing element array comprises a block of material permitting propagation of an acoustic signal generated by the transducer, the block of material comprising a transducer receiving surface and a second surface in facing opposition to the receiving surface and forming an acoustically reflective interface with a medium, the second surface comprising a curvature having a center similar to or substantially similar to the center of curvature of the transducer element array when the transducer is coupled to the receiving surface. | 12-20-2012 |
20130008226 | VIBRATING MICRO-SYSTEM WITH AUTOMATIC GAIN CONTROL LOOP, WITH INTEGRATED CONTROL OF THE QUALITY FACTOR - A micro-system, for example a micro-sensor, comprises a resonator | 01-10-2013 |
20130055788 | CALIBRATION OF INSTRUMENT RELATIVE TO ULTRASONIC PROBE - A method of calibration including placing an instrument on an arbitrary point and at an arbitrary rotational orientation on an ultrasonic probe, obtaining spatial coordinates of the instrument, obtaining spatial coordinates of three points on an external surface of the ultrasonic probe, and using the three points to define an ultrasonic image plane, obtaining spatial coordinates of a set of landmarks which have a known spatial relationship to the ultrasonic image plane, these landmarks defining a direction in which the ultrasonic probe is directed within the ultrasonic image plane, and obtaining spatial coordinates of a front point on a front facing surface of the ultrasonic probe, the front facing surface having a known relation with a reference axis of a scanning plane of the ultrasonic probe that defines where an ultrasonic image starts within the ultrasonic image plane. | 03-07-2013 |
20130098138 | Sonic resonator system which applies a rarefaction wave to a composite structure at a specific location to test bond strength - Disclosed herein is a sonic resonator system for use in testing the adhesive bond strength of composite materials. Also disclosed herein are a method of calibrating the sonic resonator system to work with a particular composite bond joint, and a method of non-destructive testing the “pass-fail” of the bonded composite bond strength, based on a required bond strength. | 04-25-2013 |
20130180312 | CALIBRATION BLOCK AND METHOD - A calibration block and method for sensitivity calibration. The calibration block has a curved calibration surface having a central axis and a surface for coupling to a transducer element of an angular scanning phased array ultrasonic testing scanner. The block is configured such that the surface positions the transducer such that its scanning axis is coaxial with the central axis of the curved calibration surface. | 07-18-2013 |
20130192334 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CALIBRATING AN ULTRASONIC WEDGE AND A PROBE - A method and system for calibrating an ultrasonic wedge and a probe are disclosed. The calibration method includes the steps of automatically determining the ultrasonic signal acquisition width and the first ultrasonic signal gate based on the theoretical parameters of the ultrasonic wedge and the probe. The calibration method can also include the steps of automatically determining the operating status of transducer elements in a phased array transducer and then determining the actual parameters of the ultrasonic wedge based on the live transducer elements. | 08-01-2013 |
20130213112 | ULTRASONIC POSITIONING SYSTEM WITH REVERBERATION AND FLIGHT TIME COMPENSATION - Compensating reverberation and flight times in an ultrasonic positioning system includes establishing maximum flight and reverberation times for ultrasonic signals within an environment. These maximum times are added to define a maximum buffer time period. Ultrasonic signals are emitted sequentially from each of a plurality of emitters, where the ultrasonic signal from each emitter is separated in time by at least one maximum buffer time period. Afterwards, a reverberation and flight time for each ultrasonic signal is determined and then the flight time of the next subsequent emitter is subtracted to define an adjusted emit time for the emitter that emitted that ultrasonic signal. An emitting time for a next subsequent emitter as adjusted to maximize the refresh rate. Emitters are scheduled to emit such that the receiver is always receiving a signal or waiting for actual reverberation. | 08-22-2013 |
20130333441 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CORRECTING FOR TEMPERATURE VARIATIONS IN ULTRASONIC TESTING SYSTEMS - A method and system for correcting for temperature variation in ultrasonic testing systems is disclosed. In one embodiment, an offset is determined for correcting a time of flight measurement, wherein the offset is based on the pulse delays at first and second calibration temperatures. In another embodiment, a factor is determined for correcting a time of flight measurement, wherein the factor is based on clock signal errors at first and second calibration temperatures. | 12-19-2013 |
20140083164 | CALIBRATION OF MEMS SENSOR - A micro electromechanical systems (MEMS) sensor is excited. The response of the MEMS sensor is measured. The MEMS sensor is calibrated. | 03-27-2014 |
20140137633 | TESTERS FOR ACOUSTIC SENSORS - Various embodiments include apparatus and methods to test an acoustic sensor. Apparatus and methods can include collecting an acoustic wave from a transmitter of the acoustic sensor and directing the acoustic wave to a receiver of the acoustic sensor along a path different from the acoustic sensor. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed. | 05-22-2014 |
20140150523 | CALIBRATION OF A WELL ACOUSTIC SENSING SYSTEM - A method of calibrating a distributed acoustic sensing system can include receiving predetermined acoustic signals along acoustic sensors distributed proximate a well, and calibrating the system based on the received acoustic signals. A method of calibrating an optical distributed acoustic sensing system can include displacing an acoustic source along an optical waveguide positioned proximate a well, transmitting predetermined acoustic signals from the acoustic source, receiving the acoustic signals with the waveguide, and calibrating the system based on the received acoustic signals. A well system can include a distributed acoustic sensing system including an optical waveguide installed in a well, and a backscattered light detection and analysis device, and at least one acoustic source which transmits predetermined acoustic signals at spaced apart locations along the waveguide. The device compensates an output of the system based on the acoustic signals as received at the locations along the waveguide. | 06-05-2014 |
20140150524 | Real-Time Monitoring System to Determine Wear of Grate Ribs in Semi-Autogenous Mills, to Detect Clogging Conditions of the Grates During the Operation and to Detect Working Conditions Under Direct Impact of the Balls on the Grates - A real-time monitoring system to monitor the wearing in the thickness of the ribs of a grate of a SAG mill. The grate can have a screening surface that includes a pulp lifter and an external surface that is not exposed to impacts, and can also include a central trough where the supporting elements fit and which allow securing the grate inside the mill through fitting bolts. The system can comprise: a sensor (accelerometer or strain gage) located on the external surface in which the sensor is connected to a sensor adaptor unit; a wireless transmitter connected to the sensor to transmit the signal from the sensor; a wireless receiver for receiving the signal from the wireless transmitter; and a signal reader connected to the wireless receiver which processes the signals received from the sensor. | 06-05-2014 |
20140260523 | RADAR-BASED VIBRATION SENSOR SELF-CALIBRATION METHOD - A method of calibrating a radar-based vibration sensor that includes a radar head coupled to a vibration device includes disposing the vibration sensor at a fixed distance from a target, and transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals toward, and receiving RF signals reflected by, the target. An excitation voltage is supplied, at a plurality of different excitation frequencies, to the vibration device to cause the vibration sensor to vibrate. Vibration sensor acceleration is determined at each of the different excitation frequencies. A calibration curve is generated based on the determined vibration sensor acceleration at each of the different excitation frequencies, and on the reflected RF signals at each of the different excitation frequencies. | 09-18-2014 |
20140360246 | MICRO-ELECTRO-MECHANICAL-SYSTEM RESONANT SENSOR AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME - A micro-electro-mechanical-system (MEMS) resonant sensor includes: a MEMS unit that generates an output signal corresponding to a vibration component of a mass body vibratable between a first driving electrode and a second driving electrode; an automatic gain control (AGC) unit that automatically generates a comparative voltage by controlling a gain of the output signal; and a bias unit that receives a reference voltage and generates a bias voltage using the comparative voltage and the reference voltage, wherein a sinusoidal driving voltage is applied to the first driving electrode and the second driving electrode, and the bias voltage is applied to the mass body. It can maintain the amplitude of the mass body stably in the MEMS resonant sensor, and prevent malfunction of an electronic circuit by reducing a response error of the MEMS resonant sensor. | 12-11-2014 |
20150033822 | DETECTION OF CONTAMINATION STATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR ULTRASONIC SENSOR ASSEMBLY - Systems and methods for detecting a contamination status of an ultrasonic sensor assembly included in a refrigeration appliance are provided. An exemplary refrigerator includes a sensor assembly. The sensor assembly includes a first ultrasonic sensor configured to transmit an ultrasonic signal and a second ultrasonic sensor configured to receive the ultrasonic signal. The refrigerator is configured to perform operations comprising detecting whether the sensor assembly is contaminated based on one or more characteristics of the received ultrasonic signal. An exemplary method includes monitoring a change in a characteristic of a plurality of crosstalk components of a plurality of ultrasonic signals of over a period of time to detect a contaminated state of an ultrasonic sensor. | 02-05-2015 |
20150059432 | CROSS-PATH PHASE CALIBRATION FOR HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE DATA ACQUISITION - In a data acquisition instrument with dual A/D converters in each measurement channel, phase corrections between the paths are computed using a locally generated calibration signal. The calibration signal goes through dual paths simultaneously and is stitched into a single signal for analysis by a processor running a Fourier transform where phase differences are easily identified and used to establish a phase correction signal applied to a single master clock supplying clock signals to both paths. A switch allows the calibration signal to be applied to each channel or to no channels when actual data is being collected. | 03-05-2015 |
20150101390 | METHOD OF CALIBRATING ULTRASOUND VELOCITY - A method of calibrating ultrasound velocity is provided, including receiving an ultrasound non-delayed data set; performing a beam-forming process on the ultrasound non-delayed data set with a plurality of velocities to generate a plurality of aperture images; performing an MAE (Mean Absolute Error) process to obtain a velocity and two sub-aperture images corresponding to an MAE value located within an MAE range; finding a first sub-aperture and a second sub-aperture corresponding to the two sub-aperture images, generating a first aperture image and a second aperture image with corresponding velocity; performing the MAE process on the first aperture image and the second aperture image to generate an image error corresponding figure having an error curve; finding a trend curve according to the error curve; and finding a lowest point of MAE value on the trend curve and finding a velocity correspondingly to obtain the calibrated ultrasound velocity. | 04-16-2015 |
20150114083 | CIRCUIT FOR PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTION DEVICE, PHYSICAL QUANTITY DETECTION DEVICE, ELECTRONIC APPARATUS, AND MOVING OBJECT - A circuit for a physical quantity detection device includes a drive unit that generates a drive signal that causes an vibrator to vibrate, a detection unit that detects a detection signal outputted from the vibrator based on the drive signal, a passive filter which has a filter characteristic in which a cutoff frequency is lower than a detuning frequency and a cutoff frequency band contains a frequency band higher than the cutoff frequency and to which a signal from the detection unit is inputted, and an amplification unit that amplifies a signal from the passive filter. | 04-30-2015 |
20150135799 | FLAW DETECTION SENSITIVITY ADJUSTMENT METHOD AND ABNORMALITY DIAGNOSIS METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC PROBE - A method of adjusting flaw detection sensitivity on an array ultrasonic probe comprises disposing a plate material P | 05-21-2015 |
20150377840 | PHASED ARRAY SYSTEM CAPABLE OF COMPUTING GAINS FOR NON-MEASURED CALIBRATION POINTS - Disclosed is a calibration method and system for non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI). The method and system involve establishment of a reference database by conducting FMC acquisition on a first calibration block having standardly known indications with a first series of depths and under a laboratory standard calibration condition. Then phased-array operation is conducted on a second calibration block, which is substantially the same as the first block, having indications with a series of corresponding user measured depths and under a second calibration condition as close to the laboratory condition as possible. The calibration is then made with the gain compensation calculated based on the response signals from the indications of the second block, the first series of gain data from the reference database, and the user measured depths for the corresponding indications under the second calibration condition. | 12-31-2015 |
20160018460 | TESTING OF ULTRASONIC IMAGING SYSTEMS - Devices and methods for testing the operation of acoustic devices such as ultrasonic probes. The disclosed devices and methods identify failures of individual piezoelectric elements of various types of ultrasonic probes free of family-specific adapters to interface with such probes and free of acoustic coupling fluids or the like to establish acoustic coupling with the probes. In one arrangement, a testing appliance is disclosed that includes a testing unit and first and second probes electrically connected thereto. After an operator has established electrical connections between the first probe and a first contact of a connector assembly of the acoustic probe and between the second probe and a ground return path of the connector assembly, the testing device may pass a current through an electric circuit between the first and second probes and determine one or more corresponding electrical quantities of the circuit for establishing statuses of the probe. | 01-21-2016 |
20160033455 | TRI-MODE PROBE WITH AUTOMATIC SKEW ADJUSTMENT - A probe, including a first input configured to receive a first input signal, a second input configured to receive a second input signal, a first cable connected to the first input, a second cable connected to the second input, an electronically adjustable delay connected to the first cable, the electronically adjustable delay configured to delay the first input signal to remove a skew between the first input signal and the second input signal, and an amplifier configured to receive the first input signal from the electronically adjustable delay and a second input signal. | 02-04-2016 |
20160041130 | AUTOMATIC CALIBRATION METHOD FOR CHECKING BY ULTRASOUND A COMPOSITE MATERIAL STRUCTURE DURING PRODUCTION - A monitoring system comprising ultrasound sensors to monitor the structure of a composite material part during production is automatically calibrated using reference sensors mounted on reference blocks and placed in the production environment of the part. The automatic calibration comprises actuating a reference sensor to transmit an ultrasonic wave and measuring the amplitude of a reference echo constituted by the transmitted ultrasonic wave after it has passed through the reference block. The measured amplitude is compared to a set point value and the gain is applied to the reference sensor to obtain an amplitude value of the reference echo substantially equal to the set point value. The gain applied to the reference sensor is applied to the ultrasound sensors of the same type as the reference sensor. The operation is performed for each reference sensor, and successively for all of the stages of production of the part. | 02-11-2016 |
20160054271 | SENSOR SELF-TEST - A crystal self-test circuit is used to self-test either an acoustic emission crystal or a vibration crystal installed onto one of a bearing, a bearing housing, and a machine. A crystal self-test circuit includes a multiplexer IC, which toggles between a pulse injection configuration and a signal collection configuration. In the pulse injection configuration, the multiplexer IC provides signal communication between a crystal self-test input and the sensing emission crystal. In the signal collection configuration, the multiplexer IC provides signal communication between the sensing emission crystal and a signal analyzer. In operation, the multiplexer IC applies a waveform (preferably a square wave) to the sensing emission crystal over a predetermined time period. The multiplexer IC then toggles to collect the output waveform from the sensing emission crystal and forwards the output waveform to the signal analyzer. The output signal can be amplified by a signal amplifier. | 02-25-2016 |
20160056718 | SENSOR DEVICE AND MONITORING SYSTEM - A sensor device includes a first sensor unit, a control IC configured to switch a power supply route, a power supply, a DC converter, and a regulator configured to regulate the voltage. A power supply route A and a power supply route B is provided as a power supply route from the power supply to the sensor unit and the control IC. In the power supply route A, the sensor unit is not electrically conducted to the power supply, and the control IC is directly connected to the power supply. In the power supply route B, the power supply, the DC converter, and the regulator are connected in series, output of the regulator is supplied to the sensor unit, and output of the DC converter is supplied to the control IC. The control IC switches between the power supply route A and the power supply route B according to an operating state of the sensor unit. | 02-25-2016 |
20160061652 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SEARCHING FOR RESONANT FREQUENCY OF TRANSDUCER - A system for searching for a resonant frequency of a transducer, comprising: an initializing unit ( | 03-03-2016 |
20160061783 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING WITH ACCURATE POSITION - Inspection devices nondestructively sense component shape and integrity such as through ultrasonic sensors. Inspection devices include a positional determinator to give orientation of devices relative to the tested object. True distances and relative boundaries of the object are determined with testing and orientation data regardless of rigid or known inspection device position. Inspection data can be corrected for refraction knowing distances and object boundaries. Inspection devices can include additional inspection components like cameras and lighting to match visual inspection with nondestructive testing data spatially and temporally. Inspection devices can be used with self- or manual-propulsion in a working environment with the inspection object. Inspection devices use an operator or computer processor, local or remotely-connected power sources, and communications structures to power and operate the devices. | 03-03-2016 |
20160091466 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TESTING TRANSDUCER ELEMENTS OF AN ACOUSTIC PROBE - A system and method for testing an acoustic probe having a series of transducer elements adapted to convert between acoustic and electrical signals is provided. The system comprises an acoustic signal generator and a receiver. The acoustic signal generator sends an acoustic signal into at least one of the series of transducer elements of the acoustic probe. An electrical transducer signal generated in response to receipt of the acoustic signal at the selected transducer element. The receiver has a switch to receive the electrical transducer signal from each selected transducer element of the acoustic probe. A display provides an illustration indicative of an operative ability of the selected transducer element of the acoustic probe to convert between acoustic and electrical signals. | 03-31-2016 |
20160109415 | OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS - An object information acquiring apparatus includes: a plurality of detecting elements each receiving an acoustic waves having propagated from an object irradiated with light and outputting an electrical signal; a probe that supports the plurality of detecting elements so that a high-resolution region in which directivity axes of at least part of the plurality of detecting elements converge is formed; a processor acquiring specific information on the object using the electrical signal; and a memory storing correction data for correcting the electrical signals output by the plurality of detecting elements, and used when the processor acquires the specific information. | 04-21-2016 |
20180021814 | ULTRASONIC SENSOR AND CONTROL METHOD THEREFOR | 01-25-2018 |
073100830 | Liquid | 2 |
20120096922 | SAND DETECTOR CALIBRATION - A method of operating an acoustic sand detector deployed at a flowline within a flow system, the detector comprising an acoustic sensor and functioning to produce electrical output signals in dependence on acoustic signals detected by the acoustic sensor, the acoustic signals being at least partially produced by the impact of sand particles within the flow on an object is provided. The method comprises estimating the location of particle impacts on the flowline; and weighting the output signals according to the distance between the estimated location and the detector location. | 04-26-2012 |
20140026634 | DEVICE FOR CALIBRATING AND TESTING ECHOTOMOGRAPHIC EQUIPMENT - A device for calibrating and testing echotomographic equipment comprises an electric motor, a pair screw—female screw, wherein the screw is connected to an outlet shaft of the motor and the female screw is mobile with respect to a supporting plane, so as to transform a rotary motion of the motor shaft into a linear motion, a piston connected to the female screw and linearly mobile, coherently to the female screw, a membrane stressed by the piston, means apt to allow propagating ultrasound waves towards/from said membrane. | 01-30-2014 |
073100840 | Rotary or rotor unbalance | 1 |
20110277535 | METHOD OF MATCHING SENSORS IN A MULTI-PROBE TURBINE BLADE VIBRATION MONITOR - A method of matching sensors in a multi-probe blade vibration monitor for a turbine. The method includes providing at least two probes mounted in a casing of the turbine adjacent to a rotating blade structure of the turbine. Targets are provided on radially outer portions of the blade structure. Each of the probes includes a sensor generating signals corresponding to target passing events, and a set of synchronous harmonics of the rotational speed of the rotor are produced for each sensor. The position of the sensors is adjusted such that the sets of harmonics of the sensors are substantially matched, indicating that the positions of the sensors are matched. | 11-17-2011 |
073100850 | Seismic (e.g., geophone) or with optical sensor | 3 |
20140165694 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF SEISMIC ILLUMINATION MAPS - Methods and systems for quality control of seismic data illumination map generation are described. The quality control is based on determined fold differences calculated using the actual position of the sources and receivers in the determination of the seismic illumination. In another aspect, sub-surface complexity is considered in preparing a map of seismic illumination. The seismic data illumination map can be evaluated in real-time onboard a seismic vessel and included as part of an infill reshoot decision making/quality control process. | 06-19-2014 |
20150293243 | CLOSED LOOP CONTROL TECHNIQUES FOR DISPLACEMENT SENSORS WITH OPTICAL READOUT - In one aspect, an apparatus is disclosed comprising: a housing; a proof mass movable within the housing; an optical element mounted on one of the housing and the proof mass; a reflective element on the other one of the housing and the proof mass; a light source configured to illuminate grating and minor; and one or more detectors configured to detect light incident from the reflective element and the diffractive element and generate a signal indicative of the relative displacement of proof mass and the housing. | 10-15-2015 |
20150323700 | In-Situ System Calibration - A method for re-calibrating installed downhole sensors used in hydrocarbon wells by the application of a calibration string inserted in the wells and deployed in close proximity to the installed downhole sensor. | 11-12-2015 |
073100860 | Reference standard detail | 9 |
20080196475 | POROSITY REFERENCE STANDARD UTILIZING ONE OR MORE HOLLOW, NON-CYLINDRICAL SHAFTS - The invention relates to pseudo porosity standards, and methods for their manufacture and use, which may substantially mimic the effect porosity has on ultrasonic sound as it passes through a composite laminate. An ultrasonic inspection reference standard for composite materials having porosity may include a member having at least one thickness. The member may be defined by at least one hollow, non-spherical shaft. The member may be manufactured from a fiber-free polymer resin using a stereo lithography process. The non-spherical shaft may scatter and attenuate ultrasonic energy. The reference standard may replace more costly, porous, fiber-reinforced, composite reference standards in the aircraft industry and in other non-aircraft applications. | 08-21-2008 |
20130139567 | ULTRASOUND PHANTOM HAVING A CURVED SURFACE - A phantom used in quality assurance and performance tests and/or in pre-purchase testing of ultrasound scanners is provided. The phantom includes a container, a boundary formed within the container, and a curved scanning surface. The container includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a wall mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface to form the container. The boundary is configured to hold a tissue mimicking material. The curved scanning surface is formed in the top surface in a direction towards an interior of the container. The curved scanning surface is shaped to support translation perpendicular to an image plane of an application end of an ultrasound transducer along at least a portion of an axis extending between a first location on the curved scanning surface and a second location on the curved scanning surface. | 06-06-2013 |
20140260524 | PHANTOM, ULTRASOUND SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME, AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURING THE PHANTOM - Provided is a phantom including a medium that is visually transparent, solid particles, included in the medium that are visually transparent and are able to scatter a first ultrasound, and a contrast agent included in the medium that is changed to be in an opaque state from a visually transparent state by irradiation of a second ultrasound. Also provided are an ultrasound system including the phantom, and a method of manufacturing the phantom. | 09-18-2014 |
20140298886 | PHANTOM FOR OPTICALLY MEASURING LIVING BODIES, PHANTOM LAMINATE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD FOR PHANTOM - It is provided a phantom for optical measurement of a living body, with excellent reproducibility at a high precision and capable of simulating various kinds of living tissues such as skin, maculae on skin, blood vessels, red blood cells in blood vessels, blood clots, tumors, fat or the like. A phantom for optical measurement of a living body includes a substrate composed of a thermoplastic resin or a mixture of a thermoplastic resin and an oil, a film provided on at least one main face of the substrate and composed of a hydrophilic resin, and an ink printed pattern fixed on the film and simulating the tissue of a living body. | 10-09-2014 |
20140318213 | TEST APPARATUS AND TEST METHOD FOR ACOUSTIC MICRO-DEVICE - An acoustic micro-device testing apparatus including an acoustic device, at least one device under test (DUT), and a bearing plate is disclosed. The acoustic device provides a testing acoustic source to a first side of the DUT through the main channel and to a second side of the DUT through the side channel. The bearing plate has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface has a chamber sunken into the bearing plate. The second surface has a bearing space sunken into the bearing plate and bearing the DUT. The bearing plate has a main channel connecting the chamber and the DUT and at least one side channel connecting the chamber and the bearing space directly or through the main channel. A cover unit covers the bearing plate so that the bearing space and the chamber form a confined space. The DUT is in the confined space. | 10-30-2014 |
20150059433 | ULTRASOUND PHANTOM HAVING A CURVED SURFACE - A phantom used in quality assurance and performance tests and/or in pre-purchase testing of ultrasound scanners is provided. The phantom includes a container, a boundary formed within the container, and a curved scanning surface. The container includes a top surface, a bottom surface opposite the top surface, and a wall mounted between the top surface and the bottom surface to form the container. The boundary is configured to hold a tissue mimicking material. The curved scanning surface is formed in the top surface in a direction towards an interior of the container. The curved scanning surface is shaped to support translation perpendicular to an image plane of an application end of an ultrasound transducer along at least a portion of an axis extending between a first location on the curved scanning surface and a second location on the curved scanning surface. | 03-05-2015 |
20160025685 | PHANTOM FOR CALIBRATING OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF - A phantom used for calibrating an object information acquiring apparatus that irradiates light into an object and acquires characteristic information inside the object based on an acoustic wave propagated from the object, the phantom comprises a base material; and a simulated tissue portion that simulates a three-dimensional structure of a tissue inside a living body, wherein the simulated tissue portion is disposed inside the base material, and has a simulated layer, which is a layer simulating optical characteristics of the tissue inside the living body, on the surface thereof. | 01-28-2016 |
20160069843 | Sample Disk For Ultrasonic Disk Testing Installations - A sample disc for ultrasonic disc testing equipment includes a cut-out defining a lateral face extending along a radius of the sample disc and along an axis of symmetry of the sample disc. At least one planar sample defect is created through this lateral face of the disc. | 03-10-2016 |
20160097696 | PIEZOELECTRIC VIBRATION SENSOR FOR FLUID LEAK DETECTION - A vibration sensor includes at least one piezoelectric crystal having an upper surface and a lower surface; a base having an attachment section defining an attachment surface and an at least one calibration mass; wherein a one of the at least one piezoelectric crystal upper surface and lower surface attaches to the attachment surface of the base; and wherein the at least one calibration mass is external to the piezoelectric crystal. | 04-07-2016 |