Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
073602000 | With signal analyzing or mathematical processing | 70 |
20080245150 | Three-Dimensional Ultrasonic Imaging Device - The object of the present invention is to provide a the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus for improving accuracy of internal inspection of an object to be inspected and enabling an automatic determination by means of ultrasonic waves. The three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present invention includes: an ultrasonic transducer having a plurality of piezoelectric vibrators; a driving element selecting portion for selecting a piezoelectric vibrator to emit an ultrasonic wave among a plurality of the piezoelectric vibrators; a signal detecting circuit for causing ultrasonic waves emitted by the selected piezoelectric vibrator to enter the object to be inspected, receiving echo reflected from the object to be inspected, and thereby detecting an electric signal corresponding to the reflected echo; a signal processing portion for generating three-dimensional imaging data by subjecting the electric signal corresponding to the detected reflected echo to parallel arithmetic processing; and a display processing device for receiving the three-dimensional imaging data from the signal processing portion, correcting image luminance of the three-dimensional imaging data so as to flatten imaging intensity distribution in the plane direction of the surface of the object to be inspected, and then displaying a corrected result. | 10-09-2008 |
20080257049 | Method for Inspection of Metal Tubular Goods - A method for inspection of tubular goods includes using ultrasonic detection means to obtain wall thickness measurement of discrete sections of a tubular good and recording each measurement in association with both the longitudinal and circumferential position at which each measurement was obtained. Accordingly each measurement of wall thickness represents a small portion of the wall thickness of said tubular in three dimensional space. A plurality of said measurements may thereby be displayed by computer means in virtual three dimensional format. Differing wall thickness readings made be represented by different shading or color display, so that anomalies of interest may be readily detected. Alternatively the recorded information may be readily processed by computer means to calculate the effect of stressors on the wall of said tubular good. | 10-23-2008 |
20080289423 | Automated defect detection of corrosion or cracks using saft processed lamb wave images - A system, method and computer program product is provided for automated defect detection of corrosion or cracks using synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) processed Lamb wave images. The method comprises processing the first image using a synthetic aperture focusing technique (SAFT) to enhance a resolution and a signal to noise ratio of a first extracted ultrasonic image, applying a systemic background noise suppression algorithm to the first extracted ultrasonic image to render a second extracted ultrasonic image having reduced noise, and applying a deconvolution linear filtering process to the second extracted ultrasonic image to render a third extracted ultrasonic image. | 11-27-2008 |
20080295600 | Ultrasound Mapping System By Transmission, Using at Least One Piezoelectric Film - Ultrasound mapping system by transmission, using at least one piezoelectric film. | 12-04-2008 |
20080295601 | ULTRASOUND PREDICTION OF WORKPIECE DEFORMATION - Method of predicting the deformation of a workpiece ( | 12-04-2008 |
20080295602 | Method and System for Sorting Green Lumber - A system for sorting green lumber into groups for drying includes a striking device arranged to provide an impact on one end of a piece of lumber. A vibration sensor is arranged to detect vibrations in the piece of lumber caused by the impact on the piece of lumber by the striking device. A computation device is configured to determine the acoustic velocity of the piece of lumber from the detected vibrations and a length of the piece of lumber. An indication device provides an indication of a one of the drying groups for the piece of lumber based on the determined acoustic velocity. Alternatively, the indication device may be a bin sorter that receives a signal from the computation device and sorts the lumber into a one of the groups in response to the signal, for example. | 12-04-2008 |
20090071252 | ULTRASONIC PROBE HEAD - An ultrasonic probe head, in particular for an ultrasonic flow meter having a housing and an ultrasonic transducer in the housing, wherein ultrasonic signals can be created and/or detected by the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic signals from the ultrasonic transducer can be emitted and/or received via an ultrasonic window. A thin, relatively flexible solid interface layer is provided between the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic window, the surface of the ultrasonic window having contact with the solid interface layer has a specified roughness and the ultrasonic transducer is impacted with a force, wherein the material of the solid interface layer and the ultrasonic window, the specified roughness of the surface of the ultrasonic window and the force are attuned to one another so that the solid interface layer nestles into the ultrasonic window of the housing at least also by plastic deformation. Thus, a passage is created between the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic window that eliminates, at least partially, the known disadvantages between the ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasonic window. | 03-19-2009 |
20090071253 | ACOUSTIC THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS USING GAS AS A COUPLING MEDIUM - An acoustic apparatus adapted to operate in a gas filled space from a first side of an object to be measured for making a non-contact thickness measurement thereof includes an electro acoustic transducer, a transceiver coupled with the electro acoustic transducer and adapted to excite electro acoustic transducer to output an acoustic signal towards the object to be measured and receive an acoustic response signal therefrom, and a signal processor adapted to process the response signal and determine a thickness of the object. The electroacoustic transducer has a transducer-to-gas acoustic interface, and the transceiver is adapted to operate the electroacoustic transducer so as to emit into a gas filled gap an acoustic broad band pulse towards the object and to receive an acoustic resonance response signal in the acoustic response signal at a level that allows acquisition of the resonance response signal above a predetermined signal to noise level. | 03-19-2009 |
20090188320 | METHOD OF AND APPARATUS FOR TESTING WOODEN POLES - A method of testing an elongate wooden element comprises injecting an input acoustic signal into the element, detecting a return acoustic signal at a surface of the element, and determining a spectral profile for the return signal. In at least a predetermined range in the spectral profile, each resonance peak is detected whose amplitude exceeds a first predetermined value, and from the resonance peaks so detected the number of higher peaks is determined whose amplitude exceeds 3 dB. For each of said higher peaks a quality factor Q is calculated, a mean quality value Q | 07-30-2009 |
20090205427 | Device and Method for Determining the Dynamic Elastic Modulus of a Material - The invention relates to the determination of the dynamic elastic modulus of a material, such as a material comprising a mineral binder like cement, or gypsum, or the like, or a polymer, or ceramic, preferably mortar or concrete, in particular shotcrete, using sound, preferably ultrasound waves which penetrate the material and are continuously measured and analyzed. In particular, the invention relates to an apparatus, to a measuring device, and to a method for determining the dynamic elastic modulus of a material using the apparatus. | 08-20-2009 |
20090205428 | ULTRASONIC DETECTION MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING A TUNABLE DIGITAL FILTER WITH 4X INTERPOLATOR - An ultrasonic inspection system utilizes a tunable digital filter with 4× interpolation. The system is used for scanning objects to be tested and includes a transmit/receive device to generate a test signal and receive an echo signal. A signal processing circuit processes the echo signal with one or more digital to analog converters for converting an analog version of the echo signal to a digital echo signal in the form of streaming digital data which is stored in a memory. The data is stored at a first data rate and read out at the second, slower data rate. An averaging decimator receives and processes the data from the memory and supplies it to an IIR filter and subsequently to an FIR filter and ultimately to a box car filter to effect processing thereon which increases the perceived resolution of the data by a given factor, preferably by a factor of 4. | 08-20-2009 |
20090314088 | Differential Ultrasonic Waveguide Cure Monitoring Probe - The present invention is seen to provide a new methodology, testing system designs and concept to enable in situ real time monitoring of the cure process. Apparatus, system, and method for the non-destructive, in situ monitoring of the time dependent curing of advanced materials using one or more differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probes. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe in direct contact with the material to be cured and providing in situ monitoring of the cure process to enable assessment of the degree of cure or cure level in a non-cure related signal variances (e.g., temperature) independent calibrated response manner. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe including a transducer coupled to a waveguide and incorporating correction and calibration methodology to accurately and reproducibly monitor the cure process and enable assessment of cure level via ultrasonic reflection measurements. The amplitude of the corrected interface response signal reflected from the probe-resin interface indicating changes in the modulus of the material during the cure. | 12-24-2009 |
20100083763 | Method for Inspection of Metal Tubular Goods - A method for predicting the performance of tubular goods includes using a computer readable three-dimensional representation of tubular good which includes computer readable measurements of discrete segments of the wall of said tubular acquired by ultrasonic detection means, along with associated data representing the position of discrete segment and optionally ovality data to predict the effect of stress conditions, including tensile, bending, collapse, burst and aging forces upon said tubular and optionally analyzing sequential inspection of the same tubular good over a period of time predict when failure is likely to occur, and to avoid failure while maximizing the use of the tubular good. | 04-08-2010 |
20100126277 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INSPECTING AN OBJECT USING ULTRASOUND - An ultrasound inspection system is provided for inspecting an object. The inspection system includes an ultrasound probe configured to scan the object and acquire a plurality of ultrasound scan data. The inspection system further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and configured to apply a transfer function to the ultrasound scan data to compensate for distortion of a plurality of ultrasound signals through the object and thereby generate a plurality of compensated ultrasound scan data, and to process the compensated ultrasonic scan data to characterize a feature in the object. | 05-27-2010 |
20100132468 | Advanced Ultrasonic Interferometer and Method of Non-Linear Classification and Identification of Matter using Same - An ultrasonic interferometer for the characterization of the matter (solids, fluids & gases) in a medium is described, along with a method of using the same. The interferometer accurately determines the travel time of the multi-frequency ultrasonic signal in the matter that is being queried. By carefully selecting the design of the multi-frequency ultrasound signal, various properties of the material can be derived using a trainable classification system to classify or recognise the substance, or state of a process. The apparatus exploits the normally undesirable higher harmonics characteristics of the piezoceramic transducer to gain penetration through a spatial-frequency window that is not suitable for the higher frequency signals that are required to achieve the measurements. | 06-03-2010 |
20100212429 | ULTRASONIC INSPECTION APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC PROBE APPARATUS USED FOR ULTRASONIC INSPECTION APPARATUS, AND ULTRASONIC INSPECTION METHOD - An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe apparatus including an ultrasonic transducer; a drive element selecting section that selects a required piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit that detects an electric signal dependent on a reflected echo of an ultrasonic wave emitted from the selected piezoelectric vibrator; a signal processing section that produces data on an internal image of the inspection object based on the detected reflected echo; a second display unit that combines multiple pieces of image data acquired from the signal processing section and displays an integrated visualization data result; and an second input unit that is used to perform an operation command such as a command input to start or terminate an inspection or an a command to set inspection condition. | 08-26-2010 |
20100224000 | ULTRASONIC WAVE MEASURING METHOD AND APPARATUS - In a comparison between master data created from a waveform signal of an observed object of an acceptable article and a waveform signal obtained from a non-measured observed object, time phase difference generated in the observed object is corrected, and difference with the master data is detected. As a first stage, quality determination is performed on the non-measured observed object with a long interval master data using the created master data, and the time phase difference is corrected. Then, as a second stage, quality determination is performed with the short interval master data divided on a time axis and the similarly divided waveform signal of the observed object. The time phase difference generated between the observed objects (acceptable article and defective article) is thereby corrected, and quality determination of high accuracy can be performed from the comparison with the waveform signal of the acceptable article. | 09-09-2010 |
20100251820 | Method For Imaging Strain Of A Target Body - The invention is directed toward a new method for estimating and imaging the spatial and temporal mechanical behavior of materials in responses to a mechanical stimulus. This method is designed to work in inherently noisy applications, such as the imaging of the time-dependent mechanical behavior of biological tissues in vivo and using a preferred hand-held configuration of scanning. | 10-07-2010 |
20100251821 | Ultrasonic Measurement Method, Ultrasonic Measurement Apparatus, and Ultrasonic Sensor - An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission. The element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for reception so that the ultrasonic transducer elements selected for reception are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a second line symmetric axis that is perpendicular to the first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for reception. A transmitting element selector selects, as transmitting elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements set by the element selecting circuit. A receiving element selector selects, as receiving elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements set by the element selecting circuit. | 10-07-2010 |
20100275690 | Method For Examining A Medium - The present invention relates to a method for examining a medium ( | 11-04-2010 |
20100288049 | PSEUDORANDOM BINARY SEQUENCE APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IN-LINE INSPECTION TOOL - An in-line inspection tool is disclosed for inspecting the wall of a pipeline while traveling therethrough. The in-line inspection tool may include a transmitter, a signal generator, one or more receivers, and a decoder. The signal generator may generate a pseudorandom signal, generate an inspection signal, and drive the transmitter with a convolution of the pseudorandom signal and the inspection signal. The transmitter may transmit the convoluted signal to the wall of the pipeline. One or more receivers may receive from the wall of the pipeline a received signal comprising at least one of the convoluted signal and a reflection of the convoluted signal. The decoder may identify the inspection signal within the received signal by cross correlating the received signal and the pseudorandom signal. | 11-18-2010 |
20110083511 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD FOR SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC APPARATUS - A signal processing apparatus scans a beam of elastic waves into an object to be examined, acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scan lines, and performs signal processing to form a tomographic image of said object to be examined from the received waveform data of the plurality of scan lines. The signal processing apparatus includes a scan line correlation calculation part ( | 04-14-2011 |
20110088473 | Ultrasonic Method To Verify The Interference Fit Of Fasteners - Embodiments of techniques and technologies to verify the interference fit of fasteners are disclosed. In one embodiment, a transducer is positioned to transmit a shear ultrasonic signal through a region of a fastener which is subject to stress when the fastener experiences an interference fit. The shear ultrasonic signal is transmitted through a region of the fastener subject to the stress. As the transmitted ultrasonic signal encounters the region, it is mode converted corresponding to a degree of interference which the fastener is experiencing. A return ultrasonic signal from the fastener is received with the transducer. From the return ultrasonic signal, a processor determines the degree of interference fit which the fastener is experience and outputs an indication of the same. | 04-21-2011 |
20110088474 | Airborne Laser-Acoustic Mine Detection System - A system and method is provided for using acoustical pulses generated from an airborne laser source to locate objects under water. An array of acoustic sensors, such as passive sonobuoys at the ocean surface, is deployed in known or determinable locations by aircraft. Each area surrounded by acoustic sensors comprises a search cell, within which sonar scattering data can be used to locate objects. Following sonobuoy deployment, the aircraft uses the laser to rapidly generate many laser-acoustic pulse sources within each search cell, which in turn generate spherical acoustic pulses traveling through the water. The acoustic sensors receive the acoustic pulses, either on a direct path or on a scattered path after the pulse strikes an underwater object. The sensors record the acoustic signatures of the received pulses and transmit data of the recorded acoustic pulses to a processor such as processor on a nearby ship. The processor transforms the data of the acoustic signatures, together with data of the known locations of the acoustic sensors and the locations of the laser-acoustic pulse sources, into data of a location of the underwater objects. | 04-21-2011 |
20110126624 | SEQUENTIALLY FIRED HIGH DYNAMIC RANGE NDT/NDI INSPECTION DEVICE - An apparatus for performing ultrasonic inspection of an object, during one measurement on the object, triggers a sequence of excitations of the probe system and receives a sequence of substantially identical echo signals reflected from the object, and further scales each echo signal to different degrees to increase and extend the dynamic range of the echo signals. An A/D converter is then used to digitize the scaled signal sequentially in a manner which dispenses the need for using numerous A/D converters and the associated filters. The digitized signal samples are then combined to produce a single digital output in a manner that is not over-flowed and with desirable resolution. | 06-02-2011 |
20110126625 | Ultrasonic Measurement Method, Ultrasonic Measurement Apparatus, and Ultrasonic Sensor - An ultrasonic measurement method and an ultrasonic measurement apparatus are capable of performing an inspection for a short time with a high SN ratio and a small variation (that depends on an inspection direction) in sensitivity in a process for detecting a defect in all directions at 360 degrees using a matrix array sensor without performing mechanical scanning in all directions, while reducing noise that is caused by a bottom surface echo. An element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for transmission from among ultrasonic transducer elements that constitute a two-dimensional array sensor so that the ultrasonic transducer elements for selected for transmission are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for transmission. The element selecting circuit selects a group of a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements for reception so that the ultrasonic transducer elements selected for reception are arranged in line symmetry with respect to a second line symmetric axis that is perpendicular to the first line symmetric axis to set the group selected for reception. A transmitting element selector selects, as transmitting elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements set by the element selecting circuit. A receiving element selector selects, as receiving elements, the ultrasonic transducer elements set by the element selecting circuit. | 06-02-2011 |
20110132091 | METHOD FOR THE NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF OBJECTS USING ULTRASOUND - The invention relates to a method for processing signals which are generated by the reflection of ultrasonic waves by defects in the surface of objects during the non-destructive testing of objects such as pipes, bars, sheet metal, or uniform and complex carbon-fiber components. Said method comprises the following steps: emission of a complete wavefront onto at least one test section of the object, using a plurality of independent emission elements; receiving a wave reflected by the structure of the object by means of a plurality of receiver elements that are independent of one another; digitalization of the signals received by the receiver elements in digitizing steps; continuous modification of delay values and/or the number of receiver elements for each digitalization step (on-the-fly). | 06-09-2011 |
20110203374 | ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS - An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, a transmitter for configured to supply a signal to the ultrasonic probe and forming an ultrasonic beam, a receiver configured to receive a reception signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam to an object, a signal processor configured to form an ultrasonic image on the basis of the reception signal, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, and a control unit configured to control the transmitter, the receiver, the signal processor and the display unit, comprising a setting unit configured to set an operation mode of the transmitter to a low power consumption operation mode or a high spatial resolution operation mode. | 08-25-2011 |
20110232385 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING - A photoacoustic imaging apparatus includes a signal processor. The signal processor includes an adding unit configured to add received signals obtained by acoustic wave detecting devices to obtain a summed signal, a normalizing unit configured to normalize the summed signal for each acoustic wave detecting device with reference to an amplitude value in the received signal in the acoustic wave detecting device at the time when a maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained to obtain a normalized signal, a reducing unit configured to subtract the normalized signal from the received signal for each acoustic wave detecting device to obtain a reduced signal in which the amplitude value in the received signal at the time when the maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained is reduced, and an imaging unit configured to generate image data using the reduced signals. | 09-29-2011 |
20110232386 | ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTING APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTING METHOD - According to one embodiment, An ultrasonic flaw detecting apparatus comprising: a transducer in which a piezoelectric element array for transmitting ultrasonic waves to and receiving echo signals from a test object; an element driving unit for scanning the piezoelectric element array at a predetermined cycle and causing the ultrasonic waves; a synthesizing unit for synthesizing an internal image of the test object based on the echo signals received by the piezoelectric element array; and a signal replacing unit for replacing the received echo signal with an echo signal in which a bottom echo of the test object is removed. | 09-29-2011 |
20110247418 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING A COMPRESSOR - A system for monitoring compressor anomalies includes an acoustic energy detector connected to the compressor and a controller in communication with the acoustic energy detector. The acoustic energy detector transmits an acoustic energy signal reflective of acoustic energy produced by the compressor to the controller. At least one sensor connected to the compressor measures an operating parameter of the compressor and transmits a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, A method for monitoring compressor anomalies includes sensing acoustic energy produced by the compressor and transmitting an acoustic energy signal reflective of the acoustic energy to a controller. The method further includes sensing at least one operating parameter of the compressor, transmitting a parameter signal reflective of the operating parameter to the controller, and transmitting an output signal based on the acoustic energy signal and the operating parameter signal. | 10-13-2011 |
20110290026 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DETECTING CONTAMINANTS - Systems and methods are provided for detecting contaminants associated with a target. In one embodiment, a system is provided that comprises a tunable laser configured to transmit an illuminator pulse at a target for a predetermined time duration and a laser Doppler vibrometer system configured to transmit a probe pulse at a surface of the target within the predetermined time duration. The laser Doppler vibrometer system is further configured to detect and analyze at least one return pulse of the probe pulse to determine a surface expansion velocity of contaminants associated with the target due to the illuminator pulse. | 12-01-2011 |
20110290027 | Method for Inspection of Metal Tubular Goods - A method for predicting the performance of tubular goods includes using a computer readable three-dimensional representation of tubular good which includes computer readable measurements of discrete segments of the wall of said tubular acquired by ultrasonic detection means, along with associated data representing the position of discrete segment and optionally ovality data to mathematically calculate, by computer means, the effect of stress conditions, including tensile, bending, collapse, burst and aging forces upon said tubular and optionally analyzing sequential inspection of the same tubular good over a period of time predict when failure is likely to occur, and to avoid failure while maximizing the use of the tubular good. | 12-01-2011 |
20120073374 | ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS - An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is disclosed that is capable of eliminating deterioration of the S/N of the ultrasonic image while suppressing enlargement of the circuit size. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of transducers arranged for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined. A transmission unit is provided for supplying a drive signal to each of the transducers, and a reception unit is provided for phasing/adding and receiving a reflected echo signal received by each transducer. The apparatus also includes an image processing unit for reconfiguring an ultrasonic image based on the reflected echo signal received. The transmission unit divides the plurality of transducers into a plurality of groups, supplies a common drive signal to the transducers belonging to the same group, and performs focus control by group units. | 03-29-2012 |
20120085174 | Transducer Array Imaging System - The embodiments contemplate methods and devices for communicating an acoustic emission via an array of transducers and wirelessly communicating data via a transceiver, where the transceiver may be in communication with the array of transducers. Embodiments also contemplate providing power for the acoustic emission via a power source and providing information regarding a temperature sensor to the transceiver. The wirelessly communicated data may include the information regarding the temperature sensor. Embodiments also contemplate processing the wirelessly communicated data at a relatively remote location with respect to both the power source and the temperature sensor. | 04-12-2012 |
20120167688 | High Precision Corrosion Monitoring Sensor Assembly and System - A high-precision corrosion monitoring sensor assembly is provided for permanent mounting on a vessel to measure wall thickness of the vessel. The assembly includes an ultrasonic transducer and a delay line, which are bonded to the vessel wall a first location. The assembly is further bonded to the vessel by an adjustable fixture. The assembly includes a cross-member attached to the ultrasonic transducer, having a pivot pin at each distal end. The pivot pins are attached to a first tower and a second tower, which bond to the outer vessel wall at a second location and a third location. The position of the first and second towers can be adjusted with respect to angle and placement about the pivot pins. Fasteners are attached to the pivot pins and can be tightened to make rigid the fixture, thereby allowing configuration of the assembly for use on flat surfaces and small-diameter pipes. | 07-05-2012 |
20120192650 | DETECTION SYSTEM AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF - A signal processing method is adapted for dealing with a plurality of vector matrixes to detect the image of a predetermined range, and the vector matrix data are generated by reflecting a plurality of ultrasonic beams in the predetermined range. The signal processing method of the present invention is that summing all vector matrix data in a predetermined time interval so as to generate a total correlation matrix. In addition, obtaining a correlation matrix through the total vector matrix multiplied by a transposed total vector matrix, and obtaining a weight value according to inversion correlation matrix. Then, a weighting operation is performed for the vector matrix data in the predetermined time interval according to the weight value, so as to obtain a weighting operation result for performing an image synthesis procedure. | 08-02-2012 |
20120216617 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE ULTRASOUND TESTING - Methods, systems and computer program products for nondestructive ultrasound imaging are provided. An example method defines a plurality of subarrays, each comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The method transmits a plurality of ultrasound beams from each of the plurality of subarrays, each ultrasound beam being transmitted at a preset beamsteering angle. Subsequent to each transmit, the method receives, at the array, a plurality of ultrasound reflections corresponding to the plurality of ultrasound beams. For each point to be imaged, the method selects one set of received element data for each of the plurality of subarrays. The selected set of element data corresponds to an ultrasound beam having a focal point closest to the point to be imaged. Finally, the method reconstructs a point to be imaged based on the selected received element data, and constructs an ultrasound image by repeating this process for each point to be imaged. | 08-30-2012 |
20120227499 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REAL TIME MONITORING OF TUBE SYSTEMS - The internal state of a tube system is detected and monitored by coupling multiple inspection modules to the tube system. Each inspection module injects a signal into the tube system and detects reflections of the signals. The distance between the module and the fault causing a reflection is determined by analyzing the timing between the transmitted signal and detected reflection, along with a known propagation speed of the signals. The location of faults is determined by comparing the distance calculations from two or more inspection modules. Monitoring can be performed over time to identify the development or changes of faults. Monitoring can be done while tube system is active without disrupting the flow of material through the active tube system. | 09-13-2012 |
20120272738 | TRANSDUCER ARRAY IMAGING SYSTEM - Embodiments contemplate methods and devices for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. An ultrasound echo wave may be received at a first transducer element of a transducer array in a handheld probe. The ultrasound echo wave may also be received at a second transducer element of the transducer array. The ultrasound echo wave may also be received at a third transducer element of the transducer array. The handheld probe may process into digital data the ultrasound echo wave received at the first transducer element and the ultrasound echo wave received at the second transducer element. The processing may preclude data representative of the ultrasound echo wave received at the third transducer element from being included in the digital data. The processing may include reducing the digital data and the reduced digital data may be transmitted to a location relatively remote from the handheld probe. | 11-01-2012 |
20120285248 | PHOTOACOUSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING THE SAME - Provided is a photoacoustic apparatus capable of recognizing variation in reception characteristic among a plurality of receiving elements that detect an acoustic wave in the photoacoustic apparatus, with a simple configuration unique to the photoacoustic apparatus. | 11-15-2012 |
20120297881 | ULTRASONIC SCANNING WITH LOCAL GAIN INTERVALS - A device is disclosed that, in an illustrative embodiment, includes an input line, a main gain component, a first local gain component, and a second local gain component. The main gain component, the first local gain component, and the second local gain component each have a communicative connection with the input line. The main gain component is configured for applying a main gain to an ultrasonic wave signal received via the input line, thereby providing a main gain signal. The first local gain component is configured for applying a first local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a first signal gate, and thereby providing a first local gain signal. The second local gain component is configured for applying a second local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a second signal gate, and thereby providing a second local gain signal. | 11-29-2012 |
20130000408 | Self Diagnostic Composite Armor - A system incorporating sensor enhanced composite armor structure. The structure has one layer including ceramic tiles and ceramic-material transducers, wherein the ceramic tiles and the transducers fit closely together so that the one layer is ballistically windowless. The structure has other layers composed of armor material stacked with the one layer, the one layer and the other layers forming a plate which as a unit has a set or group of fundamental frequencies. The system includes logic means to analyze only signals resulting from vibrations transmitted from the one transducer to the other transducer through the one layer. The logic means thereby derives a signal fingerprint which characterizes a state of damage to the plate. | 01-03-2013 |
20130019685 | SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS, CONTROL METHOD, SIGNAL PROCESSING SYSTEM, AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD - There is provided a signal processing apparatus including a signal processor for processing a signal to be received from or to be transmitted to a vibrator constituting a probe, and a controller for controlling a signal processing parameter of the signal processor to lower a performance of the signal processor when a motion parameter showing a characteristic of a motion of the probe is large. | 01-24-2013 |
20130061678 | OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING METHOD - This invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus including a probe for receiving, as a received signal, an acoustic wave which is generated within an object irradiated with light and propagates on an object surface, and a processor for generating object information, which is information based on an internal optical characteristic value of the object, by using intensity of the received signal. The processor corrects the intensity of the received signal by using the reflectance upon the acoustic wave entering the probe which is calculated based on the angle of the acoustic wave entering the probe, and on the acoustic impedance and acoustic velocity of the object and the probe. | 03-14-2013 |
20130068026 | Ultrasonic Inspection Method and Ultrasonic Inspection Apparatus - An ultrasonic inspection method and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus are provided, in which bending of a propagation path of an inspection object in three dimensions is considered. The ultrasonic inspection method includes calculating the ultrasonic propagation path by using three-dimensional shape data of the inspection object and information relating to a position and a direction of an ultrasonic sensor, giving spatial coordinates along the calculated ultrasonic propagation path to each point of sound field intensity data of an ultrasonic wave received in time series by the ultrasonic sensor, and displaying ultrasonic inspection data obtained by using the sound field intensity data and the spatial coordinates. | 03-21-2013 |
20130104657 | Ultrasonic Particle Measuring System | 05-02-2013 |
20130139599 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MEASURING SIGNAL USING SINC FUNCTION - This disclosure describes an apparatus for sensing a target using a sinc function, a surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor system including the same, and a method of measuring a target using a sinc function. The apparatus for measuring a target using the sinc function may measure an output signal from a SAW sensor with high precision and reliability. | 06-06-2013 |
20130152690 | FOREIGN BODY DETECTING - A self-service terminal has a fascia | 06-20-2013 |
20130167645 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AN ORIENTATION OF A DEFECT PRESENT WITHIN A MECHANICAL COMPONENT - A technique is provided for determining an orientation of a defect present within a mechanical component using at least one ultrasonic head that applies ultrasonic signals to the mechanical component starting from various measurement points. Echo ultrasonic signals reflected by a point to be analyzed present within the component back to the measurement points are received by the same or a different ultrasonic head. A data processing unit analyzes the received echo ultrasonic signals as a function of a sound emission direction between each measurement ping and the point to be analyzed for determining the orientation of the defect. A distance between the measurement point and the point to be analyzed is calculated for every measurement point as a function of a signal propagation time between the point in time of emitting the ultrasonic signal and the point in time of receiving the echo ultrasonic signal reflected by a defect. | 07-04-2013 |
20130220017 | NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION APPARATUS FOR DETECTING INTERNAL DEFECT OF CONCRETE STRUCTURE USING ULTRASONIC WAVES - A non-destructive inspection apparatus for detecting an internal defect in a concrete structure using ultrasonic waves is provided, in which a transmission probe and a reception probe are injected into tubes within a concrete pile, a pulley is connected to the transmission and reception probes by a cable, a drum is connected to the pulley, includes a drum controller, receives data from the transmission and reception probes and the pulley, and conducts wireless communication, and a main body receives a signal from the drum controller of the drum and conducts wireless communication by ZigBee. | 08-29-2013 |
20140013849 | ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD - An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring data including a first plane and a second plane. The system and method includes adjusting a first orientation of the first plane and automatically adjusting a second orientation of the second plane in order to maintain a fixed relationship between the second plane and the first plane. | 01-16-2014 |
20140230556 | Ultrasonic Test Equipment and Evaluation Method Thereof - An ultrasonic test equipment includes: a signal generating mechanism that generates a voltage waveform; an ultrasonic transmitting mechanism that excites ultrasonic vibrations having a lower frequency than a predetermined frequency to an object to be tested; an ultrasonic receiving mechanism that receives an ultrasonic response from the object to be tested; an AD converting mechanism that digitizes the received ultrasonic waveform; an analyzing mechanism that performs frequency analysis of the digital ultrasonic waveform digitized by the AD converting mechanism; an evaluating mechanism that extracts a variation of a nonlinear ultrasonic component from a frequency component of the digital ultrasonic wave obtained by the frequency analysis, compares the variation with defect data information in a defect information database, identifies a physical quantity of defect information of the object to be tested, and evaluates a defect in the object to be tested; and a control mechanism that partly or entirely controls a measurement system. | 08-21-2014 |
20140283611 | SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF ADAPTIVE FOCUSING IN A PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC SYSTEM - Disclosed in the present disclosure is a phased array system configured to ultrasonically inspect test targets complex surfaces while employing the surface profiling capability of phased-array linear and sectorial scans. Adaptive focusing is employed for inspecting the test target by using customized apertures according to the surface profiles to generate a plurality of beams that are evenly and thoroughly spaced along a scan line inside the test target. | 09-25-2014 |
20140290368 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR REMOTE POSITION TRACKING OF AN INDUSTRIAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING PROBE - A freestanding ultrasonic probe or transducer position relative to the inspected object is remotely tracked with a wireless transmitter/receiver or an optically based positioning system. Either type of positioning system generates a time stamped or commonly clocked positional data set that are sent to a post data processing module. The post data processing module creates a 3-D model of the inspected object, including location and size of indications in the inspected object, utilizing the positional data and inspection data generated by an ultrasonic testing instrument coupled to the freestanding probe/transducer. | 10-02-2014 |
20140331772 | ULTRASONIC MEASURING SYSTEM HAVING A REDUCED MINIMUM RANGE AND METHOD FOR DETECTING AN OBSTACLE - An ultrasonic measuring system is described for detecting an obstacle using a resonant transducer element for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse and for generating a received signal which includes the ultrasonic echo pulse reflected from the obstacle, the transducer element generating a decay signal having its resonance frequency after transmitting an ultrasonic pulse. The ultrasonic measuring system includes an evaluation unit having a control unit which is designed to activate the transducer element for transmitting the ultrasonic pulse with the aid of a frequency-modulated transmitted signal generated by the control unit, the frequency modulation taking place with the aid of a modulation signal in such a way that the to signature of the ultrasonic pulse differs from that of the decay signal. The evaluation unit is designed to recognize the echo pulse based on an evaluation of a correlation signal which is generated with the aid of at least one correlation filter and which originates from the correlation of the signal generated by the resonant transducer element with the transmitted signal. Furthermore, a corresponding method is provided for detecting an obstacle with the aid of ultrasound, as well as a vehicle assistance system having the ultrasonic measuring system. | 11-13-2014 |
20140345384 | Generator Retaining Ring Scanning Robot - A system and method for the inspection of cylindrical components using an ultrasonic transducer assembly. The system and method comprise a robot disposed on a track secured about the circumference of the cylindrical component and adapted to carry the ultrasonic transducer along the track to inspect the component. A computer system is adapted to receive scan data from the transducer assembly and construct a three-dimensional representation of the scanned portion of the component. | 11-27-2014 |
20140352437 | ULTRASONIC MEASURING DEVICE, ULTRASONIC IMAGE DEVICE, AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ULTRASONIC IMAGE - An ultrasonic measuring device including: an ultrasonic transducer device; an emission unit for emitting an ultrasonic beam; a reception unit for receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected by a test subject; and a processing unit for processing reception, wherein the processing unit identifies a transfer function with respect to the ultrasonic transducer device and the test subject based on a first reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a first area in the test subject, a second reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a second area in the test subject, and a third reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a third area located between the first area and the second area in the test subject, and performs ultrasonic image generation processing including filter processing using a deconvolution filter including the transfer function performed on the reception signals. | 12-04-2014 |
20140360271 | OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS - An object information acquiring apparatus comprises a light irradiation unit that irradiates an object with light; an acoustic probe that receives an acoustic wave generated within the object; a first data processing unit that generates a first image representing information within the object, on the basis of an acoustic wave received by the acoustic probe; a template acquisition unit that divides the first image into a plurality of regions on the basis of a spatial resolution within the image, and acquires a plurality of pieces of template data according to characteristics of each region after division; and a second data processing unit that performs deconvolution processing using corresponding template data with respect to each of the regions after division to generate a second image. | 12-11-2014 |
20150007659 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING - A photoacoustic imaging apparatus includes a signal processor. The signal processor includes an adding unit configured to add received signals obtained by acoustic wave detecting devices to obtain a summed signal, a normalizing unit configured to normalize the summed signal for each acoustic wave detecting device with reference to an amplitude value in the received signal in the acoustic wave detecting device at the time when a maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained to obtain a normalized signal, a reducing unit configured to subtract the normalized signal from the received signal for each acoustic wave detecting device to obtain a reduced signal in which the amplitude value in the received signal at the time when the maximum amplitude value in the summed signal is obtained is reduced, and an imaging unit configured to generate image data using the reduced signals. | 01-08-2015 |
20150013462 | ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND PROBE - In order to reduce the variation of transmitting and receiving sensitivity among a plurality of CMUT cells, an ultrasound diagnostic device comprises: a plurality of CMUT cells each having a vibrating membrane that vibrates when ultrasound is transmitted to or received from a subject; an upper electrode and a lower electrode disposed facing each other on mutually opposite sides of each of the CMUT cells to apply a bias voltage to each of the CMUT cells by a bias power supply; and transmitting and receiving correction units for each correcting the voltage supplied from the bias power supply by using a function using at least one parameter of the thickness and resonance frequency of the vibrating membrane of each of the CMUT cells. | 01-15-2015 |
20150059478 | METHOD AND MEASURING ARRANGEMENT FOR MONITORING OPERATIONAL STATES OF A SLIDE BEARING - The operational state of a slide bearing is monitored by determining measurement values that characterize noise emissions in the slide bearing using a sensor element which is mechanically coupled to the slide bearing. A characteristic value is calculated from determined measurement values and the operational state of the slide bearing is classified according to the characteristic value. | 03-05-2015 |
20150135838 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING AN ENVELOPE FOR ULTRASONIC SIGNALS - A method and apparatus for envelope detection are disclosed. An envelope detection method according to an embodiment of the invention can include: receiving ultrasonic signals reflected off a target object; detecting peaks by using differences in pulses in the received signals; and generating an envelope by connecting the detected peaks with straight or curved lines. | 05-21-2015 |
20150300995 | NONDESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION USING CONTINUOUS ULTRASONIC WAVE GENERATION - Methods and apparatus are disclosed for analyzing structures by applying a continuous ultrasonic excitation and measuring steady state response of the structures using laser Doppler vibrometery, or other techniques. In one example, a method comprises applying a continuous signal having one or more periodic tones to the structure, generating measurements of wave response to the signal at each of a plurality of inspection points of the structure, and, for each of the periodic tones, estimating wavenumbers for a number of the inspection points of the structure based on the wave response measurements and the frequency of the periodic tones. The estimated wavenumbers can be used to determine properties of the structure, including defects, damage, or variation in thickness. | 10-22-2015 |
20150323506 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETERMINING AN ORIENTATION OF A DEFECT PRESENT WITHIN A MECHANICAL COMPONENT - A technique is provided for determining an orientation of a defect present within a mechanical component using at least one ultrasonic head that applies ultrasonic signals to the mechanical component starting from various measurement points. Echo ultrasonic signals reflected by a point to be analyzed present within the component back to the measurement points are received by the same or a different ultrasonic head. A data processing unit analyzes the received echo ultrasonic signals as a function of a sound emission direction between each measurement ping and the point to be analyzed for determining the orientation of the defect. A distance between the measurement point and the point to be analyzed is calculated for every measurement point as a function of a signal propagation time between the point in time of emitting the ultrasonic signal and the point in time of receiving the echo ultrasonic signal reflected by a defect. | 11-12-2015 |
20160033453 | ULTRASONIC DETECTION OF A CHANGE IN A SURFACE OF A WALL - A change in a surface of a wall is detected by transmitting a pulse of input ultrasonic vibrations into a proximal surface of the wall and then receiving ultrasonic vibrations from that proximal surface. The received ultrasonic vibrations are compared with a previously detected pulse of output ultrasonic vibrations that have been received from the proximal surface in order to identify, for example, a time of arrival of a current pulse of output ultrasonic vibrations. The time of arrival of this current pulse of output of ultrasonic vibrations may be used to detect a change in the surface of the wall, such as a change in the thickness of the wall. Other embodiments can detect a change in the roughness profile of the wall using changes in the received ultrasonic vibrations other than arrival time. | 02-04-2016 |
20160076990 | Device and Method for Detecting and Analyzing Deposits - The present invention relates to a device for detecting deposits in a reflection area inside a liquid-bearing system comprising an ultrasonic transducer for emitting an ultrasonic emission signal towards the reflection area and a first detection means for detecting an ultrasonic reflection signal obtained by reflection of the ultrasonic emission signal in the reflection area, wherein a second detection means is disposed in the reflection area, the second detection means being configured to detect a specific kind of deposit. | 03-17-2016 |
20160116445 | Photoacoustic Imager and Photoacoustic Image Construction Method - A photoacoustic imager includes a light source portion, a detection portion that detects a photoacoustic wave signal caused by a photoacoustic wave generated from a detection object in a specimen that absorbs light applied from the light source portion, and a signal processing portion that corrects a reduction in the signal intensity of the photoacoustic wave signal resulting from attenuation of the photoacoustic wave and generates a photoacoustic wave image by prescribed signal processing. | 04-28-2016 |
20160152052 | DETERMINATION APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING TYPE OF RECORDING MEDIUM AND IMAGE FORMING APPARATUS USING THE SAME | 06-02-2016 |
20170234837 | ACOUSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD | 08-17-2017 |