| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080294354 | System and method for detecting structural damage - A system and method for detecting structural damage is provided that utilizes a general order perturbation methodology involving multiple perturbation parameters. The perturbation methodology is used iteratively in conjunction with an optimization method to identify the stiffness parameters of structures using natural frequencies and/or mode shape information. The stiffness parameters are then used to determine the location and extent of damage in a structure. A novel stochastic model is developed to model the random impact series produced manually or to generate a random impact series in a random impact device. The random impact series method or the random impact device can be used to excite a structure and generate vibration information used to obtain the stiffness parameters of the structure. The method or the device can also just be used for modal testing purposes. The random impact device is a high energy, random, and high signal-to-noise ratio system. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20090048789 | Optimized Embedded Ultrasonics Structural Radar System With Piezoelectric Wafer Active Sensor Phased Arrays For In-Situ Wide-Area Damage Detection - The present subject matter is direct to apparatus and methodologies for performing omnidirectional (360°) damage detection in a thin-wall structure using a planar embedded piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) phased array. Virtual beamforming for the array is implemented through either a transmission process by selective energizing selected sensors or by a signal post-processing procedure. Sensors may be embedded in a thin-walled structure as planar or circular arrays to achieve omnidirectional damage detection. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090055106 | METHOD FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING USING A SMART SENSOR SYSTEM - The structural health monitoring method of the present invention utilizes a sensor system to determine information about deformation, stress and/or damage in structural elements. The sensor system and the method employ at least one sensor which comprises a material having fully-reversible nonlinear elasticity. The method comprises associating at least one sensor including a material having fully-reversible nonlinear elasticity with a structural element in a manner whereby stress is transferred from said structural element to said sensor, propagating ultrasound through a portion of the sensor, receiving the ultrasound which has been propagated through at least a portion of the sensor and determining information about the structural element from attenuation and/or time of flight of said received ultrasound. | 02-26-2009 |
| 20090070048 | Acoustic structural integrity monitoring system and method - A method and system is disclosed for detecting structural damage in a structure by detecting acoustic emissions from damage in a structure to obtain acoustic emission data, and processing the acoustic emission data in accordance with a model characterising acoustic paths. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090105967 | DEFECT INSPECTION APPARATUS AND DEFECT INSPECTION METHOD - An object of the present invention is to quantitatively evaluate a distribution of defects which are generated within an inspection material. In order to achieve this object, the present invention provides a defect inspection apparatus comprising: an ultrasonic wave probe; an ultrasonic wave transmitting and receiving device that irradiates ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic wave probe onto a surface of an inspection material on which a predetermined propagation medium has been provided, and that also receives as noise signals ultrasonic waves that have been scattered by defects present in the interior of the inspection material; a frequency spectrum calculation device that performs time division on the noise signals so as to divide them into time widths that correspond to positions in the depth direction of the inspection material, and calculates a frequency spectrum for each one of the time-divided noise signals; and a defect distribution detection device that, based on the frequency spectrums, calculates values showing a level of defect progression corresponding to a position in the thickness direction of the inspection material. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090132181 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DETECTING FLAWS IN WELDED TUBULARS - The system provides first and second sensor assemblies and processor that work in cooperation to detect flaws in welded tubulars. The first sensor detects and provides an indication of the weld line to the processor, which analyzes the indication and determines the approximate location of the weld line along the tubular. The processor then transmits a signal to the second sensor assembly, which is preferably mounted on an automatic positioning apparatus. In response to the signal, the automatic positioning apparatus adjusts and readjusts the position of the second sensor assembly into proximity with the weld line to search for flaws in the tubular. | 05-21-2009 |
| 20090150094 | GUIDED WAVES FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF PIPES - A method for the nondestructive testing of pipeline, and internal or external coatings, using guided ultrasonic waves excited from the inside or outside diameter, wherein at least two transducers are employed to send and receive ultrasound, wherein a data normalization scheme is employed to account for transducer variability, and wherein the hardware arrangement has a number of pulser channels and a number of receiver channels for the collection and storage of signals. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090150095 | Ultrasonic Method For Detecting Banding In Metals - A method for non-destructively detecting the presence of banded regions in a metal is described. The method involves sending an ultrasonic wave into the metal and obtaining reflected signals. The reflected signals are compared with each other to determine variations in signal intensity. A banded region within the metal can be observed as a weaker reflected signal than a reflected backwall signal, thus accurately identifying a location of banding within the metal. Metal articles with a low percent of banding are also described. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090177414 | DIAGNOSTIC TOOL FOR AN ENERGY CONVERSION APPLIANCE - A diagnostic tool for an energy conversion appliance, which may be a heating, ventilating or air conditioning appliance, comprises a sound receiving transducer ( | 07-09-2009 |
| 20090204344 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR NONDESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF MATERIALS AND STRUCTURES - A method and apparatus for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of structures and materials using a highly nonlinear medium for the generation and detection of one or multiple highly nonlinear pulses (or highly nonlinear waves) impinging on a material or structure. The apparatus includes pulse exciters that induce the propagation of highly nonlinear, weakly nonlinear or linear stress waves in the material, system, or structure to be inspected and/or detectors for the observation and the detection of the output waves from the material/structure being tested. The NDE method includes the use of the tunable highly nonlinear apparatus as impulse exciter alone, or in combination with an accelerometer or a nonlinear sensor to detect the outgoing pulse. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090204345 | METHOD FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF STRESS DISTRIBUTION IN ACOUSTIC THERMOGRAPHY APPLICATIONS - In a method for the optimization of stress distribution on an object to be tested for flaws by ultrasound excitation and evaluation based on resulting surface temperature distribution, —a simulation is performed under test conditions on a CAD model of the object prior to a testing an object, —vibrational spectra and modal vibrational forms are calculated, —local mechanical stresses are determined from the vibrational modes, whereby—modes to be excited for the real test are selected from the entirety of the occurring modes such that, —the mechanical stress lies in a selected region above a predetermined minimum stress to enable a reliable proof of defect, —the mechanical stress in all other regions of the inspection part, in particular on easily damaged component structures, is smaller than a predetermined maximum stress by a predetermined factor, in order not to damage the component at weak points. | 08-13-2009 |
| 20090248323 | SYSTEM, PROGRAM PRODUCT, AND RELATED METHODS FOR REGISTERING THREE-DIMENSIONAL MODELS TO POINT DATA REPRESENTING THE POSE OF A PART - A system, program product, and method to perform automated three-dimensional image registration of a part within an inspection cell, are provided. The system can include a laser-ultrasound inspection device having a scanning head to generate ultrasonic surface displacements in a part, an inspection laser, and an interferometer to collect phase modulated light reflected by the part. The system can also include a part position locator positioned to measure a distance between points on a surface of the part and a scanning laser reference location. The system can also include a database containing computer-aided design models for each part of interest, and a model of the inspection cell. The system can further include a laser ultrasound inspection computer communication with the laser-ultrasound detection device and the part position locator, and laser ultrasound inspection program product adapted to perform automated three-dimensional image registration of the part. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090287427 | VISION SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MAPPING OF ULTRASONIC DATA INTO CAD SPACE - A system and method for the analysis of composite materials. Laser ultrasound measurements of composite materials are correlated to the shape and position of the composite article. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090312957 | METHOD FOR ASSESSING A STATE OF A DOCUMENT OF VALUE WITH REGARD TO LIMPNESS USING ULTRASOUND, AND MEANS FOR CARRYING OUT THE METHOD - In a method for assessing a condition of at least one value document with regard to limpness, there is determined from transmission values representing the ultrasound transmission at different places on the value document a condition value which depends on a variation of the transmission values and characterizes the condition of the value document with regard to limpness. A condition of the value document is determined for the condition value using a preset criterion. | 12-17-2009 |
| 20090319198 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR IDENTIFYING THE FAILURE RISK OF A CONFINEMENT BUILDING - A method for identifying the failure risks of a confinement building, in particular a confinement building made of concrete for stocking or storing a product, includes the following steps: from data concerning the building and/or the product, determining a planned theoretical behaviour of the building during the filling phase of the building with the product to be stored; determining a real behaviour of the building during the filling phase of the building with the product; and determining the failure risks by comparing the theoretical and real behaviours. The method of the invention can also be applied to an emptying phase of the confinement building. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20100030492 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING HEALTH INDICATORS FOR ROLLING ELEMENT BEARINGS - A method includes receiving an input signal containing information associated with a rolling element bearing and/or a piece of equipment containing the rolling element bearing. The method also includes decomposing the input signal into a frequency-domain signal and determining at least one family of frequencies corresponding to at least one failure mode of the rolling element bearing. The method further includes generating a reconstructed input signal using the at least one family of frequencies and the frequency-domain signal. In addition, the method includes determining, using the reconstructed input signal, an indicator identifying an overall health of the rolling element bearing. The indicator could be determined using a baseline signal associated with either (i) normal operation of the rolling element bearing and/or the piece of equipment or (ii) defective operation of the rolling element bearing and/or the piece of equipment (where a severity of the defective operation will increase over time). | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100030493 | METHOD FOR NON-INTRUSIVE ON-LINE DETECTION OF TURBINE BLADE CONDITION - A system for on-line detection of incipient cracks in turbine blades to serve as early warning system for turbine blade failure. The system of non-intrusive detection of turbine blade condition of the invention is simple and cost effective and would enable assessing the health of the turbine blade during plant operation, which is extremely important for the safe operation of the turbine in an operating power plant. The present method and system of identifying the presence of modulated blade passing frequency (BPF,) for blade vibration that is not co-relatable to the change in the operating condition and would thus be indicative of presence of cracked blades with incipient cracking. It is capable for verifying the Campbell diagram and ascertain the margin available between the natural frequency of the blade/stage and the steam excitation frequencies/engine orders. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100042337 | MEASURING METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR COMPONENTS, IN PARTICULAR FOR PISTONS AND PISTON ENGINES - The invention relates to the non-destructive measurement of components, in particular the functional assessment of the bonding of cast-in parts, eg. in pistons for internal combustion engines. With such a measurement or functional assessment, it is a question of assessing the function and completeness of the bonding between the base material and the material cast in or otherwise joined. The quality of the component or its suitability for a specific purpose can thus be assessed and/or quality monitoring of the production process, e.g. in the foundry or during production, can take place. According to the invention, this purpose is served by a multi-stage correction procedure, wherein the measured values ascertained by means of a suitably devised measuring arrangement and method, e.g. using ultrasound, are subjected to a multi-stage determination process, which minimises universally and for each individual measurement the disturbing factors which, being inherent in the system, occur in the measurement and ascertains therefrom the desired results. A correspondingly devised system minimises both error influences, which occur in the performance (especially with the setting-up/adjustment) of such a measurement, as well as measurement errors and incorrect assessments in the performance of the measurement, which occur due to geometrical tolerance deviations or differences between a number of components to be measured or due to differences in the material or structural composition, as well as other disturbing influences. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100042338 | Structural Health Monitoring Apparatus and Methodology - Disclosed is an apparatus and methodology for structural health monitoring (SHM) in which smart devices interrogate structural components to predict failure, expedite needed repairs, and thus increase the useful life of those components. Piezoelectric wafer active sensors (PWAS) are applied to or integrated with structural components and various data collected there from provide the ability to detect and locate cracking, corrosion, and disbanding through use of pitch-catch, pulse-echo, electro/mechanical impedance, and phased array technology. Stand alone hardware and an associated software program are provided that allow selection of multiple types of SHM investigations as well as multiple types of data analysis to perform a wholesome investigation of a structure. | 02-18-2010 |
| 20100106431 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC TESTING - An apparatus and a method for ultrasonic testing obtains high-resolution and high-S/N ratio testing results by driving a number of piezoelectric elements using fewer pulsers and receivers in comparison with the number of elements composing an array transducer. A sensor information setter sets a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for transmission and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for reception among the plurality of piezoelectric elements composing an ultrasonic array transducer. A computer transmits an ultrasonic wave from the element cluster set for transmission, and stores an ultrasonic wave received by the element cluster set for reception. The procedure is repeated including different element cluster sets for transmission and reception to obtain first receive signals. The first receive signals are summed to obtain a second receive signal; and the second receive signal is displayed with reference to the sensor center position on a display unit. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100106432 | ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTOR AND ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION METHOD - An ultrasonic probe issues an ultrasonic wave to an object, receives a reflected wave from an object, and is provided with multiple piezoelectric elements. A three-dimensional display section displays three-dimensional flaw detection data superimposed on three-dimensional shape data of an object. The computer acquires a reflected ultrasonic wave signal from a reference object (reference). Based on the acquired signal, the computer corrects a reflected ultrasonic wave signal acquired from another object having the same material and shape as the reference. The computer allows the three-dimensional display section to display three-dimensional flaw detection data generated from a reflected ultrasonic wave signal resulting from a difference between a reference and an object. | 04-29-2010 |
| 20100161246 | FAULT DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A fault detection system for a fastener ( | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100185402 | MULTI-PROBE RAIL SCANNING/ENCODER SYSTEM AND CERTIFIED METHOD OF USE THEREOF - A rail scanning system and certified method of use thereof are described. The rail scanning system comprises a control unit, a probe carriage, and an encoder. The probe carriage comprises two or more phased array probes. The control unit is communicatively coupled with the encoder and phased array probes of the probe carriage. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100250151 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR AUTOMATIC WEDGE IDENTIFICATION FOR AN ULTRASONIC INSPECTION SYSTEM - The invention disclosed herein provides a method and system for automatic wedge identification for an ultrasonic inspection system and includes the steps of coupling a given probe wedge to a phased array system. Ultrasonic pulses are applied from the phased array system to the given probe wedge and, thereafter, time of flight of the ultrasonic pulses through the given probe wedge are measured. By calculating at least one of several parameters such as a wedge angle, a height of a first probe element and a wedge acoustic velocity the given probe wedge may be identified. | 09-30-2010 |
| 20100274502 | Monitoring of Composite Materials - In a particular system for monitoring of a composite workpiece, at least one ultrasonic testing transducer is mounted to a surface of the composite workpiece and configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic energy to and from the composite workpiece during mechanical loading of the composite workpiece. An ultrasonic pulser/receiver is operatively coupled to the at least one ultrasonic testing transducer. A computing system is operatively coupled to the ultrasonic pulser/receiver. The computing system includes a data acquisition component configured to acquire data from the ultrasonic puller/receiver and a data analysis component configured to analyze the acquired data. The data analysis component may be further configured to analyze the acquired data for initiation of failure of the composite workpiece and/or growth of failure of the composite workpiece. Further, failure of the composite workpiece may include cracking and/or delaminating and/or disbonding. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100305877 | LASER-BASED ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENTS OF CELLULAR CERAMIC BODIES DURING THERMAL PROCESSING - Laser-based ultrasonic (LBU) systems and methods for measuring at least one material property of a ceramic cellular ceramic body during thermal processing are disclosed. The method includes subjecting the ceramic cellular ceramic body to a temperature cycle within an interior of an oven having first and second windows. For a plurality of temperatures within the temperature cycle, the cellular ceramic body is irradiated with a modulated laser beam through the first window. This modulated irradiation is sequential at one or more first locations and generates acoustic waves in the cellular ceramic body over a plurality of acoustic paths. The method also includes sequentially irradiating the cellular ceramic body through the second window using a detection laser beam. This probe irradiation is sequential at one or more second locations that correspond to the one or more first locations so that the acoustic waves associated with the plurality of optical paths are detected. The method also includes calculating from the detected acoustic waves at least one material property of the ceramic cellular body as a function of temperature. | 12-02-2010 |
| 20110087443 | Three-Dimensional Visualization and Analysis Method and System for Non-Destructive Examination of a Rotor Bore using Ultrasound - A method and apparatus for three-dimensional (3D) visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a rotor bore using ultrasound. Data is acquired by scanning the rotor bore with an ultrasound pulser/transducer producing a plurality of one-dimensional ultrasound scans, each scan having a plurality of sample points. Each sample point is associated with a voxel of a regular 3D grid having a plurality of voxels. A Gaussian kernel is associated with each sample point and a value for a particular voxel is determined based on a weighted sum of sample points whose kernels cover the particular voxel. The values for the other voxels of the regular 3D grid are determined similarly. A 3D visualization of the rotor bore can be displayed to a user. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110087444 | SYSTEM FOR ULTRASONICALLY DETECTING DEFECTS IN A PIPE WALL - A system for detecting defects in a pipe wall, comprises an ultrasonic transducer which is arranged for emitting, via an exit opening, ultrasonic signals from the interior of the pipe towards its wall and for receiving, via an entrance opening, backscattered signals from the wall. The system is arranged to emit and receive a multitude of signals having their main directions within a plane mainly perpendicular to the pipe axis. The openings are configured to make the ultrasonic transmission signal diverge and/or to receive back signals from a diverging range of angles over a large area of the pipe wall, by using openings with a diameter with magnitude of the wavelength of the ultrasonic signals. Sets of emitted and backscattered signals for different emission and reception positions are processed, in processing means, to form an image based on transmission times between emission and reception of backscattered signals. | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110106457 | Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing structural screening - Methods, systems, and computer program products for performing structural screening. Methods include applying pre-defined filter criteria to measurements resulting from an inspected structure operable for eliminating measurement data falling below a designated threshold. Methods further include identifying a baseline defect size associated with the inspected structure. The baseline defect size indicates a largest defect capable of being undetected during inspection. Methods also include identifying tolerance levels relating to the inspected structures factoring in the baseline defect size and attributes of the inspected structure, comparing results of the applying pre-defined filter criteria with tolerance levels identified, and determining a risk of cracking for the inspected structure based upon the comparing. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110118991 | MULTI-FREQUENCY BOND TESTING - A multi-frequency bond-testing system using acoustic probes in conjunction with NDT/NDI inspection instruments. Bond-testing of test objects is carried out at multiple discrete frequencies to produce a single, combined amplitude C-scan. Alternatively, or in combination, the system provides a single, combined phase C-scan to enable proper interpretation of the C-scans. Amplitude and/or phase readings on test objects are normalized at the selected frequencies relative to tests performed on a defect-free object at those frequencies. In this manner, the non-linear behavior of a bond-testing probe over a frequency range chosen for a given inspection is compensated for. The invention enables providing more easily interpretable and sharper images which enable a more reliable and faster reading and identification of defects in the test objects. | 05-19-2011 |
| 20110191035 | Corrosion Monitoring - A method of modelling a surface of an object by using ultrasonic waves transmitted along the surface comprises the steps of:
| 08-04-2011 |
| 20110196622 | System and Method for Measuring Damage Length - The damage length measurement system has an object being measured that comprises a plurality of members is vibrated by an oscillator, and the vibration that propagates through the object being measured is detected by three sensors. A measurement apparatus analyzes that vibration wave, and measures the arrival time of the maximum peak. Using the fact that the time for a wave to propagate between two vibration detection sensors separated by a set interval is fixed, the measurement apparatus determines whether the difference in arrival time between two sensors is within a set reference range that includes the vibration propagation time between two vibration sensors. When the measurement apparatus determines that the difference is not within the set reference range, uses the fact that that wave is delayed compared to the wave that was to be detected. | 08-11-2011 |
| 20110238328 | IDENTIFYING DEGRADED FANS IN DATACENTERS - A method for identifying a degraded fan measures acoustic data from an operating datacenter fan. A motor rotation frequency and a vane passing frequency are determined from the acoustic data. Amplitudes of the frequencies are determined from the acoustic data. If the amplitude of the motor rotation frequency is greater than the amplitude of the vane passing frequency, then it is determined that the fan is degraded. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110270537 | NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION METHOD WITH OBJECTIVE EVALUATION - A method of non-destructive inspection evaluation includes converting a scan file of a part into a text file, determining whether the signal attenuation representative value is greater than a predetermined value and outputting a numeric score related to the signal attenuation representative value to signify a defect. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110282593 | WELD CHECK STATIONS - A method of manufacture for a portable computing device is described. In particular, methods and apparatus for assessing a quality of weld joints used to connect one or more components of the portable computing device are described. The weld joints can include one or more weld points. At a weld check station, using a vector network analyzer, a test signal generated can be passed through the weld joint and a response signal can be measured. The measured characteristics can be used to assess a quality of the weld joint. In one embodiment, the vector network analyzer can be used to generate a number of high frequency test signals that are passed through the weld to perform a time domain reflectometry measurement where the weld joint can be accepted or rejected based upon the measurement. | 11-17-2011 |
| 20110320139 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR TESTING A BUNDLE OF TUBULAR OBJECTS GUIDED BY A COMPUTING DEVICE - Exemplary embodiments of method and system for guiding a tester of a bundle of similar objects are disclosed. The disclosed embodiments may obtain a picture of the bundle of the similar objects. The image may be processed in order to identify the bundle of similar objects to be tested. Then, the system may determine which object of the similar objects to measure and accordingly it may instruct a tester to associate an object-measuring device with the determined object to be measured. Upon receiving a trigger signal issued by the tester, information is collected regarding the test results of the measured object and information on the location of the measured object. Then the process can proceed for additional objects in the bundle. | 12-29-2011 |
| 20120035862 | Apparatus and Method for Inspecting Laminated Structure - Disclosed is an apparatus, method and system for inspecting structures, and more particularly for evaluating the condition of a structure. The disclosed nondestructive inspection testing method and apparatus enables an operator to assess the condition of a structure, such as a composite laminate part and determining the location and depth of anomalies. The method includes generating a subsurface longitudinal ultrasonic wave signal at a high incidence angle into a structure being evaluated and collecting at least one of any front, back or side reflected wave data. The method may include processing the reflected wave data to determine the condition of the structure, including any anomalies that may have been detected and their location, size and shape. | 02-09-2012 |
| 20120059600 | STRUCTURAL DAMAGE DETECTION SYSTEM, DEVICE AND METHOD - The present invention relates to a structural damage detection method for detecting damage of a structure. The method comprises scanning the surface of the structure with a tapper tapping with a tapping force at a predetermined frequency band while scanning; measuring the response signals transmitted from the surface of the structure; transforming the measured signals to acquire the signal spectrum at each position of the structure surface; intercepting from the signal spectrum a spectrum envelope; calculating a damage indicator at each position of the structure surface; and determining a position where the damage indicator changes abruptly as a position of structural damage. The present invention further relates to a structural damage detection system utilizing the structural damage detection method and a structural damage detection device for use therein. | 03-08-2012 |
| 20120109540 | IMMERSION-TYPE ULTRASOUND FLAW DETECTION DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND FLAW DETECTION SYSTEM - It is intended to provide an ultrasound flaw detection device of an immersion-type that is inserted into a tube and is capable of moving smoothly within the tube just with water pressure, as well as an ultrasound flaw detection system. The ultrasound flaw detection device which detects abnormalities within the tube while moving in the tube by pressure of water flow, includes: an ultrasound flaw detector which is divided into a plurality of parts and includes an ultrasound probe | 05-03-2012 |
| 20120191377 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ULTRASONIC TESTING - A method performs ultrasound testing of a test body having a hole extending in an axial direction. The method include disposing a test head within the hole. The test head extends in the axial direction and has sensor rings which are at a distance from one another and are disposed one behind the other in the axial direction. The sensor rings have a plurality of ultrasound transducers which are at a distance from one another. The ultrasound transducers disposed in a segment of each of the sensor rings extend in a circumferential direction of a respective sensor ring on at least a subsection of a circumference of the respective sensor ring. An ultrasound test pulse is injected into the test body. Measured values of first and second echo signals are evaluated to determine at least one of a location or an orientation of a fault in the test body. | 07-26-2012 |
| 20120203474 | Structural Health Monitoring System - The present invention relates to a structural health monitoring system, for example a system used in the non-destructive evaluation of an aircraft structure. The present invention provides a method and apparatus for evaluating one or more anomalies within a structure using a structural health monitoring system that includes at least three transducers arranged in operative contact with the structure such that no two transducers are aligned to be parallel. A transducer excites an elastic wave that propagates through the structure, and reflections from any anomalies within the structure are collected by the three transducers. These collected signals are analysed to identify an anomaly within the structure. Time of flight techniques are used to determine the location of the anomaly. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120209538 | Determination of the Remaining Life of a Structural System Based on Acoustic Emission Signals - In accordance with the present disclosure, a method of using acoustic emission data to predict the state of a structural element is described. The method includes capturing acoustic emission data for a structural element. The method further includes predicting the future stress intensity in the structural element using the captured acoustic emission data and calculating the probability of future failure of the structural element using the predicted future stress intensity. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120253697 | MODEL-BASED METHOD FOR MONITORING THE CONDITION OF ROTOR BLADES - The invention relates to a method for monitoring the condition of rotor blades for wind turbines. It is therefore the object of the invention to increase the accuracy of the monitoring of the condition of rotor blades of wind turbines and to allow a localization of faults or defects and their exact description. In the method in accordance with the invention, eigenvibrations of a rotor blade occurring globally at the rotor blade and locally guided elastic waves are permanently detected with time and spatial resolution using a sensor network and actuator network attached to the rotor blade or using a network arrangement of ultrasound transducers. In addition, elastic waves which are guided periodically at predefinable time intervals and which are respectively emitted by an actuator or ultrasound transducer and detected by sensors or ultrasound transducers are in so doing inspected for variations of the emitted waves. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120253698 | INTEGRATED PHASED ARRAY TRANSDUCER, SYSTEM AND METHODOLOGY FOR STRUCTURAL HEALTH MONITORING OF AEROSPACE STRUCTURES - The invention provides an integrated Phased Array (PhA) structural radar transducer, permanently bonded to a structure, that can provide reliable electromechanical connection with corresponding miniaturized electronic SHM device installed above it. The integrated PhA transducer consists of a set of aligned piezo-electric discs with wrap around electrodes for transceiving of elastic ultrasonic waves, plurality of electrical traces and contact pads, several layers of a flexible printed circuit board, electromagnetic shielding between channels and overall, one electromechanical multi-pinned connector and all that integrated into one small unit easy for surface installation by bonding and final application on real structures. The integrated PhA transducer, as a key component of SHM (Phased Array Monitoring for Enhanced Life Assessment) system, has two principal tasks to reliably transceive elastic waves and serve as a reliable sole carrier or support for associated sophisticated SHM electronic device attached above. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120278004 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING HEALTH OF AIRFOILS - A method for monitoring the health of one or more blades is presented. The method includes the steps of generating a signal representative of delta times of arrival corresponding to the rotating blade, generating a reconstructed signal by decomposing the signal representative of the delta times of arrival utilizing a multi-resolution analysis technique, wherein the reconstructed signal is representative of at least one of static deflection and dynamic deflection in the rotating blade. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120310551 | THREE-DIMENSIONAL MATRIX PHASED ARRAY SPOT WELD INSPECTION SYSTEM - A system for characterizing a spot weld including an acoustic probe that further includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array, wherein the transducer elements are operative to generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions; a phased array excitation unit coupled to the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements; and a controller coupled to the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120316796 | SYSTEM FOR BEARING FAULT DETECTION - The present invention is directed an ultrasonic frequencies fault detecting apparatus. The present invention uses high frequency ultrasonic energy signals to analyze bearings and determine the presence of faults therein. The ultrasonic return signals are heterodyned (by amplitude demodulation) into the audio spectrum for purposes of audio detection. In addition, a FFT spectrum of the signal is displayed on a monitor for more accurate results. According to the present invention software is used to automatically analyze the FFT spectrum by comparing the current spectrum with stored spectrums of known bearing conditions as modified based on the rotary speed of the bearing and the number of balls. Once a defect in a bearing has been located in this manner using automated FFT analysis, an operator can then use a device, such as a calibrated lubricant dispenser, to effectuate maintenance and/or repair. | 12-13-2012 |
| 20120330569 | THERMAL ACOUSTIC IMAGING METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING DEFECTS IN AN OBJECT - In accordance with the disclosed embodiments, Thermal Acoustic Imaging (TAI) methods, systems and apparatus are provided for detecting defects in an object being inspected. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20120330570 | STRUCTURAL DAMAGE INDEX MAPPING SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for detecting and evaluating structural defects are provided. Baseline data representative of sensed ultrasonic waves that were transmitting into a structure with no defects are stored. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted into the structure from a plurality of actuators that are coupled to the structure. The ultrasonic waves that are transmitted into the structure from the plurality of actuators are sensed, with a plurality of sensors that are coupled to the structure and spaced apart from the actuators, to thereby generate and supply sensor data. Signal difference coefficients are calculated from the baseline data and the sensor data. The calculated signal difference coefficients are spatially mapped to detect one or more structural defects in the structure. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130041597 | METHOD FOR INSPECTING AN OBJECT BY MEANS OF ULTRASOUND - A method for inspecting an object by means of ultrasound, for example for detecting a wall thickness of the object or for detecting defects in the object, wherein in a step a. at least one ultrasonic pulse is transmitted into the object on a first position of a surface of the object, the ultrasonic pulse is received on a second position of the surface of the object possibly by propagating directly towards the second position along the surface of the object or possibly as a result of reflection and/or diffractions of the pulse in the object so that the transmitted pulse may result in more than one pulse being received at different moments in time and wherein a data signal is generated representing the received pulses and the associated moments in time wherein these pulses are received wherein step a. is repeated for other first positions and/or second positions for generating a first set of data signals and wherein the first set of data signals obtained in the plurality of steps a. are processed for generating processed signals on the basis of which a To FD image can be obtained, wherein the processing for obtaining the processed data signals comprises at least three processing steps. | 02-14-2013 |
| 20130054154 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ASSESSING INHOMOGENEOUS DEFORMATIONS IN MULTILAYER PLATES - A method and device for evaluating inhomogeneous deformations in a first wafer bonded by molecular adhesion to a second wafer. This evaluation method includes the steps of making at least one reading of a plurality of measurement points, the reading corresponding to a surface profile of the first wafer along a predefined direction and over a predefined length, computing a second derivative from the measurement points of the surface profile and evaluating a level of inhomogeneous deformations in the first wafer according to the second derivative. | 02-28-2013 |
| 20130080076 | EXAMINATION SYSTEM FOR CRYSTALLINE SILICON SOLAR CELL - The examination system contains a vibration device, a signal generation device, an audio collection device, and a processing device. A crystalline silicon solar cell is placed on the vibration device. The signal generation device drives the vibration device to vibrate and the crystalline silicon solar cell is synchronously vibrated at a high speed. The audio collection device collects sound from the vibration and the processing device analyzes the sound to determine if the crystalline silicon solar cell has internal cracks or not. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130096848 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC ROLLING-ELEMENT BEARING FAULT DETECTION - A method of automatically detecting a rolling-element bearing fault in a rotating machine is provided. The method includes receiving, from at least one sensor, a sensor signal that includes at least one frequency, converting the sensor signal to a digital vibration signal, modifying the vibration signal to generate an envelope signal, and applying a transform to the enveloped signal to generate an envelope spectrum. The method uses certain relationships among envelope spectral line amplitudes and their harmonics to detect bearing faults. As such, the method detects a bearing fault without reference to predefined fault frequencies. Systems for implementing the method are also provided. | 04-18-2013 |
| 20130132002 | METHOD OF DETERMINING A SIZE OF A DEFECT USING AN ULTRASONIC LINEAR PHASED ARRAY - A method and apparatus for determining a dimension of a defect in a component is disclosed. A linear array of acoustic transducers is used to propagate a focused ultrasonic beam along a first focal line. The focused ultrasonic beam is moved across the defect in a first array direction substantially perpendicular to the first focal line. The dimension of the defect is determined from at least one reflection of the focused ultrasonic beam from the defect as the focused ultrasonic beam moves across the defect. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130191042 | COMPONENT INSPECTION USING A CURVED TRANSDUCER ARRAY - An example component inspection method includes directing a wave from a curved array of transducer elements toward a component. The method forms the wave using focal law calculator software. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130197822 | PHASED ARRAY SCANNING INTO A CURVATURE - A system for use in determining a location of a defect in an object is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic phased array configured to provide a sector scan of the object, a display, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a volume-corrected view of a sector of an ultrasonic inspection of the object on the display, wherein the object has a first surface defined by a first radius and a second surface defined by a second radius that is shorter than the first radius, receive gate parameters of a gate used to measure a location of a reflection of a beam emitted from the ultrasonic phased array, wherein the reflection is indicative of a defect on the first surface or the second surface, and calculate a location of the defect using the gate. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130197823 | METHOD OF AGGREGATING DATA COLLECTED BY NON-DESTRUCTIVE ULTRASONIC ANALYSIS OF CRIMP QUALITY - An ultrasonic pulse is transmitted through a crimping tool that compresses a ferule circumscribing a braided multiple strand wire, thereby forming a crimp therebetween. A first received pulse is received from the first transmitted pulse after passage through the crimp. Data is collected from a first transmit window divided into a series of user-defined time periods that include the first transmitted pulse, a delay period following the first transmitted pulse, the first received pulse, and a lag period that extends from the end of the first received pulse to a second transmitted pulse that initiates a second transmit window. The lag period includes a second received pulse generated by delayed signals received from the first transmitted pulse and dead periods that occur before and after the second received pulse, the dead periods substantially lacking signal information from the first transmitted pulse. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130197824 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ULTRASONIC TESTING - An apparatus and a method for ultrasonic testing obtains high-resolution and high-S/N ratio testing results by driving a number of piezoelectric elements using fewer pulsers and receivers in comparison with the number of elements composing an array transducer. A sensor information setter sets a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for transmission and a plurality of piezoelectric element groups used for reception among the plurality of piezoelectric elements composing an ultrasonic array transducer. A computer transmits an ultrasonic wave from the element cluster set for transmission, and stores an ultrasonic wave received by the element cluster set for reception. The procedure is repeated including different element cluster sets for transmission and reception to obtain first receive signals. The first receive signals are summed to obtain a second receive signal; and the second receive signal is displayed with reference to the sensor center position on a display unit. | 08-01-2013 |
| 20130204543 | Hull Inspection System - A hull inspection system useable for inspecting a hull of a maritime vessel passing a water volume at a first velocity, the system comprising: pulse emitting means, for being placed in the water volume and for emitting energy pulses into said water volume; sensing means, for being placed in the water volume, and being connected to the pulse emitting means, for sensing and measuring travelling time of energy pulses reflected by the passing vessel; a sensor data processing unit; connected to the sensing means, for processing data from the sensor means; a vessel data furnishing unit, connected to the sensor data processing unit, for providing vessel velocity data to the sensor data processing unit; wherein a three-dimensional representation of the hull of the maritime vessel is created based on data acquired by a procedure involving combination of data from a number of consecutive sensing means linear scans, and wherein the consecutive linear scans are acquired at consecutive moments in time, thereby enabling creation of a three dimensional representation of the hull. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130261987 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF IDENTIFYING TYPES OF FAULTS - A computing device includes a communication interface for receiving a plurality of signals from a first probe positioned on a first observation plane of a machine component and a second probe that is positioned on a second observation plane of the machine component, wherein the plurality of signals are representative of data from the machine component. A processor coupled to the communication interface is programmed to combine the signals received from the first and second probes to generate a plurality of displacement responses that correspond to a plurality of frequencies of a speed of the machine component. The processor is also programmed to transform the signals to eliminate a plurality of split resonance effects. The processor may also generate data representative of an output of the data received from the signals to identify a type of at least one fault within the machine component. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130261988 | METHOD FOR PERFORMING CONDITION MONITORING IN A WIND FARM - A method for performing condition monitoring on a plurality of wind turbines arranged in a wind farm is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: for each wind turbine, obtaining at least one vibration signal, each vibration signal representing vibrations of one or more monitored components of the wind turbine, e.g. moving gear parts or bearings; generating a plurality of faulty frequency indexes, each faulty frequency index corresponding to a monitored component, each faulty frequency index being generated on the basis of one or more of the obtained vibration signals, and each faulty frequency index being generated in such a manner that variations in the vibration signals introduced by variations in rotational speed of one or more rotating shafts of the wind turbine are filtered out; comparing faulty frequency indexes originating from different wind turbines of the wind farm; and based on the comparing step, evaluating the condition of each of the monitored components of the plurality of wind turbines. The method allows vibration levels of components to be easily compared on wind farm level, and faulty or failing components are easily and reliably detected. | 10-03-2013 |
| 20130289895 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ASSESSING THE QUALITY OF ADHESIVELY BONDED JOINTS USING ULTRASONIC WAVES - A method is provided for assessment of quality of an adhesively-bonded lap joint, wherein the joint includes a first metal plate, a second metal plate and an adhesive therebetween. The method includes sending ultrasonic waves normally to the surface of a sample outside of the joint where the sample has a first sample metal plate with the same properties as does the first metal plate at an assessment point of the joint. Reflected waves from the sample joint as a reference waveform are recorded. Wideband ultrasonic waves are sent normally to the surface of the joint at the assessment point. Reflected waves of the ultrasonic waves from the joint are recorded. A waveform of the reflected waves from the joint and reference waveform are analyzed to determine an informative parameter. The informative parameter is compared with a threshold value to assess quality of the joint. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130289896 | REAL-TIME PAVEMENT PROFILE SENSING SYSTEM USING AIR-COUPLED SURFACE WAVE - A non-contact testing system and method using acoustic sensors and a mobile sensing system using this system and method is disclosed. The leaky surface wave is recorded with directional microphones. A fast inversion analysis algorithm is introduced to estimate the shear velocity profile and elastic modulus for the subsurface layers of pavement structures, using the dispersion curves obtained from the acoustic signals. An electrical hammer is used to produce impact impulses automatically. A mobile sensing system is integrated on a mobile cart to perform the mobile subsurface sensing for pavement structures. | 10-31-2013 |
| 20130297231 | Automated Method of Ultrasonically Scanning Cutters While on the Bit for Crack Detection - An apparatus and method for determining a condition of a cutter coupled to a drill bit is disclosed. A support is configured to dispose the drill bit and the cutter at a selected location. A positioning device positions an ultrasonic transducer relative to the drill bit. The ultrasonic transducer and generates an ultrasonic pulse. A reflection of the ultrasonic pulse at a reflective surface of the cutter is obtained at the ultrasonic transducer. A processor receives the reflected pulse and forms an image of the reflective surface of the cutter using the reflected ultrasonic pulse while the cutter is coupled to the drill bit. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130338941 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEFECT DETECTION IN COMPOSITE STRUCTURES - Methods and apparatus for non-destructive testing of a composite structure utilizing sonic or ultrasonic waves. In response to a wideband chirp wave sonic excitation signal transmitted from a probe to the composite structure, a probe signal received is correlated with a library of predetermined probe signals and a graphical representation of defects detected is generated. The graphical representation provides detailed information on defect type, defect location and defect shape. Also contemplated is a probe for non-destructive testing of a composite structure comprising three or more transducers wherein each transducer is separately configurable as a transmitter or as a receiver; and a controller coupled to each of transducer for providing signals thereto and receiving signals therefrom, wherein the signals provided thereto include signals for configuring each transducer as either a transmitter or a receiver, and signals for providing an excitation signal from each transducer which is configured as a transmitter. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20140039809 | METHOD OF DETECTING DEFECTS OF A ROLLING BEARING BY VIBRATION ANALYSIS - A method of detecting defects in a rolling bearing ( | 02-06-2014 |
| 20140074410 | DETECTION AND MEASUREMENT OF DEFECT SIZE AND SHAPE USING ULTRASONIC FOURIER-TRANSFORMED WAVEFORMS - A system may include a data analysis device that is configured to receive from an ultrasonic waveform detector ultrasonic waveform data representative of an ultrasonic waveform that propagated through a sample and resonated within a defect within the sample. The data analysis device may be further configured to select a portion of the ultrasonic waveform data, apply a Fast Fourier Transform to the portion of the ultrasonic waveform data to transform the portion from a time domain to a frequency domain, identify a characteristic frequency of the portion in the frequency domain, and determine a characteristic of the defect based on the characteristic frequency of the portion. In some examples, the characteristic of the defect may be at least one of an approximate size or an approximate shape of the defect. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140074411 | INSULATOR INSPECTION APPARATUS AND METHOD - An insulator inspection tool and method for identifying defects or conditions that may prevent the insulator from performing properly is disclosed. The apparatus includes a launcher adapted to launch a projectile towards an insulator being tested, a listening device adapted to receive a response signal from the insulator upon being struck by the projectile, and a processing device adapted to measure the response signal received by the listening device and process the response signal to determine whether the insulator contains any defects or conditions. | 03-13-2014 |
| 20140129155 | DETECTION OF PIPELINE CONTAMINANTS - A computer-implemented method, system, and/or computer program product detects contaminants in a pipe that is transporting a known fluid. A baseline vibration pattern is established from readings generated by a smart sensor that is affixed to the pipe. This baseline vibration pattern is caused by a flow of the known fluid as the known fluid travels through the pipe in an unadulterated form. Subsequent readings from the smart sensor are taken to generate a new vibration pattern. In response to the new vibration pattern being different, beyond a predefined range, from the baseline vibration pattern, the new vibration pattern is matched to a known vibration pattern in order to identify a specific contaminant of the known fluid. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140180606 | METHODS OF ANALYSING APPARATUS - Engine health monitoring is used to assess the health of an engine, such as a gas turbine engine. Blades mounted on a shaft produce a modal response when excited. The shaft has an order related component that varies with the rotational velocity of the shaft. Modal responses are increased when the natural frequency range of the selected blade mode intersects with one of the order related components. By applying a short time chirp-Fourier transform with a frequency speed that is a function of a rate of change in the rotational velocity of the shaft a selected signal can be isolated. Cracks in the blades can be detected from the isolated signal. | 06-26-2014 |
| 20140236500 | METHOD FOR PROCESSING AN ULTRASONIC ANALOG SIGNAL, DIGITAL SIGNAL PROCESSING UNIT AND ULTRASONIC INSPECTION DEVICE - The invention relates to a method for processing an ultrasonic analog signal ( | 08-21-2014 |
| 20140278151 | NONDESTRUCTIVE ACOUSTIC DOPPLER TESTING OF WIND TURBINE BLADES FROM THE GROUND DURING OPERATION - A wind turbine blade inspection system includes a sensitive microphone positioned near the base of the turbine tower to receive acoustic signals emanating from anomalies in a rotating turbine blades and a signal analysis system configured to analyze the acoustic signals including Doppler analysis. The data may be centrally monitored and recorded for wind power asset management. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140324365 | METHOD OF ASSESSING THE TECHNICAL CONDITION OF A ROTATING SHAFT - A method of assessing the technical condition of a rotating shaft by combining measurements from sensors to create the shaft trajectories in three dimensions and comparing them with patterns of theoretical shapes obtained from a theoretical model is disclosed. The method includes measuring synchronized analog vibration signals obtained from sensor devices located close to first and second bearing respectively, and converting analog vibration signals into discrete vibration signals which are converted into discrete displacement signals which are delivered to a computer. The computer also receives three-dimensional theoretical models of the rotating shaft containing patterns of theoretical shapes of the rotating shaft. The computer also prepares three-dimensional real model images of the rotating shaft. The computer then compares the three-dimensional real model image with patterns of theoretical shapes and then selects one of the patterns of theoretical shapes which reflects the condition of the rotating shaft. | 10-30-2014 |
| 20140330527 | DIAGNOSIS DEVICE FOR JOINT OF SHEET METAL AND METHOD OF DIAGNOSING DEFECT OF JOINT OF SHEET METAL USING THE SAME - There is provided a diagnosis device of a joint of sheet metal, including: a detector that irradiates an ultrasonic wave to a diagnosis object including a first medium and a second medium having a joint, and senses a reflection signal reflected from the joint and a reflection signal reflected from the joint and thereafter, reflected toward the joint on an inner surface of the first medium; a delay material positioned between the detector and the diagnosis object to delay the reflection signal; and a diagnoser that calculates and displays a signal ratio by receiving the reflection signals sensed by the detector. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140330528 | System and Method for Damage Diagnosis - The object of the invention is to provide a damage diagnostic system that uses a damage detection system that obtains propagation intensity distribution data, which is expanded in the two dimensions frequency and propagation time, by converting the output value from an oscillation detection sensor that was obtained when oscillation is performed by an oscillator, and for one mode or two or more modes that are selected from the fundamental mode and higher mode of Lamb waves, obtains certain characteristic values from the data, for example three indices, which are the slope of the mode dispersion of the A1 mode (rate of change of the propagation time with respect to the frequency), the amount of decrease in the propagation time of the A1 mode, and the amount of increase in the propagation time of the S0 and S1 modes, and outputs the measurement results. The measurement results are displayed on a display device. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20140358453 | ROBOT REDUCER PREDICTIVE TRENDING - A system and method for monitoring the status of a robot reducer by performing trend analyses on detected ultrasonic frequencies emitted from the robot reducer during its operation so that preventive maintenance can be performed on the reducer to avoid a failure during operation of the reducer. | 12-04-2014 |
| 20140365143 | VIBRATION ANALYSIS FOR BLASTING - A process for vibration analysis, including the steps of: receiving synchronized motion measurements of particle motion in two or three orthogonal dimensions over a selected period of time at a plurality of different measurement locations; and determining one or more strain waveforms in the orthogonal dimensions in regions spanning the plurality of measurement locations using the motion measurements. | 12-11-2014 |
| 20150039245 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION WITH A VISUAL SCANNING GUIDE - Disclosed is an inspection device and method of guiding an inspection probe according to a predetermined inspection plan. The device is couple with a probe which is to be moved according to the inspection plan on the test object, the device including an inspection guide unit having a guide control unit, a position encoding such as a 3-D camera and visual feedback eyewear. The method including facilitating a virtual display of the inspection plan onto the visual feedback eyewear, moving the probe following the virtual display of the inspection plan, sensing sensed probe positions in real time of the inspection using the 3-D camera and validating the sensed probe position against the inspection plan using the control module. Then the information of the step of validating, such as those spots at which the probe is moved out of the tolerance of the inspection plan, is displayed on the feedback eyewear. | 02-05-2015 |
| 20150057953 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING DEFECTS WITHIN A TEST OBJECT - A device and a method for detecting at least one defect in a test object ( | 02-26-2015 |
| 20150073729 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR DAMAGE DETECTION IN STRUCTURES USING GUIDED WAVE PHASED ARRAYS - A method for ultrasonic guided wave defect detection in a structure is disclosed. The method includes driving a plurality of transducers to cause guided waves to be transmitted in the structure in a predetermined direction or focused at a predetermined focal point, receiving at least one reflected guided wave signal, and generating image data of the structure based on the at least one reflected guided wave signal. Processed image data are generated by performing at least one of baseline image subtraction or image suppression on the image data, and a location of at least one possible defect in the structure is identified based on the processed image data. | 03-12-2015 |
| 20150106037 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PASSIVE DETECTION, LOCALIZATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF MECHANICAL WAVE SOURCES USING ULTRASONIC GUIDED WAVES - A method and system for passively detecting, localizing, and/or characterizing a mechanical wave source at one or more spatial points of interest on a structure using ultrasonic guided waves are provided. The method includes estimating the spatial channel impulse response at one or more spatial points of interest using a movable transducer. Collected data recorded in response to transient mechanical waves is then combined with the spatial channel impulse response estimates to detect, localize, and/or characterize the source. A direct path from the mechanical wave source to each transducer is not required. Anisotropies and variations between transducer transfer functions may be accounted for and all propagation paths may be used to perform source localization. The method and system may leverage structural complexity rather than ignore it. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150106038 | System and Methods to Determine and Monitor Changes in Microstructural Properties - A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. An example system includes a number of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves towards a target region on a specimen, a voltage source configured to excite the first and second ultrasonic transducers, and a processor configured to determine one or more properties of the specimen. | 04-16-2015 |
| 20150134274 | NOVEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION OF AIRPLANES - A method for managing an airplane fleet is described. The method includes: (i) developing a gold body database for an airplane model for each non-destructive inspection system implemented to detect defects; (ii) inspecting, over a period of time, a plurality of candidate airplanes of the airplane model, using different types of non-destructive inspection systems and the gold body database associated with each of the different types of non-destructive inspection systems, to identify defects present on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iii) repairing or monitoring defects detected on the plurality of candidate airplanes; (iv) conducting a trend analysis by analyzing collective defect data obtained from inspecting of plurality of candidate airplanes; and (v) maintaining the airplane fleet, which includes plurality of candidate airplanes, by performing predictive analysis using results of trend analysis. | 05-14-2015 |
| 20150300907 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR CONTINUOUS REMOTE MONITORING OF THE INTEGRITY OF PRESSURIZED PIPELINES AND PROPERTIES OF THE FLUIDS TRANSPORTED - A method and system for continuous remote monitoring of integrity of pressurized pipelines and properties of fluids transported, the method including: installing plural measurement stations along the pipeline, connected to vibroacoustic sensors configured to simultaneously and continuously measure elastic signals propagating in walls of the pipeline, and acoustic signals propagating in the transported fluid; synchronizing the signals measured from different measurement stations, with absolute time reference; continuously transmitting the measured and synchronized signals to a central unit configured to process them in a multichannel mode; calculating, by the central unit, plural transfer functions that can define vibroacoustic propagation in sections of pipeline between consecutive measurement stations; filtering relevant acoustic and elastic signals from the different measurement stations subtracting the contribution relating to the passive sources; creating an equivalent descriptive model of the system including the fluid transported, pipeline and external medium surrounding the pipeline, using the transfer functions. | 10-22-2015 |
| 20150308920 | ADAPTIVE BASELINE DAMAGE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A system and method for detecting damage growth in a structure includes sensing, with a sensor that is coupled to the structure, a physical quantity reflecting damage growth, to thereby generate and supply a sensor signal. Features are extracted from the sensor signal to thereby generate a current feature vector. The current feature vector is assigned to either a previously created cluster or to a new cluster. A stability measure is calculated based on clusters to which the current feature vector and a predetermined number of previous feature vectors are assigned. An alarm is selectively generated based on the calculated stability measure. | 10-29-2015 |
| 20150316512 | METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ACOUSTICALLY DETECTING A MALFUNCTION OF A MOTOR HAVING AN ACTIVE NOISE CONTROL - The present invention relates to a method for acoustically detecting at least one malfunction (DYS) of a motor, the motor generating a primary noise Po that is treated by an active noise control system emitting, at the noise reduction targets, an acoustic signal Pc produced by at least one actuator and connected by a transfer function H to a signal Y produced by said active noise control system, said malfunction (DYS) having an acoustic signature identifiable in the primary noise Po at the noise reduction targets, characterised in that it comprises the following steps: acquisition of said signal Y produced by the active control system; identification of the appearance, if any, of a malfunction by a monitoring means that uses the knowledge of Y and H and emits an alert message if warranted. | 11-05-2015 |
| 20160011153 | Wireless Measuring System Based on Cochlea Principle for Acquiring Dynamic Response of Constructional Structure | 01-14-2016 |
| 20160041068 | Wireless Collection and Analysis of Machine Data - A sensor unit is configured as a single body, removably mounted in its entirety to a test point location on a machine so machine vibrations propagate into the single body. Within are an accelerometer, circuit board, wireless interface, signal processor, and battery. The sensor unit transmits sensor data wirelessly in real time to a data collection unit. A technician with data collection unit in hand goes from machine to machine, along a route of multiple test point locations on multiple machines, mounting and dismounting the sensor unit and collecting machine vibration data. The sensor unit is configured to reduce frequency response impacts of the mass and volume of the circuit board, wireless interface, signal processor, and battery on dynamic behavior of the sensor unit with respect to machine vibrations to achieve a frequency response rating comparable to a wired sensor. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160069995 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF CORRECTING A NON-CONCENTRIC ULTRASONIC IRIS INSPECTION RESULT - Disclosed is an ultrasonic IRIS inspection system and a method of providing automatically compensated concentric B-scans by means of curve-fitting the unadjusted tube boundaries from inspection data, and from the curve fitted theoretical circle, using non-linear regression analysis to determine an adjusted center. The off-center distance between the adjust center and the misaligned center is then used to produce concentric inspection result by compensating the unadjusted inspection result with the off-center distance. | 03-10-2016 |
| 20160097746 | METHOD FOR EVALUATING ACOUSTIC SENSOR DATA IN A FLUID CARRYING NETWORK AND EVALUATION UNIT - A method for evaluating sensor data in a fluid carrying network and a corresponding evaluation unit. The method comprising providing a numerical network model, which at least partly represents an acoustic property of the fluid carrying network; receiving sensor data of at least one acoustic sensor placed on the fluid carrying network; calculating model data by using the numerical network model; and evaluating the received sensor data by considering the model data. | 04-07-2016 |
| 20160109411 | ASSET-CONDITION MONITORING SYSTEM - An ultrasound sensing system for monitoring the condition or integrity of a structure, comprising (a) a plurality of ultrasound sensors, each sensor being configured to receive at least one first electrical signal, transmit an ultrasound signal in response to the first electrical signal, receive at least one reflected ultrasound signal, and transmit a second electrical signal in response to the reflected ultrasound signal, the first and second electrical signals being analog; (b) at least one digital sensor interface (DSI) to which at least a portion of the sensors are connectable, the DSI being configured to transmit the first electrical signal and receive the second electrical signal, and to generate an A-scan signal based on the first and second electrical signals for each sensor, the DSI having circuitry for transmitting a digital signal based directly or indirectly on at least the A-scan signal, the digital signal including an address corresponding to the at least one DSI; (c) a digital bus configured to receive the digital signal from the at least one DSI; (d) a user interface connected to the bus to receive the digital signal; and wherein, in one embodiment, the sensors are mounted semi-permanently on the structure and the DSI is also mounted semi-permanently on or adjacent to the structure being monitored. | 04-21-2016 |
| 20160123840 | MONITORING SYSTEM AND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND MONITORING TERMINAL THEREOF - Provided is a monitoring system including a diagnostic device ( | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160123932 | METHOD FOR ULTRASOUND SCANNING OF A WELD BUILDUP - A method for scanning a weld buildup formed on a circumferential portion of a disc for a steam turbine. The method includes providing an ultrasound probe for generating at least one ultrasound beam sweep. The circumferential portion is scanned with a first beam sweep oriented in a first beam orientation to detect a first flaw type in the weld buildup. The circumferential portion is also scanned with a second beam sweep oriented in a second beam orientation to detect a second flaw type in the weld buildup. Further, the circumferential portion is scanned with a third beam sweep oriented in a third beam orientation to detect a third flaw type in the weld buildup. The method also includes rotating the disc about a disc axis during scanning of the circumferential portion and moving the first, second and third beam sweeps in a direction parallel to the disc axis during scanning. | 05-05-2016 |
| 20160139087 | METHOD OF DETERMINING THE MAGNITUDE OF A FIELD VARIABLE OF AN ENERGY WAVE - Determining magnitude of a field variable of an energy wave through domain of interest, including steps of: defining plurality of master-particles spaced within domain, master-particles being representative of field variables of energy wave at location of respective master-particle, and defining supporting domain Ω | 05-19-2016 |
| 20160187227 | METHODS OF ANALYSING APPARATUS - Engine health monitoring is used to assess the health of an engine, such as a gas turbine engine. Blades mounted on a shaft produce a modal response when excited. The shaft has an order related component that varies with the rotational velocity of the shaft. Modal responses are increased when the natural frequency range of the selected blade mode intersects with one of the order related components. By applying a short time chirp-Fourier transform with a frequency speed that is a function of a rate of change in the rotational velocity of the shaft a selected signal can be isolated. Cracks in the blades can be detected from the isolated signal. | 06-30-2016 |
| 20220137002 | ULTRASONIC FLAW DETECTION DEVICE - An ultrasonic flaw detection device includes: an ultrasonic probe that detects waveform data of ultrasonic echoes emitted to an inspection area of an inspection target; a processing unit that stores pieces of sampling data obtained by sampling the waveform data obtained by the ultrasonic probe at predetermined sampling intervals in a storage unit continuously in time series; and a display control unit that divides the inspection area into a plurality of divided areas and displays each of the plurality of divided areas on a display, wherein the processing unit directly or indirectly links a divided area of the plurality of divided areas to one or more waveform data containing sampling data of one or more sampling point included in the divided area. | 05-05-2022 |
