G01B17/02

Systems and methods for generating ultrasonic waves, exciting special classes of ultrasonic transducers and ultrasonic devices for engineering measurements

Embodiments include an electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system. The EMAT system includes a plurality of magnets and a conductor set. The plurality of magnets has a like pole arrangement and wherein each magnet is in close proximity to one another. The conductor set includes electrically conductive elements. A portion of the conductor set is positioned proximate to the plurality of magnets. The plurality of magnets and the conductor set are positioned proximate to a test object. The EMAT system is configured to perform at least one of generating and receiving an elastic wave. Embodiments also include a method of elastic wave measurement for nondestructive testing and evaluation. The method includes the steps of positioning an EMAT proximate a test object, generating an elastic wave such that the elastic wave propagates about the test object, detecting the elastic wave propagating about the test object, and analyzing difference in elastic wave character between the elastic wave in the generating step and the elastic wave in the detecting step to evaluate the test object.

Acoustic sensor having waveguide and inspection device

A sensor includes a first element part having a first member and a first element. The first member is a acoustic tubular waveguide and extends along a first direction. The acoustic tubular waveguide includes a first opening and a second opening. A direction from the second opening toward the first opening is along the first direction. The first element includes a vibratile first membrane, and a first supporter supporting the first membrane. The second opening is between the first opening and the first membrane in the first direction. The sensor may be a Piezoelectric Micro electro mechanical systems Ultrasonic Transducer and may be used for inspecting paper and/or resin including detecting thickness of a fed through banknote and/or the presence of foreign matter thereon such as tape. An optical element may alternatively measure the vibration of a membrane from acoustic through transmission instead of an acoustic receiver.

Acoustic sensor having waveguide and inspection device

A sensor includes a first element part having a first member and a first element. The first member is a acoustic tubular waveguide and extends along a first direction. The acoustic tubular waveguide includes a first opening and a second opening. A direction from the second opening toward the first opening is along the first direction. The first element includes a vibratile first membrane, and a first supporter supporting the first membrane. The second opening is between the first opening and the first membrane in the first direction. The sensor may be a Piezoelectric Micro electro mechanical systems Ultrasonic Transducer and may be used for inspecting paper and/or resin including detecting thickness of a fed through banknote and/or the presence of foreign matter thereon such as tape. An optical element may alternatively measure the vibration of a membrane from acoustic through transmission instead of an acoustic receiver.

INTERFACE SENSOR AND OPERATING METHOD OF AN INTERFACE SENSOR
20230003572 · 2023-01-05 ·

The present disclosure includes an interface sensor for a sedimentation plant, the interface sensor including: a sound emitter configured for generating at least one first acoustic signal with a first frequency and for generating a second acoustic signal with a second frequency different from the first frequency; a sound detector configured for detecting at least one first signal response of the first acoustic signal and a second signal response of the second acoustic signal; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the sound emitter and the sound detector and is configured to evaluate the first signal response and the second signal response, to determine a floor distance, a sediment distance, a sediment thickness and a water level distance based on the first signal response and the second signal response, and to determine a water level based on the floor distance and the water level distance.

INTERFACE SENSOR AND OPERATING METHOD OF AN INTERFACE SENSOR
20230003572 · 2023-01-05 ·

The present disclosure includes an interface sensor for a sedimentation plant, the interface sensor including: a sound emitter configured for generating at least one first acoustic signal with a first frequency and for generating a second acoustic signal with a second frequency different from the first frequency; a sound detector configured for detecting at least one first signal response of the first acoustic signal and a second signal response of the second acoustic signal; and a control unit, wherein the control unit is connected to the sound emitter and the sound detector and is configured to evaluate the first signal response and the second signal response, to determine a floor distance, a sediment distance, a sediment thickness and a water level distance based on the first signal response and the second signal response, and to determine a water level based on the floor distance and the water level distance.

System and method for estimating both thickness and wear state of refractory material of a metallurgical furnace

A system for estimating both thickness and wear state of refractory material (1) of a metallurgical furnace (12), including at least on processor including a database of simulated frequency domain data named simulated spectra representing simulated shock waves reflected in simulated refractory materials of known state and thickness, each simulated spectrum being correlated with both known state and thickness data of the considered simulated refractory material, wherein the at least one processor is configured to record a reflected shock wave as a time domain signal, and to convert it into frequency domain data named experimental spectrum, and are further configured to compare the experimental spectrum with at least a plurality of simulated spectra from the database, to determine the best fitting simulated spectrum with the experimental spectrum and to estimate thickness and state of the refractory material (1) of the furnace (12) using known state and thickness data correlated with the best fitting simulated spectrum.

System and method for estimating both thickness and wear state of refractory material of a metallurgical furnace

A system for estimating both thickness and wear state of refractory material (1) of a metallurgical furnace (12), including at least on processor including a database of simulated frequency domain data named simulated spectra representing simulated shock waves reflected in simulated refractory materials of known state and thickness, each simulated spectrum being correlated with both known state and thickness data of the considered simulated refractory material, wherein the at least one processor is configured to record a reflected shock wave as a time domain signal, and to convert it into frequency domain data named experimental spectrum, and are further configured to compare the experimental spectrum with at least a plurality of simulated spectra from the database, to determine the best fitting simulated spectrum with the experimental spectrum and to estimate thickness and state of the refractory material (1) of the furnace (12) using known state and thickness data correlated with the best fitting simulated spectrum.

Robotic inspection of in-service tanks through lower wall

To implement robotic inspection of an in-service tank through the lower wall, a launch system is operatively coupled to the in-service tank carrying a multiphase fluid separated into a first fluid phase settled at the bottom of the in-service tank and a second fluid phase floating above the first fluid phase. The launch system includes multiple valves and is coupled to the bottom of the in-service tank. By operating the launch system, a robotic tank inspection device is introduced into the first fluid phase in the in-service tank while bypassing the second fluid phase. By operating the robotic tank inspection device, the bottom of the in-service tank is inspected for corrosion.

Robotic inspection of in-service tanks through lower wall

To implement robotic inspection of an in-service tank through the lower wall, a launch system is operatively coupled to the in-service tank carrying a multiphase fluid separated into a first fluid phase settled at the bottom of the in-service tank and a second fluid phase floating above the first fluid phase. The launch system includes multiple valves and is coupled to the bottom of the in-service tank. By operating the launch system, a robotic tank inspection device is introduced into the first fluid phase in the in-service tank while bypassing the second fluid phase. By operating the robotic tank inspection device, the bottom of the in-service tank is inspected for corrosion.

Systems and methods for measuring properties using bulk acoustic waves

A measuring system is disclosed. The measuring system includes a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device including a piezoelectric substrate and a first and second electrode disposed on a surface of the piezoelectric substrate, and a measuring device communicatively coupled to the first electrode via a first probe and the second electrode via a second probe and configured to apply an electrical signal to the first and second electrode to generate an incident bulk acoustic wave within the piezoelectric substrate, detect at least a first reflected bulk acoustic wave and a second reflected bulk acoustic wave at the first and second electrode, and calculate a thickness between a first interface corresponding to the first reflected bulk acoustic wave and a second interface corresponding to the second reflected bulk acoustic wave based on a time elapsed between detecting the first and second reflected bulk acoustic waves.