A method of forming parts uses a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface.

Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

Non-destructive inspection systems (10) and methods for inspecting structural flaws that may be in a structure (15) based on guided wave thermography. The method may include sweeping a frequency-phase space to maximize ultrasonic energy distribution across the structure while minimizing input energy, e.g., via a plurality of actuators. The system may include transducer elements (12, 14, 16, 17) configured to predominantly generate shear horizontal-type guided waves in the structure to maximize thermal response from any flaws.

A measuring device for non-mechanical-contact measurement of a layer, the measuring device including a light source operative to generate a pulse adapted to interact with the layer so as to generate a thermal wave in a gas medium present adjacent the layer. The thermal wave causes an acoustic signal to be generated. The measuring device further includes a detector adapted to detect a first signal responsive to the acoustic signal, the detector not being in mechanical contact with the layer. The first signal is representative of the measured layer.

A measuring device for non-mechanical-contact measurement of a layer, the measuring device including a light source operative to generate a pulse adapted to interact with the layer so as to generate a thermal wave in a gas medium present adjacent the layer. The thermal wave causes an acoustic signal to be generated. The measuring device further includes a detector adapted to detect a first signal responsive to the acoustic signal, the detector not being in mechanical contact with the layer. The first signal is representative of the measured layer.

A lithium tantalate single crystal substrate for a surface acoustic wave device that is a rotated Y-cut LiTaO3 substrate whose crystal orientation has a Y-cut angle of not smaller than 36° and not larger than 49° and which has such a Li concentration profile after diffusion of Li into the substrate from the surface thereof that the Li concentration at the surface of the substrate differs from that inside the substrate. A shear vertical type elastic wave whose main components are vibrations in the thickness direction and in the propagation direction and which is among those elastic waves which propagate in the X axis direction within the surface of this LiTaO3 substrate has an acoustic velocity of not lower than 3140 m/s and not higher than 3200 m/s.

A system for monitoring the condition of elongate structural elements, for example, railway rails, and a method of designing and manufacturing the system is disclosed. The method includes identifying and selecting suitable modes of propagation and signal frequencies that can be expected to travel large distances through an elongate structural element; designing a transducer that will excite the selected mode at the selected frequency; numerically modelling the transducer as attached to the elongate structural element; validating the transducer design by analysing a harmonic response of the selected mode of propagation to excitation by the transducer, and manufacturing one or more transducers for use in the system.

A system for monitoring the condition of elongate structural elements, for example, railway rails, and a method of designing and manufacturing the system is disclosed. The method includes identifying and selecting suitable modes of propagation and signal frequencies that can be expected to travel large distances through an elongate structural element; designing a transducer that will excite the selected mode at the selected frequency; numerically modelling the transducer as attached to the elongate structural element; validating the transducer design by analysing a harmonic response of the selected mode of propagation to excitation by the transducer, and manufacturing one or more transducers for use in the system.

System include an ultrasonic transducer configured to couple to a nondestructive testing (NDT) sample and configured to produce and direct an ultrasonic probe wave at a selected frequency into a subsurface region of the NDT sample, a 3D laser scanning vibrometer configured to direct a detection beam in a scan area on a surface of the NDT sample and to receive a return beam from the scan area, and to detect, based on the return beam, a 3D motion of the surface across a wideband frequency range, and a processor, and a memory configured with instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to produce sub-surface image data of the NDT sample at multiple harmonics of the selected frequency in the wideband frequency range based on the detected 3D surface motion, wherein the sub-surface image data describes a nonlinear defect response produced in the NDT sample by interaction of the ultrasonic probe wave with the subsurface region.

A light-acoustic system and method for detecting an anomaly in a structure are provided. The system includes a light source configured to emit an excitation light and at least one excitation element attached to a surface of a structure. The at least one excitation element includes a photostrictive material and is configured to receive the excitation light for generating an oscillating strain. The oscillating strain generates an acoustic wave in the structure. The system also includes a detector configured to detect the acoustic wave.