A method of determining a status of ultrasound coupling medium for performing an ultrasound scan for providing an ultrasound image including plural scanlines (N.sub.l) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the method includes operating an ultrasound device to capture an image frame including plural scanlines (N.sub.l), each scanline having an associated sample set (s) of intensity values; processing a subset of the associated sample set (s) of values for each scanline to determine a first summation for each scanline; processing plural sets of corresponding intensity values from each of plural scanlines located within a range of a respective scanline to determine a set of difference values for each respective scanline; processing each set of difference values to determine a second summation for each scanline; and generating a status for the ultrasound coupling medium according to a relationship between each of the first summations and each of the associated second summations.

The invention relates to a DC electrical power supply source including a protective housing and electrical energy storage devices disposed in the protective housing. The storage devices are connected electrically in series by way of interconnection elements. There is an acoustic sensor configured to measure ultrasounds and a filling medium disposed in the housing. The filling medium exhibits a homogeneous acoustic impedance and forms a continuous acoustic link between the interconnection elements and the acoustic sensor.

The invention relates to a DC electrical power supply source including a protective housing and electrical energy storage devices disposed in the protective housing. The storage devices are connected electrically in series by way of interconnection elements. There is an acoustic sensor configured to measure ultrasounds and a filling medium disposed in the housing. The filling medium exhibits a homogeneous acoustic impedance and forms a continuous acoustic link between the interconnection elements and the acoustic sensor.

A system includes an inspection robot having an input sensor comprising a laser profiler and a plurality of wheels structured to engage a curved portion of an inspection surface, wherein the laser profiler is configured to provide laser profiler data of the inspection surface; a controller, comprising: a profiler data circuit structured to interpret the laser profiler data; determine a feature of interest is present at a location of the inspection surface in response to the laser profiler data; and wherein the feature of interest comprises a shape description of the inspection surface at the location of the feature of interest.

A system includes an inspection robot having an input sensor comprising a laser profiler and a plurality of wheels structured to engage a curved portion of an inspection surface, wherein the laser profiler is configured to provide laser profiler data of the inspection surface; a controller, comprising: a profiler data circuit structured to interpret the laser profiler data; determine a feature of interest is present at a location of the inspection surface in response to the laser profiler data; and wherein the feature of interest comprises a shape description of the inspection surface at the location of the feature of interest.

An inspection device includes an oscillator for generating ultrasonic waves toward a first connector, and a vibration receiver for receiving vibrations generated in the first connector. The inspection device includes a vibration controller for analyzing the vibrations received by the vibration receiver. The vibration controller detects a resonance frequency by converting, by Fourier transform, the vibrations received by the vibration receiver. The vibration controller determines an insertion amount of the first connector into the second connector, based on the detected resonance frequency.

An inspection device includes an oscillator for generating ultrasonic waves toward a first connector, and a vibration receiver for receiving vibrations generated in the first connector. The inspection device includes a vibration controller for analyzing the vibrations received by the vibration receiver. The vibration controller detects a resonance frequency by converting, by Fourier transform, the vibrations received by the vibration receiver. The vibration controller determines an insertion amount of the first connector into the second connector, based on the detected resonance frequency.

An ultrasound inspection apparatus for use with coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base module that is attachable to the moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus. The base module comprises an ultrasound transducer and a first connector portion. A plurality of coupling modules are also provided that each include a second connector portion that is releasably attachable to the first connector portion of the base module. The coupling modules also include a coupling element, which may be a sphere of self-lubricating material such as a hydro-gel, for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected. This allows different coupling modules to be attached to the base module to perform different ultrasound inspection tasks.

The invention comprises a device (10) for testing a test object (40), comprising an excitation system (13) for generating broadband ultrasound pulses (12′) in the test object, a detection system (20) for detecting ultrasound waves (21), which are generated through the broadband ultrasound pulses (12′) in the test object (40) and emitted by the test object (40). The device (10) comprises a processing unit (30) for processing the detected ultrasound waves (21), while the excitation system (13) being one of a thermoacoustic emitter or a pulsed laser and the detection system (20) is a broadband detection system. The excitation system (13) comprises a modulator (11) for modulating the broadband ultrasound pulses (12′). Furthermore, the invention comprises a method for testing a test object.

An inspection system for performing an inspection of an end region of a part is provided. The inspection system includes a robotic assembly positioned along a side of the part. The inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe coupled to the robotic assembly and positioned in proximity to the end region of the part. The ultrasonic probe is moved by the robotic assembly along a path to inspect the end region of the part. During the inspection, the ultrasonic probe transmits a signal towards the end region of the part and receives a reflected signal from the end region of the part. The inspection system provides, as a single system, for inspection of both a body of the part and the end region of the part.