Disclosed is a phased array ultrasound total focusing method in which the ultrasound energy is transmitted as plane waves and the response signals are processed as plane waves. The processing is adaptively corrected to account for geometric variations in the probes and the part being inspected. Methods are disclosed for measuring the geometric variations of the probes and the part.

In an artificial defect material 10 of an FRP structure, a heat-resistant high-linear-expansion material 20 arranged between the layers thermally expands in case of high-temperature shaping of the FRP structure, so that a predetermined shape is shaped between a plurality of layers of the fiber reinforcing base material 14 and the material 20 thermally shrinks at the room temperature after the shaping, so that a space is formed due to the shrinkage difference from the fiber reinforcing base materials 14. The material 20 has a linear expansion coefficient larger than that of the FRP structure by a predetermined value or more, and has the shape keeping property and the heat resistance to endure the shaping temperature.

In an artificial defect material 10 of an FRP structure, a heat-resistant high-linear-expansion material 20 arranged between the layers thermally expands in case of high-temperature shaping of the FRP structure, so that a predetermined shape is shaped between a plurality of layers of the fiber reinforcing base material 14 and the material 20 thermally shrinks at the room temperature after the shaping, so that a space is formed due to the shrinkage difference from the fiber reinforcing base materials 14. The material 20 has a linear expansion coefficient larger than that of the FRP structure by a predetermined value or more, and has the shape keeping property and the heat resistance to endure the shaping temperature.

There is disclosed a method of detecting failures or anomalies of a large number of sensor terminals without using manpower or expensive equipment in the seismic exploration business. The method includes preparing a plurality of sensor terminals having sensors that detect vibrations from outside, the plurality of sensor terminals receiving the vibrations and outputting vibration reception signals, and comparing a first vibration reception signal output by a first sensor terminal with a second vibration reception signal output by a second sensor terminal, thereby detecting if one of the first sensor and the second sensor is failed or anomalous.

There is disclosed a method of detecting failures or anomalies of a large number of sensor terminals without using manpower or expensive equipment in the seismic exploration business. The method includes preparing a plurality of sensor terminals having sensors that detect vibrations from outside, the plurality of sensor terminals receiving the vibrations and outputting vibration reception signals, and comparing a first vibration reception signal output by a first sensor terminal with a second vibration reception signal output by a second sensor terminal, thereby detecting if one of the first sensor and the second sensor is failed or anomalous.

A phantom for measuring thickness of a thin layer and a method of using thereof. The phantom may include a non-scattering muscle mimicking material having a flat top surface; a plurality of soft tissue mimicking thin layers placed in a first area, which is at least a part of a top surface of the non-scattering muscle mimicking material, and having thicknesses different from each other; and an anechoic blood mimicking liquid material placed in an area other than the first area among an entire area of the top surface of the non-scattering muscle mimicking material and on a top surface of the plurality of soft tissue mimicking thin layers.

A phantom for measuring thickness of a thin layer and a method of using thereof. The phantom may include a non-scattering muscle mimicking material having a flat top surface; a plurality of soft tissue mimicking thin layers placed in a first area, which is at least a part of a top surface of the non-scattering muscle mimicking material, and having thicknesses different from each other; and an anechoic blood mimicking liquid material placed in an area other than the first area among an entire area of the top surface of the non-scattering muscle mimicking material and on a top surface of the plurality of soft tissue mimicking thin layers.

The invention relates to a method for providing a structural condition of a structure, comprising providing an excitation wave generator; providing an excitation wave sensor; injecting an excitation burst wave into the structure using the excitation wave generator; obtaining a measured propagated excitation burst wave using the excitation wave sensor; correlating the measured propagated excitation burst wave with one of a plurality of theoretical dispersed versions of the excitation burst wave; and providing an indication of the structural condition of the structure corresponding to the correlated measured propagated excitation burst wave. The method may offer a better localization of the reflection points and thus of the potential defects present in a structure under inspection, when compared with a group velocity-based or time-of-flight (ToF) approach. The method may be particularly useful for structural health monitoring (SHM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). The method may also enable determination of the mechanical properties of the structure.

The invention relates to a method for providing a structural condition of a structure, comprising providing an excitation wave generator; providing an excitation wave sensor; injecting an excitation burst wave into the structure using the excitation wave generator; obtaining a measured propagated excitation burst wave using the excitation wave sensor; correlating the measured propagated excitation burst wave with one of a plurality of theoretical dispersed versions of the excitation burst wave; and providing an indication of the structural condition of the structure corresponding to the correlated measured propagated excitation burst wave. The method may offer a better localization of the reflection points and thus of the potential defects present in a structure under inspection, when compared with a group velocity-based or time-of-flight (ToF) approach. The method may be particularly useful for structural health monitoring (SHM) and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). The method may also enable determination of the mechanical properties of the structure.

A testing apparatus for an optoacoustic device includes a light pulse sensor operatively connected to a light output port of the optoacoustic device, the light pulse sensor being adapted to sense a pulse of light capable of generating an optoacoustic response in a subject and to distinguish between the light pulse and the at least one other light pulse on the basis of the predominant wavelength. The light pulse sensor outputs a trigger signal associated with the distinguished light pulse when such light pulse is sensed. A transducer signal simulator outputs a first plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a first wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a first wavelength. The simulator outputs a second plurality of electrical signals simulating those produced by a transducer array and reflective of an optoacoustic response in a subject to a light pulse at a second predominant wavelength in response to a trigger signal from the light pulse sensor associated with a light pulse having a second wavelength. Conductors carry the plurality of electrical signals output by the transducer signal simulator to the pins of a multi-pin connector.