A fluidic device includes at least one bulk acoustic wave (BAW) resonator structure with a functionalized active region, and at least one first (inlet) port defined through a cover structure arranged over a fluidic passage containing the active region. At least a portion of the at least one inlet port is registered with the active region, permitting fluid to be introduced in a direction orthogonal to a surface of the active region bearing functionalization material. Such arrangement promotes mixing proximate to a BAW resonator structure surface, thereby reducing analyte stratification, increasing analyte binding rate, and reducing measurement time.

The Invention refers to an airborne ultrasound testing system for a test object (3) containing an ultrasound generator (1;9) and an ultrasound receiver (2) and a control to control both and a computer assisted test result interface to display an image of the tested test object (3). The ultrasound generator (1) is a resonance-free thermo-acoustic ultrasound generator which does not rely on mechanically deformable or oscillating parts and the ultrasound receiver (2) is a membrane-free and resonance-free optical microphone in an air or gas coupled pulse echo arrangement or in an air or gas coupled transmission mode arrangement. With this testing system, it is possible to test objects with high precision and without liquids and disturbing ringing effects.

One aspect of a process of inspecting a joint that connects two parts includes directing an ultrasonic beam from an ultrasonic beam transmitter at a joint that connects two parts, the ultrasonic beam forming an angle between at least 14 degrees and at most 21 degrees with a joint axis of the joint, wherein the ultrasonic beam passes through a joint thickness of the joint. The process also includes determining a quality of the joint based, in part, on a difference between a strength of the ultrasonic beam directed at the joint and a strength of a portion of the ultrasonic beam that passed through the joint thickness.

A system for automated bond testing includes a sensor that scans a material to be tested; a computer for comparing a reflected signal waveform to a plurality of signal waveforms indicating a defect in the material, and assigning a unique color to the match; a display that displays an image of the material having an assigned one of the plurality of colors indicative of a presence or absence of a defect in the test area; and an automated scanning platform that supports the sensor, the scanning platform moving the sensor in a preset motion over a surface of a test area of the material to be tested to perform an inspection scan of the material at the test area, and that positions the sensor at a predetermined position, a predetermined angle, and a predetermined contact force to acquire data consistently during an inspection.

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.

Embodiments relate to a method for ultrasonic testing according to the pulse-echo method as well as an arrangement for performing such a method. By means of an ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic pulse is obliquely incident into a sound incidence surface of a test object. Next, an echo signal is received from the test object. This takes place either by means of the ultrasonic transducer, which has emitted the ultrasonic pulse or with another ultrasonic transducer. The time amplitude characteristic of the echo signal is evaluated in a predefined defect expectation interval of time. The evaluation step includes, in at least one section of the amplitude characteristic, an amplification of the amplitude and/or a reduction in the threshold value. For example, the amplitude of the received echo signal is then compared with the predefined threshold value.

Embodiments include a novel, easy to install, non-intrusive, ultrasonic water flow meter with a self-calibrating three-piezoelectric transducer configuration attached externally to a water pipe, that allows for accurate measurement of water flow, and can provide the flow data to a remote system for billing and further analysis. The water flow data can further be analyzed for water consumption by individual fixtures, in support of conservation and usage management efforts.

A system for non-destructive defect detection includes a calibration block and at least two phased array probes configured to transmit and receive pulsed echo signals. The calibration block includes a base metal having a first surface opposite a second surface, a corrosion resistant alloy coupled to the first surface of the calibration block, and a manual weld overlay extending from the first surface of the calibration block to a second surface of the calibration block. A method for non-destructive defect detection includes providing a system for non-destructive defect detection and calibrating at least two phased array probes of the system for non-destructive defect detection to form at least two calibrated phased array probes.

A device for inspecting a pipe, includes a scraper carriage, substantially cylindrical about an axis coinciding with an axis of the pipe and which is inserted into the pipe and propelled by a liquid transported by the pipe, and a measurer carried by the carriage. The measurer includes a first crown, carrying a first set of ultrasound transducers, arranged on a first circle centered on the axis and of diameter substantially equal to an inside diameter of the pipe, alternating a transmitting ultrasound transducer and a receiving ultrasound transducer, arranged so that a wave transmitted by a transmitting ultrasound transducer is reflected, by a wall of the pipe facing it, towards a counterpart receiving ultrasound transducer.

A fluid sensor assembly includes a body including a fluid passage, a first sensor connected to the body and directed toward the fluid passage, and a second sensor connected to the body and directed toward the fluid passage. At least one of the first sensor and the second sensor may be configured to transmit a signal into the fluid passage. At least one of the first sensor and the second sensor may be configured to receive at least a deflected version of the signal. The signal may include an ultrasonic pulse. The first sensor may include a focused transmitting transducer and the second sensor may include a non-focused receiving transducer. The fluid passage may include a longitudinal axis and the first sensor may be disposed at an oblique angle relative to the longitudinal axis.