Systems, methods, and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of parts are disclosed. A method for inspection of a part comprises transmitting, by a source, an initial signal towards the part. The method further comprises reflecting, off of a surface of the part, the initial signal to generate a surface reflection signal. Also, the method comprises receiving, by a receiver, the surface reflection signal. In addition, the method comprises determining, by a processor(s), a shape of the surface of the part by using a magnitude of the surface reflection signal and an echo travel time of the initial signal with respect to the surface reflection signal. Additionally, the method comprises determining, by a processor(s), a surface inspection signal commensurate with the shape of the surface of the part. Further, the method comprises transmitting, by the source, the surface inspection signal towards the part for inspection of the surface of the part.

A dual element time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) transducer assembly (10) for use in detecting an anomaly (78) in a test piece (70), the transducer assembly (10) comprising: a first transducer element (35) a configured to transmit ultrasonic signals (85a) to the test piece (70), and a second transducer element (35b) configured to receive diffracted ultrasonic signals (85b) from the test piece, wherein the first and second transducer elements (35a, 35b) are housed within a common housing (15), the housing (15) also forming part of the transducer assembly (10).

Disclosed herein is a non-destructive inspection (NDI) apparatus. The NDI comprises a main body and a modulated-frequency ultrasonic source, coupled to the main body. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source comprises a low-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a low-frequency ultrasonic beam having a first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source also comprises a high-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a high-frequency ultrasonic beam having a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source is configured to mix the low-frequency ultrasonic beam and the high-frequency ultrasonic beam at least at a surface of a structure to be inspected.

The present document relates to a anatomic force microscope comprising a probe comprising a probe tip configured to sense a sample disposed proximate to the probe tip, a detector to detect a deflection of the probe tip, an actuator coupled to the probe and configured to move the probe in a sense state with the sample at a predetermined force set point and a vibrator in communication with the sample to provide a vibration to the sample, the vibration comprising a modulation frequency, wherein the acoustic vibrator is configured to provide the vibration in a modulation period after an initial sense period without modulation and wherein the probe is moved during or after said modulation period to a successive sample position over said sample while moving the probe in a non-contact state.

A method for examining a value document includes emitting ultrasonic pulses onto several locations on the value document. An echo pulse arises by reflection of at least a portion of a respective ultrasonic pulse at the value document. The echo pulses are received while forming echo values, and from the echo values at least a characteristic value is established as to the wrinkledness of the value document. As apparatus is provided for carrying out the method.

The defect inspection device is provided with a sound wave excitation unit for exciting a sound wave having a time waveform represented by a continuous periodic function to a prescribed position on the surface of an object to be measured, a displacement amount measurement unit for measuring a periodically varying displacement amount generated by the propagation of the sound wave from the prescribed position through the surface at at least three different phases of the periodic variation, and a periodic function acquisition unit for determining a periodic function expressing the periodic variation of the physical quantity on the basis of the displacement amount at the at least three different phases.

An infrastructure detection and monitoring system includes a remote data storage system that receives and communicates sensor data and signals regarding infrastructure health. The remote data storage system processes and/or stores at least a first sensor data portion and generates advisory signals based on the first sensor data portion. The advisory signals are communicated to a receiver device responsive to the sensor data indicating that the health of the infrastructure indicates imminent failure. Additionally or alternatively, the receiver device can generate one or more control signals responsive to the advisory signals or responsive to the sensor data indicating that the heath of the infrastructure indicates imminent failure of the infrastructure.

A dual element time-of-flight diffraction (TOFD) transducer assembly (10) for use in detecting an anomaly (78) in a test piece (70), the transducer assembly (10) comprising: a first transducer element (35) a configured to transmit ultrasonic signals (85a) to the test piece (70), and a second transducer element (35b) configured to receive diffracted ultrasonic signals (85b) from the test piece, wherein the first and second transducer elements (35a, 35b) are housed within a common housing (15), the housing (15) also forming part of the transducer assembly (10).

An inspection system for determining the efficacy and veracity of a bond-line, comprising: a robotic arm assembly providing a gimbal mount for enabling linear and rotary translation about multiple axes; an ultrasonic transducer affixed to the gimbal mount of the robotic arm assembly and comprising a planar array of transducer elements, each transducer element capable of transmitting and receiving reflected ultrasonic energy indicative of changes in acoustic impedance within the bond-line. The reflected energy of each transducer element provides acquired bond-line data indicative of the efficacy of the bond-line while select transducer elements produce orientation data indicative of the orientation of the planar array relative to the contour of the bonded joint. The bond-line and orientation data are combined to determine whether the direction of the transmitted pulse should be altered to validate the bond-line data.

An acoustic inspection device and an associated method for inspecting a component are provided. The acoustic inspection device is portable and includes an acoustic transmitter and receiver that may be placed on opposite sides of an inspection region on the surface of the component. The acoustic transmitter has an array of acoustic transducers for generating an acoustic wave that travels along a surface of the component and the acoustic receiver has an array of acoustic transducers for receiving that acoustic wave. A controller determines at least one surface characteristic of the component from the measured acoustic wave, such as its crystalline structure or grain size.