Patent classifications
G01N2291/0238
APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GENERATING, MEASURING, AND EVALUATING VIBRATIONAL MODES IN CYLINDRICAL OBJECTS
The present disclosure relates to evaluating an ovaling mode in a cylindrical object and determining a quality of the cylindrical object by analysis of the ovaling mode. In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a method for determining a structural quality of a cylindrical element, comprising measuring, as a result of a single applied force, surface vibrations of the cylindrical element via four or more surface transducers arranged on the cylindrical element along a circumference of the cylindrical element, the four or more surface transducers being equally spaced along the circumference, processing digital signals corresponding to each of the four or more surface transducers in order to generate a composite digital signal, transforming the composite digital signal to a frequency domain, comparing the transformed composite digital signal to a reference composite digital signal, and determining, based on the comparing, the structural quality of the cylindrical element.
Integrated and automated video/structural health monitoring system
Structural health monitoring (SHM)/nondestructive evaluation (NDE) exists as a tool in conjunction with manufactured pieces. Presently disclosed subject matter integrates automated video with a structural health monitoring system. In conjunction with bridge monitoring, integration of such two systems automates determination of the effect or correlation of vehicular loading on SHM data from a subject bridge. Such correlations help to understand the sources of structural health monitoring data, particularly acoustic emission data, in bridges and other structures, such as dams and nuclear plants. Automation of the evaluation of bridges and other structures increases accuracy and minimizes risk to workers and the public. Assessing the structural condition of bridges and other structures as presently disclosed also facilitates automated asset management of transportation systems, such as by state departments of transportation and other bridge/structural owners.
BEETLE DETECTION USING OPTICAL FIBER DISTRIBUTED ACOUSTIC SENSOR
An optical fiber distributed acoustic sensor (DAS) system for detecting a red palm weevil and/or its larvae inside a tree. The system includes an optical fiber that is configured to be placed next to a tree; and a DAS box optically connected to the optical fiber and configured to receive a reflected light from the optical fiber. The DAS box includes electronics that extracts from the reflected light a frequency in a range of [400 Hz, 4 kHz], and sends a message indicating a presence of the red palm weevil and/or its larvae inside the tree.
Method for establishing a posteriori a match between a piece of wood and a log from which the piece of wood has been obtained
A method for establishing a posteriori a match between a piece of wood and a log from which the piece of wood has been obtained, comprising the following operating steps of performing a tomographic scan of the wooden log, of calculating or selecting a log cutting pattern, of defining, starting with the tomographic information available, one or more virtual individualising characteristics which are linked to the distribution and/or size of physical characteristics of the log inside and/or on the surface of the self-same virtual piece of wood, of saving them in a database, together with information about the identity of the log, of dividing the log into real pieces of wood according to the cutting pattern, of acquiring real information about the distribution and/or size of physical characteristics of the log inside and/or on the surface of a real piece of wood and of defining corresponding real individualising characteristics to be compared with virtual individualising characteristics saved and of identifying an origin of the real piece of wood based on the information about the identity of the log which is saved together with the virtual individualising characteristics which match the real individualising characteristics.
COMPUTER-IMPLEMENTED PROCESSING FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF WOODEN SPECIMEN
Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure describe a non-destructive evaluation (NDE) application/service that is configured for NDE of a wooden specimen. The NDE application/service provides a user-friendly graphical user interface that enables inspectors to manage each phase of NDE of a wooden specimen through one or more computing devices. An exemplary NDE application/service is configured to analyze captured acoustic signal data (e.g., ultrasonic signal data) and transform that captured signal data into feature information that is used to more accurately assess the structural integrity of a wooden specimen. For instance, execution of a programmed NDE application/service employs a trained artificial intelligence (AI) classifier that evaluates waveform propagation (e.g., TOF and energy attenuation) through a wooden specimen to classify a condition and a quality the wooden specimen. An NDE report may be generated that provides an inspector with an assessment of the wooden specimen and/or a network of wooden specimen.
WAVEGUIDE USABLE FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE EVALUATION OF SPECIMEN INCLUDING WOODEN SPECIMEN
Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems and methods of manufacture for an exemplary waveguide usable for acoustic signal transmission for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of a specimen (e.g., a wooden specimen) as well as apparatuses usable therewith. An exemplary waveguide comprises a mating portion for interfacing with a transducer horn of an ultrasonic transducer. The mating portion comprises at least a contact well configured to enable a connection between the transducer horn and the waveguide. The waveguide further comprises a body portion that comprises an upper body portion, that has a flat-faced distal end that is usable to establish contact with a surface of the specimen, and a lower body portion that is attached to and extends outwardly from the upper body portion and is further attached to the mating portion. Other technical examples are further described in the present disclosure.
METHOD FOR DIAGNOSING DEFECTS IN SOLID MATERIALS AND A DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE
A method includes initiating a vibration of the solid material preferably in cylindrical shape, detecting the vibration by a pair of transducers attached opposing positions diametrically symmetric on a surface of the solid material, and aligned at an angle between a line connecting the pair of transducers and a radial direction of the excitation force being orthogonal, processing an electrical output signal generated by adding the pair of sensor signals to obtain a frequency spectrum. A method may also include identifying a resonance peak of an extensional mode diametrically symmetric, measuring a characteristic of the resonance peak, comparing the characteristic with a series of measured values for standard samples, and determining a defect status. A device includes a vibration exciting tool, a pair of transducers configured to be attached to the surface of the solid cylindrical material aligned at opposing positions diametrically symmetric, a voltage adder, and an analyzing unit.
Assessing Wooden Pole Integrity
The present disclosure describes methods and systems, including computer-implemented methods, computer program products, and computer systems for wooden pole integrity assessment. One computer-implemented method includes emitting, by one or more acoustic sources mounted onto a wooden pole, one or more sound waves through the wooden pole. Further, the method includes measuring, by one or more acoustic receivers mounted on the wooden pole, a respective amplitude and time of arrival of at least a portion of each of the one or more sound waves. Additionally, the method includes calculating, using the respective amplitude, the respective time of arrival, and a predetermined function, the real-time integrity level of the wooden pole. The method also includes in response to determining that the real-time integrity level of the wooden pole is less than a threshold level, outputting an alert indicating that the integrity level of the wooden pole is less than the threshold level.
ACOUSTIC PROBE FOR INSPECTION OF WOODEN SPECIMEN
Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems and methods for conducting non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of a wooden specimen, where structural integrity of the wooden specimen is assessed without being compromised. A non-limiting example of a wooden specimen is a wooden utility pole. One or more NDE devices, attached to the wooden specimen, are configured to transmit and/or receive ultrasonic signals to execute NDE of the wooden specimen. An exemplary NDE device may be controlled by another computing device via a data transmission connection. Examples described herein pertain to a variety of coverages that comprise but are not limited to: coverage for a single NDE device; coverage for a system of two or more NDE devices that are utilized to conduct NDE of the wooden specimen; and coverage where one or more NDE devices interface with one or more computing devices to conduct NDE of the wooden specimen.
Integrated and Automated Video/Structural Health Monitoring System
Structural health monitoring (SHM)/nondestructive evaluation (NDE) exists as a tool in conjunction with manufactured pieces. Presently disclosed subject matter integrates automated video with a structural health monitoring system. In conjunction with bridge monitoring, integration of such two systems automates determination of the effect or correlation of vehicular loading on SHM data from a subject bridge. Such correlations help to understand the sources of structural health monitoring data, particularly acoustic emission data, in bridges and other structures, such as dams and nuclear plants. Automation of the evaluation of bridges and other structures increases accuracy and minimizes risk to workers and the public. Assessing the structural condition of bridges and other structures as presently disclosed also facilitates automated asset management of transportation systems, such as by state departments of transportation and other bridge/structural owners.