Network wavefield imaging methods are able to image significantly complex discontinuities or shapes in plate-like structures for superior ultrasonic structural health monitoring (SHM)/nondestructive evaluation (NDE). The imaging provides high-resolution location, shape and/or size images of a structure, and for discontinuities with more complicated profiles. Guided wave (GW) network wavefield imaging methods combine tomography and wavefield/wavenumber imaging algorithms. Metallic plate damage detection uses guided ultrasonic waves and non-contact laser vibrometry. Guided waves are generated by piezoelectric transducers (PZT). A non-contact scanning laser Doppler vibrometer (SLDV) measures the full velocity plate guided wave wavefields. Developed network wavefield imaging algorithms account for multiple-actuator excitations from different angles enclosing the discontinuity, with algorithms using intrinsic wave characteristics such as wavefield, wavenumber, or reconstructed wave energy. Determined locations, sizes and shapes of highlighted areas in wavefield, wavenumber and/or filter reconstructed energy-based images correlate with location, size and shape of damage in metallic plates.

A cutting machine for detecting a defect during a manufacturing process is disclosed. The cutting machine comprises a base structure having a planar surface defining a working area, a rack to support a material spool, a cutter assembly, and a material-inspection system. The rack may be positioned at an end of the base structure to facilitate unrolling of a composite material sheet from the material spool and onto the working area. The cutter assembly comprises a cutter tool to cut the composite material sheet on the working area. The cutter assembly may be configured to move relative to the working area via a two-axis gantry. The material-inspection system comprises a plurality of non-contact ultrasonic sensors to measure one or more material properties of the composite material sheet. The measured one or more material properties can be used to detect and predict defects in the composite material sheet.

A signal is sent into a first surface of a structure at an angle relative to the first surface of the structure using a transducer array, wherein the structure has a second surface with a portion non-parallel to the first surface. An ultrasound response signal is formed at the portion of the second surface of the structure. The ultrasound response signal is received at the transducer array.

Methods and apparatus for enhanced visualization of anomalies in a structure. The method comprises: acquiring pulse-echo laser ultrasonic wave propagation imaging video data at a multiplicity of points in a scan area on a surface of a structure; post-processing the pulse-echo laser ultrasonic wave propagation imaging video data using multiple-time window amplitude mapping to create a multiple-time window amplitude map; and displaying the multiple-time window amplitude map on a graphical user interface.

A method of adjusting flaw detection sensitivity on an array ultrasonic probe comprises disposing a plate material P1 oppositely to the ultrasonic probe such that an upper surface of the plate material is disposed to be approximately parallel to an array direction of the transducers 11, or disposing a tubular material P2 oppositely to the ultrasonic probe such that an axial direction of the tubular material is disposed to be approximately parallel to the array direction of the transducers. Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from each transducer toward the upper surface of the plate material or an outer surface of the tubular material, and echoes are received from the bottom surface of the plate material or an inner surface of the tubular material on each transducer. Flaw detection sensitivity of each transducer is adjusted to substantially equalize intensity of an echo received on each transducer.

A method for nondestructive inspection by ultrasound of a bonded assembly is provided. The method comprises two steps, consisting of measuring a thickness of an adhesive joint of the bonded assembly by an ultrasound transducer arranged on the bonded assembly in a determined position, and measuring the degree of adhesion of parts of the bonded assembly by the same ultrasound transducer maintained in the determined position, the degree of adhesion being measured by ZGV Lamb waves.

One embodiment of the present disclosure set forth a resonator device for generating a resonance map of a surface. The resonator device includes an actuator mechanism that vibrates the surface. The resonator device further includes one or more sensors that detect a deflection of the surface responsive to the actuator mechanism vibrating the surface. The resonator device further includes a processor. The processor is configured to generate the resonance map based on the detected deflection.

A tool enables non-destructive inspection of a flat part by ultrasonic transmission. The tool includes a clamp with a first arm pivotally coupled to a second arm about a pivot connection. An ultrasound transmitter is coupled to a first end of the first arm by a first ball joint connection, and an ultrasound receiver coupled to a first end of the second arm by a second ball joint connection. The transmitter has an active face for transmitting a sound signal that is received by an active face of the receiver. The active faces of the transmitter and the receiver are substantially at the same distance from the pivot connection. The tool further includes an alignment device that maintains the active faces of the transmitter and the receiver oriented towards each other and substantially parallel.

A non-destructive inspection judgment system for inspecting a non-destructive inspection subject using ultrasonic waves, including an ultrasonic wave generator transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals by generating ultrasonic waves to the non-destructive inspection subject placed on an inspection table, an interface transmitting an ultrasonic signal received from the ultrasonic wave generator to an ultrasonic wave generation data controller, the ultrasonic wave generation data controller processing ultrasonic wave data received from the interface, a sealing defect presence judger determining, using the processed ultrasonic wave data, whether a sealing defect is present, and a display displaying a result of the judgment on a monitor to detect an unsealed portion of an aluminum pouch.

The invention relates to a method for at least qualitatively determining at least one physical and/or chemical characteristic of a laminate panel (2) by means of a mobile radio device (14), wherein the method comprises the following steps: (a) arranging the mobile radio device (14) on a surface (10) of the laminate panel (2); (b) measuring at least one physical and/or chemical measurement variable by means of a measurement instrument (28) integrated into the mobile radio device (14); and (c) at least qualitatively determining the at least one physical and/or chemical characteristic from the at least one measured physical and/or chemical measurement variable.