A scanning apparatus for imaging an object, the scanning apparatus comprising: a transmitter for transmitting ultrasound signals towards an object, a receiver for receiving ultrasound signals from an object, and a support, the transmitter and the receiver being coupled to the support; the scanning apparatus being capable of being operated with the support in a non-planar configuration thereby to scan a non-planar surface of an object.

An in-line ultrasonic fruit quality detection system having a support arch located above the process line perpendicularly, on which 2 transducers are fixed; a detection unit coupled to the support arch with a piezoelectric transmitter and an oscillation band, directed towards the center of the process line; a control unit with an analog wave receiving module; an A/D converter; and a microcontroller; a synchronization rotary encoder located under the process line, connected to the control unit of the detection unit; the encoder is coupled to a discard unit for removing from the process line of the fruits that were detected with defect; and a wave generator connected to the control unit.

Disclosed is a piezoelectric transducer of the type including a stack of a contact piece, a piezoelectric pellet and a support of very great stiffness. Specifically, the contact piece forms tips, the respective apex of which constitutes contact points that are spatially isolated from one another. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of such a contact piece as well as a resonant ultrasound spectroscopy device including one or more of such piezoelectric transducers.

A photoacoustic image of an object varies in contrast between a shallow portion and a deep portion according to the irradiation position of the object with respect to an ultrasonic probe. The present disclosure provides an information acquisition apparatus in which the contrast is high regardless of the depth of the region of interest. The information acquisition apparatus includes a varying unit that varies the irradiation position of the object with respect to the ultrasonic probe and controls the irradiation position according to an instruction on a condition for acquiring information on the object.

A spherical body inspection apparatus including a support arrangement realized to support a spherical body during an inspection procedure; a probe arrangement comprising a plurality of ultrasonic testing probes arranged about the spherical body such that the ultrasonic testing probes target a common test point at the surface of the spherical body; and a displacer for effecting at least one relative rotational displacement between the spherical body and the probe arrangement. Also described is a method of inspecting a spherical body.

There is provided a pig for inspecting a tubular object. The pig is configured for travel along an interior of the tubular object. The pig comprises a transducer body. The transducer body includes at least one transducer for detecting a condition of the tubular object. The or each transducer is configured to, in use, move in a plane that is perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to a direction of travel of the pig along the interior of the tubular object.

Disclosed herein is an apparatus for inspecting structural integrity of a part. The apparatus includes a body and at least one sensor. The body is movable relative to the part. The at least one sensor is coupled to the body and includes a plurality of nanotubes configured to generate electrical signals when acted upon by an acoustic shockwave propagating through the part. The electrical signals are proportional to an intensity of the acoustic shockwave.

In an ultrasonic transducer assembly, a conformable ultrasonic transducer has a piezoelectric layer and electrodes able to conform to curved surfaces, and a clamp for pressing the transducer into ultrasonic contact with a curved surface. Conformability is ensured with a thin, porous piezoelectric layer and suitable electrical conductors and insulators. The ultrasonic transducer may operate without further thermal shielding under harsh environments and/or at high temperatures.

Disclosed is a piezoelectric transducer of the type including a stack of a contact piece, a piezoelectric pellet and a support of very great stiffness. Specifically, the contact piece forms tips, the respective apex of which constitutes contact points that are spatially isolated from one another. Also disclosed is a process for the manufacture of such a contact piece as well as a resonant ultrasound spectroscopy device including one or more of such piezoelectric transducers.

The invention concerns a method for inspection of rolling elements (W) by means of ultrasound, wherein the rolling elements (W) are taken individually to an ultrasound measuring device (4), wherein the rolling elements (W) are moved in the ultrasound measuring device (4) and subjected to an ultrasound measurement and wherein depending on a result of the ultrasound measurement the individual rolling elements (W) are classified as defective or nondefective. The subject matter of the invention is also a rolling element inspection layout for performance of the method, having at least one ultrasound measuring device (4) with a holder for the individual rolling elements (W), at least one ultrasound head (10) and a drive unit for the movement of the individual rolling elements (W).