A method of forming parts uses a forming tool having a forming surface, and an ultrasonic transducer array on the forming surface.

A thermoacoustic imaging device for coupling to a region of interest on a patient is disclosed. The device includes a housing having a surface, wherein the surface comprises an acoustic coupling portion having a substantially perpendicular extent relative to the surface. In one embodiment, the perpendicular extent extends to the surface. In one embodiment, the perpendicular extent extends to the surface and the outwardly from the surface. In one embodiment, the perpendicular extent extends only from the surface.

A sensor system that combines the sensing application of surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensor and sensor signal transfer though the enclosure wall via acoustic means. The sensor system includes SAW sensor placed inside the enclosure and at least one pair of bulk acoustic wave (BAW) transducers, one mounted inside and second outside the enclosure wall, allowing the interrogation of SAW sensor from outside the enclosure. The external BAW transducer converts interrogation electrical pulse into acoustic pulse which travels though the enclosure wall to the internal BAW transducer. The internal BAW transducer converts the interrogation electrical pulse to electrical pulse and transfers it to SAW sensor. The response of the SAW transducer containing series of electric pulses is converted to the series of acoustic pulses by internal BAW transducer which propagates though enclosure wall. The external BAW transducer converts the series of acoustic pulses into series of electrical pulses and is received by the interrogation circuit for processing.

Various embodiments of a bio-inspired robot operable for detecting crack and corrosion defects in tubular structures are disclosed herein.

A method of automatically inspecting a weld bead deposited in a plurality of passes in a chamfer formed between two parts by performing the following steps: positioning at least one emission electromagnetic acoustic sensor on one side of the chamfer and at least one reception electromagnetic acoustic sensor on an opposite side of the chamfer, the ultrasound wave emission sensor being configured to emit Rayleigh surface waves; while depositing a pass, automatically moving the sensors to follow the movement of welding electrodes along the chamfer; activating the sensors while they are moving to enable the emission sensor to generate and emit Rayleigh waves towards the pass of the weld bead that is being deposited, the reception sensor receiving the ultrasound signals transmitted and/or reflected in said pass; and reiterating the operation for the entire pass of the weld bead.

A method and system for grading pistons with deposits is disclosed. In an embodiment, a piston with an outer surface and deposits upon the outer surface is increased in temperature and thermally scanned. The deposits are identified based on the temperature differences measured with respect to the temperature of the outer surface of the piston. Deposit characteristics can be generated from the identified locations of deposits and the magnitude of temperature difference with respect to the outer surface. The deposit characteristics are recorded and used to grade the pistons.

Various embodiments of a bio-inspired robot operable for detecting crack and corrosion defects in tubular structures are disclosed herein.

A sensor for ultrasonically measuring a portion of a structure having a temperature significantly above room-temperature, the sensor comprising: a high-temperature portion for intimate contact with the structure, the high-temperature portion comprising at least: at least one transducer for converting a first signal to an ultrasonic transmit signal, and for converting an ultrasonic reflected signal to a second signal; a low-temperature portion comprising at least: at least one digital sensor interface (DSI) to which the transducer is electrically connected, the DSI being configured to transmit the first electrical signal and receive the second electrical signal, and to generate an A-scan signal based on the first and second electrical signals; a wireless interface for transmitting a digital signal based directly or indirectly on at least said A-scan signal; and a battery for powering the DSI and the wireless interface; and an elongated member containing one or more electrical conductors for conducting the first and second signals between the transducer and the DSI, the elongated member being configured to offset the low-temperature portion a sufficient distance away from the high-temperature portion such that the low-temperature portion is subjected to significantly less heat from the structure compared to the high-temperature portion.

The method comprises the following steps: a) Providing a sonotrode (1) formed from an essentially inert material with respect to the liquid metal, such as a ceramic, and preferably a silicon nitride or a silicon oxynitride, such as SIALON, or a metal essentially inert to said liquid metal, b) Immersing at least partially the sonotrode (1) in a bath of said metal, c) Applying to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts to obtain the wetting of said sonotrode by said metal, d) Applying continuously to the sonotrode (1) measurement ultrasounds, also known as testing ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds wherein the frequency is between 1 and 25 MHz, e) Applying intermittently to the sonotrode (1) power ultrasounds, particularly ultrasounds having a power greater than 10 watts, to maintain said wetting.

The invention relates to novel processes for determining the quality of an uncrosslinked rubber mixture by means of ultrasound and to an apparatus suitable for this purpose.