Ultrasonic system for nondestructive testing
First Claim
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1. An ultrasonic system for nondestructive testing, comprising:
- an array of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers configured to emit primary ultrasound waves that;
interfere with each other, generate a plurality of frequency harmonics in the air, and form ultrasound shock waves that modify an acoustic impedance of the air, wherein the primary ultrasound waves comprise at least two fundamental frequency components that are multiples of each other and emitted simultaneously in locked phase; and
at least one receiver configured to receive ultrasonic waves emitted from an object under test.
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Abstract
Example systems and methods for nondestructive ultrasonic testing are provided. One example system includes at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer configured to emit primary ultrasound waves that interfere with each other. The primary ultrasound waves include fundamental frequency components that are multiples of each other and emitted simultaneously in locked phase. Further, the interference of the primary ultrasound waves generates a plurality of frequency harmonics in the air. The system also includes at least one receiver configured to receive ultrasonic waves emitted from an object under test.
19 Citations
18 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic system for nondestructive testing, comprising:
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an array of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers configured to emit primary ultrasound waves that;
interfere with each other, generate a plurality of frequency harmonics in the air, and form ultrasound shock waves that modify an acoustic impedance of the air, wherein the primary ultrasound waves comprise at least two fundamental frequency components that are multiples of each other and emitted simultaneously in locked phase; andat least one receiver configured to receive ultrasonic waves emitted from an object under test. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. An ultrasonic system for nondestructive testing, comprising:
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at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer configured to emit primary ultrasound waves that;
interfere with each other, generate a plurality of frequency harmonics in the air, and form ultrasound shock waves that modify an acoustic impedance of the air, wherein the primary ultrasound waves comprise at least two fundamental frequency components that are multiples of each other and emitted simultaneously in locked phase; andat least one receiver configured to receive ultrasonic waves emitted from an object under test, wherein the at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer is positioned on a first side of the object, and wherein the at least one receiver comprises a first receiver positioned on the first side of the object and a second receiver positioned on a second side of the object that is opposite to the first side of the object.
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11. An ultrasonic system for nondestructive testing, comprising:
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at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer configured to emit primary ultrasound waves that;
interfere with each other, generate a plurality of frequency harmonics in the air, and form ultrasound shock waves that modify an acoustic impedance of the air, wherein the primary ultrasound waves comprise at least two fundamental frequency components that are multiples of each other and emitted simultaneously in locked phase; andat least one receiver configured to receive ultrasonic waves emitted from an object under test, wherein the object comprises an air duct.
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12. A method for nondestructive testing, comprising:
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generating, using an array of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers, a plurality of frequency harmonics in an interference field in the air, wherein the generating comprises modifying an acoustic impedance of the air by forming ultrasound shock waves; receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from and generated in an object under test, wherein the ultrasonic waves are reflected from and generated in the object due to the generating of the plurality of frequency harmonics; and analyzing, using a computing device, signals indicative of the ultrasonic waves in the time domain, frequency domain, or both to determine at least one property of the object. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method comprising:
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generating, using at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer, a plurality of frequency harmonics in an interference field in the air, wherein the generating comprises modifying an acoustic impedance of the air by forming ultrasound shock waves, wherein the at least one air-coupled ultrasonic transducer is positioned within a predetermined distance of an air duct; receiving from at least one non-contact air-coupled receiver, ultrasonic waves generated in the air duct, wherein the ultrasonic waves are generated in the air duct due to the generating of the plurality of frequency harmonics; and analyzing, using a computing device, signals indicative of the ultrasonic waves to determine a flow rate of a fluid through the air duct. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification