System and method for acoustically imaging an underground tank
First Claim
1. A system for imaging contents of a tank comprising:
- at least one transducer unit including;
at least one acoustic signal transmitting member, for producing at least one acoustic signal; and
at least one acoustic signal receiving member, disposed proximate to said at least one acoustic signal transmitting member, said acoustic signal receiving member receiving a reflected said at least one acoustic signal;
a liquid saturated filler material proximate at least a first side of said tank whose contents are being imaged and disposed in acoustic contact with said at least one transducer unit, said liquid saturated filler material allowing said at least one acoustic signal to reach and penetrate said tank whose contents are being imaged; and
a transducer unit controller electrically coupled to said at least one transducer unit for controlling said produced at least one acoustic signal and for analyzing said reflected at least one acoustic signal received by said acoustic signal receiving member.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A vertical acoustic array system and method for acoustically imaging the tents of a partially or completely buried tank which can contain radioactive solids and may not be entirely filled. The transducer array is placed proximate a side of a tank in a vessel such as a tube filled with water. Dirt or other filler material located between the tube and the tank is saturated with water, allowing the acoustic signal to propagate through the side of the tank and into the tank. The vertical array consists of one or more transmitting units and receiving units set in a vertical array including dipole receiving elements which allow horizontal directionality. The signals are analyzed by a field unit which includes a portable self-powered trailer providing signal transmitting and analysis devices. The field unit can transmit signals to a second unit which provides further signal analysis.
15 Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for imaging contents of a tank comprising:
- at least one transducer unit including;
at least one acoustic signal transmitting member, for producing at least one acoustic signal; and at least one acoustic signal receiving member, disposed proximate to said at least one acoustic signal transmitting member, said acoustic signal receiving member receiving a reflected said at least one acoustic signal; a liquid saturated filler material proximate at least a first side of said tank whose contents are being imaged and disposed in acoustic contact with said at least one transducer unit, said liquid saturated filler material allowing said at least one acoustic signal to reach and penetrate said tank whose contents are being imaged; and a transducer unit controller electrically coupled to said at least one transducer unit for controlling said produced at least one acoustic signal and for analyzing said reflected at least one acoustic signal received by said acoustic signal receiving member. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
- at least one transducer unit including;
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16. A method of acoustically imaging contents of an underground tank including the steps of:
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disposing a transducer array proximate at least a first side of said tank whose contents are to be acoustically imaged; saturating a material generally disposed between the said transducer array and said underground tank whose contents are being acoustically imaged, with water; producing an acoustic signal from said transducer array; receiving a reflected acoustic signal at said transducer array said acoustic signal being reflected by contents of said tank; and analyzing said received reflected acoustic signal. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification