Liquid level sensor using ultrasonic Lamb waves

This paper describes a novel, noninvasive method for measurement of liquid level in closed metal tanks that are under high pressure. It is based on the use of ultrasonic Lamb waves propagating along the tank wall. Contact with liquid substantially changes the characteristics of these waves and this can be used as an indicator of liquid presence. Theoretical analysis shows that the symmetric and antisymmetric Lamb wave modes, both fundamental and higher order, are sensitive to presence of the liquid. The optimal wave frequency depends on the thickness of the tank wall and wall material. A prototype level sensor based on this principle has been developed. It uses two pairs of wedge transducers to generate and detect Lamb waves propagating along the circumference of the gas tank. An operating frequency of 100 kHz is found to be optimal for use with tanks having a wall thickness of 30-50 mm. Prototype sensors developed under this program have been used successfully in oil fields in the far northern region of Russia.     

Cure monitoring using ultrasonic guided waves in wires

The possibility of using ultrasonic guided waves for monitoring the cure process of epoxy resins is investigated. The two techniques presented use a wire waveguide which is partly embedded in the resin. The first technique is based on the measurement of attenuation due to leakage of bulk waves into the resin surrounding the waveguide. The second technique measures the reflection of the guided wave that occurs at the point where the waveguide enters the resin. Both the attenuation and the reflection coefficient change significantly during cure, and the numerical methods to relate these to the material properties of the curing resin are presented in this paper. The results from the modeling are experimentally verified and show good agreement. The applicability of each testing method is discussed, and typical cure-monitoring curves are presented.     

Modeling,monitoring and control of continuous wave ultrasonic systems

Power ultrasonic systems use high-efficiency transducers with continuous (or quasi-continuous) wave excitation. In such systems, the acoustic environment in the reactor and the ultrasonic transducer are very closely coupled. This means that in planning, executing and controlling experiments the entire system must be taken into account. This paper describes a simple transfer-matrix model that provides useful, quantitative insight in the operation of such systems, including the relationship between the easily measured electrical input quantities and the elusive acoustical field in the reactor. An example is given and compared with experimental data. The literature references supplied will allow the reader to readily implement the model for his own use.     

Temperature effects in ultrasonic Lamb wave structural health monitoring systems

There is a need to better understand the effect of temperature changes on the response of ultrasonic guided-wave pitch-catch systems used for structural health monitoring. A model is proposed to account for all relevant temperature-dependent parameters of a pitch-catch system on an isotropic plate, including the actuator-plate and plate-sensor interactions through shear-lag behavior, the piezoelectric and dielectric permittivity properties of the transducers, and the Lamb wave dispersion properties of the substrate plate. The model is used to predict the S(0) and A(0) response spectra in aluminum plates for the temperature range of -40-+60 degrees C, which accounts for normal aircraft operations. The transducers examined are monolithic PZT-5A [PZT denotes Pb(Zr-Ti)O3] patches and flexible macrofiber composite type P1 patches. The study shows substantial changes in Lamb wave amplitude response caused solely by temperature excursions. It is also shown that, for the transducers considered, the response amplitude changes follow two opposite trends below and above ambient temperature (20 degrees C), respectively. These results can provide a basis for the compensation of temperature effects in guided-wave damage detection systems.     

Characterization of ultrasonic imaging systems using transfer functions

The transfer functions for focussed and defocussed, coherent and confocal optical imaging systems have been applied to the equivalent ultrasonic imaging systems. The transfer functions with varying degrees of defocus were calculated to show the defocus effects for ultrasonic imaging systems. Assuming that the acoustic waves are reflected perfectly on the surface of the step edge, the theoretical line-scans for small amplitude signals across a step edge, with various degrees of defocus, were generated. The first derivative of the line-scan for a step edge is shown theoretically to yield the same impulse response as that calculated using the inverse Fourier transform applied to the original transfer function. These results show how the real and imaginary parts of the transfer functions contribute to ultrasonic image formation. A method for the experimental determination of the impulse response, and the transfer functions for the characterization of an ultrasonic imaging system, such as an acoustic microscope, is provided.     

Water sensor using macrobending-sensitive fiber for real-time submersion monitoring

A fast reusable water sensor for long-distance real-time submersion monitoring was fabricated using a macrobending-sensitive fiber (MSF). The proposed water sensor consists of floating matter, periodic macrobending deformers, and a MSF. In this structure, the floating matter moves up and down according to the buoyant force of water, thereby controlling the bending loss of the MSF and allowing the proposed sensor to detect submersion. A basic bending experiment was conducted using a MSF and macrobending deformer, and the results used to fabricate an efficient water sensor. In contrast to existing sensors where the optical loss increases in the case of submersion, the optical loss of the fabricated sensor decreases due to the buoyant force when the selected area is submerged. As such, the fabricated sensor is able to transmit submersion information further than sensors that detect submersion by increasing the optical loss, and it is unaffected by environmental factors, such as humidity and pollutants in the water. The proposed sensor detects submersion by monitoring a 16 dB optical power change of 1550 nm, and the change in the optical power of the fabricated sensor is only affected by the buoyant force. In addition, the proposed water sensor quickly returns to its initial state when the water disappears, and the insertion loss when it is connected to a single-mode fiber (SMF) at both ends using a connector is only −1.2 dB at 1550 nm.     

油-气-水三相流超声传感器持气率测量

为探索油-气-水三相流持气率测量难题,该文开展了脉冲透射式超声传感器持气率测量动态实验研究。首先,利用超声传感器与光纤传感器组合,测取了油-气-水三相流中段塞流、混状流、泡状流的响应信号;其次,提取了超声脉冲信号的最大值序列来反映不同流型时超声传感器响应特性,同时,借助双头光纤传感器与相关测速法,计算得到了流体中气泡弦长序列;最后,结合流型与泡径信息,利用超声传感器测量了不同流型下持气率,并分析了不同流型持气率预测的误差来源,为其他油-气-水三相流持气率测量传感器设计提供了借鉴。     

Quasi-distributed displacement sensor for structural monitoring using a commercial OTDR

A quasi-distributed displacement sensor for structural monitoring using an optical time domain reflectometer is demonstrated. Four displacement sensing heads are placed along a standard single mode optical fibre in several locations with different intervals. Their configurations introduce power loss through the decrease of their fibre loop radius when displacement is applied. The decrease of the light intensity with displacement variation is reported. Losses of 9 dB for a 120 mm displacement with a sensitivity of 0.027 dB/mm are reported. The quasi-distributed configuration is able to address sensors with 1 m distance resolution between them.     

Structural health monitoring using polymer-based capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs)

Transducers based on a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) design have been fabricated using a rapid prototyping technique. This results in a device that is constructed principally from polymers, in a process which is simple and inexpensive. The resultant devices can be attached to the surfaces of solids. Their peak sensitivity is in the 80–100 kHz range, making them ideal for applications such as acoustic emission and structural health monitoring. Good low frequency sensitivity leads to applications in vibration monitoring.     

基于封装光纤Bragg光栅传感器的混凝土应变监测试验研究

研究了光纤Bragg光栅封装工艺,提出并实现了两种封装光纤Bragg光栅传感器:工字型钢管封装光纤Bragg光栅应变传感器及钢管封装光纤Bragg温度传感器。研究了传感器的埋设工艺,采用金属丝固定法、钢管抽出法两种方法进行了埋设。将它们埋入到钢筋混凝土梁中,实现对混凝土的拉、压应变及温度的测量。结果显示,在试验梁弹性阶段,可以较为准确的监测混凝土应变。     

喷流耦合式超声位移传感器的设计

本文主要研究一种新型微位移传感器。它用超声波原理进行检测，以喷流的水柱作为超声波传播的介质，可以在恶劣环境下进行位移测量。位移等于超声波传播的速度与超声波从发到收之间传播时间的乘积。考虑到声速会随介质一水的温度的升高而增大，设计时进行了实时温度补偿，提高了系统的精度。     

High-frequency ultrasonic wire bonding systems

The vibration characteristics of longitudinal-complex transverse vibration systems with multiple resonance frequencies of 350-980 kHz for ultrasonic wire bonding of IC, LSI or electronic devices were studied. The complex vibration systems can be applied for direct welding of semiconductor tips (face-down bonding, flip-chip bonding) and packaging of electronic devices. A longitudinal-complex transverse vibration bonding system consists of a complex transverse vibration rod, two driving longitudinal transducers 7.0 mm in diameter and a transverse vibration welding tip. The vibration distributions along ceramic and stainless-steel welding tips were measured at up to 980 kHz. A high-frequency vibration system with a height of 20.7 mm and a weight of less than 15 g was obtained.     

Investigation of intracranial media ultrasonic monitoring model

The objectives are to investigate the peculiarities of the ultrasound pulse propagation through human extra/intracranial media by mathematical simulation and to confirm the simulation results experimentally by proving the suitability of the ultrasonic time-of-flight measurement method for human intracranial media (IM) physiological non-invasive monitoring. The mathematical model of ultrasound pulse propagation through the human extra/intracranial media is described. The simulation of various physiological phenomena were performed to determine the relationship between the characteristics of the transmitted ultrasound pulse through the human head and the acoustic properties of the IM. It is shown that non-invasive monitoring of the IM acoustic properties is possible by measuring the changes of the ultrasonic signal time-of-flight and the oscillation period. The influence made by variations in acoustic parameters of the external tissue/skull bones on the non-invasive measurement data is investigated and methods of compensation of that influence are presented. The models were applied for developing of a new non-invasive sonographic intracranial pressure (ICP) monitor (Vittamed). Comparative studies of this monitor with the invasive ICP monitor (Camino) have shown the possibility of achieving clinically acceptable accuracy of the long term non-invasive ICP monitoring of head injured patients in intensive care units.     

An ultrasonic array sensor for spacecraft leak direction finding

We have developed an ultrasonic array sensor useable for locating air leaks in manned spacecraft and have found that this sensor locates leaks in a 1-m² plate to within 2 cm. The sensor consists of a 63-element multiplexed array plus a reference element, all constructed from a single PZT disc and a printed circuit board. Cross-correlations of signals from the array elements with signals from the single reference element provide a measurement of the leak noise passing through the spacecraft skin under the array. A spatial Fourier transform reveals the dominant direction of propagation. Triangulation from multiple sensor locations can be used to find the source of the leak.     

Presence detection under optimum fusion in an ultrasonic sensor system

Reliable presence detection is a requirement in energy-efficient occupancy-adaptive indoor lighting systems. A system of multiple ultrasonic sensors is considered for presence detection, and the performance gain from optimum fusion is studied. Two cases are considered wherein an individual sensor determines presence based on (i) local detection by processing echoes at its receiver, and (ii) the optimum Chair-Varshney fusion rule using multiple sensor detection results. The performance gains of using optimum fusion over local detection are characterized under different sensor system configurations and it is shown that improved detection sensitivity is obtained over a larger detection coverage region.     

超声波传感器在摊铺机自动调平控制系统中的应用

针对摊铺机自动调平控制系统对测距精度的较高要求,设计了一种具有较高精度的基于超声波传感器的测距系统。实验结果表明,在常用的测距范围内,静态测距精度可达1mm。介绍了测距系统的原理以及系统的软、硬件实现方法。     

Process optimization and stability of D-limonene-in-water nanoemulsions prepared by ultrasonic emulsification using response surface methodology

d-limonene in water nanoemulsion was prepared by ultrasonic emulsification using mixed surfactants of sorbitane trioleate and polyoxyethylene (20) oleyl ether. Investigation using response surface methodology revealed that 10% d-limonene nanoemulsions formed at S₀ ratio (d-limonene concentration to mixed surfactant concentration) 0.6-0.7 and applied power 18 W for 120 s had droplet size below 100 nm. The zeta potential of the nanoemulsion was approximately −20 mV at original pH 6.4, closed to zero around pH 4.0, and around −30 mV at pH 12.0. The main destabilization mechanism of the systems is Ostwald ripening. The ripening rate at 25 °C (0.39 m³ s⁻¹ × 10²⁹) was lower than that at 4 °C (1.44 m³ s⁻¹ × 10²⁹), which was in agreement with the Lifshitz-Slezov-Wagner (LSW) theory. Despite of Ostwald ripening, the droplet size of d-limonene nanoemulsion remained stable after 8 weeks of storage.     

基于ZigBee网络和超声定位的智能跟随小车

基于成熟的IEEE802.15.4协议和ZigBee无线模块,结合超声定位,设计了一种新颖的智能跟随系统。设计的核心为PIC18F4620单片机和MRF24J40MA无线收发模块,通过无线收发来完成节点间的识别与同步,同时以超声测距系统完成对被跟踪目标的定位,通过控制驱动电机动作实现对指定目标的定距离跟随。控制网络以子网的形式控制不同系统的分时定位跟随,同时管理各移动定位系统的入网和切换。样机测试结果表明系统达到了预期的跟随设计要求,具有一定的工程使用价值。     

基于广义合成阻抗超声传感器电端匹配的研究

超声波测距具有非接触、高准确度、价格低和使用方便等优点,被广泛应用于工业生产、医学检查、日常生活,如无人驾驶汽车、机器人、液位计等。在这些应用中,超声波传感器是应用中的最关键部件之一。因此,本文在分析了超声波传感器在谐振频率点等效电路的基础上,分别采用无源电感和有源电感对超声换能器的发射探头和接收探头进行电端匹配,提高了收发探头的效率。实验表明,匹配方法是有效的。     

Structural health monitoring and damage assessment using a novel time series analysis methodology with sensor clustering

This study presents a novel time series analysis methodology to detect, locate, and estimate the extent of the structural changes (e.g. damage). In this methodology, ARX models (Auto-Regressive models with eXogenous input) are created for different sensor clusters by using the free response of the structure. The output of each sensor in a cluster is used as an input to the ARX model to predict the output of the reference channel of that sensor cluster. Two different approaches are used for extracting Damage Features (DFs) from these ARX models. For the first approach, the coefficients of the ARX models are directly used as the DFs. It is shown with a 4 dof numerical model that damage can be identified, located and quantified for simple models and noise free data. To consider the effects of the noise and model complexity, a second approach is presented based on using the ARX model fit ratios as the DFs. The second approach is first applied to the same 4 DOF numerical model and to the numerical data coming from an international benchmark study for noisy conditions. Then, the methodology is applied to the experimental data from a large scale laboratory model. It is shown that the second approach performs successfully for different damage cases to identify and locate the damage using numerical and experimental data. Furthermore, it is observed that the DF level is a good indicator for estimating the extent of the damage for these cases. The potential and advantages of the methodology are discussed along with the analysis results. The limitations of the methodology, recommendations, and future work are also addressed.