Phased-array ultrasonic surface contour mapping system and method for solids hoppers and the like

Patent · Sat Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1994

OSTI ID:869441

Fasching, George E ^[1]

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1. Morgantown, WV

A real time ultrasonic surface contour mapping system is provided including a digitally controlled phased-array of transmitter/receiver (T/R) elements located in a fixed position above the surface to be mapped. The surface is divided into a predetermined number of pixels which are separately scanned by an arrangement of T/R elements by applying phase delayed signals thereto that produce ultrasonic tone bursts from each T/R that arrive at a point X in phase and at the same time relative to the leading edge of the tone burst pulse so that the acoustic energies from each T/R combine in a reinforcing manner at point X. The signals produced by the reception of the echo signals reflected from point X back to the T/Rs are also delayed appropriately so that they add in phase at the input of a signal combiner. This combined signal is then processed to determine the range to the point X using density-corrected sound velocity values. An autofocusing signal is developed from the computed average range for a complete scan of the surface pixels. A surface contour map is generated in real time form the range signals on a video monitor.

• Research Organization: National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
• Assignee: United States of America as represented by Department of Energy (Washington, DC)
• Patent Number(s): US 5337289
• OSTI ID: 869441
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

phased-array
ultrasonic
surface
contour
mapping
method
solids
hoppers
time
provided
including
digitally
controlled
transmitter
receiver
elements
located
fixed
position
mapped
divided
predetermined
pixels
separately
scanned
arrangement
applying
phase
delayed
signals
thereto
produce
tone
bursts
arrive
relative
leading
edge
burst
pulse
acoustic
energies
combine
reinforcing
manner
produced
reception
echo
reflected
appropriately
add
input
signal
combiner
combined
processed
determine
range
density-corrected
sound
velocity
values
autofocusing
developed
computed
average
complete
scan
map
generated
form
video
monitor
phase delay
controlled phase
leading edge
fixed position
provided including
surface contour
signals produced
signals reflected
ultrasonic surface
sound velocity
digitally controlled
echo signals
elements located
sonic surface
contour mapping
delayed signal
controlled ph
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