Phased-array ultrasonic surface contour mapping system and method for solid hoppers and the like
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. 18 figs.
- Assignee:
- Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
- Patent Number(s):
- A; US 5337289
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 8-092107
- OSTI ID:
- 7082964
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Phased-array ultrasonic surface contour mapping system. Technical note