Noise analysis in air-coupled PVDF ultrasonic sensors

In this paper we analyze the noise generated in a piezo-polymer based sensor for low frequency ultrasound in air. The sensor includes two curved PVDF transducers for medium and short range applications. A lumped RLC equivalent circuit was derived from the measurement of the transducer's electrical admittance, in air, by taking into account both mechanical and dielectric losses, which we suppose are the major sources of noise in similar devices. The electrical model was used to study and optimize the noise performance of a 61 kHz transducer and to simulate the electrical behavior of the complete transmitter-receiver system. The validity of the overall electrical model with low noise was confirmed after verifying, with Pspice, agreement of the practical and theoretical results.     

C/SiC复合材料空气耦合超声检测数值模拟

针对高孔隙率C/SiC复合材料空气耦合超声检测,引入考虑孔隙形貌的随机孔隙模型开展数值模拟研究。结合力学和声学性能测试计算材料弹性刚度矩阵,借助组织分析建立考虑孔隙微观形貌、孔隙率分别为5%、10%、15%的随机孔隙有限元模型,研究了空气耦合超声透射法检测过程中超声波传播特征及典型缺陷的响应规律。结果表明:材料纵波声速约2830 m/s,横观各向同性五个独立弹性常数分别为158.149、88.589、34.141、15.288和13.793 GPa。孔隙呈长条状,随孔隙率增加,超声衰减逐渐增大;孔隙尺寸与波长的比值约在0.05~0.22范围,主要为瑞利散射机制。高孔隙率、复杂孔隙形貌显著影响超声波的传播过程,导致个别条件下声场指向性发生偏转,影响缺陷检测。当分层缺陷长度由0增加到25 mm时,接收信号幅值衰减增大,与无分层模型相比最大衰减增加33.9 dB。随着复合材料层板厚度的增加,超声衰减进一步增强,声场也将产生一定偏转,主要体现孔隙和分层的共同作用。计算结果与实验吻合较好,为高孔隙率C/SiC复合材料的高质量无损检测提供支撑。      

铁电驻极体空气耦合声换能器的研制

基于多孔聚丙烯铁电驻极体薄膜系统研制了平面型和球型聚焦空气耦合超声波换能器。平面型换能器孔径为20mm,两个球型聚焦换能器的孔径和焦距分别为20mm和35mm、30mm和40mm。使用激光干涉仪测得了三个换能器作为发射器工作时的带宽和谐振频率,并且将在脉冲回波模式下测得的换能器作为接收机工作时的响应与激光干涉仪测试结果进行比较。最后选择孔径为20mm的球型聚焦换能器,在脉冲回波模式下对不同直径孔的聚乙烯阶梯楔进行扫描成像。     

基于气体基压电复合材料的线聚焦空耦超声传感器研制与应用

空气耦合式超声检测技术因具有非接触、无损伤等特点,被广泛应用于材料的非接触检测。本文从晶硅太阳能电池的实际检测需求出发,设计并制作了一种气体基线聚焦空气耦合（空耦）式超声传感器,与传统的聚合物基空气耦合（空耦）式超声传感器相比,气体基线聚焦空耦传感器利用了3D打印技术将聚合物基框架改进为镂空结构,进一步降低了压电复合材料的声阻抗。所研制的传感器中心频率约为150 kHz,聚焦半径为20 mm,孔径为28 mm。对传感器进行了激励接收性能测试,并采用空耦超声Lamb波检测技术,对含有裂纹缺陷的单晶硅太阳能电池片进行非接触式检测,通过分析接收信号的幅值信息并利用相关系数法,完成了对裂纹缺陷的检出和定位,实现了气体基线聚焦空耦传感器在缺陷检测中的应用。     

Evaluation of surface cracks of bending concrete using a fully non-contact air-coupled nonlinear ultrasonic technique

In this paper, a fully non-contact second harmonic generation (SHG) technique using a pair of air-coupled ultrasonic transducers is developed and the feasibility of the technique is investigated through the evaluation of surface cracks of concrete beams subjected to the bending load. The reliability of developed technique is subsequently validated by comparing the non-contact nonlinear ultrasonic measurements with measurement results based on contact-type sensors, where the coefficient of variation of non-contact measurements is averagely about 46% of the contact measurements. The defined nonlinear parameter is found to have a monotonically increasing trend with the growth of concrete crack, and the nonlinear parameter corresponding to the largest crack increases about 7 times from its initial value corresponding to the sample in intact state. In contrast, the increase of linear parameter namely the time-of-flight of surface wave is only about 40%. The difference as high as one order of magnitude verifies the high sensitivity of developed air-coupled SHG technique. With consideration of the easily removable characteristic of air-coupled ultrasonic measurements, the developed SHG technique could be promising for the large scale quality control of concrete structures in engineering practice.     

Chromatic aberration of an air-coupled ultrasonic Fresnel zone-plate

A micromachined Fresnel zone-plate has been used to focus ultrasonic waves in air over a range of frequencies (450 to 900 kHz). The zone-plate was mounted upon a planar micromachined air-coupled capacitance transducer, which was capable of generating toneburst ultrasonic waves in air over a wide frequency bandwidth (<100 kHz to 2 MHz). A second air-coupled capacitance detector (apertured to 200 mum) was scanned in the field of the zone-plate source in order to image the generated ultrasonic field at various frequencies of operation. It was found that the ~680 mum spot size of the experimental zone-plate did not vary appreciably with changing frequency, whereas the focal length increased markedly with increasing frequency (from ~5 mm at 450 kHz up to ~15 mm at 900 kHz). These findings are shown to be in excellent agreement with previously reported theoretical predictions by the authors.     

High-resolution, air-coupled ultrasonic imaging of thin materials

This paper describes the use of a focused air-coupled capacitance transducer combined with pulse compression techniques to form high-resolution images of thin materials in air. The focusing of the device is achieved by using an off-axis parabolic mirror. The lateral resolution of the focused transducer, operating over a bandwidth of 1.2 MHz, was found to be less than 0.5 mm. A combination of the focused transducer as a source and a planar receiver in through-transmission mode has been developed for the measurement of different features in paper products, with a lateral resolution in through-transmission imaging of /spl sim/0.4 mm. Images in air of thin samples such as bank notes, high-quality writing paper, stamps, and sealed joints were obtained without contact to the sample.     

基于空耦换能器的碳纤维增强环氧树脂编织复合材料激光超声检测技术

激光超声技术具有无需耦合剂、快速及高分辨等特点,适用于各向异性碳纤维增强树脂编织复合材料的缺陷检测。运用有限元法分析了激励位置和编织结构对激光点源激发超声波信号的影响,获得了弹性波在材料内部的传播规律以及能量分布特征,并采用1 MHz空气耦合换能器搭建了一套小型化、低成本的非接触激光超声C扫描成像系统,开展了斜纹和缎纹碳纤维增强树脂编织复合材料的近表微结构和内部缺陷检测实验。结果表明,基于空气耦合换能器的激光超声成像可以高精度地再现碳纤维增强树脂编织复合材料的近表树脂囊、碳纤维束形状、取向、尺寸及其内部缺陷等空间分布特征,有望为航空复合材料提供一种原位的微结构表征和缺陷检测方法。      

The validity of ultrasonic pulse velocity testing of in-place concrete for strength

It is generally accepted that the use of ultrasonic methods for assessment of concrete suffers many disadvantages, particularly where a strength estimation is required. The absence of alternative non-destructive methods capable of giving significantly better results, however, means that despite these difficulties ultrasonics have a valuable role to play, especially in the field of in-place evaluation of structural concrete. It is thus worthwhile to examine in some detail those factors having a major influence on ‘field’ results, with the aim of assessing the confidence with which they may be viewed.     

New type of matching layer for air-coupled ultrasonic transducers

This paper presents a new concept in the design of an impedance matching structure for air coupled ultrasonic transducers. A reflective layer structure is inserted between the transducer and propagation medium with a small air space. Adjusting the air space and the reflectivity of the inserted structure causes the transducer impedance to match with the impedance of the propagation medium. Two such structures were investigated as a reflector: a polymer thin film and a thick plate with many holes. Wave impedance theory was applied to these reflecting structures, and the impedance of a thin film layer at the incident surface was calculated using boundary conditions. Impedance of holed plate is calculated in a similar fashion. It was found that the calculated impedance of these structures approximately matched the impedance of the PZT air transducer (40 KHz). The acoustic pressure output was maximized by adjusting the position of the matching structure. A theoretical gain of up to 10 dB in the acoustic pressure was predicted under ideal circumstances, and the experimental observations showed a gain of 9.5 dB in the acoustic pressure for a 12 μm polyethylene film placed at a distance of ~0.1 mm from the transducer's surface. The increase was 9.8 dB for a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) film and 9.7 dB for a 1.5 mm printed circuit board with many holes at a distance of ~25 μm from the transducer's surface     

The use of air-coupled ultrasound to test paper

Capacitance transducers containing a thin polymer membrane have been used to transmit ultrasonic signals with frequencies in excess of 1 MHz through various paper products such as paper and cardboard. At normal incidence, a resonance was visible in thicker samples, the frequency of which could be correlated to parameters such as the thickness of the paper sample and the moisture content. It has also been demonstrated that images can be obtained of changes in structure across paper and card samples     

超宽带信号的时频分析

超宽带(UWB)信号的特性更多表现为非平稳信号的特性,而对非平稳信号采用时频域的变换更能描述信号频谱的分布情况.首先引入了一种基于布莱克曼窗的短时傅立叶变换,然后给出两种典型的UWB信号,利用这种时频分析方法对两种UWB信号进行了时频分析.分析结果表明,无论是PAM-DS-UWB信号还是OFDM-UWB信号都符合FCC对UWB信号的功率限制.     

超声分析二元混合气体浓度的理论及应用

本文根据气体状态方程，推导了二元混合气体浓度与声速的解析关系，得到一个一元二次方程该方程的系数是声速与温度的函数，而方程的解即为气体浓度。研制了带单片机的智能超声氯气浓度分析仪，根据测量的声速与温度进行直接运算而无需现场实测－一逐点标定，该机的计算误差小于１％，经工作使用并与分析对比，其概然误差小于０．１％。     

Characterization and assessment of an integrated matching layer for air-coupled ultrasonic applications

A novel ultrasonic matching layer for improving coupling between piezoelectric transducers and an air load is presented and the results of a theoretical and experimental program of work are provided. A combination of a porous material that has very low acoustic impedance with a low-density rubber material forms the basis of the approach. These matching layers were first analyzed experimentally using scanning electron and optical microscopy to determine the microscopic structure. Air-coupled resonance measurements were then performed to reveal the acoustic parameters of the individual layers that were identified within this multilayered structure. These data were then incorporated into a conventional linear model, and this has been verified and used to study performance and produce designs. Close correlation between experiment and theory is demonstrated. The most efficient designs have been implemented in a pitch/catch air-coupled system, and an improvement in received signal amplitude of 30 dB was achieved when compared with the unmatched case.     

Cruciform specimens' experimental analysis in ultrasonic fatigue testing

In this paper, two special aluminium cruciform specimens are designed and tested in an ultrasonic fatigue machine. They were designed based on Single‐Input‐Multiple‐Output (SIMO) modal analysis to induce in‐plane biaxial stress combinations (in‐phase tension‐tension [T‐T] and out‐of‐phase compression‐tension [C‐T]) when at resonance at 20 kHz. The geometries were subjected to both numerical analysis and experimental testing to understand if they can indeed create the intended biaxial state of stresses. Both numerical and experimental results showed an impact of nearby resonant modes of noninterest on the correct functioning of the specimens, especially regarding the T‐T specimen where a large deviation from the mode of interest was measured. This means that future work includes re‐designing T‐T specimens taking into account these mode shapes. Only out‐of‐phase specimens demonstrated to work properly and tests until failure were conducted. The first failure results showed to be consistent with literature when out‐of‐phase biaxial stress is applied cyclically.     

Design of a hexagonal air-coupled capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer for air parametric array

An air parametric array can generate a highly directional beam of audible sound in air,which has a wide range of applications in targeted audio delivery.Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer(CMUTs)have great potential for air-coupled applications,mainly because of their low acoustic impedance.In this study,an air-coupled CMUT array is designed as an air parametric array.A hexagonal array is proposed to improve the directivity of the sound generated.A finite element model of the CMUT is established in COMSOL software to facilitate the choice of appropriate structural parameters of the CMUT cell.The CMUT array is then fabricated by a wafer bonding process with high consistency.The performances of the CMUT are tested to verify the accuracy of the finite element analysis.By optimizing the component parameters of the bias-T circuit used for driving the CMUT,DC and AC voltages can be effectively applied to the top and bottom electrodes of the CMUT to provide efficient ultrasound transmission.Finally,the prepared hexagonal array is successfully used to conduct preliminary experiments on its application as an air parametric array.     

基于时频切片分析的故障诊断方法及应用

为了提取设备的故障特征,提出了基于时频切片分析的故障特征提取方法。首先采用基于频率切片小波变换分解振动信号,得到信号在全频带的时频分布。在此基础上根据其时频能量分布,选择时间频率切片区间进行细化分析,通过时频分割和信号重构得到选定区间的时频特征,实现了故障特征的分离。这种方法能够有效地获取正确的故障特征信息,在某炼油厂齿轮箱摩擦故障诊断中取得了较好的效果。     

Development of a PVDF membrane hydrophone for use in air-coupled ultrasonic transducer calibration

This work describes the use of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane hydrophone for application in air-coupled transducer calibration. A one-dimensional theoretical analysis is used to demonstrate the potential and performance of PVDF as a hydrophone material over the frequency range 100 kHz to 5 MHz included in the evaluation is the influence of deposited metallic electrode layers on the sensitivity of the material. Experimental validation over the restricted range 400 kHz to 1 MHz is provided by a coplanar 0.028 mm thick membrane hydrophone in conjunction with a custom built 1-3 piezocomposite transmitter. Calibration of the membrane hydrophone is performed by employing a standard hydrophone that has been calibrated to a primary standard in a water medium. Justification for such an approach is presented within the theoretical analysis which provides a close correlation with experimental data. The generation of Lamb waves at critical angles in the PVDF and their subsequent influence on the directional response of membrane hydrophones operating in air is also addressed. A method for partial suppression of the Lamb waves, based around perforation of the membrane (either in whole or in part), is evaluated experimentally with reasonable results.     

基于空气耦合超声导波法对开闭器水层厚度的研究

针对传统接触式超声检测高压电线杆开闭器水层厚度存在漏电风险问题,提出使用非接触式空气耦合超声导波技术对开闭器中水层厚度进行测量。对开闭器水中导波传播过程进行仿真并计算水层厚度;搭建开闭器实验室平台,控制水层厚度,改变换能器之间距离,对回波信号进行分析并计算水层厚度;控制换能器之间距离,改变水层厚度,对回波信号进行分析并计算水层厚度。通过仿真与实验使用几何声学对水层厚度进行计算得出关系式,将仿真与实验两者结果进行对比,有高度一致性,验证空气耦合超声导波法对开闭器中水层厚度测量的可行性与准确性。该方法可为测量开闭器中水层厚度提供新思路。