21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850... blood pressure transducer. (a) Identification. An extravascular blood pressure transducer is a device used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850... blood pressure transducer. (a) Identification. An extravascular blood pressure transducer is a device used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... change in relation to changes in blood pressure. These changes are transmitted to accessory equipment for... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section... pressure transducer. (a) Identification. A catheter tip pressure transducer is a device incorporated into...

A dynamic pressure source for the calibration of pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vezzetti, C. F.; Hilten, J. S.; Mayo-Wells, J. F.; Lederer, P. S.

1976-01-01

A dynamic pressure source is described for producing sinusoidally varying pressures of up to 34 kPa zero to peak, over the frequency range of approximately 50 Hz to 2 kHz. The source is intended for the dynamic calibration of pressure transducers. The transducer to be calibrated is mounted near the base of the thick walled aluminum tube forming the vessel so that the pressure sensitive element is in contact with the liquid in the tube. A section of the tube is filled with small steel balls to damp the motion of the 10-St dimethyl siloxane working fluid in order to extend the useful frquency range to higher frequencies than would be provided by an undamped system. The dynamic response of six transducers provided by the sponsor was evaluated using the pressure sources; the results of these calibrations are given.

A high-temperature wideband pressure transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuckerwar, A. J.

1975-01-01

Progress in the development of a pressure transducer for measurement of the pressure fluctuations in the high temperature environment of a jet exhaust is reported. A condenser microphone carrier system was adapted to meet the specifications. A theoretical analysis is presented which describes the operation of the condenser microphone in terms of geometry, materials, and other physical properties. The analysis was used as the basis for design of a prototype high temperature microphone. The feasibility of connecting the microphone to a converter over a high temperature cable operating as a half-wavelength transmission line was also examined.

An absolute method for determination of misalignment of an immersion ultrasonic transducer.

PubMed

Narayanan, M M; Singh, Narender; Kumar, Anish; Babu Rao, C; Jayakumar, T

2014-12-01

An absolute methodology has been developed for quantification of misalignment of an ultrasonic transducer using a corner-cube retroreflector. The amplitude based and the time of flight (TOF) based C-scans of the reflector are obtained for various misalignments of the transducer. At zero degree orientation of the transducer, the vertical positions of the maximum amplitude and the minimum TOF in the C-scan coincide. At any other orientation of the transducer with the horizontal plane, there is a vertical shift in the position of the maximum amplitude with respect to the minimum TOF. The position of the minimum (TOF) remains the same irrespective of the orientation of the transducer and hence is used as a reference for any misalignment of the transducer. With the measurement of the vertical shift and the horizontal distance between the transducer and the vertex of the reflector, the misalignment of the transducer is quantified. Based on the methodology developed in the present study, retroreflectors are placed in the Indian 500MWe Prototype Fast Breeder Reactor for assessment of the orientation of the ultrasonic transducer prior to the under-sodium ultrasonic scanning for detection of any protrusion of the subassemblies. Copyright © 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Electronic scanning pressure measuring system and transducer package

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coe, C. F. (Inventor); Parra, G. T.

1984-01-01

An electronic scanning pressure system that includes a plurality of pressure transducers is examined. A means obtains an electrical signal indicative of a pressure measurement from each of the plurality of pressure transducers. A multiplexing means is connected for selectivity supplying inputs from the plurality of pressure transducers to the signal obtaining means. A data bus connects the plurality of pressure transducers to the multiplexing means. A latch circuit is connected to supply control inputs to the multiplexing means. An address bus is connected to supply an address signal of a selected one of the plurality of pressure transducers to the latch circuit. In operation, each of the pressure transducers is successively scanned by the multiplexing means in response to address signals supplied on the address bus to the latch circuit.

Use of submersible pressure transducers in water-resources investigations

USGS Publications Warehouse

Freeman, Lawrence A.; Carpenter, Michael C.; Rosenberry, Donald O.; Rousseau, Joseph P.; Unger, Randy; McLean, John S.

2004-01-01

Submersible pressure transducers, developed in the early 1960s, have made the collection of water-level and pressure data much more convenient than former methods. Submersible pressure transducers, when combined with electronic data recorders have made it possible to collect continuous or nearly continuous water-level or pressure data from wells, piezometers, soil-moisture tensiometers, and surface water gages. These more frequent measurements have led to an improved understanding of the hydraulic processes in streams, soils, and aquifers. This manual describes the operational theory behind submersible pressure transducers and provides information about their use in hydrologic investigations conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey.

Durability investigation of a group of strain gage pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lederer, P. S.; Hilten, J. S.

1972-01-01

A durability investigation was conducted on a group of eighteen bonded-wire strain gage pressure transducers with ranges of 0 to 15 psig and 0 to 100 psig using an improved version of a previously developed technique. Some of the transducers were subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at a 5-Hz rate at laboratory ambient conditions, others were cycled at a temperature of 150 F (65.6 C). The largest change in sensitivity observed was 0.22% for a 100-psig transducer subjected to 40 million pressure cycles at 150 F. The largest change in zero pressure output observed was 0.91% FS for the same transducer. None of the transducers failed completely as a result of cycling at or below full scale pressure.

Elevation correction factor for absolute pressure measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Panek, Joseph W.; Sorrells, Mark R.

1996-01-01

With the arrival of highly accurate multi-port pressure measurement systems, conditions that previously did not affect overall system accuracy must now be scrutinized closely. Errors caused by elevation differences between pressure sensing elements and model pressure taps can be quantified and corrected. With multi-port pressure measurement systems, the sensing elements are connected to pressure taps that may be many feet away. The measurement system may be at a different elevation than the pressure taps due to laboratory space or test article constraints. This difference produces a pressure gradient that is inversely proportional to height within the interface tube. The pressure at the bottom of the tube will be higher than the pressure at the top due to the weight of the tube's column of air. Tubes with higher pressures will exhibit larger absolute errors due to the higher air density. The above effect is well documented but has generally been taken into account with large elevations only. With error analysis techniques, the loss in accuracy from elevation can be easily quantified. Correction factors can be applied to maintain the high accuracies of new pressure measurement systems.

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... used to measure blood pressure by changes in the mechanical or electrical properties of the device. The... electrical signal related to the electrical or mechanical changes produced in the transducer. (b...

[Measuring intracranial pressure with a fontanelle palpation transducer (author's transl)].

PubMed

Hirsch, J F; Lacombe, J; Pierre-Kahn, A; Renier, D

1978-01-01

The accuracy and reliability of a non-invasive method for the measurement of intracranial pressure through the fontanelle without puncture was tested during 12 or even 24 hours recordings. Wealthall and Smallwood modified aplanation transducer was first used. A metal frame had to be developed in order to secure the transducer rigidly over the fontanelle so that the recording could take place with the infant in any position and completely free of its movements. Simultaneous recordings of extradural or intraventricular pressure have shown the measurements were accurate to about 1 or 2 cm H2O in a neurosurgical environnement (i.e large fontanelles with pressure over 10 cm H2O). For smaller fontanelles or low or even negative intracranial pressure, a smaller transducer seems to be needed. The preliminary test of a plane strain gauge transducer that partially fills this need is shown.

Performance Evaluation of Pressure Transducers for Water Impacts

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vassilakos, Gregory J.; Stegall, David E.; Treadway, Sean

2012-01-01

The Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle is being designed for water landings. In order to benchmark the ability of engineering tools to predict water landing loads, test programs are underway for scale model and full-scale water impacts. These test programs are predicated on the reliable measurement of impact pressure histories. Tests have been performed with a variety of pressure transducers from various manufacturers. Both piezoelectric and piezoresistive devices have been tested. Effects such as thermal shock, pinching of the transducer head, and flushness of the transducer mounting have been studied. Data acquisition issues such as sampling rate and anti-aliasing filtering also have been studied. The response of pressure transducers have been compared side-by-side on an impulse test rig and on a 20-inch diameter hemisphere dropped into a pool of water. The results have identified a range of viable configurations for pressure measurement dependent on the objectives of the test program.

Development of a high temperature capacitive pressure transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Egger, R. L.

1977-01-01

High temperature pressure transducers capable of continuous operation while exposed to 650 C were developed and evaluated over a full-scale differential pressure range of + or - 69 kPa. The design of the pressure transducers was based on the use of a diaphragm to respond to pressure, variable capacitive elements arranged to operate as a differential capacitor to measure diaphragm response and on the use of fused silica for the diaphragm and its supporting assembly. The uncertainty associated with measuring + or - 69 kPa pressures between 20C and 650C was less than + or - 6%.

[Clinical experiences with a new reusable pressure transducer].

PubMed

Brandt, L; Dick, W

1987-08-01

Invasive blood pressure monitoring is increasing in anesthesia and intensive care. Compared to noninvasive methods, it has some decisive advantages: (1) blood pressure trends can be assessed beat by beat, which is important especially in situations of cardiac arrhythmia; (2) respiratory changes in blood pressure as one sign of hypovolemia can be detected easily; and (3) pressure changes induced by the autonomic nervous system become apparent. We studied a new, reusable pressure transducer system, the Medex Novatrans-MX800 in routine intra- and postoperative monitoring of patients undergoing cardiac surgery using the following criteria: (1) handling; (2) accuracy of measurement; (3) durability; and (4) costs. The system is easy to use and has a low susceptability to breakdown. In 29 of 31 transducers tested, the error of measurement over a range of 0-150 mmHg was less than 2% as reported by the manufacturer. Two transducers showed errors of measurement over 5% after 60 times of reuse. The mean reusability rate until the transducer became defective was 75.8 +/- 17.3 in the operating room (19 transducers tested) and 59.7 +/- 29 in the intensive care unit (12 transducers tested, 11 still in use). A comparison of costs shows that the Novatrans-MX800 system is the cheapest system for invasive pressure monitoring available at this time.

An overview of the dynamic calibration of piezoelectric pressure transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Theodoro, F. R. F.; Reis, M. L. C. C.; d’ Souto, C.

2018-03-01

Dynamic calibration is a research area that is still under development and is of great interest to aerospace and automotive industries. This study discusses some concepts regarding dynamic measurements of pressure quantities and presents an overview of dynamic calibration of pressure transducers. Studies conducted by the Institute of Aeronautics and Space focusing on research regarding piezoelectric pressure transducer calibration in shock tube are presented. We employed the Guide to the Expression of Uncertainty and a Monte Carlo Method in the methodology. The results show that both device and methodology employed are adequate to calibrate the piezoelectric sensor.

Teledyne Taber 206-1000 and 2210-3000 pressure transducer proof test and burst test

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Ricks, G. A.

1989-01-01

The range accuracy and structural integrity of the Teledyne Taber 206-1000 and 2210-3000 pressure transducers are verified and multiple uses are studied to determine is they have a significant effect on the transducers. Burst pressure for these transducers was also established. The Teledyne Taber 206-1000 pressure transducer is used to measure chamber pressure on full-scale space shuttle rocket motors. The Teledyne Taber 2210-3000 pressure transducer is used to measure igniter pressure. The Teledyne Taber transducer has very good temperature stability and was used on all full-scale solid rocket motors, so there is a large data base established using this transducer.

A follow-on study for miniature solid-state pressure transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1974-01-01

The activities of a developmental program to design, fabricate and test an absolute pressure transducer based upon the piezojunction properties of silicon are summarized. The prime problem addressed is the development of a housing capable of applying the high stress levels needed for sensitive piezojunction operation but at the same, free from the creep effects and the fragility that limit the usefulness of previous designs. The first part of the report describes the initial fabrication and test and reviews the theory of sensor performance. The second part incorporates two recommendations of the first part (the use of commercially manufactured silicon planar mesa diodes and the adoption of an all-silicon structure for loading) and presents some preliminary test data on the transducers thus fabricated. These initial measurements show much improved performance over any previously fabricated piezojunction transducers but testing is incomplete and several problems in manufacturing technology remain.

Automatic transducer switching provides accurate wide range measurement of pressure differential

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yoder, S. K.

1967-01-01

Automatic pressure transducer switching network sequentially selects any one of a number of limited-range transducers as gas pressure rises or falls, extending the range of measurement and lessening the chances of damage due to high pressure.

21 CFR 870.2870 - Catheter tip pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Catheter tip pressure transducer. 870.2870 Section 870.2870 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2870 Catheter tip...

21 CFR 870.2850 - Extravascular blood pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Extravascular blood pressure transducer. 870.2850 Section 870.2850 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2850 Extravascular...

Direct force-measuring transducer used in blood pressure research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Eige, J. J.; Newgard, P. M.; Pressman, G. L.

1965-01-01

Direct force measuring transducer acts as an arterial tonometer, gives a direct readout to instrumentation, and is unaffected by ambient noise. It uses a semiconductor strain gage which is deflected by pressure pulses in the artery. The deflection changes the resistance of the gage and alters the voltage reading on the associated instrumentation.

21 CFR 890.1615 - Miniature pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Miniature pressure transducer. 890.1615 Section 890.1615 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1615...

21 CFR 890.1615 - Miniature pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Miniature pressure transducer. 890.1615 Section 890.1615 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1615...

21 CFR 890.1615 - Miniature pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Miniature pressure transducer. 890.1615 Section 890.1615 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1615...

21 CFR 890.1615 - Miniature pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Miniature pressure transducer. 890.1615 Section 890.1615 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1615...

21 CFR 890.1615 - Miniature pressure transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Miniature pressure transducer. 890.1615 Section 890.1615 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES PHYSICAL MEDICINE DEVICES Physical Medicine Diagnostic Devices § 890.1615...

Design and Development of a Pressure Transducer for High Hydrostatic Pressure Measurements up to 200 MPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kumar, Anuj; Yadav, Sanjay; Agarwal, Ravinder

2017-08-01

A number of pressure transducers, based on strain gauge, capacitance/inductance type, frequency resonators, are commercially available and are being used for sensing and producing an electrical output proportional to applied pressure. These sensors have their own advantages and limitations due to operational ease, measurement uncertainty and the costs. Strain gauge type transducers are now well established devices for accurate and precise measurement of pressure within measurement uncertainty up to 0.1 % of full scale. In the present research work, an indigenous strain gauge pressure transducer has been designed, developed, tested and calibrated for pressure measurement up to 200 MPa. The measurement uncertainty estimated using the pressure transducer was found better than 0.1 % of full scale. This transducer was developed using four foil type strain gauges, bonded, two in axial direction while other two in radial direction, to the controlled stress zones of a tubular maraging steel active cylinder working also as diaphragm. The strain gages were then connected to a Wheatstone bridge arrangement to measure stress generated strains. The pressure was applied through matching connector designed in the same tubular transducer active element. The threaded unique design in a single piece through collar, ferule and tubing arrangement provides leak proof pressure connections with external devices without using additional seals. The calibration and performance checking of the pressure transducer was carried out using dead weight type national pressure standard using the internationally accepted calibration procedure.

Measurement component technology. Volume 1: Cryogenic pressure measurement technology, high pressure flange seals, hydrogen embrittlement of pressure transducer material, close coupled versus remote transducer installation and temperature compensation of pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hayakawa, K. K.; Udell, D. R.; Iwata, M. M.; Lytle, C. F.; Chrisco, R. M.; Greenough, C. S.; Walling, J. A.

1972-01-01

The results are presented of an investigation into the availability and performance capability of measurement components in the area of cryogenic temperature, pressure, flow and liquid detection components and high temperature strain gages. In addition, technical subjects allied to the components were researched and discussed. These selected areas of investigation were: (1) high pressure flange seals, (2) hydrogen embrittlement of pressure transducer diaphragms, (3) The effects of close-coupled versus remote transducer installation on pressure measurement, (4) temperature transducer configuration effects on measurements, and (5) techniques in temperature compensation of strain gage pressure transducers. The purpose of the program was to investigate the latest design and application techniques in measurement component technology and to document this information along with recommendations for upgrading measurement component designs for future S-2 derivative applications. Recommendations are provided for upgrading existing state-of-the-art in component design, where required, to satisfy performance requirements of S-2 derivative vehicles.

Model Robust Calibration: Method and Application to Electronically-Scanned Pressure Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Walker, Eric L.; Starnes, B. Alden; Birch, Jeffery B.; Mays, James E.

2010-01-01

This article presents the application of a recently developed statistical regression method to the controlled instrument calibration problem. The statistical method of Model Robust Regression (MRR), developed by Mays, Birch, and Starnes, is shown to improve instrument calibration by reducing the reliance of the calibration on a predetermined parametric (e.g. polynomial, exponential, logarithmic) model. This is accomplished by allowing fits from the predetermined parametric model to be augmented by a certain portion of a fit to the residuals from the initial regression using a nonparametric (locally parametric) regression technique. The method is demonstrated for the absolute scale calibration of silicon-based pressure transducers.

A Integrated Circuit for a Biomedical Capacitive Pressure Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Smith, Michael John Sebastian

Medical research has an urgent need for a small, accurate, stable, low-power, biocompatible and inexpensive pressure sensor with a zero to full-scale range of 0-300 mmHg. An integrated circuit (IC) for use with a capacitive pressure transducer was designed, built and tested. The random pressure measurement error due to resolution and non-linearity is (+OR-)0.4 mmHg (at mid-range with a full -scale of 300 mmHg). The long-term systematic error due to falling battery voltage is (+OR-)0.6 mmHg. These figures were calculated from measurements of temperature, supply dependence and non-linearity on completed integrated circuits. The sensor IC allows measurement of temperature to (+OR-)0.1(DEGREES)C to allow for temperature compensation of the transducer. Novel micropower circuit design of the system components enabled these levels of accuracy to be reached. Capacitance is measured by a new ratiometric scheme employing an on -chip reference capacitor. This method greatly reduces the effects of voltage supply, temperature and manufacturing variations on the sensor circuit performance. The limits on performance of the bandgap reference circuit fabricated with a standard bipolar process using ion-implanted resistors were determined. Measurements confirm the limits of temperature stability as approximately (+OR-)300 ppm/(DEGREES)C. An exact analytical expression for the period of the Schmitt trigger oscillator, accounting for non-constant capacitor charging current, was formulated. Experiments to test agreement with theory showed that prediction of the oscillator period was very accurate. The interaction of fundamental and practical limits on the scaling of the transducer size was investigated including a correction to previous theoretical analysis of jitter in an RC oscillator. An areal reduction of 4 times should be achievable.

Non-Invasive Method of Determining Absolute Intracranial Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, John H., Jr. (Inventor); Hargens, Alan E. (Inventor)

2004-01-01

A method is presented for determining absolute intracranial pressure (ICP) in a patient. Skull expansion is monitored while changes in ICP are induced. The patient's blood pressure is measured when skull expansion is approximately zero. The measured blood pressure is indicative of a reference ICP value. Subsequently, the method causes a known change in ICP and measured the change in skull expansion associated therewith. The absolute ICP is a function of the reference ICP value, the known change in ICP and its associated change in skull expansion; and a measured change in skull expansion.

Effects of Transducer Installation on Unsteady Pressure Measurements on Oscillating Blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lepicovsky, Jan

2006-01-01

Unsteady pressures were measured above the suction side of a blade that was oscillated to simulate blade stall flutter. Measurements were made at blade oscillation frequencies up to 500 Hz. Two types of miniature pressure transducers were used: surface-mounted flat custom-made, and conventional miniature, body-mounted transducers. The signals of the surface-mounted transducers are significantly affected by blade acceleration, whereas the signals of body-mounted transducers are practically free of this distortion. A procedure was introduced to correct the signals of surface-mounted transducers to rectify the signal distortion due to blade acceleration. The signals from body-mounted transducers, and corrected signals from surface-mounted transducers represent true unsteady pressure signals on the surface of a blade subjected to forced oscillations. However, the use of body-mounted conventional transducers is preferred for the following reasons: no signal corrections are needed for blade acceleration, the conventional transducers are noticeably less expensive than custom-made flat transducers, the survival rate of body-mounted transducers is much higher, and finally installation of body-mounted transducers does not disturb the blade surface of interest.

Pressure balance cross-calibration method using a pressure transducer as transfer standard

PubMed Central

Olson, D; Driver, R. G.; Yang, Y

2016-01-01

Piston gauges or pressure balances are widely used to realize the SI unit of pressure, the pascal, and to calibrate pressure sensing devices. However, their calibration is time consuming and requires a lot of technical expertise. In this paper, we propose an alternate method of performing a piston gauge cross calibration that incorporates a pressure transducer as an immediate in-situ transfer standard. For a sufficiently linear transducer, the requirement to exactly balance the weights on the two pressure gauges under consideration is greatly relaxed. Our results indicate that this method can be employed without a significant increase in measurement uncertainty. Indeed, in the test case explored here, our results agreed with the traditional method within standard uncertainty, which was less than 6 parts per million. PMID:28303167

Performance of some miniature pressure transducers subjected to high rotational speeds and centripetal accelerations

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Minkin, H. L.

1976-01-01

The performance characteristics of several miniature pressure transducers were determined at centripetal accelerations up to 11,200 g's at a rotational speed of 23,000 rpm. The variation in centripetal acceleration was produced by changing radial position of the transducer relative to the center of rotation. Residual zero outputs and transducer sensitivities were determined at 23,000 rpm and compared with those determined at 0 rpm. The actual pressures at the various transducer locations differ from the center line impressed pressures due to a rotational effect. Corrections for this effect were made. A brief description of the test apparatus is included.

Lunar Advanced Volatile Analysis Subsystem: Pressure Transducer Trade Study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kang, Edward Shinuk

2017-01-01

In Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) is a key factor in paving the way for the future of human space exploration. The ability to harvest resources on foreign astronomical objects to produce consumables and propellant offers potential reduction in mission cost and risk. Through previous missions, the existence of water ice at the poles of the moon has been identified, however the feasibility of water extraction for resources remains unanswered. The Resource Prospector (RP) mission is currently in development to provide ground truth, and will enable us to characterize the distribution of water at one of the lunar poles. Regolith & Environment Science and Oxygen & Lunar Volatile Extraction (RESOLVE) is the primary payload on RP that will be used in conjunction with a rover. RESOLVE contains multiple instruments for systematically identifying the presence of water. The main process involves the use of two systems within RESOLVE: the Oxygen Volatile Extraction Node (OVEN) and Lunar Advanced Volatile Analysis (LAVA). Within the LAVA subsystem, there are multiple calculations that depend on accurate pressure readings. One of the most important instances where pressure transducers (PT) are used is for calculating the number of moles in a gas transfer from the OVEN subsystem. As a critical component of the main process, a mixture of custom and commercial off the shelf (COTS) PTs are currently being tested in the expected operating environment to eventually down select an option for integrated testing in the LAVA engineering test unit (ETU).

Ultrasound pressure distributions generated by high frequency transducers in large reactors.

PubMed

Leong, Thomas; Coventry, Michael; Swiergon, Piotr; Knoerzer, Kai; Juliano, Pablo

2015-11-01

The performance of an ultrasound reactor chamber relies on the sound pressure level achieved throughout the system. The active volume of a high frequency ultrasound chamber can be determined by the sound pressure penetration and distribution provided by the transducers. This work evaluated the sound pressure levels and uniformity achieved in water by selected commercial scale high frequency plate transducers without and with reflector plates. Sound pressure produced by ultrasonic plate transducers vertically operating at frequencies of 400 kHz (120 W) and 2 MHz (128 W) was characterized with hydrophones in a 2 m long chamber and their effective operating distance across the chamber's vertical cross section was determined. The 2 MHz transducer produced the highest pressure amplitude near the transducer surface, with a sharp decline of approximately 40% of the sound pressure occurring in the range between 55 and 155 mm from the transducer. The placement of a reflector plate 500 mm from the surface of the transducer was shown to improve the sound pressure uniformity of 2 MHz ultrasound. Ultrasound at 400 kHz was found to penetrate the fluid up to 2 m without significant losses. Furthermore, 400 kHz ultrasound generated a more uniform sound pressure distribution regardless of the presence or absence of a reflector plate. The choice of the transducer distance to the opposite reactor wall therefore depends on the transducer plate frequency selected. Based on pressure measurements in water, large scale 400 kHz reactor designs can consider larger transducer distance to opposite wall and larger active cross-section, and therefore can reach higher volumes than when using 2 MHz transducer plates. Crown Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Fluctuating surface pressure measurements on USB wing using two types of transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Reed, J. B.

1975-01-01

Measurements of the fluctuating pressures on the wing surface of an upper-surface-blown powered-lift model and a JT15 engine were obtained using two types of pressure transducers. The pressures were measured using overall-fluctuating pressures and power spectral density analyses for various thrust settings and two jet impingement angles. Comparison of the data from the two transducers indicate that similar results are obtained in the lower frequency ranges for both transducers. The data also indicate that for this configuration, the highest pressure levels occur at frequencies below 2000 Hz.

Bio-Inspired Stretchable Absolute Pressure Sensor Network

PubMed Central

Guo, Yue; Li, Yu-Hung; Guo, Zhiqiang; Kim, Kyunglok; Chang, Fu-Kuo; Wang, Shan X.

2016-01-01

A bio-inspired absolute pressure sensor network has been developed. Absolute pressure sensors, distributed on multiple silicon islands, are connected as a network by stretchable polyimide wires. This sensor network, made on a 4’’ wafer, has 77 nodes and can be mounted on various curved surfaces to cover an area up to 0.64 m × 0.64 m, which is 100 times larger than its original size. Due to Micro Electro-Mechanical system (MEMS) surface micromachining technology, ultrathin sensing nodes can be realized with thicknesses of less than 100 µm. Additionally, good linearity and high sensitivity (~14 mV/V/bar) have been achieved. Since the MEMS sensor process has also been well integrated with a flexible polymer substrate process, the entire sensor network can be fabricated in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner. Moreover, an accurate pressure contour can be obtained from the sensor network. Therefore, this absolute pressure sensor network holds significant promise for smart vehicle applications, especially for unmanned aerial vehicles. PMID:26729134

Implications of Dynamic Pressure Transducer Mounting Variations on Measurements in Pyrotechnic Test Apparatus

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dibbern, Andreas; Crisafulli, Jeffrey; Hagopia, Michael; McDougle, Stephen H.; Saulsberry, Regor L.

2009-01-01

Accurate dynamic pressure measurements are often difficult to make within small pyrotechnic devices, and transducer mounting difficulties can cause data anomalies that lead to erroneous conclusions. Delayed initial pressure response followed by data ringing has been observed when using miniaturized pressure transducer mounting adapters required to interface transducers to small test chambers. This delayed pressure response and ringing, combined with a high data acquisition rate, has complicated data analysis. This paper compares the output signal characteristics from different pressure transducer mounting options, where the passage distance from the transducer face to the pyrotechnic chamber is varied in length and diameter. By analyzing the data and understating the associated system dynamics, a more realistic understanding of the actual dynamic pressure variations is achieved. Three pressure transducer mounting configurations (elongated, standard, and face/flush mount) were simultaneously tested using NASA standard initiators in closed volume pressure bombs. This paper also presents results of these pressure transducer mounting configurations as a result of a larger NASA Engineering and Safety Center pyrovalve test project. Results from these tests indicate the improved performance of using face/flush mounted pressure transducers in this application. This type of mounting improved initial pressure measurement response time by approximately 19 s over standard adapter mounting, eliminating most of the lag time; provided a near step-function type initial pressure increase; and greatly reduced data ringing in high data acquisition rate systems. The paper goes on to discuss other issues associated with the firing and instrumentation that are important for the tester to understand.

Proceedings of a pressure transducer-packer workshop, June 25-28, 1991

USGS Publications Warehouse

Latkovich, V. J.

1993-01-01

The U.S. Geological Survey conducted its first Pressure Transducer-Packer Workshop in Denver, Colorado, June 25-28, 1991. Nineteen attendees from the Survey, Environment Canada, academia, and the private sector presented papers concerning their experiences with the use of transducers and packers in hydrogeologic investigations. Workshop partici- pants concluded that fixed-head packers are generally more reliable than other types and that there is a need for a wet/wet transducer for deep wells. The group recommended that simple downhole technology be used, that only rugged commercially available packers be purchased, and that it is imperative electrical connections and transducer electronics be kept dry. (USGS)

Statistical Characterization of Environmental Error Sources Affecting Electronically Scanned Pressure Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Del L.; Walker, Eric L.; Everhart, Joel L.

2006-01-01

Minimization of uncertainty is essential to extend the usable range of the 15-psid Electronically Scanned Pressure [ESP) transducer measurements to the low free-stream static pressures found in hypersonic wind tunnels. Statistical characterization of environmental error sources inducing much of this uncertainty requires a well defined and controlled calibration method. Employing such a controlled calibration system, several studies were conducted that provide quantitative information detailing the required controls needed to minimize environmental and human induced error sources. Results of temperature, environmental pressure, over-pressurization, and set point randomization studies for the 15-psid transducers are presented along with a comparison of two regression methods using data acquired with both 0.36-psid and 15-psid transducers. Together these results provide insight into procedural and environmental controls required for long term high-accuracy pressure measurements near 0.01 psia in the hypersonic testing environment using 15-psid ESP transducers.

Statistical Characterization of Environmental Error Sources Affecting Electronically Scanned Pressure Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Green, Del L.; Walker, Eric L.; Everhart, Joel L.

2006-01-01

Minimization of uncertainty is essential to extend the usable range of the 15-psid Electronically Scanned Pressure (ESP) transducer measurements to the low free-stream static pressures found in hypersonic wind tunnels. Statistical characterization of environmental error sources inducing much of this uncertainty requires a well defined and controlled calibration method. Employing such a controlled calibration system, several studies were conducted that provide quantitative information detailing the required controls needed to minimize environmental and human induced error sources. Results of temperature, environmental pressure, over-pressurization, and set point randomization studies for the 15-psid transducers are presented along with a comparison of two regression methods using data acquired with both 0.36-psid and 15-psid transducers. Together these results provide insight into procedural and environmental controls required for long term high-accuracy pressure measurements near 0.01 psia in the hypersonic testing environment using 15-psid ESP transducers.

Explosive Event in MON-3 Oxidizer System Resulting from Pressure Transducer Failure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Baker, David L.; Reynolds, Michael; Anderson, John

2006-01-01

In 2003, a Druck(Registered Trademark) pressure transducer failed catastrophically in a test system circulating nitrogen tetroxide at NASA Johnson Space Center White Sands Test Facility. The cause of the explosion was not immediately obvious since the wetted areas of the pressure transducer were constructed of materials compatible with nitrogen tetroxide. Chemical analysis of the resulting residue and a materials analysis of the diaphragm and its weld zones were used to determine the chain of events that led to the catastrophic failure. Due to excessive dynamic pressure loading in the test system, the diaphragm in the pressure transducer suffered cyclic failure and allowed the silicon oil located behind the isolation diaphragm to mix with the nitrogen tetroxide. The reaction between these two chemicals formed a combination of 2,4-di and 2,4,6-trinitrophenol, which are shock sensitive explosives that caused the failure of the pressure transducer. Further research indicated numerous manufacturers offer similar pressure transducers with silicone oil separated from the test fluid by a thin stainless steel isolation diaphragm. Caution must be exercised when purchasing a pressure transducer for a particular system to avoid costly failures and test system contamination.

Uncertainty in Steady-State Diagnostics of a Current-Pressure Transducer: How Confident are We in Diagnosing Faults

DTIC Science & Technology

2014-10-02

and off-nominal behav- ior of the I/ P transducer; however, sensor measurements are not fast enough to capture brief transient states that are in...nasa.gov 3 NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, CA 94035, USA kai.goebel@nasa.gov ABSTRACT Current-Pressure (I/ P ) transducers are effective...transducers (I/ P transducer or IPT) are ef- fective pressure regulators that vary the output pressure de- pending on the supplied electrical current

Experimental strain analysis of the high pressure strain gauge pressure transducer and verification by using a finite element method

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Orhan, M. H.; Dogan, Ç.; Kocabas, H.; Tepehan, G.

2001-03-01

The finite element method (FEM) was used in this study for the analysis of the strain distribution of a strain gauge pressure transducer for hydrostatic pressure measurements up to 150 MPa. The pressure transducer, which we investigated, on the basis of `thick-walled cylindrical vessel' theory has a free steel active element. Pressure is applied to the inside and both open ends of this active element. The symmetrical shape of the transducer and all the design parameters of the active element were selected in such a way as to ensure that a symmetrical stress and strain distribution was obtained even at the maximum working pressure of the transducer. The FEM analysis was conducted by investigating one half of the element in three dimensions. This paper presents the FEM output strain values for the area where the strain gauges were bonded. The validity of those values was established by comparing them with the results obtained from the strain gauge measurements. The relative difference between the two sets of values determined to be lower than 13% of the full scale. The two kinds of measuring elements were made of two different materials; AISI 4340 steel and Invar steel, which work in the hydraulic gauge pressure ranges of up to 150 and 100 MPa respectively. The transducers were calibrated using piston pressure balance. The metrological specifications of a total of eight specimens were evaluated. Although the scope of the study is only an application of the FEM, this evaluation also suggests that this type of transducer can be used with an estimated uncertainty of up to 0.1% of the full scale. However, this uncertainty can be improved by a small modification in design, to reduce the reproducibility and hysteresis errors of the device, which are the main parameters in the evaluation of the uncertainty. The results presented in this paper will be helpful for practical static pressure measurements as well as for the appropriate design of this kind of pressure transducer

High sensitivity pressure transducer based on the phase characteristics of GMI magnetic sensors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Benavides, L. S.; Costa Silva, E.; Costa Monteiro, E.; Hall Barbosa, C. R.

2018-03-01

This paper presents a new configuration for a GMI pressure transducer based on the reading of the phase characteristics of GMI sensor, intended for biomedical applications. The development process of this new class of magnetic field transducers is discussed, beginning with the definition of the ideal conditioning of the GMI sensor elements (dc level and frequency of the excitation current and sample length) and continuing with computational simulations of the full electronic circuit performed using the experimental data obtained from measured GMI curves, and have shown that the improvement in the sensitivity of GMI magnetometers is larger when phase-based transducers are used instead of magnitude-based transducers. Parameters of interest of the developed prototype are thoroughly analyzed, such as: sensitivity, linearity and frequency response. Also, the spectral noise density of the developed pressure transducer is evaluated and its resolution in the passband is estimated. A low-cost GMI pressure transducer was developed, presenting high resolution, high sensitivity and a frequency bandwidth compatible to the desired biomedical applications.

A novel high pressure, high temperature vessel used to conduct long-term stability measurements of silicon MEMS pressure transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wisniewiski, David

2014-03-01

The need to quantify and to improve long-term stability of pressure transducers is a persistent requirement from the aerospace sector. Specifically, the incorporation of real-time pressure monitoring in aircraft landing gear, as exemplified in Tire Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS), has placed greater demand on the pressure transducer for improved performance and increased reliability which is manifested in low lifecycle cost and minimal maintenance downtime through fuel savings and increased life of the tire. Piezoresistive (PR) silicon MEMS pressure transducers are the primary choice as a transduction method for this measurement owing to their ability to be designed for the harsh environment seen in aircraft landing gear. However, these pressure transducers are only as valuable as the long-term stability they possess to ensure reliable, real-time monitoring over tens of years. The "heart" of the pressure transducer is the silicon MEMS element, and it is at this basic level where the long-term stability is established and needs to be quantified. A novel High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT) vessel has been designed and constructed to facilitate this critical measurement of the silicon MEMS element directly through a process of mechanically "floating" the silicon MEMS element while being subjected to the extreme environments of pressure and temperature, simultaneously. Furthermore, the HPHT vessel is scalable to permit up to fifty specimens to be tested at one time to provide a statistically significant data population on which to draw reasonable conclusions on long-term stability. With the knowledge gained on the silicon MEMS element, higher level assembly to the pressure transducer envelope package can also be quantified as to the build-effects contribution to long-term stability in the same HPHT vessel due to its accommodating size. Accordingly, a HPHT vessel offering multiple levels of configurability and robustness in data measurement is presented, along

Comparison of Transducers and Intraoral Placement Options for Measuring Lingua-Palatal Contact Pressure during Speech

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Searl, Jeffrey P.

2003-01-01

Two studies were completed that focused on instrumentation and procedural issues associated with measurement of lingua-palatal contact pressure (LPCP) during speech. In the first experiment, physical features and response characteristics of 2 miniature pressure transducers (Entran EPI-BO and Precision Measurement 60S) were evaluated to identify a…

40 CFR 1065.215 - Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... sensors, such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs). (d) Pressure. Pressure transducers must be... chilled-surface hygrometers, which include chilled mirror detectors and chilled surface acoustic wave (SAW) detectors. For other applications, we recommend thin-film capacitance sensors. You may use other dewpoint...

40 CFR 1065.215 - Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

... sensors, such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs). (d) Pressure. Pressure transducers must be... chilled-surface hygrometers, which include chilled mirror detectors and chilled surface acoustic wave (SAW) detectors. For other applications, we recommend thin-film capacitance sensors. You may use other dewpoint...

40 CFR 1065.215 - Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-07-01

... sensors, such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs). (d) Pressure. Pressure transducers must be... chilled-surface hygrometers, which include chilled mirror detectors and chilled surface acoustic wave (SAW) detectors. For other applications, we recommend thin-film capacitance sensors. You may use other dewpoint...

40 CFR 1065.215 - Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

... sensors, such as resistive temperature detectors (RTDs). (d) Pressure. Pressure transducers must be... chilled-surface hygrometers, which include chilled mirror detectors and chilled surface acoustic wave (SAW) detectors. For other applications, we recommend thin-film capacitance sensors. You may use other dewpoint...

Medium- and high-pressure gauges and transducers produced by laser welding technology

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Daurelio, Giuseppe; Nenci, Fabio; Cinquepalmi, Massimo; Chita, Giuseppe

1998-07-01

Industrial manufacturers produce many types of pressure gauges and transducers according to the applications, for gas or liquid, for high-medium and low pressure ranges. Nowadays the current production technology generally prefers to weld by micro TIG source the metallic corrugated membranes to the gauge or transducer bodies for the products, operating on the low pressure or medium pressure ranges. For the other ones, operating to high pressure range, generally the two components of the transducers are both threaded only and threaded and then circularly welded by micro TIG for the other higher range, till to 1000 bar. In this work the products, operating on the approximately equals 30 divided by 200 bar, are considered. These, when assembled on industrial plants, as an outcome of a non-correct operating sequence, give a 'shifted' electrical signal. This is due to a shift of the 'zero electrical signal' that unbalances the electrical bridge - thin layer sensor - that is the sensitive part of the product. Moreover, for the same problem, often some mechanical settlings of the transducer happen during the first pressure semi-components, with an increasing of the product manufacturing costs. In light of all this, the above referred, in this work the whole transducer has been re-designed according to the specific laser welding technology requirements. On the new product no threaded parts exist but only a circular laser welding with a full penetration depth about 2.5 divided by 3 mm high. Three different alloys have been tested according to the applications and the mechanical properties requested to the transducer. By using a 1.5 KW CO2 laser system many different working parameters have been evaluated for correlating laser parameters to the penetration depths, crown wides, interaction laser-materia times, mechanical and metallurgical properties. Moreover during the laser welding process the measurements of the maximum temperature, reached by the transducer top, has been

Development of dynamic calibration methods for POGO pressure transducers. [for space shuttle

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hilten, J. S.; Lederer, P. S.; Vezzetti, C. F.; Mayo-Wells, J. F.

1976-01-01

Two dynamic pressure sources are described for the calibration of pogo pressure transducers used to measure oscillatory pressures generated in the propulsion system of the space shuttle. Rotation of a mercury-filled tube in a vertical plane at frequencies below 5 Hz generates sinusoidal pressures up to 48 kPa, peak-to-peak; vibrating the same mercury-filled tube sinusoidally in the vertical plane extends the frequency response from 5 Hz to 100 Hz at pressures up to 140 kPa, peak-to-peak. The sinusoidal pressure fluctuations can be generated by both methods in the presence of high pressures (bias) up to 55 MPa. Calibration procedures are given in detail for the use of both sources. The dynamic performance of selected transducers was evaluated using these procedures; the results of these calibrations are presented. Calibrations made with the two sources near 5 Hz agree to within 3% of each other.

Noise in pressure transducer readings produced by variations in solar radiation

USGS Publications Warehouse

Cain, S. F.; Davis, G.A.; Loheide, Steven P.; Butler, J.J.

2004-01-01

Variations in solar radiation can produce noise in readings from gauge pressure transducers when the transducer cable is exposed to direct sunlight. This noise is a result of insolation-induced heating and cooling of the air column in the vent tube of the transducer cable. A controlled experiment was performed to assess the impact of variations in solar radiation on transducer readings. This experiment demonstrated that insolation-induced fluctuations in apparent pressure head can be as large as 0.03 m. The magnitude of these fluctuations is dependent on cable color, the diameter of the vent tube, and the length of the transducer cable. The most effective means of minimizing insolation-induced noise is to use integrated transducer-data logger units that fit within a well. Failure to address this source of noise can introduce considerable uncertainty into analyses of hydraulic tests when the head change is relatively small, as is often the case for tests in highly permeable aquifers or for tests using distant observation wells.

Noise in pressure transducer readings produced by variations in solar radiation.

PubMed

Cain, Samuel F; Davis, Gregory A; Loheide, Steven P; Butler, James J

2004-01-01

Variations in solar radiation can produce noise in readings from gauge pressure transducers when the transducer cable is exposed to direct sunlight. This noise is a result of insolation-induced heating and cooling of the air column in the vent tube of the transducer cable. A controlled experiment was performed to assess the impact of variations in solar radiation on transducer readings. This experiment demonstrated that insolation-induced fluctuations in apparent pressure head can be as large as 0.03 m. The magnitude of these fluctuations is dependent on cable color, the diameter of the vent tube, and the length of the transducer cable. The most effective means of minimizing insolation-induced noise is to use integrated transducer-data logger units that fit within a well. Failure to address this source of noise can introduce considerable uncertainty into analyses of hydraulic tests when the head change is relatively small, as is often the case for tests in highly permeable aquifers or for tests using distant observation wells.

Digital pressure transducer for use at high temperatures

DOEpatents

Karplus, Henry H. B.

1981-01-01

A digital pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressures at relatively high temperatures includes an electrically conducting fiber coupled to the fluid by a force disc that causes tension in the fiber to be a function of fluid pressure. The tension causes changes in the mechanical resonant frequency of the fiber, which is caused to vibrate in a magnetic field to produce an electrical signal from a positive-feedback amplifier at the resonant frequency. A count of this frequency provides a measure of the fluid pressure.

Digital pressure transducer for use at high temperatures

DOEpatents

Karplus, H.H.B.

A digital pressure sensor for measuring fluid pressures at relatively high temperatures includes an electrically conducting fiber coupled to the fluid by a force disc that causes tension in the fiber to be a function of fluid pressure. The tension causes changes in the mechanical resonant frequency of the fiber, which is caused to vibrate in a magnetic field to produce an electrical signal from a positive-feedback amplifier at the resonant frequency. A count of this frequency provides a measure of the fluid pressure.

Assessing the accuracy of Greenland ice sheet ice ablation measurements by pressure transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fausto, R. S.; van As, D.; Ahlstrøm, A. P.

2012-04-01

In the glaciological community there is a need for reliable mass balance measurements of glaciers and ice sheets, ranging from daily to yearly time scales. Here we present a method to measure ice ablation using a pressure transducer. The pressure transducer is drilled into the ice, en-closed in a hose filled with a liquid that is non-freezable at common Greenlandic temperatures. The pressure signal registered by the transducer is that of the vertical column of liquid over the sensor, which can be translated in depth knowing the density of the liquid. As the free-standing AWS moves down with the ablating surface and the hose melts out of the ice, an increasingly large part of the hose will lay flat on the ice surface, and the hydrostatic pressure from the vertical column of liquid in the hose will get smaller. This reduction in pressure provides us with the ablation rate. By measuring at (sub-) daily timescales this assembly is well-suited to monitor ice ablation in remote regions, with clear advantages over other well-established methods of measuring ice ablation in the field. The pressure transducer system has the potential to monitor ice ablation for several years without re-drilling and the system is suitable for high ablation areas. A routine to transform raw measurements into ablation values will also be presented, including a physically based method to remove air pressure variability from the signal. The pressure transducer time-series is compared to that recorded by a sonic ranger for the climatically hostile setting on the Greenland ice sheet.

Measuring systolic arterial blood pressure. Possible errors from extension tubes or disposable transducer domes.

PubMed

Rothe, C F; Kim, K C

1980-11-01

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the magnitude of possible error in the measurement of systolic blood pressure if disposable, built-in diaphragm, transducer domes or long extension tubes between the patient and pressure transducer are used. Sinusoidal or arterial pressure patterns were generated with specially designed equipment. With a long extension tube or trapped air bubbles, the resonant frequency of the catheter system was reduced so that the arterial pulse was amplified as it acted on the transducer and, thus, gave an erroneously high systolic pressure measurement. The authors found this error to be as much as 20 mm Hg. Trapped air bubbles, not stopcocks or connections, per se, lead to poor fidelity. The utility of a continuous catheter flush system (Sorenson, Intraflow) to estimate the resonant frequency and degree of damping of a catheter-transducer system is described, as are possibly erroneous conclusions. Given a rough estimate of the resonant frequency of a catheter-transducer system and the magnitude of overshoot in response to a pulse, the authors present a table to predict the magnitude of probable error. These studies confirm the variability and unreliability of static calibration that may occur using some safety diaphragm domes and show that the system frequency response is decreased if air bubbles are trapped between the diaphragms. The authors conclude that regular procedures should be established to evaluate the accuracy of the pressure measuring systems in use, the transducer should be placed as close to the patient as possible, the air bubbles should be assiduously eliminated from the system.

Long term assessment of blood pressure transducer drift in rhesus monkeys chronically instrumented with telemetry implants.

PubMed

Regan, Hillary K; Lynch, Joseph J; Regan, Christopher P

2009-01-01

The accurate assessment of blood pressure is often a key component of preclinical cardiovascular disease/efficacy models and of screening models used to determine the effects of test agents on cardiovascular physiology. Of the many methods utilized in large animals, telemetry is becoming more widely used throughout preclinical testing, and non-human primates are playing an ever increasing role as a large animal model to evaluate the cardiovascular effect of novel test agents. Therefore, we sought to characterize pressure transducer drift of a telemetry implant in primates over an extended duration. We instrumented ten rhesus monkeys with a Konigsberg T27F implant and a chronic indwelling arterial catheter and cross calibrated the diastolic pressure recorded by the implant to the diastolic pressure that was simultaneously recorded through the arterial catheter using a calibrated external transducer/amplifier system. While all implanted pressure transducers experienced drift to some degree, magnitude of drift varied across animals (range of average drift 0.7-20.5 mmHg/month). Specifically, we found that all implants could be calibrated within the voltage range of the instrument up to 6 months after implantation despite the drift observed. Between 6 and 12 months, 3 of the 10 implants studied drifted outside the defined voltage range and were unusable, two more drifted off scale within 2 years, while the remainder remained within the operating voltage range. Given that pressure transducer drift was not consistent across implants or time, these data suggest careful assessment and quantitative correction for in vivo drift of telemetry blood pressure transducers implanted for extended duration should be considered.

On-line calibration of high-response pressure transducers during jet-engine testing

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armentrout, E. C.

1974-01-01

Jet engine testing is reported concerned with the effect of inlet pressure and temperature distortions on engine performance and involves the use of numerous miniature pressure transducers. Despite recent improvements in the manufacture of miniature pressure transducers, they still exhibit sensitivity change and zero-shift with temperature and time. To obtain meaningful data, a calibration system is needed to determine these changes. A system has been developed which provides for computer selection of appropriate reference pressures selected from nine different sources to provide a two- or three-point calibration. Calibrations are made on command, before and sometimes after each data point. A unique no leak matrix valve design is used in the reference pressure system. Zero-shift corrections are measured and the values are automatically inserted into the data reduction program.

Test of pressure transducer for measuring cotton-mass flow

USDA-ARS?s Scientific Manuscript database

In this study, a cotton harvester yield monitor was developed based on the relationship between air pressure and the mass of seed cotton conveyed. The sensor theory was verified by laboratory tests. The sensor was tested on a cotton picker with seed cotton at two moisture contents, 5.9% and 8.5% we...

Evaluation of Data-Logging Transducer to Passively Collect Pressure Vessel p/T History

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wnuk, Stephen P.; Le, Son; Loew, Raymond A.

2013-01-01

Pressure vessels owned and operated by NASA are required to be regularly certified per agency policy. Certification requires an assessment of damage mechanisms and an estimation of vessel remaining life. Since detail service histories are not typically available for most pressure vessels, a conservative estimate of vessel pressure/temperature excursions is typically used in assessing fatigue life. This paper details trial use of a data-logging transducer to passively obtain actual pressure and temperature service histories of pressure vessels. The approach was found to have some potential for cost savings and other benefits in certain cases.

40 CFR 1065.215 - Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-07-01

... sensors, and dewpoint sensors. 1065.215 Section 1065.215 Protection of Environment ENVIRONMENTAL... Measurement of Engine Parameters and Ambient Conditions § 1065.215 Pressure transducers, temperature sensors, and dewpoint sensors. (a) Application. Use instruments as specified in this section to measure...

Response of a piezoelectric pressure transducer to IR laser beam impingement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Smith, William C.; Leiweke, Robert J.; Beeson, Harold

1992-01-01

The non-pressure response of a PCB Model 113A transducer to a far infrared radiation impulse from a carbon dioxide laser was investigated. Incident radiation was applied both to the bare transducer diaphragm and to coated diaphragms. Coatings included two common ablative materials and a reflective gold coating. High-flux radiation impulses induced an immediate brief negative output followed by a longer-duration positive output. Both timing and amplitude of the responses will be discussed, and the effects of coatings will be compared. Bursts of blackbody radiation from a 1500 K source produced qualitatively similar responses.

Influence of inward pressure of the transducer on lateral abdominal muscle thickness during ultrasound imaging.

PubMed

Ishida, Hiroshi; Watanabe, Sususmu

2012-09-01

Controlled laboratory study, technical note. The purpose of this study was to quantify changes in the thickness of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles induced by different inward pressures of the transducer during ultrasound imaging (USI). USI of the lateral abdominal muscles is increasingly used in managing musculoskeletal dysfunction. However, to the best of our knowledge, no study has evaluated the influence of different inward pressures of the transducer on the lateral abdominal muscle thickness during USI. Thirty healthy male volunteers participated in this study. The thickness of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles was measured with USI by the same rater in 4 conditions of inward pressures of 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 4.0 N. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC1,1), with 95% confidence intervals, were calculated, and a repeated-measures analysis of variance was used to assess the influence of inward pressure on the thickness of the lateral abdominal muscles. The thickness of the transversus abdominis, internal oblique, and external oblique muscles was significantly different among the 4 conditions (P<.038). The mean difference between the 0.5-N and 4.0-N conditions was greater than the minimal detectable change of the 0.5-N condition in the lateral abdominal muscles. The difference in magnitude produced by the forces under different conditions was meaningful. When using a technique that involves a handheld transducer, the examiner should attempt to maintain consistent inward pressure of the transducer during USI to quantify the thickness of lateral abdominal muscles. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2012;42(9):815-818, Epub 19 April 2012. doi:10.2519/jospt.2012.4064.

Use of inexpensive pressure transducers for measuring water levels in wells

USGS Publications Warehouse

Keeland, B.D.; Dowd, J.F.; Hardegree, W.S.

1997-01-01

Frequent measurement of below ground water levels at multiple locations is an important component of many wetland ecosystem studies. These measurements, however, are usually time consuming, labor intensive, and expensive. This paper describes a water-level sensor that is inexpensive and easy to construct. The sensor is placed below the expected low water level in a shallow well and, when connected to a datalogger, uses a pressure transducer to detect groundwater or surface water elevations. Details of pressure transducer theory, sensor construction, calibration, and examples of field installations are presented. Although the transducers must be individually calibrated, the sensors have a linear response to changing water levels (r2 ??? .999). Measurement errors resulting from temperature fluctuations are shown to be about 4 cm over a 35??C temperature range, but are minimal when the sensors are installed in groundwater wells where temperatures are less variable. Greater accuracy may be obtained by incorporating water temperature data into the initial calibration (0.14 cm error over a 35??C temperature range). Examples of the utility of these sensors in studies of groundwater/surface water interactions and the effects of water level fluctuations on tree growth are provided. ?? 1997 Kluwer Academic Publishers.

Absolute pressure transducers for space shuttle and orbiter propulsion and control systems

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bolta, J. J.

1974-01-01

A preliminary design was completed, reviewing of such subjects as: the trade studies for media isolation and one sensor vs. two sensors for two bridges; compensation resistors; unit design; hydrogen embrittlement; sealing techniques and test station design. A design substantiation phase was finished, consisting of testing of a prototype unit and fabrication technique studies. A cryogenic test station was implemented and prototype sensor cells were fabricated, sensors assembled, and cryogenic tests performed.

Effect of planecta and ROSE™ on the frequency characteristics of blood pressure-transducer kits.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Shigeki; Kawakubo, Yoshifumi; Mori, Satoshi; Tachihara, Keiichi; Toyoguchi, Izumi; Yokoyama, Takeshi

2015-12-01

Pressure-transducer kits have frequency characteristics such as natural frequency and damping coefficient, which affect the monitoring accuracy. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of planecta ports and a damping device (ROSE™, Argon Medical Devices, TX, USA) on the frequency characteristics of pressure-transducer kits. The FloTrac sensor kit (Edwards Lifesciences, CA, USA) and the DTXplus transducer kit (Argon Medical Devices) were prepared with planecta ports, and their frequency characteristics were tested with or without ROSE™. The natural frequency and damping coefficient of each kit were obtained using frequency characteristics analysis software and evaluated by plotting them on the Gardner's chart. By inserting a planecta port, the natural frequency markedly decreased in both the FloTrac sensor kit (from 40 to 22 Hz) and the DTXplus transducer kit (from 35 to 22 Hz). In both kits with one planecta port, the damping coefficient markedly increased by insertion of ROSE™ from 0.2 to 0.5, optimising frequency characteristics. In both kits with two planecta ports, however, the natural frequency decreased from 22 to 12 Hz. The damping coefficient increased from 0.2 to 0.8 by insertion of ROSE™; however, optimisation was not achieved even by ROSE™ insertion. Planecta ports decrease the natural frequency of the kit. ROSE™ is useful to optimise the frequency characteristics in the kits without or with one planecta port. However, optimisation is difficult with two or more planecta ports, even with the ROSE™ device.

Instance Analysis for the Error of Three-pivot Pressure Transducer Static Balancing Method for Hydraulic Turbine Runner

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weng, Hanli; Li, Youping

2017-04-01

The working principle, process device and test procedure of runner static balancing test method by weighting with three-pivot pressure transducers are introduced in this paper. Based on an actual instance of a V hydraulic turbine runner, the error and sensitivity of the three-pivot pressure transducer static balancing method are analysed. Suggestions about improving the accuracy and the application of the method are also proposed.

Pneumatic pressure wave generator provides economical, simple testing of pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gaal, A. E.; Weldon, T. P.

1967-01-01

Testing device utilizes the change in pressure about a bias or reference pressure level produced by displacement of a center-driven piston in a closed cylinder. Closely controlled pneumatic pressure waves allow testing under dynamic conditions.

Comparison of the Effects of using Tygon Tubing in Rocket Propulsion Ground Test Pressure Transducer Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Farr, Rebecca A.; Wiley, John T.; Vitarius, Patrick

2005-01-01

This paper documents acoustics environments data collected during liquid oxygen- ethanol hot-fire rocket testing at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center in November- December 2003. The test program was conducted during development testing of the RS-88 development engine thrust chamber assembly in support of the Orbital Space Plane Crew Escape System Propulsion Program Pad Abort Demonstrator. In addition to induced environments analysis support, coincident data collected using other sensors and methods has allowed benchmarking of specific acoustics test measurement methodologies during propulsion tests. Qualitative effects on data characteristics caused by using tygon sense lines of various lengths in pressure transducer measurements is discussed here.

Conductance valve and pressure-to-conductance transducer method and apparatus

DOEpatents

Schoeniger, Joseph S.; Cummings, Eric B.; Brennan, James S.

2005-01-18

A device for interrupting or throttling undesired ionic transport through a fluid network is disclosed. The device acts as a fluid valve by reversibly generating a fixed "bubble" in the conducting solvent solution carried by the network. The device comprises a porous hydrophobic structure filling a portion of a connecting channel within the network and optionally incorporates flow restrictor elements at either end of the porous structure that function as pressure isolation barriers, and a fluid reservoir connected to the region of the channel containing the porous structure. Also included is a pressure pump connected to the fluid reservoir. The device operates by causing the pump to vary the hydraulic pressure to a quantity of solvent solution held within the reservoir and porous structure. At high pressures, most or all of the pores of the structure are filled with conducting liquid so the ionic conductance is high. At lower pressures, only a fraction of the pores are filled with liquid, so ionic conductivity is lower. Below a threshold pressure, the porous structure contains only vapor, so there is no liquid conduction path. The device therefore effectively throttles ionic transport through the porous structure and acts as a "conductance valve" or "pressure-to-conductance" transducer within the network.

Current Pressure Transducer Application of Model-based Prognostics Using Steady State Conditions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Teubert, Christopher; Daigle, Matthew J.

2014-01-01

Prognostics is the process of predicting a system's future states, health degradation/wear, and remaining useful life (RUL). This information plays an important role in preventing failure, reducing downtime, scheduling maintenance, and improving system utility. Prognostics relies heavily on wear estimation. In some components, the sensors used to estimate wear may not be fast enough to capture brief transient states that are indicative of wear. For this reason it is beneficial to be capable of detecting and estimating the extent of component wear using steady-state measurements. This paper details a method for estimating component wear using steady-state measurements, describes how this is used to predict future states, and presents a case study of a current/pressure (I/P) Transducer. I/P Transducer nominal and off-nominal behaviors are characterized using a physics-based model, and validated against expected and observed component behavior. This model is used to map observed steady-state responses to corresponding fault parameter values in the form of a lookup table. This method was chosen because of its fast, efficient nature, and its ability to be applied to both linear and non-linear systems. Using measurements of the steady state output, and the lookup table, wear is estimated. A regression is used to estimate the wear propagation parameter and characterize the damage progression function, which are used to predict future states and the remaining useful life of the system.

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound

SciTech Connect

Cary, Theodore W.; Sultan, Laith R.; Sehgal, Chandra M., E-mail: sehgalc@uphs.upenn.edu

Purpose: To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Methods: Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced eachmore » phase of the cardiac cycle. Results: FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. Conclusions: FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging.« less

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound.

PubMed

Cary, Theodore W; Reamer, Courtney B; Sultan, Laith R; Mohler, Emile R; Sehgal, Chandra M

2014-02-01

To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced each phase of the cardiac cycle. FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging.

Brachial artery vasomotion and transducer pressure effect on measurements by active contour segmentation on ultrasound

PubMed Central

Cary, Theodore W.; Reamer, Courtney B.; Sultan, Laith R.; Mohler, Emile R.; Sehgal, Chandra M.

2014-01-01

Purpose: To use feed-forward active contours (snakes) to track and measure brachial artery vasomotion on ultrasound images recorded in both transverse and longitudinal views; and to compare the algorithm's performance in each view. Methods: Longitudinal and transverse view ultrasound image sequences of 45 brachial arteries were segmented by feed-forward active contour (FFAC). The segmented regions were used to measure vasomotion artery diameter, cross-sectional area, and distention both as peak-to-peak diameter and as area. ECG waveforms were also simultaneously extracted frame-by-frame by thresholding a running finite-difference image between consecutive images. The arterial and ECG waveforms were compared as they traced each phase of the cardiac cycle. Results: FFAC successfully segmented arteries in longitudinal and transverse views in all 45 cases. The automated analysis took significantly less time than manual tracing, but produced superior, well-behaved arterial waveforms. Automated arterial measurements also had lower interobserver variability as measured by correlation, difference in mean values, and coefficient of variation. Although FFAC successfully segmented both the longitudinal and transverse images, transverse measurements were less variable. The cross-sectional area computed from the longitudinal images was 27% lower than the area measured from transverse images, possibly due to the compression of the artery along the image depth by transducer pressure. Conclusions: FFAC is a robust and sensitive vasomotion segmentation algorithm in both transverse and longitudinal views. Transverse imaging may offer advantages over longitudinal imaging: transverse measurements are more consistent, possibly because the method is less sensitive to variations in transducer pressure during imaging. PMID:24506648

Shock tube investigation of dynamic response of pressure transducers for validation of rotor performance measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bershader, Daniel

1988-01-01

For some time now, NASA has had a program under way to aid in the validation of rotor performance and acoustics codes associated with the UH-60 rotary-wing aircraft; and to correlate results of such studies with those obtained from investigations of other selected aircraft rotor performance. A central feature of these studies concerns the dynamic measurement of surface pressure at various locations up to frequencies of 25 KHz. For this purpose, fast-response gauges of the Kulite type are employed. The latter need to be buried in the rotor; they record surface pressures which are transmitted by a pipette connected to the gauge. The other end of the pipette is cut flush with the surface. In certain locations, the pipette configuration includes a rather sharp right-angle bend. The natural question has arisen in this connection: In what way are the pipettes modifying the signals received at the rotor surface and subsequently transmitted to the sensitive Kulite transducer element. The basic details and results of the program performed and recently completed in the High Pressure Shock Tube Laboratory of the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics at Stanford University are given.

Reliability of intraventricular pressure measurement with fiberoptic or solid-state transducers: avoidance of a methodological error.

PubMed

Raabe, A; Stöckel, R; Hohrein, D; Schöche, J

1998-01-01

The failure of intraventricular pressure measurement in cases of catheter blockage or dislodgement is thought to be eliminated by using intraventricular microtransducers. We report on an avoidable methodological error that may affect the reliability of intraventricular pressure measurement with these devices. Intraventricular fiberoptic or solid-state devices were implanted in 43 patients considered to be at risk for developing catheter occlusion. Two different types were used, i.e., devices in which the transducer is placed inside the ventriculostomy catheter (Type A) and devices in which the transducer is integrated in the external surface of the catheter (Type B). Type A devices were used in 15 patients and Type B devices in 28 patients. Pressure recordings were checked at bedside for the validity and reliability of the measurement. Of the 15 patients treated with Type A devices, no reliable pressure recordings were able to be obtained in three patients in whom ventricular punctures were not successful. In 4 of the remaining 12 patients, periods of erroneous pressure readings were detected. After opening of cerebrospinal fluid drainage, all Type A devices failed to reflect real intraventricular pressure. In patients treated with Type B devices, no erroneous pressure recordings were able to be identified, irrespective of whether cerebrospinal fluid drainage was performed. Even when ventricular puncture failed, pressure measurement was correct each time. Transducers that are simply placed inside the ventriculostomy catheter require fluid-coupling. They may fail, either during cerebrospinal fluid drainage or when the catheter is blocked or placed within the parenchyma.

Rapid Transient Pressure Field Computations in the Nearfield of Circular Transducers using Frequency Domain Time-Space Decomposition

PubMed Central

Alles, E. J.; Zhu, Y.; van Dongen, K. W. A.; McGough, R. J.

2013-01-01

The fast nearfield method, when combined with time-space decomposition, is a rapid and accurate approach for calculating transient nearfield pressures generated by ultrasound transducers. However, the standard time-space decomposition approach is only applicable to certain analytical representations of the temporal transducer surface velocity that, when applied to the fast nearfield method, are expressed as a finite sum of products of separate temporal and spatial terms. To extend time-space decomposition such that accelerated transient field simulations are enabled in the nearfield for an arbitrary transducer surface velocity, a new transient simulation method, frequency domain time-space decomposition (FDTSD), is derived. With this method, the temporal transducer surface velocity is transformed into the frequency domain, and then each complex-valued term is processed separately. Further improvements are achieved by spectral clipping, which reduces the number of terms and the computation time. Trade-offs between speed and accuracy are established for FDTSD calculations, and pressure fields obtained with the FDTSD method for a circular transducer are compared to those obtained with Field II and the impulse response method. The FDTSD approach, when combined with the fast nearfield method and spectral clipping, consistently achieves smaller errors in less time and requires less memory than Field II or the impulse response method. PMID:23160476

SAPT units turn-on in an interference-dominant environment. [Stand Alone Pressure Transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Peng, W.-C.; Yang, C.-C.; Lichtenberg, C.

1990-01-01

A stand alone pressure transducer (SAPT) is a credit-card-sized smart pressure sensor inserted between the tile and the aluminum skin of a space shuttle. Reliably initiating the SAPT units via RF signals in a prelaunch environment is a challenging problem. Multiple-source interference may exist if more than one GSE (ground support equipment) antenna is turned on at the same time to meet the simultaneity requirement of 10 ms. A polygon model for orbiter, external tank, solid rocket booster, and tail service masts is used to simulate the prelaunch environment. Geometric optics is then applied to identify the coverage areas and the areas which are vulnerable to multipath and/or multiple-source interference. Simulation results show that the underside areas of an orbiter have incidence angles exceeding 80 deg. For multipath interference, both sides of the cargo bay areas are found to be vulnerable to a worst-case multipath loss exceeding 20 dB. Multiple-source interference areas are also identified. Mitigation methods for the coverage and interference problem are described. It is shown that multiple-source interference can be eliminated (or controlled) using the time-division-multiplexing method or the time-stamp approach.

Absolute measurement of the Hugoniot and sound velocity of liquid copper at multimegabar pressures

SciTech Connect

McCoy, Chad August; Knudson, Marcus David; Root, Seth

Measurement of the Hugoniot and sound velocity provides information on the bulk modulus and Grüneisen parameter of a material at extreme conditions. The capability to launch multilayered (copper/aluminum) flyer plates at velocities in excess of 20 km/s with the Sandia Z accelerator has enabled high-precision sound-velocity measurements at previously inaccessible pressures. For these experiments, the sound velocity of the copper flyer must be accurately known in the multi-Mbar regime. Here we describe the development of copper as an absolutely calibrated sound-velocity standard for high-precision measurements at pressures in excess of 400 GPa. Using multilayered flyer plates, we performed absolute measurementsmore » of the Hugoniot and sound velocity of copper for pressures from 500 to 1200 GPa. These measurements enabled the determination of the Grüneisen parameter for dense liquid copper, clearly showing a density dependence above the melt transition. As a result, combined with earlier data at lower pressures, these results constrain the sound velocity as a function of pressure, enabling the use of copper as a Hugoniot and sound-velocity standard for pressures up to 1200 GPa.« less

Absolute measurement of the Hugoniot and sound velocity of liquid copper at multimegabar pressures

DOE PAGES

McCoy, Chad August; Knudson, Marcus David; Root, Seth

2017-11-13

Measurement of the Hugoniot and sound velocity provides information on the bulk modulus and Grüneisen parameter of a material at extreme conditions. The capability to launch multilayered (copper/aluminum) flyer plates at velocities in excess of 20 km/s with the Sandia Z accelerator has enabled high-precision sound-velocity measurements at previously inaccessible pressures. For these experiments, the sound velocity of the copper flyer must be accurately known in the multi-Mbar regime. Here we describe the development of copper as an absolutely calibrated sound-velocity standard for high-precision measurements at pressures in excess of 400 GPa. Using multilayered flyer plates, we performed absolute measurementsmore » of the Hugoniot and sound velocity of copper for pressures from 500 to 1200 GPa. These measurements enabled the determination of the Grüneisen parameter for dense liquid copper, clearly showing a density dependence above the melt transition. As a result, combined with earlier data at lower pressures, these results constrain the sound velocity as a function of pressure, enabling the use of copper as a Hugoniot and sound-velocity standard for pressures up to 1200 GPa.« less

Effect of mild pressure applied by the ultrasound transducer on fetal cephalic measurements at 20-24 weeks' gestation.

PubMed

Kliper, Yael; Ben-Ami, Moshe; Perlitz, Yuri

2014-01-01

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of mild pressure applied on the abdominal wall by the ultrasound transducer on fetal cephalic indices. We examined by ultrasound 60 fetuses of healthy women, at 20-24 weeks of pregnancy, during routine prenatal evaluation. For every fetus biparietal diameter and head circumference were measured, with and without applying mild pressure by the ultrasound transducer. The weight and gestational age (GA) were calculated. The pressure applied by the transducer had a significant effect on the cephalic indices and on the weight and GA evaluations (p < 0.001). Fetal positioning significantly affected the impact that applied pressure had on head circumference and on the weight evaluation derived from it (p < 0.05). Applied pressure by an abdominal ultrasound probe affects cephalic indices and the derived weight and GA estimations. This may lead to incorrect diagnoses or hide pathological findings. The effect of applied pressure depends on fetal positioning. The examiner must be aware of this effect when evaluating the results of the measurements.

Blade Surface Pressure Distributions in a Rocket Engine Turbine: Experimental Work With On-Blade Pressure Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hudson, Susan T.; Zoladz, Thomas F.; Griffin, Lisa W.; Turner, James E. (Technical Monitor)

2000-01-01

Understanding the unsteady aspects of turbine rotor flowfields is critical to successful future turbine designs. A technology program was conducted at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to increase the understanding of unsteady environments for rocket engine turbines. The experimental program involved instrumenting turbine rotor blades with surface-mounted high frequency response pressure transducers. The turbine model was then tested to measure the unsteady pressures on the rotor blades. The data obtained from the experimental program is unique in three respects. First, much more unsteady data was obtained (several minutes per set point) than has been possible in the past. Also, two independent unsteady data acquisition systems and fundamental signal processing approaches were used. Finally, an extensive steady performance database existed for the turbine model. This allowed an evaluation of the effect of the on-blade instrumentation on the turbine's performance. This unique data set, the lessons learned for acquiring this type of data, and the improvements made to the data analysis and prediction tools will contribute to future turbine programs such as those for reusable launch vehicles.

A Test Facility for the Calibration of Pressure and Acceleration Transducers by a Continuous Sweep Method.

DTIC Science & Technology

1976-03-01

350Pa and 35MPa (0.05 lb/sqin and 5000 lb/sqin) and accelerometers with range maxima between 1.0g sub n and 100g sub n . Both types of transducer are...calibrated by subjecting them and an accurate reference transducer to a continuous sweep of input parameter. Graphs are drawn by an X- Y recorder of

Evaluation of adherence to ambulatory liquid oxygen treatment: are commercialized dual-pressure transducers helpful?

PubMed

van Zeller, Mafalda; Eusébio, Ermelinda; Almeida, João; Winck, João Carlos

2014-09-01

Treatment adherence is widely recognized as a critical problem in long-term oxygen therapy, particularly in ambulatory liquid oxygen (LOX) systems. Adherence-monitoring strategies may be helpful in managing patients. We evaluated subjects' adherence to LOX using VisionOx and compared these results with the subjects' own adherence diaries and self-reported perceptions of use. Patients using LOX were recruited for a clinical interview; the number of days/week and the mean time of use according to subjects' perceptions were recorded. A 14-day diary was provided for every subject while VisionOx was attached to the LOX. VisionOx is a small device that uses pressure transducers to detect oxygen flow and the subject's breathing frequency. Information is stored and downloaded using dedicated software. Nineteen subjects were included (57.9% male with a median age of 63 years). When asked about the perception of LOX use, subjects self-reported using the device for a median of 100.0% of days (78.9% reported to have used it every day) for a median time of 180 min/day. According to data from VisionOx and subjects' diaries during the 14-day evaluation period, the median use was 92.8% of days for 210 min/day. No difference was found between the diaries and VisionOx data. Regarding subjects' perceptions of use, the declared use of LOX percent was significantly higher than reported in the diaries (P = .045) and VisionOx monitoring (P = .045) even though both underestimated the median use per day. Subjects overestimated adherence to LOX therapy (when measuring percent of days of use) compared to adherence diary and objective adherence monitoring. Because no significant difference was found comparing the diaries and VisionOx use, either may be helpful in clinical practice. Copyright © 2014 by Daedalus Enterprises.

Transducer applications, a compilation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1972-01-01

The characteristics and applications of transducers are discussed. Subjects presented are: (1) thermal measurements, (2) liquid level and fluid flow measurements, (3) pressure transducers, (4) stress-strain measurements, (5) acceleration and velocity measurements, (6) displacement and angular rotation, and (7) transducer test and calibration methods.

Variability in alignment of central venous pressure transducer to physiologic reference point in the intensive care unit-A descriptive and correlational study.

PubMed

Sjödin, Carl; Sondergaard, Soren; Johansson, Lotta

2018-06-01

The phlebostatic axis is the most commonly used anatomical external reference point for central venous pressure measurements. Deviation in the central venous pressure transducer alignment from the phlebostatic axis causes inadequate pressure readings, which may affect treatment decisions for critically ill patients in intensive care units. The primary aim of the study was to assess the variability in central venous pressure transducer levelling in the intensive care unit. We also assessed whether patient characteristics impacted on central venous pressure transducer alignment deviation. A sample of 61 critical care nurses was recruited and asked to place a transducer at the appropriate level for central venous pressure measurement. The measurements were performed in the intensive care unit on critically ill patients in supine and Fowler's positions. The variability among the participants using eyeball levelling and a laser levelling device was calculated in both sessions and adjusted for patient characteristics. A significant variation was found among critical care nurses in the horizontal levelling of the pressure transducer placement when measuring central venous pressure in the intensive care unit. Using a laser levelling device did not reduce the deviation from the phlebostatic axis. Patient characteristics had little impact on the deviation in the measurements. The anatomical external landmark for the phlebostatic axis varied between critical care nurses, as the variation in the central venous pressure transducer placement was not reduced with a laser levelling device. Standardisation of a zero-level for vascular pressures should be considered to reduce the variability in vascular pressure readings in the intensive care unit to improve patient treatment decisions. Further studies are needed to evaluate critical care nurses' knowledge and use of central venous pressure monitoring and whether assistive tools and/or routines can improve the accuracy in vascular

Relative and absolute test-retest reliabilities of pressure pain threshold in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

PubMed

Srimurugan Pratheep, Neeraja; Madeleine, Pascal; Arendt-Nielsen, Lars

2018-04-25

Pressure pain threshold (PPT) and PPT maps are commonly used to quantify and visualize mechanical pain sensitivity. Although PPT's have frequently been reported from patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA), the absolute and relative reliability of PPT assessments remain to be determined. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the test-retest relative and absolute reliability of PPT in KOA. For that purpose, intra- and interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) as well as the standard error of measurement (SEM) and the minimal detectable change (MDC) values within eight anatomical locations covering the most painful knee of KOA patients was measured. Twenty KOA patients participated in two sessions with a period of 2 weeks±3 days apart. PPT's were assessed over eight anatomical locations covering the knee and two remote locations over tibialis anterior and brachioradialis. The patients rated their maximum pain intensity during the past 24 h and prior to the recordings on a visual analog scale (VAS), and completed The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and PainDetect surveys. The ICC, SEM and MDC between the sessions were assessed. The ICC for the individual variability was expressed with coefficient of variance (CV). Bland-Altman plots were used to assess potential bias in the dataset. The ICC ranged from 0.85 to 0.96 for all the anatomical locations which is considered "almost perfect". CV was lowest in session 1 and ranged from 44.2 to 57.6%. SEM for comparison ranged between 34 and 71 kPa and MDC ranged between 93 and 197 kPa with a mean PPT ranged from 273.5 to 367.7 kPa in session 1 and 268.1-331.3 kPa in session 2. The analysis of Bland-Altman plot showed no systematic bias. PPT maps showed that the patients had lower thresholds in session 2, but no significant difference was observed for the comparison between the sessions for PPT or VAS. No correlations were seen between PainDetect and PPT and PainDetect and WOMAC

Application of rotor mounted pressure transducers to analysis of inlet turbulence. [flow distortion in turbofan engine inlet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hanson, D. B.

1976-01-01

Miniature pressure transducers installed near the leading edge of a fan blade were used to diagnose the non-uniform flow entering a subsonic tip speed turbofan on a static test stand. The pressure response of the blade to the inlet flow variations was plotted in a form which shows the space-time history of disturbances ingested by the rotor. Also, periodically sampled data values were auto- and cross-correlated as if they had been acquired from fixed hot wire anemometers at 150 equally spaced angles around the inlet. With a clean inlet and low wind, evidence of long, narrow turbulence eddies was easily found both in the boundary layer of the fan duct and outside the boundary layer. The role of the boundary layer was to follow and amplify disturbances in the outer flow. These eddies frequently moved around the inlet with a corkscrew motion as they passed through.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Codman Microsensor Transducer Used for Intraspinal Pressure Monitoring: Findings From the Injured Spinal Cord Pressure Evaluation Study.

PubMed

Phang, Isaac; Mada, Marius; Kolias, Angelos G; Newcombe, Virginia F J; Trivedi, Rikin A; Carpenter, Adrian; Hawkes, Rob C; Papadopoulos, Marios C

2016-05-01

Laboratory and human study. To test the Codman Microsensor Transducer (CMT) in a cervical gel phantom. To test the CMT inserted to monitor intraspinal pressure in a patient with spinal cord injury. We recently introduced the technique of intraspinal pressure monitoring using the CMT to guide management of traumatic spinal cord injury [Werndle et al. Crit Care Med 2014;42:646]. This is analogous to intracranial pressure monitoring to guide management of patients with traumatic brain injury. It is unclear whether magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of patients with spinal cord injury is safe with the intraspinal pressure CMT in situ. We measured the heating produced by the CMT placed in a gel phantom in various configurations. A 3-T MRI system was used with the body transmit coil and the spine array receive coil. A CMT was then inserted subdurally at the injury site in a patient who had traumatic spinal cord injury and MRI was performed at 1.5 T. In the gel phantom, heating of up to 5°C occurred with the transducer wire placed straight through the magnet bore. The heating was abolished when the CMT wire was coiled and passed away from the bore. We then tested the CMT in a patient with an American Spinal Injuries Association grade C cervical cord injury. The CMT wire was placed in the configuration that abolished heating in the gel phantom. Good-quality T1 and T2 images of the cord were obtained without neurological deterioration. The transducer remained functional after the MRI. Our data suggest that the CMT is MR conditional when used in the spinal configuration in humans. Data from a large patient group are required to confirm these findings. N/A.

Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease

PubMed Central

Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

2015-01-01

Background We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. Methods We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. Results The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Conclusion The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD. PMID:26491500

Impact of the Absolute Difference in Diastolic Blood Pressure Between Arms in Patients With Coronary Artery Disease.

PubMed

Hitaka, Yuka; Miura, Shin-Ichiro; Koyoshi, Rie; Shiga, Yuhei; Miyase, Yuiko; Norimatsu, Kenji; Nakamura, Ayumi; Adachi, Sen; Kuwano, Takashi; Sugihara, Makoto; Ike, Amane; Nishikawa, Hiroaki; Saku, Keijiro

2015-11-01

We investigated the relationship between the severity and presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) and a difference in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP and DBP) between arms or between lower limbs. We enrolled 277 patients who underwent coronary angiography. We calculated the absolute (|right BP (rt. BP) - left BP (lt. BP)|) and relative (rt. BP - lt. BP) differences in SBP or DBP between arms or between lower limbs, and assessed the severity of CAD in terms of the Gensini score. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in the CAD group was significantly lower than that in the non-CAD group, whereas the absolute difference in DBP between lower limbs in the CAD group was significantly higher. There were no differences in the absolute or relative difference in SBP between arms or lower limbs between the groups. The absolute difference in DBP between arms decreased as the Gensini score increased. In a logistic regression analysis, the presence of CAD was independently associated with the absolute difference in DBP between arms, in addition to male, family history, dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus and hypertension. The absolute difference in DBP between arms in addition to traditional factors may be a critical risk factor for the presence of CAD.

Excitation Location and Seasonal Variation of Transoceanic Infragravity Waves Observed at an Absolute Pressure Gauge Array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tonegawa, T.; Fukao, Y.; Shiobara, H.; Sugioka, H.; Ito, A.; Yamashita, M.

2018-01-01

An array of 10 absolute pressure gauges (APGs) deployed in deep water 50 km east of Aogashima, an island in southern Japan, observed several isolated signals in the infragravity wave (IGW) frequency band (0.002-0.03 Hz) during boreal summer, whereas relatively high IGW energy persisted during boreal winter. The isolated IGW shows dispersion with a delay time of 4-5 days as a function of frequency. Here we estimate the excitation locations of IGWs for the two seasons with estimated incoming direction of IGW, calculation of transoceanic IGW trajectories and propagation times, and spatiotemporal variations of significant wave heights from WAVEWATCH III. In boreal summer, the isolated IGWs are primarily caused by IGW energies excited at the shoreline of South America, based on the following three observations: IGWs observed at the array originated from the east: the easterly ray path from the array reaches South America: and an event-like IGWs were observed at the array when a storm approaches eastward to the shoreline of South America, in which the observed delay time of 4-5 days was also supported by the frequency-dependent calculation of IGW propagation times. In boreal winter, the incessant IGWs consist of transoceanic IGW energies leaked from the shoreline, primarily from North America, and secondly from South America and the western Aleutian Islands.

Manifold absolute pressure estimation using neural network with hybrid training algorithm

PubMed Central

Selamat, Hazlina; Alimin, Ahmad Jais; Haniff, Mohamad Fadzli

2017-01-01

In a modern small gasoline engine fuel injection system, the load of the engine is estimated based on the measurement of the manifold absolute pressure (MAP) sensor, which took place in the intake manifold. This paper present a more economical approach on estimating the MAP by using only the measurements of the throttle position and engine speed, resulting in lower implementation cost. The estimation was done via two-stage multilayer feed-forward neural network by combining Levenberg-Marquardt (LM) algorithm, Bayesian Regularization (BR) algorithm and Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) algorithm. Based on the results found in 20 runs, the second variant of the hybrid algorithm yields a better network performance than the first variant of hybrid algorithm, LM, LM with BR and PSO by estimating the MAP closely to the simulated MAP values. By using a valid experimental training data, the estimator network that trained with the second variant of the hybrid algorithm showed the best performance among other algorithms when used in an actual retrofit fuel injection system (RFIS). The performance of the estimator was also validated in steady-state and transient condition by showing a closer MAP estimation to the actual value. PMID:29190779

Measurement and Control of the Variability of Scanning Pressure Transducer Measurements

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kuhl, David D.; Everhart, Joel L.; Hallissy, James B.

2003-01-01

This paper describes the new wall pressure measurement system and data-quality monitoring software installed at 14x22 Ft subsonic tunnel at the NASA Langley Research Center. The monitoring software was developed to enable measurement and control of the variability of the reference pressures and approximately 400 tunnel wall pressure measurements. Variability of the system, based upon data acquired over a year of wind tunnel tests and calibrations, is presented. The level of variation of the wall pressure measurements is shown to be predictable.

Experimental program to determine long term characteristics of the MDE pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Parker, C. D.

1973-01-01

The pressure cell sensors developed for the Pioneer 10/G meteoroid detection experiments (MDE) were investigated to enhance their application and their potential as a sensor in other MDE applications. Their Paschen characteristics were also investigated, and the effects of variations in geometry, Ni-63 platings (for initial ionizations) and sealing pressures were determined. The effects of extensive pre-flight testing and proton and heavy ion space radiation were investigated. Flight-quality pressure panels/cells were committed to long term testing to demonstrate their suitability for the Pioneer 10/G Missions.

[Recording of ventricular pressure by conventional catheter manometer systems. Efficiency of several combinations of conventional catheters, modern transducers and catheter-flush systems (author's transl)].

PubMed

Hellige, G

1976-01-01

The experimentally in vitro determined dynamic response characteristics of 38 catheter manometer systems were uniform in the worst case to 5 c.p.s. and optimally to 26 c.p.s. Accordingly, some systems are only satisfactory for ordinary pressure recording in cardiac rest, while better systems record dp/dt correct up to moderate inotropic stimulation of the heart. In the frequency range of uniform response (amplitude error less +/- 5%) the phase distortion is also negligible. In clinical application the investigator is often restricted to special type of cardiac catheter. In this case a low compliant transducer yields superior results. In all examined systems the combination with MSD 10 transducers is best, whereas the combination with P 23 Db transducers leads to minimal results. An inadequate system for recording ventricular pressure pulses leads in most cases to overestimations of dp/dtmax. The use of low frequency pass filters to attenuate higher frequency artefacts is, under clinical conditions, not suitable for extending the range of uniform frequency response. The dynamic response of 14 catheter manometer systems with two types of continuous self flush units was determined. The use of the P 37 flush unit in combination with small internal diameter catheters leads to serious error in ordinary pressure recording, due to amplitude distortion of the lower harmonics. The frequency response characteristics of the combination of an Intraflow flush system and MSD 10 transducer was similar to the non-flushing P 23 Db transducer feature.

Comparison of water and air charged transducer catheter pressures in the evaluation of cystometrogram and voiding pressure studies.

PubMed

McKinney, Timothy B; Babin, Elizabeth A; Ciolfi, Veronica; McKinney, Cynthia R; Shah, Nima

2018-04-01

Air-charged (AC) and water-perfused (WP) catheters have been evaluated for differences in measuring pressures for voiding dysfunction. Typically, a two-catheter system was used. We believe that simultaneous pressure measurements with AC and WP in a single catheter will provide analogous pressures for coughs, Valsalvas, and maximum pressures in voiding pressure studies (VPS). This IRB approved prospective study included 50 women over age 21. AC dual TDOC catheters were utilized. The water-filling channel served as the bladder filler and the water pressure readings. Patients were evaluated with empty bladders and at volumes of 50-100 mL, 200 mL, and maximum capacity with cough and Valsalva maneuvers. Comparative analysis was performed on maximum stress peak pressures. At maximum bladder capacity, VPS was done and maximum voiding pressure was recorded. Comparing coughs and Valsalva maneuvers pressures, there was significant increase in variability between AC and WP measurements with less than 50 mL volume (P < 0.001). Significant correlations were observed between AC and WP measurements for coughs and Valsalvas with bladder volume over 50 mL. Visual impression showed virtually identical tracings. Cough measurements had an average difference of 0.25 cmH 2 O (±8.81) and Valsalva measurements had an average difference of 3.15 cmH 2 O (±4.72). Thirty-eight women had usable maximum voiding pressure measurements and had a strong correlation. Cystometrogram and maximum voiding pressure measurements done with either water or air charged catheters will yield similarly accurate results and are comparable. Results suggest more variability at low bladder volumes <50 mL. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Characterization of Pressure Fields of Focused Transducers at TÜBİTAK UME

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Karaböce, B.; Şahin, A.; İnce, A. T.; Skarlatos, Y.

Field radiated by HIFU (High Intensity Focused Ultrasound) has been investigated by measuring its pressure field and mapping in 2-D and 3-D. A new ultrasound pressure measurement system has been designed and constructed at TÜBİTAK UME (The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, the National Metrology Institute). System consists of a water tank, positioning system, measurement devices and a controlling program. The hydrophone was attached to a 3-axis, computer-controlled positioning system for alignment with the ultrasound source. The signal was captured and analyzed by the commercially available LabVIEW 8.1 software. The measurements of the ultrasound field were carried out with a needle hydrophone. For each waveform, p, p+ and p-pressures have been calculated. Wave behaviors produced by the KZK model and from experiments look like similar in general. In p, p+, p- the focal point, zero point after the primary peak (focus) and extremum points in the near field well match.

Effect of using a Planecta™ port with a three-way stopcock on the natural frequency of blood pressure transducer kits.

PubMed

Fujiwara, Shigeki; Tachihara, Keiichi; Mori, Satoshi; Ouchi, Kentaro; Yokoe, Chizuko; Imaizumi, Uno; Morimoto, Yoshinari; Miki, Yoichiro; Toyoguchi, Izumi; Yoshida, Kazu-Ichi; Yokoyama, Takeshi

2016-12-01

Blood pressure transducer kits are equipped with two types of Planecta™ ports-the flat-type Planecta™ port (FTP) and the Planecta™ port with a three-way stopcock (PTS). We reported that FTP application decreased the natural frequency of the kits. However, Planecta™ is an invaluable tool as it prevents infection, ensures technical simplicity, and excludes air. Hence, an ideal Planecta™ port that does not decrease the frequency characteristics is required. As a first step in this direction, we aimed to assess the influence of PTSs on the natural frequency of blood transducer kits. A DTXplus transducer kit (DT4812J; Argon Medical Devices, TX, USA) was used along with ≥1 PTSs (JMS, Hiroshima, Japan), and the frequency characteristics were assessed. The natural frequency and damping coefficient of each kit were obtained by using frequency characteristics analysis software, and these parameters were evaluated by plotting them on Gardner's chart. Regardless of whether one or two PTSs were inserted, the natural frequency of the kits only slightly decreased (from 42.5 to 41.1 Hz, when 2 PTSs were used). Thus, the frequency characteristics of the kits with PTSs were adequate for pressure monitoring. The insertion of ≥2 FTPs in pressure transducer kits should be avoided, as they markedly decrease the natural frequency and lead to underdamping. However, the effect of PTS insertion in pressure transducer kits on the frequency characteristics is minimal. Thus, we found that the use of PTS markedly improved the frequency characteristics as compared to the use of FTP.

PIG's Speed Estimated with Pressure Transducers and Hall Effect Sensor: An Industrial Application of Sensors to Validate a Testing Laboratory.

PubMed

Lima, Gustavo F; Freitas, Victor C G; Araújo, Renan P; Maitelli, André L; Salazar, Andrés O

2017-09-15

The pipeline inspection using a device called Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) is safe and reliable when the PIG is at low speeds during inspection. We built a Testing Laboratory, containing a testing loop and supervisory system to study speed control techniques for PIGs. The objective of this work is to present and validate the Testing Laboratory, which will allow development of a speed controller for PIGs and solve an existing problem in the oil industry. The experimental methodology used throughout the project is also presented. We installed pressure transducers on pipeline outer walls to detect the PIG's movement and, with data from supervisory, calculated an average speed of 0.43 m/s. At the same time, the electronic board inside the PIG received data from odometer and calculated an average speed of 0.45 m/s. We found an error of 4.44%, which is experimentally acceptable. The results showed that it is possible to successfully build a Testing Laboratory to detect the PIG's passage and estimate its speed. The validation of the Testing Laboratory using data from the odometer and its auxiliary electronic was very successful. Lastly, we hope to develop more research in the oil industry area using this Testing Laboratory.

Piezoelectric transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Conragan, J.; Muller, R. S.

1970-01-01

Transducer consists of a hybrid thin film and a piezoelectric transistor that acts as a stress-sensitive device with built-in gain. It provides a stress/strain transducer that incorporates a signal amplification stage and sensor in a single package.

Microinterferometer transducer

DOEpatents

Corey, III, Harry S.

1979-01-01

An air-bearing microinterferometer transducer is provided for increased accuracy, range and linearity over conventional displacement transducers. A microinterferometer system is housed within a small compartment of an air-bearing displacement transducer housing. A movable cube corner reflector of the interferometer is mounted to move with the displacement gauging probe of the transducer. The probe is disposed for axial displacement by means of an air-bearing. Light from a single frequency laser is directed into an interferometer system within the transducer housing by means of a self-focusing fiber optic cable to maintain light coherency. Separate fringe patterns are monitored by a pair of fiber optic cables which transmit the patterns to a detecting system. The detecting system includes a bidirectional counter which counts the light pattern fringes according to the direction of movement of the probe during a displacement gauging operation.

Effect of static pressure on absolute paleointensity recording with implications for meteorites

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Volk, Michael W. R.; Gilder, Stuart A.

2016-08-01

We investigated the influence of hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic stress on the recording process of magnetic field intensity with particular relevance for meteorites that experienced pressures lower than 5 GPa corresponding to the lowest shock stage classification (S1) in meteorites. Thermal remanent magnetizations were imparted on natural obsidian samples containing pseudo-single domain titanomagnetite, analogous to some achondritic meteorites. Thellier-type paleointensity experiments were carried out at ambient conditions after pressure cycling to 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 GPa. Each experiment used 10 samples to assess reproducibility, which is better than ±5%. The recorded paleointensity decreased 10%/GPa under hydrostatic stress and 20%/GPa under nonhydrostatic stress, leading to the fundamental conclusion that paleointensity results from meteorites may be appreciably underestimated. Pressure cycling shifts the blocking and unblocking spectra, thereby producing more linear slopes on an Arai diagram with increasing strain. We explain why, for samples with a single magnetization component that does not alter, a two-step paleointensity protocol sufficiently resolves the true paleointensity. Moreover, we propose that pressure cycling of pseudo-single domain bearing samples will remove the inherent curvature of the Arai slope, thereby allowing one to obtain a more accurate estimate of the true paleointensity. This likely also holds true for samples possessing multidomain grains. Conversely, linear trends on Arai plots in meteorites might have their origin in a pressure effect that does not necessarily reflect the ubiquitous presence of single domain particles.

Pressure dependence of the absolute rate constant for the reaction OH + C2H2 from 228 to 413K

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Michael, J. V.; Nava, D. F.; Borokowski, R. P.; Payne, W. A.; Stief, L. J.

1980-01-01

The pressure dependence of absolute rate constants for the reaction of OH + C2H2 yields products has been examined at five temperatures ranging from 228 to 413 K. The experimental techniques which was used is flash photolysis-resonance fluoresence. OH was produced by water photolysis and hydroxyl resonance fluorescent photons were measured by multiscaling techniques. The results indicate that the low pressure bimolecular rate constant is 4 x 10 the the minus 13th power cu cm molecule (-1) s(-1) over the temperature range studied. A substantial increase in the bimolecular rate constant with an increase in pressure was observed at all temperatures except 228 K. This indicates the importance of initial adduct formation and subsequent stablization. The high pressure results are well represented by the Arrhenius expression (k sub bi) sub infinity = (6.83 + or - 1.19) x 10 to the minus 12th power exp(-646 + or - 47/T)cu cm molecule (-1) s(-1). The results are compared to previous investigated and are theoretically discussed. The implications of these results on modeling of terrestrial and planetary atmospheres and also in combustion chemistry are discussed.

Acoustic transducer

DOEpatents

Drumheller, Douglas S.

2000-01-01

An active acoustic transducer tool for use down-hole applications. The tool includes a single cylindrical mandrel including a shoulder defining the boundary of a narrowed portion over which is placed a sandwich-style piezoelectric tranducer assembly. The piezoelectric transducer assembly is prestressed by being placed in a thermal interference fit between the shoulder of the mandrel and the base of an anvil which is likewise positioned over the narrower portion of the mandrel. In the preferred embodiment, assembly of the tool is accomplished using a hydraulic jack to stretch the mandrel prior to emplacement of the cylindrical sandwich-style piezoelectric transducer assembly and anvil. After those elements are positioned and secured, the stretched mandrel is allowed to return substantially to its original (pre-stretch) dimensions with the result that the piezoelectric transducer elements are compressed between the anvil and the shoulder of the mandrel.

Crack orientation and depth estimation in a low-pressure turbine disc using a phased array ultrasonic transducer and an artificial neural network.

PubMed

Yang, Xiaoxia; Chen, Shili; Jin, Shijiu; Chang, Wenshuang

2013-09-13

Stress corrosion cracks (SCC) in low-pressure steam turbine discs are serious hidden dangers to production safety in the power plants, and knowing the orientation and depth of the initial cracks is essential for the evaluation of the crack growth rate, propagation direction and working life of the turbine disc. In this paper, a method based on phased array ultrasonic transducer and artificial neural network (ANN), is proposed to estimate both the depth and orientation of initial cracks in the turbine discs. Echo signals from cracks with different depths and orientations were collected by a phased array ultrasonic transducer, and the feature vectors were extracted by wavelet packet, fractal technology and peak amplitude methods. The radial basis function (RBF) neural network was investigated and used in this application. The final results demonstrated that the method presented was efficient in crack estimation tasks.

Crack Orientation and Depth Estimation in a Low-Pressure Turbine Disc Using a Phased Array Ultrasonic Transducer and an Artificial Neural Network

PubMed Central

Yang, Xiaoxia; Chen, Shili; Jin, Shijiu; Chang, Wenshuang

2013-01-01

Stress corrosion cracks (SCC) in low-pressure steam turbine discs are serious hidden dangers to production safety in the power plants, and knowing the orientation and depth of the initial cracks is essential for the evaluation of the crack growth rate, propagation direction and working life of the turbine disc. In this paper, a method based on phased array ultrasonic transducer and artificial neural network (ANN), is proposed to estimate both the depth and orientation of initial cracks in the turbine discs. Echo signals from cracks with different depths and orientations were collected by a phased array ultrasonic transducer, and the feature vectors were extracted by wavelet packet, fractal technology and peak amplitude methods. The radial basis function (RBF) neural network was investigated and used in this application. The final results demonstrated that the method presented was efficient in crack estimation tasks. PMID:24064602

Easy Absolute Values? Absolutely

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Taylor, Sharon E.; Mittag, Kathleen Cage

2015-01-01

The authors teach a problem-solving course for preservice middle-grades education majors that includes concepts dealing with absolute-value computations, equations, and inequalities. Many of these students like mathematics and plan to teach it, so they are adept at symbolic manipulations. Getting them to think differently about a concept that they…

Multiplexing Transducers Based on Tunnel-Diode Oscillators

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chui, Talso; Penanen, Konstantin; Young, Joseph

2006-01-01

Multiplexing and differential transducers based on tunnel-diode oscillators (TDOs) would be developed, according to a proposal, for operation at very low and/or widely varying temperatures in applications that involve requirements to minimize the power and mass of transducer electronic circuitry. It has been known since 1975 that TDOs are useful for making high-resolution (of the order of 10(exp -9)) measurements at low temperatures. Since that time, TDO transducers have been found to offer the following additional advantages, which the present proposal is intended to exploit: TDO transducers can operate at temperatures ranging from 1 K to about 400 K. Most electronic components other than tunnel diodes do not operate over such a wide temperature range. TDO transducers can be made to operate at very low power - typically, <1 mW. Inasmuch as the response of a TDO transducer is a small change in an arbitrarily set oscillation frequency, the outputs of many TDOs operating at sufficiently different set frequencies can be multiplexed through a single wire. Inasmuch as frequencies can be easily subtracted by means of mixing circuitry, one can easily use two TDOs to make differential measurements. Differential measurements are generally more precise and less susceptible to environmental variations than are absolute measurements. TDO transducers are tolerant to ionizing radiation. Ultimately, the response of a TDO transducer is measured by use of a frequency counter. Because frequency counting can be easily implemented by use of clock signals available from most microprocessors, it is not necessary to incorporate additional readout circuitry that would, if included, add to the mass and power consumption of the transducer circuitry. In one example of many potential variations on the basic theme of the proposal, the figure schematically depicts a conceptual differential-pressure transducer containing a symmetrical pair of TDOs. The differential pressure would be exerted on

A study of response time of pitot pressure probes designed for rapid response and protection of transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, J. A.

1979-01-01

An eight orifice probe, designed to protect the transducer without the use of a baffle, was compared to a standard orifice-baffle probe in the small shock tube and in the expansion tube under normal run conditions. In both facilities, the response time of eight orifice probe was considerable better than the standard probe design.

Temperature and pressure dependence of the absolute rate constant for the reactions of NH2 radicals with acetylene and ethylene

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bosco, S. R.; Nava, D. F.; Brobst, W. D.; Stief, L. J.

1984-01-01

The absolute rate constants for the reaction between the NH2 free radical and acetylene and ethylene is measured experimentally using a flash photolysis technique. The constant is considered to be a function of temperature and pressure. At each temperature level of the experiment, the observed pseudo-first-order rate constants were assumed to be independent of flash intensity. The results of the experiment indicate that the bimolecular rate constant for the NH2 + C2H2 reaction increases with pressure at 373 K and 459 K but not at lower temperatures. Results near the pressure limit conform to an Arrhenius expression of 1.11 (+ or -) 0.36 x 10 to the -13th over the temperature range from 241 to 459 K. For the reaction NH2 + C2H4, a smaller rate of increase in the bimolecular rate constant was observed over the temperature range 250-465 K. The implications of these results for current theoretical models of NH2 + C2H2 (or H4) reactions in the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn are discussed.

Acoustic transducer

DOEpatents

Drumheller, Douglas S.

1997-01-01

An acoustic transducer comprising a one-piece hollow mandrel into the outer surface of which is formed a recess with sides perpendicular to the central axis of the mandrel and separated by a first distance and with a bottom parallel to the central axis and within which recess are a plurality of washer-shaped discs of a piezoelectric material and at least one disc of a temperature-compensating material with the discs being captured between the sides of the recess in a pre-stressed interference fit, typically at 2000 psi of compressive stress. The transducer also includes a power supply and means to connect to a measurement device. The transducer is intended to be used for telemetry between a measurement device located downhole in an oil or gas well and the surface. The transducer is of an construction that is stronger with fewer joints that could leak fluids into the recess holding the piezoelectric elements than is found in previous acoustic transducers.

Acoustic transducer

DOEpatents

Drumheller, D.S.

1997-12-30

An acoustic transducer is described comprising a one-piece hollow mandrel into the outer surface of which is formed a recess with sides perpendicular to the central axis of the mandrel and separated by a first distance and with a bottom parallel to the central axis and within which recess are a plurality of washer-shaped discs of a piezoelectric material and at least one disc of a temperature-compensating material with the discs being captured between the sides of the recess in a pre-stressed interference fit, typically at 2,000 psi of compressive stress. The transducer also includes a power supply and means to connect to a measurement device. The transducer is intended to be used for telemetry between a measurement device located downhole in an oil or gas well and the surface. The transducer is of an construction that is stronger with fewer joints that could leak fluids into the recess holding the piezoelectric elements than is found in previous acoustic transducers. 4 figs.

Measuring Time-Averaged Blood Pressure

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rothman, Neil S.

1988-01-01

Device measures time-averaged component of absolute blood pressure in artery. Includes compliant cuff around artery and external monitoring unit. Ceramic construction in monitoring unit suppresses ebb and flow of pressure-transmitting fluid in sensor chamber. Transducer measures only static component of blood pressure.

USRD type F63 transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jevnager, M. D.; Tims, A. C.

1981-11-01

A small reversible audio frequency range transducer was developed. The type F63 transducer is designed to meet the specific needs of the user. It is sensitive and stable with temperature and moderate hydrostatic pressures as required by Naval Mine Engineering Facility to improve their mission capability.

Campaign-Style Measurements of Vertical Seafloor Deformation in the Cascadia Subduction Zone Using an Absolute Self-Calibrating Pressure Recorder

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Cook, M. J.; Sasagawa, G. S.; Roland, E. C.; Schmidt, D. A.; Wilcock, W. S. D.; Zumberge, M. A.

2017-12-01

Seawater pressure can be used to measure vertical seafloor deformation since small seafloor height changes produce measurable pressure changes. However, resolving secular vertical deformation near subduction zones can be difficult due to pressure gauge drift. A typical gauge drift rate of about 10 cm/year exceeds the expected secular rate of 1 cm/year or less in Cascadia. The absolute self-calibrating pressure recorder (ASCPR) was developed to solve the issue of gauge drift by using a deadweight calibrator to make campaign-style measurements of the absolute seawater pressure. Pressure gauges alternate between observing the ambient seawater pressure and the deadweight calibrator pressure, which is an accurately known reference value, every 10-20 minutes for several hours. The difference between the known reference pressure and the observed seafloor pressure allows offsets and transients to be corrected to determine the true, absolute seafloor pressure. Absolute seafloor pressure measurements provide a great utility for geodetic deformation studies. The measurements provide instrument-independent, benchmark values that can be used far into the future as epoch points in long-term time series or as important calibration points for other continuous pressure records. The ASCPR was first deployed in Cascadia in 2014 and 2015, when seven concrete seafloor benchmarks were placed along a trench-perpendicular profile extending from 20 km to 105 km off the central Oregon coast. Two benchmarks have ASCPR measurements that span three years, one benchmark spans two years, and four benchmarks span one year. Measurement repeatability is currently 3 to 4 cm, but we anticipate accuracy on the order of 1 cm with improvements to the instrument metrology and processing tidal and non-tidal oceanographic signals.

Ultrasonic transducer

DOEpatents

Taylor, Steven C.; Kraft, Nancy C.

2007-03-13

An ultrasonic transducer having an effective center frequency of about 42 MHz; a bandwidth of greater than 85% at 6 dB; a spherical focus of at least 0.5 inches in water; an F4 lens; a resolution sufficient to be able to detect and separate a 0.005 inch flat-bottomed hole at 0.005 inches below surface; and a beam size of approximately 0.006–0.008 inches measured off a 11/2 mm ball in water at the transducer's focal point.

Capacitive transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lucifredi, A. L.

1970-01-01

The theory, applications, and possible structural designs of capacitive transducers are presented. Emphasis is placed on the circuits used in connection with the sensors, such as AM, FM, resonant circuits, mode circuits, direct current circuits, and special circuits. Some criteria for selection of a design or the purchase of a commercial device are given.

Environmental control system transducer development study

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brudnicki, M. J.

1973-01-01

A failure evaluation of the transducers used in the environmental control systems of the Apollo command service module, lunar module, and portable life support system is presented in matrix form for several generic categories of transducers to enable identification of chronic failure modes. Transducer vendors were contacted and asked to supply detailed information. The evaluation data generated for each category of transducer were compiled and published in failure design evaluation reports. The evaluation reports also present a review of the failure and design data for the transducers and suggest both design criteria to improve reliability of the transducers and, where necessary, design concepts for required redesign of the transducers. Remedial designs were implemented on a family of pressure transducers and on the oxygen flow transducer. The design concepts were subjected to analysis, breadboard fabrication, and verification testing.

Comparison of concurrent strain gage- and pressure transducer-measured flight loads on a lifting reentry vehicle and correlation with wind tunnel predictions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Tang, M. H.; Sefic, W. J.; Sheldon, R. G.

1978-01-01

Concurrent strain gage and pressure transducer measured flight loads on a lifting reentry vehicle are compared and correlated with wind tunnel-predicted loads. Subsonic, transonic, and supersonic aerodynamic loads are presented for the left fin and control surfaces of the X-24B lifting reentry vehicle. Typical left fin pressure distributions are shown. The effects of variations in angle of attack, angle of sideslip, and Mach number on the left fin loads and rudder hinge moments are presented in coefficient form. Also presented are the effects of variations in angle of attack and Mach number on the upper flap, lower flap, and aileron hinge-moment coefficients. The effects of variations in lower flap hinge moments due to changes in lower flap deflection and Mach number are presented in terms of coefficient slopes.

Nano-optomechanical transducer

DOEpatents

Rakich, Peter T; El-Kady, Ihab F; Olsson, Roy H; Su, Mehmet Fatih; Reinke, Charles; Camacho, Ryan; Wang, Zheng; Davids, Paul

2013-12-03

A nano-optomechanical transducer provides ultrabroadband coherent optomechanical transduction based on Mach-wave emission that uses enhanced photon-phonon coupling efficiencies by low impedance effective phononic medium, both electrostriction and radiation pressure to boost and tailor optomechanical forces, and highly dispersive electromagnetic modes that amplify both electrostriction and radiation pressure. The optomechanical transducer provides a large operating bandwidth and high efficiency while simultaneously having a small size and minimal power consumption, enabling a host of transformative phonon and signal processing capabilities. These capabilities include optomechanical transduction via pulsed phonon emission and up-conversion, broadband stimulated phonon emission and amplification, picosecond pulsed phonon lasers, broadband phononic modulators, and ultrahigh bandwidth true time delay and signal processing technologies.

Multifunctional transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldstein, C.; Lewis, G. W.; Culler, V. H.; Merrbaum, S. (Inventor)

1981-01-01

Several parameters of a small region of a muscle tissue or other object, can be simultaneously measured using with minimal traumatizing or damage of the object, a trifunctional transducer which can determine the force applied by a muscle fiber, the displacement of the fiber, and the change in thickness of the fiber. The transducer has three legs with inner ends joined together and outer ends formed to piece the tissue and remain within it. Two of the legs are relatively stiff, to measure force applied by the tissue, and a third leg is relatively flexible to measure displacement of the tissue relative to one or both stiff legs, and with the three legs lying in a common plane so that the force and displacement measurements all relate to the same direction of muscle movements. A flexible loop is attached to one of the stiff legs to measure changes in muscle thickness, with the upper end of the loop fixed to the leg and the lower end of the loop bearing against the surface of the tissue and being free to slide on the leg.

Fixture for holding testing transducer

DOEpatents

Wagner, T.A.; Engel, H.P.

A fixture for mounting an ultrasonic transducer against the end of a threaded bolt or stud to test the same for flaws. A base means threadedly secured to the side of the bolt has a rotating ring thereon. A post rising up from the ring (parallel to the axis of the workpiece) pivotally mounts a variable length cross arm, on the inner end of which is mounted the transducer. A spring means acts between the cross arm and the base to apply the testing transducer against the workpiece at a constant pressure. The device maintains constant for successive tests the radial and circumferential positions of the testing transducer and its contact pressure against the end of the workpiece.

Fixture for holding testing transducer

DOEpatents

Wagner, Thomas A.; Engel, Herbert P.

1984-01-01

A fixture for mounting an ultrasonic transducer against the end of a threaded bolt or stud to test the same for flaws. A base means threadedly secured to the side of the bolt has a rotating ring thereon. A post rising up from the ring (parallel to the axis of the workpiece) pivotally mounts a variable length cross arm, on the inner end of which is mounted the transducer. A spring means acts between the cross arm and the base to apply the testing transducer against the workpiece at a constant pressure. The device maintains constant for successive tests the radial and circumferential positions of the testing transducer and its contact pressure against the end of the workpiece.

Curved PVDF airborne transducer.

PubMed

Wang, H; Toda, M

1999-01-01

In the application of airborne ultrasonic ranging measurement, a partially cylindrical (curved) PVDF transducer can effectively couple ultrasound into the air and generate strong sound pressure. Because of its geometrical features, the ultrasound beam angles of a curved PVDF transducer can be unsymmetrical (i.e., broad horizontally and narrow vertically). This feature is desired in some applications. In this work, a curved PVDF air transducer is investigated both theoretically and experimentally. Two resonances were observed in this transducer. They are length extensional mode and flexural bending mode. Surface vibration profiles of these two modes were measured by a laser vibrometer. It was found from the experiment that the surface vibration was not uniform along the curvature direction for both vibration modes. Theoretical calculations based on a model developed in this work confirmed the experimental results. Two displacement peaks were found in the piezoelectric active direction of PVDF film for the length extensional mode; three peaks were found for the flexural bending mode. The observed peak positions were in good agreement with the calculation results. Transient surface displacement measurements revealed that vibration peaks were in phase for the length extensional mode and out of phase for the flexural bending mode. Therefore, the length extensional mode can generate a stronger ultrasound wave than the flexural bending mode. The resonance frequencies and vibration amplitudes of the two modes strongly depend on the structure parameters as well as the material properties. For the transducer design, the theoretical model developed in this work can be used to optimize the ultrasound performance.

Transducer-Mounting Fixture

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Spiegel, Kirk W.

1990-01-01

Transducer-mounting fixture holds transducer securely against stud. Projects only slightly beyond stud after installation. Flanged transducer fits into fixture when hinged halves open. When halves reclosed, fixture tightened onto threaded stud until stud makes contact with transducer. Knurled area on fixture aids in tightening fixture on stud.

PIG’s Speed Estimated with Pressure Transducers and Hall Effect Sensor: An Industrial Application of Sensors to Validate a Testing Laboratory

PubMed Central

Freitas, Victor C. G.; Araújo, Renan P.; Maitelli, André L.; Salazar, Andrés O.

2017-01-01

The pipeline inspection using a device called Pipeline Inspection Gauge (PIG) is safe and reliable when the PIG is at low speeds during inspection. We built a Testing Laboratory, containing a testing loop and supervisory system to study speed control techniques for PIGs. The objective of this work is to present and validate the Testing Laboratory, which will allow development of a speed controller for PIGs and solve an existing problem in the oil industry. The experimental methodology used throughout the project is also presented. We installed pressure transducers on pipeline outer walls to detect the PIG’s movement and, with data from supervisory, calculated an average speed of 0.43 m/s. At the same time, the electronic board inside the PIG received data from odometer and calculated an average speed of 0.45 m/s. We found an error of 4.44%, which is experimentally acceptable. The results showed that it is possible to successfully build a Testing Laboratory to detect the PIG’s passage and estimate its speed. The validation of the Testing Laboratory using data from the odometer and its auxiliary electronic was very successful. Lastly, we hope to develop more research in the oil industry area using this Testing Laboratory. PMID:28914757

Ultrasonic Transducer Irradiation Test Results

SciTech Connect

Daw, Joshua; Palmer, Joe; Ramuhalli, Pradeep

2015-02-01

Ultrasonic technologies offer the potential for high-accuracy and -resolution in-pile measurement of a range of parameters, including geometry changes, temperature, crack initiation and growth, gas pressure and composition, and microstructural changes. Many Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) programs are exploring the use of ultrasonic technologies to provide enhanced sensors for in-pile instrumentation during irradiation testing. For example, the ability of small diameter ultrasonic thermometers (UTs) to provide a temperature profile in candidate metallic and oxide fuel would provide much needed data for validating new fuel performance models. Other ongoing efforts include an ultrasonic technique to detect morphology changesmore » (such as crack initiation and growth) and acoustic techniques to evaluate fission gas composition and pressure. These efforts are limited by the lack of identified ultrasonic transducer materials capable of long term performance under irradiation test conditions. For this reason, the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) was awarded an ATR NSUF project to evaluate the performance of promising magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducers in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR) up to a fast fluence of at least 10 21 n/cm 2. The goal of this research is to characterize and demonstrate magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducer operation during irradiation, enabling the development of novel radiation-tolerant ultrasonic sensors for use in Material Testing Reactors (MTRs). As such, this test is an instrumented lead test and real-time transducer performance data is collected along with temperature and neutron and gamma flux data. The current work bridges the gap between proven out-of-pile ultrasonic techniques and in-pile deployment of ultrasonic sensors by acquiring the data necessary to demonstrate the performance of ultrasonic transducers. To date, one piezoelectric transducer and two

Final report on EURAMET.M.P-K4.2010: Key and supplementary comparison of national pressure standards in the range 1 Pa to 15 kPa of absolute and gauge pressure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Krajíček, Zdeněk; Bergoglio, Mercede; Jousten, Karl; Otal, Pierre; Sabuga, Wladimir; Saxholm, Sari; Pražák, Dominik; Vičar, Martin

2014-01-01

This report describes a EURAMET comparison of five European National Metrology Institutes in low gauge and absolute pressure in gas (nitrogen), denoted as EURAMET.M.P-K4.2010. Its main intention is to state equivalence of the pressure standards, in particular those based on the technology of force-balanced piston gauges such as e.g. FRS by Furness Controls, UK and FPG8601 by DHI-Fluke, USA. It covers the range from 1 Pa to 15 kPa, both gauge and absolute. The comparison in absolute mode serves as a EURAMET Key Comparison which can be linked to CCM.P-K4 and CCM.P-K2 via PTB. The comparison in gauge mode is a supplementary comparison. The comparison was carried out from September 2008 till October 2012. The participating laboratories were the following: CMI, INRIM, LNE, MIKES, PTB-Berlin (absolute pressure 1 kPa and below) and PTB-Braunschweig (absolute pressure 1 kPa and above and gauge pressure). CMI was the pilot laboratory and provided a transfer standard for the comparison. This transfer standard was also the laboratory standard of CMI at the same time, which resulted in a unique and logistically difficult star comparison. Both in gauge and absolute pressures all the participating institutes successfully proved their equivalence with respect to the reference value and all also proved mutual bilateral equivalences in all the points. All the participating laboratories are also equivalent with the reference values of CCM.P-K4 and CCM.P-K2 in the relevant points. The comparison also proved the ability of FPG8601 to serve as a transfer standard. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Spark ignition of flowing gases I : energies to ignite propane-air mixtures in pressure range of 2 to 4 inches mercury absolute

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Swett, Clyde C , Jr

1949-01-01

Ignition studies of flowing gases were made to obtain information applicable to ignition problems in gas-turbine and ram-jet aircraft propulsion systems operating at altitude conditions.Spark energies required for ignition of a flowing propane-air mixture were determined for pressure of 2 to 4 inches mercury absolute, gas velocities of 5.0 to 54.2 feet per second, fuel-air ratios of 0.0607 to 0.1245, and spark durations of 1.5 to 24,400 microseconds. The results showed that at a pressure of 3 inches mercury absolute the minimum energy required for ignition occurred at fuel-air ratios of 0.08 to 0.095. The energy required for ignition increased almost linearly with increasing gas velocity. Shortening the spark duration from approximately 25,000 to 125 microseconds decreased the amount of energy required for ignition. A spark produced by the discharge of a condenser directly into the spark gap and having a duration of 1.5 microseconds required ignition energies larger than most of the long-duration sparks.

Absolute ozone densities in a radio-frequency driven atmospheric pressure plasma using two-beam UV-LED absorption spectroscopy and numerical simulations

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wijaikhum, A.; Schröder, D.; Schröter, S.; Gibson, A. R.; Niemi, K.; Friderich, J.; Greb, A.; Schulz-von der Gathen, V.; O'Connell, D.; Gans, T.

2017-11-01

The efficient generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in cold atmospheric pressure plasma jets (APPJs) is an increasingly important topic, e.g. for the treatment of temperature sensitive biological samples in the field of plasma medicine. A 13.56 MHz radio-frequency (rf) driven APPJ device operated with helium feed gas and small admixtures of oxygen (up to 1%), generating a homogeneous glow-mode plasma at low gas temperatures, was investigated. Absolute densities of ozone, one of the most prominent ROS, were measured across the 11 mm wide discharge channel by means of broadband absorption spectroscopy using the Hartley band centred at λ = 255 nm. A two-beam setup with a reference beam in Mach-Zehnder configuration is employed for improved signal-to-noise ratio allowing high-sensitivity measurements in the investigated single-pass weak-absorbance regime. The results are correlated to gas temperature measurements, deduced from the rotational temperature of the N2 (C 3 {{{\\Pi }}}u+ \\to B 3 {{{\\Pi }}}g+, υ = 0 \\to 2) optical emission from introduced air impurities. The observed opposing trends of both quantities as a function of rf power input and oxygen admixture are analysed and explained in terms of a zero-dimensional plasma-chemical kinetics simulation. It is found that the gas temperature as well as the densities of O and O2(b{}1{{{Σ }}}g+) influence the absolute O3 densities when the rf power is varied.

Bilateral key comparison CCM.P-K3.1 for absolute pressure measurements from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fedchak, J. A.; Bock, Th; Jousten, K.

2014-01-01

This report describes the bilateral key comparison CCM.P-K3.1 between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB) for absolute pressure in the range from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa. This comparison was a follow-up to the comparison CCM.P-K3. Two ionization gauges and two spinning rotor gauges (SRGs) were used as the transfer standards for the comparison. The SRGs were used to compare the standards at a pressure of 9 × 10-4 Pa and to normalize the ionization gauge readings. The two ionization gauges were used to compare the standards in the pressure range of from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 3 × 10-4 Pa. Both laboratories used dynamic expansion chambers as standards in the comparison. The two labs showed excellent agreement with each other and with the CCM.P-K3 key comparison reference value (KCRV) over the entire range. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Final Report on the Key Comparison CCM.P-K4.2012 in Absolute Pressure from 1 Pa to 10 kPa

PubMed Central

Ricker, Jacob; Hendricks, Jay; Bock, Thomas; Dominik, Pražák; Kobata, Tokihiko; Torres, Jorge; Sadkovskaya, Irina

2017-01-01

The report summarizes the Consultative Committee for Mass (CCM) key comparison CCM.P-K4.2012 for absolute pressure spanning the range of 1 Pa to 10 000 Pa. The comparison was carried out at six National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Czech Metrology Institute (CMI), National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM), and DI Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM). The comparison was made via a calibrated transfer standard measured at each of the NMIs facilities using their laboratory standard during the period May 2012 to September 2013. The transfer package constructed for this comparison preformed as designed and provided a stable artifact to compare laboratory standards. Overall the participants were found to be statistically equivalent to the key comparison reference value. PMID:28216793

Absolute Summ

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Phillips, Alfred, Jr.

Summ means the entirety of the multiverse. It seems clear, from the inflation theories of A. Guth and others, that the creation of many universes is plausible. We argue that Absolute cosmological ideas, not unlike those of I. Newton, may be consistent with dynamic multiverse creations. As suggested in W. Heisenberg's uncertainty principle, and with the Anthropic Principle defended by S. Hawking, et al., human consciousness, buttressed by findings of neuroscience, may have to be considered in our models. Predictability, as A. Einstein realized with Invariants and General Relativity, may be required for new ideas to be part of physics. We present here a two postulate model geared to an Absolute Summ. The seedbed of this work is part of Akhnaton's philosophy (see S. Freud, Moses and Monotheism). Most important, however, is that the structure of human consciousness, manifest in Kenya's Rift Valley 200,000 years ago as Homo sapiens, who were the culmination of the six million year co-creation process of Hominins and Nature in Africa, allows us to do the physics that we do. .

Irradiation Testing of Ultrasonic Transducers

SciTech Connect

Daw, Joshua; Tittmann, Bernhard; Reinhardt, Brian

2014-07-30

Ultrasonic technologies offer the potential for high accuracy and resolution in-pile measurement of a range of parameters, including geometry changes, temperature, crack initiation and growth, gas pressure and composition, and microstructural changes. Many Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) programs are exploring the use of ultrasonic technologies to provide enhanced sensors for in-pile instrumentation during irradiation testing. For example, the ability of single, small diameter ultrasonic thermometers (UTs) to provide a temperature profile in candidate metallic and oxide fuel would provide much needed data for validating new fuel performance models. Other efforts include an ultrasonic technique to detect morphologymore » changes (such as crack initiation and growth) and acoustic techniques to evaluate fission gas composition and pressure. These efforts are limited by the lack of existing knowledge of ultrasonic transducer material survivability under irradiation conditions. For this reason, the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) was awarded an Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility (ATR NSUF) project to evaluate promising magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducer performance in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR) up to a fast fluence of at least 1021 n/cm2 (E> 0.1 MeV). The goal of this research is to characterize magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducer survivability during irradiation, enabling the development of novel radiation tolerant ultrasonic sensors for use in Material and Test Reactors (MTRs). As such, this test will be an instrumented lead test and real-time transducer performance data will be collected along with temperature and neutron and gamma flux data. The current work bridges the gap between proven out-of-pile ultrasonic techniques and in-pile deployment of ultrasonic sensors by acquiring the data necessary to demonstrate the performance of ultrasonic transducers.« less

Model of a Piezoelectric Transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Goodenow, Debra

2004-01-01

It's difficult to control liquid and gas in propellant tanks in zero gravity. A possible a design would utilize acoustic liquid manipulation (ALM) technology which uses ultrasonic beams conducted through a liquid and solid media, to push gas bubbles in the liquid to desirable locations. We can propel and control the bubble with acoustic radiation pressure by aiming the acoustic waves on the bubble s surface. This allows us to design a so called smart tank in which the ALM devices transfer the gas to the outer wall of the tank and isolating the liquid in the center. Because the heat transfer rate of a gas is lower of that of the liquid it would substantially decrease boil off and provide of for a longer storage life. The ALM beam is composed of little wavelets which are individual waves that constructively interfere with each other to produce a single, combined acoustic wave front. This is accomplished by using a set of synchronized ultrasound transducers arranged in an array. A slight phase offset of these elements allows us to focus and steer the beam. The device that we are using to produce the acoustic beam is called the piezoelectric transducer. This device converts electrical energy to mechanical energy, which appears in the form of acoustic energy. Therefore the behavior of the device is dependent on both the mechanical characteristics, such as its density, cross-sectional area, and its electrical characteristics, such as, electric flux permittivity and coupling factor. These devices can also be set up in a number of modes which are determined by the way the piezoelectric device is arranged, and the shape of the transducer. For this application we are using the longitudinal or thickness mode for our operation. The transducer also vibrates in the lateral mode, and one of the goals of my project is to decrease the amount of energy lost to the lateral mode. To model the behavior of the transducers I will be using Pspice, electric circuit modeling tool, to

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, William; Celliers, Peter; Da Silva, Luiz; Glinsky, Michael; London, Richard; Maitland, Duncan; Matthews, Dennis; Krulevich, Peter; Lee, Abraham

2002-01-01

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, William; Celliers, Peter; Da Silva, Luiz; Glinsky, Michael; London, Richard; Maitland, Duncan; Matthews, Dennis; Krulevich, Peter; Lee, Abraham

1999-01-01

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control.

Opto-acoustic transducer for medical applications

DOEpatents

Benett, W.; Celliers, P.; Da Silva, L.; Glinsky, M.; London, R.; Maitland, D.; Matthews, D.; Krulevich, P.; Lee, A.

1999-08-31

This invention is an optically activated transducer for generating acoustic vibrations in a biological medium. The transducer is located at the end of a fiber optic which may be located within a catheter. Energy for operating the transducer is provided optically by laser light transmitted through the fiber optic to the transducer. Pulsed laser light is absorbed in the working fluid of the transducer to generate a thermal pressure and consequent adiabatic expansion of the transducer head such that it does work against the ambient medium. The transducer returns to its original state by a process of thermal cooling. The motion of the transducer within the ambient medium couples acoustic energy into the medium. By pulsing the laser at a high repetition rate (which may vary from CW to 100 kHz) an ultrasonic radiation field can be established locally in the medium. This method of producing ultrasonic vibrations can be used in vivo for the treatment of stroke-related conditions in humans, particularly for dissolving thrombus. The catheter may also incorporate anti-thrombolytic drug treatments as an adjunct therapy and it may be operated in conjunction with ultrasonic detection equipment for imaging and feedback control. 7 figs.

Absolute, pressure-dependent validation of a calibration-free, airborne laser hygrometer transfer standard (SEALDH-II) from 5 to 1200 ppmv using a metrological humidity generator

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Buchholz, Bernhard; Ebert, Volker

2018-01-01

Highly accurate water vapor measurements are indispensable for understanding a variety of scientific questions as well as industrial processes. While in metrology water vapor concentrations can be defined, generated, and measured with relative uncertainties in the single percentage range, field-deployable airborne instruments deviate even under quasistatic laboratory conditions up to 10-20 %. The novel SEALDH-II hygrometer, a calibration-free, tuneable diode laser spectrometer, bridges this gap by implementing a new holistic concept to achieve higher accuracy levels in the field. We present in this paper the absolute validation of SEALDH-II at a traceable humidity generator during 23 days of permanent operation at 15 different H2O mole fraction levels between 5 and 1200 ppmv. At each mole fraction level, we studied the pressure dependence at six different gas pressures between 65 and 950 hPa. Further, we describe the setup for this metrological validation, the challenges to overcome when assessing water vapor measurements on a high accuracy level, and the comparison results. With this validation, SEALDH-II is the first airborne, metrologically validated humidity transfer standard which links several scientific airborne and laboratory measurement campaigns to the international metrological water vapor scale.

A Blanik L-23 glider carrying a microphone and a pressure transducer flies near a BADS sensor following flight under the path of the F-5E SSBE aircraft

NASA Image and Video Library

2004-01-13

A United States Air Force Test Pilot School Blanik L-23 glider carrying a microphone and a pressure transducer flies near a BADS (Boom Amplitudes Direction System) sensor following flight at an altitude of 10 thousand feet under the path of the F-5E SSBE aircraft. The SSBE (Shaped Sonic Boom Experiment) was formerly known as the Shaped Sonic Boom Demonstration, or SSBD, and is part of DARPA's Quiet Supersonic Platform (QSP) program. On August 27, 2003, the F-5E SSBD aircraft demonstrated a method to reduce the intensity of sonic booms.

Comparison of 2 correction methods for absolute values of esophageal pressure in subjects with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure, mechanically ventilated in the ICU.

PubMed

Guérin, Claude; Richard, Jean-Christophe

2012-12-01

A recent trial showed that setting PEEP according to end-expiratory transpulmonary pressure (P(pl,ee)) in acute lung injury/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ALI/ARDS) might improve patient outcome. P(pl,ee) was obtained by subtracting the absolute value of esophageal pressure (P(es)) from airway pressure an invariant value of 5 cm H(2)O. The goal of the present study was to compare 2 methods for correcting absolute P(es) values in terms of resulting P(pl,ee) and recommended PEEP. Measurements collected prospectively from 42 subjects with various forms of acute hypoxemic respiratory failure receiving mechanical ventilation in ICU were analyzed. P(es) was measured at PEEP (P(es,ee)) and at relaxation volume of the respiratory system Vr (P(es,Vr)), obtained by allowing the subject to exhale into the atmosphere (zero PEEP). Two methods for correcting P(es) were compared: Talmor method (P(pl,ee,Talmor) = P(es,ee) - 5 cm H(2)O), and Vr method (P(es,ee,Vr) = P(es,ee) - P(es,Vr)). The rationale was that P(es,Vr) was a more physiologically based correction factor than an invariant value of 5 cm H(2)O applied to all subjects. Over the 42 subjects, median and interquartile range of P(es,ee) and P(es,Vr) were 11 (7-14) cm H(2)O and 8 (4-11) cm H(2)O, respectively. P(pl,ee,Talmor) was 6 (1-8) cm H(2)O, and P(es,ee,Vr) was 2 (1-5) cm H(2)O (P = .008). Two groups of subjects were defined, based on the difference between the 2 corrected values. In 28 subjects P(pl,ee,Talmor) was ≥ P(es,ee,Vr) (7 [5-9] cm H(2)O vs 2 [1-5] cm H(2)O, respectively), while in 14 subjects P(es,ee,Vr) was > P(pl,ee,Talmor) (2 [0-4] cm H(2)O vs -1 [-3 to 2] cm H(2)O, respectively). P(pl,ee,Vr) was significantly greater than P(pl,ee,Talmor) (7 [5-11] cm H(2)O vs 5 [2-7] cm H(2)O) in the former, and significantly lower in the latter (1 [-2 to 6] cm H(2)O vs 6 [4-9] cm H(2)O). Referring absolute P(es) values to Vr rather than to an invariant value would be better adapted to a patient's physiological

Using FOCUS to determine the radiation impedance for square transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jennings, Matthew R.; McGough, Robert J.

2012-10-01

The power radiated by an ultrasound transducer is calculated with the radiation resistance, which is the real part of the radiation impedance. For circular transducers, an analytical solution for the radiation impedance is known, but an analytical expression for the radiation impedance is not available for rectangular or square transducers. To determine the radiation resistance in FOCUS, the pressure on the surface of a square transducer is computed with the fast nearfield method, and then the force on the transducer face is computed by integrating the pressure. Results using this approach are numerically evaluated for a range of ka values from 0.1 to 16. The pressure on the transducer face is also computed with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integral, and the results are compared. The numerical value of the radiation resistance computed with FOCUS and with the Rayleigh-Sommerfeld integral converge to the same value, although FOCUS calculates the same result in about one-quarter of the time.

Final report on the key comparison CCM.P-K4.2012 in absolute pressure from 1 Pa to 10 kPa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ricker, Jacob; Hendricks, Jay; Bock, Thomas; Dominik, Pražák; Kobata, Tokihiko; Torres, Jorge; Sadkovskaya, Irina

2017-01-01

The report summarizes the Consultative Committee for Mass (CCM) key comparison CCM.P-K4.2012 for absolute pressure spanning the range of 1 Pa to 10 000 Pa. The comparison was carried out at six National Metrology Institutes (NMIs), including National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB), Czech Metrology Institute (CMI), National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ), Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM), and DI Mendeleyev Institute for Metrology (VNIIM). The comparison was made via a calibrated transfer standard measured at each of the NMIs facilities using their laboratory standard during the period May 2012 to September 2013. The transfer package constructed for this comparison preformed as designed and provided a stable artifact to compare laboratory standards. Overall the participants were found to be statistically equivalent to the key comparison reference value. Main text To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (CIPM MRA).

Absolute atomic oxygen density measurements for nanosecond-pulsed atmospheric-pressure plasma jets using two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jiang, C.; Carter, C.

2014-12-01

Nanosecond-pulsed plasma jets that are generated under ambient air conditions and free from confinement of electrodes have become of great interest in recent years due to their promising applications in medicine and dentistry. Reactive oxygen species that are generated by nanosecond-pulsed, room-temperature non-equilibrium He-O2 plasma jets among others are believed to play an important role during the bactericidal or sterilization processes. We report here absolute measurements of atomic oxygen density in a 1 mm-diameter He/(1%)O2 plasma jet at atmospheric pressure using two-photon absorption laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy. Oxygen number density on the order of 1013 cm-3 was obtained in a 150 ns, 6 kV single-pulsed plasma jet for an axial distance up to 5 mm above the device nozzle. Temporally resolved O density measurements showed that there are two maxima, separated in time by 60-70 µs, and a total pulse duration of 260-300 µs. Electrostatic modeling indicated that there are high-electric-field regions near the nozzle exit that may be responsible for the observed temporal behavior of the O production. Both the field-distribution-based estimation of the time interval for the O number density profile and a pulse-energy-dependence study confirmed that electric-field-dependent, direct and indirect electron-induced processes play important roles for O production.

Fundamentals of heat measurement. [heat flux transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Gerashchenko, O. A.

1979-01-01

Various methods and devices for obtaining experimental data on heat flux density over wide ranges of temperature and pressure are examined. Laboratory tests and device fabrication details are supplemented by theoretical analyses of heat-conduction and thermoelectric effects, providing design guidelines and information relevant to further research and development. A theory defining the measure of correspondence between transducer signal and the measured heat flux is established for individual (isolated) heat flux transducers subject to space and time-dependent loading. An analysis of the properties of stacked (series-connected) transducers of various types (sandwich-type, plane, and spiral) is used to derive a similarity theory providing general governing relationships. The transducers examined are used in 36 types of derivative devices involving direct heat loss measurements, heat conduction studies, radiation pyrometry, calorimetry in medicine and industry and nuclear reactor dosimetry.

Environmental control system transducer development study. [for space shuttles

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Brudnicki, M. J.

1974-01-01

A development test program of transducers for aerospace projects is described. Stability and performance of existing transducers, and improvements compatible with shuttle ECS requirements are investigated. These requirements incorporate design and development features into the transducers, and include the following: (1) improvement of overall transducer ruggedness and reliability; (2) common transducers for all ECS fluids that will be unaffected by long quiescent periods in the space environment, that will require no maintenance or refurbishing for at least 100 launches; and (3) appropriate self-check features that simplify checkout and maintenance. Models of three different transducers, a three-way valve for pressure transducers from closed liquid loops, surface-type platinum-wire resistance temperature sensors, and a nuclenics gaging system are evaluated. Tests and development improvements are described.

Smart transducer with radiomodem

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Pugach, V. N.; Voronin, E. L.

2018-04-01

Systems for measuring different parameters enabling metering and wireless data transmission are an urgent problem in the industry. One of the most promising solutions is the developments of metering instruments enabling radio-link and GSM data transmission. The article describes a transducer operating with temperature sensors of different types as well as with the sensors of other physical values with the output signal represented as current or voltage with subsequent measurement data transmission from the transducer to the computer via radio-link. The article provides transducer measurement accuracy check. The work confirmed the claimed temperature measurement accuracy, noted a stable data transmission via radio link and convenience of work with the transducer and software.

Compact Transducers and Arrays

DTIC Science & Technology

2005-05-01

Batra A, Priya S, Uchino K, Markley D, Newnham RE, Hofmann HF, "Energy harvesting using a piezoelectric "cymbal" transducer in dynamic environment...transducers, the flexural vibration of the metal shell causes an extensional vibration of the piezoelectric ceramic, or vice versa. Cymbal elements are...34On Axi-Symmetrical Vibrations of Shallow Spherical Shells," Quart. Appl. Math, 13 279 (1950). 19.R.S. Woollett, "Theory of the Piezoelectric Flexural

Characterization of airborne transducers by optical tomography

PubMed

Bou Matar O; Pizarro; Certon; Remenieras; Patat

2000-03-01

This paper describes the application of an acousto-optic method to the measurement of airborne ultrasound. The method consists of a heterodyne interferometric probing of the pressure emitted by the transducer combined with a tomographic algorithm. The heterodyne interferometer measures the optical phase shift of the probe laser beam, proportional to the acoustic pressure integrated along the light path. A number of projections of the sound field, e.g. a set of ray integrals obtained along parallel paths, are made in moving the transducer to be tested. The main advantage of the method is its very high sensitivity in air (2 x 10(-4) Pa Hz-1/2), combined with a large bandwidth. Using the same principle as X-ray tomography the ultrasonic pressure in a plane perpendicular to the transducer axis can be reconstructed. Several ultrasonic fields emitted by wide-band home made electrostatic transducers, with operating frequencies between 200 and 700 kHz, have been measured. The sensitivities compared favorably with those of commercial airborne transducers.

Resonant capacitive MEMS acoustic emission transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ozevin, D.; Greve, D. W.; Oppenheim, I. J.; Pessiki, S. P.

2006-12-01

We describe resonant capacitive MEMS transducers developed for use as acoustic emission (AE) detectors, fabricated in the commercial three-layer polysilicon surface micromachining process (MUMPs). The 1 cm square device contains six independent transducers in the frequency range between 100 and 500 kHz, and a seventh transducer at 1 MHz. Each transducer is a parallel plate capacitor with one plate free to vibrate, thereby causing a capacitance change which creates an output signal in the form of a current under a dc bias voltage. With the geometric proportions we employed, each transducer responds with two distinct resonant frequencies. In our design the etch hole spacing was chosen to limit squeeze film damping and thereby produce an underdamped vibration when operated at atmospheric pressure. Characterization experiments obtained by capacitance and admittance measurements are presented, and transducer responses to physically simulated AE source are discussed. Finally, we report our use of the device to detect acoustic emissions associated with crack initiation and growth in weld metal.

High energy, low frequency, ultrasonic transducer

DOEpatents

Brown, Albert E.

2000-01-01

A wide bandwidth, ultrasonic transducer to generate nondispersive, extensional, pulsed acoustic pressure waves into concrete reinforced rods and tendons. The wave propagation distance is limited to double the length of the rod. The transducer acoustic impedance is matched to the rod impedance for maximum transfer of acoustic energy. The efficiency of the transducer is approximately 60 percent, depending upon the type of active elements used in the transducer. The transducer input energy is, for example, approximately 1 mJ. Ultrasonic reflections will occur at points along the rod where there are changes of one percent of a wavelength in the rod diameter. A reduction in the rod diameter will reflect a phase reversed echo, as compared with the reflection from an incremental increase in diameter. Echo signal processing of the stored waveform permits a reconstruction of those echoes into an image of the rod. The ultrasonic transducer has use in the acoustic inspection of long (40+foot) architectural reinforcements and structural supporting members, such as in bridges and dams.

Characterization of air-coupled ultrasound transducers in the frequency range 40 kHz-2 mHz using light diffraction tomography.

PubMed

Almqvist, M; Holm, A; Persson, H W; Lindström, K

2000-01-01

The aim of this work was to show the applicability of light diffraction tomography on airborne ultrasound in the frequency range 40 kHz-2 MHz. Seven different air-coupled transducers were measured to show the method's performance regarding linearity, absolute pressure measurements, phase measurements, frequency response, S/N ratio and spatial resolution. A calibrated microphone and the pulse-echo method were used to evaluate the results. The absolute measurements agreed within the calibrated microphone's uncertainty range. Pulse waveforms and corresponding FFT diagrams show the method's higher bandwidth compared with the microphone. Further, the method offers non-perturbing measurements with high spatial resolution, which was especially advantageous for measurements close to the transducer surfaces. The S/N ratio was higher than or in the same range as that of the two comparison methods.

Instrument For Simulation Of Piezoelectric Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mcnichol, Randal S.

1996-01-01

Electronic instrument designed to simulate dynamic output of integrated-circuit piezoelectric acceleration or pressure transducer. Operates in conjunction with external signal-conditioning circuit, generating square-wave signal of known amplitude for use in calibrating signal-conditioning circuit. Instrument also useful as special-purpose square-wave generator in other applications.

Amorphous ribbon transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Meydan, T.; Overshott, K. J.

1984-02-01

Amorphous ribbon transducers have been investigated which consist of toroidally wound amorphous ribbon with a primary (magnetizing) winding and secondary (search coil) windings. The application of a force to the ribbon gives a linear search coil voltage against applied force characteristic. The positioning of the windings with respect to the applied force has been studied, and it is shown that the effect of the applied force is localized. Domain studies have shown that the applied force produces domain wall motion which can be correlated to the performance. These results have elucidated the operation of ac amorphous ribbon transducers and enabled improved designs to be produced.

Broadband Ultrasonic Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Heyser, R. C.

1986-01-01

New geometry spreads out resonance region of piezoelectric crystal. In new transducer, crystal surfaces made nonparallel. One surface planar; other, concave. Geometry designed to produce nearly uniform response over a predetermined band of frequencies and to attenuate strongly frequencies outside band. Greater bandwidth improves accuracy of sonar and ultrasonic imaging equipment.

Teaching Absolute Value Meaningfully

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Wade, Angela

2012-01-01

What is the meaning of absolute value? And why do teachers teach students how to solve absolute value equations? Absolute value is a concept introduced in first-year algebra and then reinforced in later courses. Various authors have suggested instructional methods for teaching absolute value to high school students (Wei 2005; Stallings-Roberts…

Surface acoustic wave oxygen pressure sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Oglesby, Donald M. (Inventor); Upchurch, Billy T. (Inventor); Leighty, Bradley D. (Inventor)

1994-01-01

A transducer for the measurement of absolute gas-state oxygen pressure from pressures of less than 100 Pa to atmospheric pressure (1.01 x 10(exp 5) Pa) is based on a standard surface acoustic wave (SAW) device. The piezoelectric material of the SAW device is coated with a compound which will selectively and reversibly bind oxygen. When oxygen is bound by the coating, the mass of the coating increases by an amount equal to the mass of the bound oxygen. Such an increase in the mass of the coating causes a corresponding decrease in the resonant frequency of the SAW device.

Glass-windowed ultrasound transducers.

PubMed

Yddal, Tostein; Gilja, Odd Helge; Cochran, Sandy; Postema, Michiel; Kotopoulis, Spiros

2016-05-01

In research and industrial processes, it is increasingly common practice to combine multiple measurement modalities. Nevertheless, experimental tools that allow the co-linear combination of optical and ultrasonic transmission have rarely been reported. The aim of this study was to develop and characterise a water-matched ultrasound transducer architecture using standard components, with a central optical window larger than 10 mm in diameter allowing for optical transmission. The window can be used to place illumination or imaging apparatus such as light guides, miniature cameras, or microscope objectives, simplifying experimental setups. Four design variations of a basic architecture were fabricated and characterised with the objective to assess whether the variations influence the acoustic output. The basic architecture consisted of a piezoelectric ring and a glass disc, with an aluminium casing. The designs differed in piezoelectric element dimensions: inner diameter, ID=10 mm, outer diameter, OD=25 mm, thickness, TH=4 mm or ID=20 mm, OD=40 mm, TH=5 mm; glass disc dimensions OD=20-50 mm, TH=2-4 mm; and details of assembly. The transducers' frequency responses were characterised using electrical impedance spectroscopy and pulse-echo measurements, the acoustic propagation pattern using acoustic pressure field scans, the acoustic power output using radiation force balance measurements, and the acoustic pressure using a needle hydrophone. Depending on the design and piezoelectric element dimensions, the resonance frequency was in the range 350-630 kHz, the -6 dB bandwidth was in the range 87-97%, acoustic output power exceeded 1 W, and acoustic pressure exceeded 1 MPa peak-to-peak. 3D stress simulations were performed to predict the isostatic pressure required to induce material failure and 4D acoustic simulations. The pressure simulations indicated that specific design variations could sustain isostatic pressures up to 4.8 MPa.The acoustic simulations were able to

Future needs for biomedical transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wooten, F. T.

1971-01-01

In summary there are three major classes of transducer improvements required: improvements in existing transducers, needs for unexploited physical science phenomena in transducer design, and needs for unutilized physiological phenomena in transducer design. During the next decade, increasing emphasis will be placed on noninvasive measurement in all of these areas. Patient safety, patient comfort, and the need for efficient utilization of the time of both patient and physician requires that noninvasive methods of monitoring be developed.

Surface Acoustic Wave Transducer Study.

DTIC Science & Technology

1978-05-01

B. Network Analysis 48 C. Experimental Results 53 D. Conc lusions 56 VI. Analysis of SAW Propagation in Layered Structures . . . 56 A. Introduction...unLdtrect1ona~ transducer and the associated matching networks . The capacity weighted transducer consists of a layered structure in which the lower...CAPACITIVELY WEIGHTED TRANSDUCERS A. Introduction The capacitive tap weight network transducer (CNN) has been pre- .5 sented in the interim as an

Ionic electroactive hybrid transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akle, Barbar J.; Bennett, Matthew D.; Leo, Donald J.

2005-05-01

Ionic electroactive actuators have received considerable attention in the past ten years. Ionic electroactive polymers, sometimes referred to as artificial muscles, have the ability to generate large bending strain and moderate stress at low applied voltages. Typical types of ionic electroactive polymer transducers include ionic polymers, conducting polymers, and carbon nanotubes. Preliminary research combining multiple types of materials proved to enhance certain transduction properties such as speed of response, maximum strain, or quasi-static actuation. Recently it was demonstrated that ionomer-ionic liquid transducers can operate in air for long periods of time (>250,000 cycles) and showed potential to reduce or eliminate the back-relaxation issue associated with ionomeric polymers. In addition, ionic liquids have higher electrical stability window than those operated with water as the solvent thereby increasing the maximum strain that the actuator can produce. In this work, a new technique developed for plating metal particulates on the surface of ionomeric materials is applied to the development of hybrid transducers that incorporate carbon nanotubes and conducting polymers as electrode materials. The new plating technique, named the direct assembly process, consists of mixing a conducting powder with an ionomer solution. This technique has demonstrated improved response time and strain output as compared to previous methods. Furthermore, the direct assembly process is less costly to implement than traditional impregnation-reduction methods due to less dependence on reducing agents, it requires less time, and is easier to implement than other processes. Electrodes applied using this new technique of mixing RuO2 (surface area 45~65m2/g) particles and Nafion dispersion provided 5x the displacement and 10x the force compared to a transducer made with conventional methods. Furthermore, the study illustrated that the response speed of the transducer is optimized

Acoustic pressure measurement of pulsed ultrasound using acousto-optic diffraction

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jia, Lecheng; Chen, Shili; Xue, Bin; Wu, Hanzhong; Zhang, Kai; Yang, Xiaoxia; Zeng, Zhoumo

2018-01-01

Compared with continuous ultrasound wave, pulsed ultrasound has been widely used in ultrasound imaging. The aim of this work is to show the applicability of acousto-optic diffraction on pulsed ultrasound transducer. In this paper, acoustic pressure of two ultrasound transducers is measured based on Raman-Nath diffraction. The frequencies of transducers are 5MHz and 10MHz. The pulse-echo method and simulation data are used to evaluate the results. The results show that the proposed method is capable to measure the absolute sound pressure. We get a sectional view of acoustic pressure using a displacement platform as an auxiliary. Compared with the traditional sound pressure measurement methods, the proposed method is non-invasive with high sensitivity and spatial resolution.

Histotripsy Lesion Formation Using an Ultrasound Imaging Probe Enabled by a Low-Frequency Pump Transducer.

PubMed

Lin, Kuang-Wei; Hall, Timothy L; Xu, Zhen; Cain, Charles A

2015-08-01

When histotripsy pulses shorter than 2 cycles are applied, the formation of a dense bubble cloud relies only on the applied peak negative pressure (p-) exceeding the "intrinsic threshold" of the medium (absolute value of 26-30 MPa in most soft tissues). It has been found that a sub-threshold high-frequency probe pulse (3 MHz) can be enabled by a sub-threshold low-frequency pump pulse (500 kHz) where the sum exceeds the intrinsic threshold, thus generating lesion-producing dense bubble clouds ("dual-beam histotripsy"). Here, the feasibility of using an imaging transducer to provide the high-frequency probe pulse in the dual-beam histotripsy approach is investigated. More specifically, an ATL L7-4 imaging transducer (Philips Healthcare, Andover, MA, USA), pulsed by a V-1 Data Acquisition System (Verasonics, Redmond, WA, USA), was used to generate the high-frequency probe pulses. The low-frequency pump pulses were generated by a 20-element 345-kHz array transducer, driven by a custom high-voltage pulser. These dual-beam histotripsy pulses were applied to red blood cell tissue-mimicking phantoms at a pulse repetition frequency of 1 Hz, and optical imaging was used to visualize bubble clouds and lesions generated in the red blood cell phantoms. The results indicated that dense bubble clouds (and resulting lesions) were generated when the p- of the sub-threshold pump and probe pulses combined constructively to exceed the intrinsic threshold. The average size of the smallest reproducible lesions using the imaging probe pulse enabled by the sub-threshold pump pulse was 0.7 × 1.7 mm, whereas that using the supra-threshold pump pulse alone was 1.4 × 3.7 mm. When the imaging transducer was steered laterally, bubble clouds and lesions were steered correspondingly until the combined p- no longer exceeded the intrinsic threshold. These results were also validated with ex vivo porcine liver experiments. Using an imaging transducer for dual-beam histotripsy can have two

Histotripsy Lesion Formation using an Ultrasound Imaging Probe Enabled by a Low-Frequency Pump Transducer

PubMed Central

Lin, Kuang-Wei; Hall, Timothy L.; Xu, Zhen; Cain, Charles A.

2015-01-01

When applying histotripsy pulses shorter than 2 cycles, the formation of a dense bubble cloud only relies on the applied peak negative pressure (p-) exceeding the “intrinsic threshold” of the medium (absolute value of 26 – 30 MPa in most soft tissue). A previous study conducted by our research group showed that a sub-threshold high-frequency probe pulse (3 MHz) can be enabled by a sub-threshold low-frequency pump pulse (500 kHz) where the sum exceeds the intrinsic threshold, thus generating lesion-producing dense bubble clouds (“dual-beam histotripsy”). This paper investigates the feasibility of using an imaging transducer to provide the high-frequency probe pulse in the dual-beam histotripsy approach. More specifically, an ATL L7–4 imaging transducer, pulsed by a Verasonics V-1 Data Acquisition System, was used to generate the high-frequency probe pulses. The low-frequency pump pulses were generated by a 20-element 345 kHz array transducer, driven by a custom high voltage pulser. These dual-beam histotripsy pulses were applied to red-blood-cell (RBC) tissue-mimicking phantoms at a pulse repetition frequency of 1 Hz, and optical imaging was used to visualize bubble clouds and lesions generated in the RBC phantoms. The results showed that dense bubble clouds (and resulting lesions) were generated when the p- of the sub-threshold pump and probe pulses combined constructively to exceed the intrinsic threshold. The average size of the smallest reproducible lesions using the imaging probe pulse enabled by the sub-threshold pump pulse was 0.7 × 1.7 mm while that using the supra-threshold pump pulse alone was 1.4 × 3.7 mm. When the imaging transducer was steered laterally, bubble clouds and lesions were steered correspondingly until the combined p- no longer exceeded the intrinsic threshold. These results were also validated with ex vivo porcine liver experiments. Using an imaging transducer for dual-beam histotripsy can have two advantages, 1) lesion

Demodulator for carrier transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Roller, R. F. (Inventor)

1974-01-01

A carrier type transducer is supplied with a carrier wave via an audio amplifier, a filter, a frequency divider, and an oscillator. The carrier is modulated in accordance with the parameter being measured by the transducer and is fed to the input of a digital data system which may include a voltmeter. The output of the oscillator and the output of each stage of the divider are fed to an AND or a NAND gate and suitable variable and fixed delay circuits to the command input of the digital data system. With this arrangement, the digital data system is commanded to sample at the proper time so that the average voltage of the modulated carrier is measured. It may be utilized with ancillary circuitry for control of the parameter

New symmetric reflector ultrasonic transducers (SRUT).

PubMed

Toda, Minoru

2009-10-01

This paper proposes a new structure composed of reflector plates mounted in front and in back of the transducer at an angle of 45 degrees, so that acoustic waves from front and back of the transducer are combined to form a single main beam. This principle is applicable to both transmitters and receivers. Because the propagation path lengths of the 2 beams are identical, they constructively add at all frequencies. Theoretical investigations revealed that far field directivity becomes sharper and acoustic pressure output is doubled. Experiments using an air ultrasonic transducer constructed of 50-kHz polyvinylidene fluoride corrugated film has shown doubled acoustic pressure in the far field, and the predicted sharper directivity has been observed. The reflector structure has been also applied to a 2.6-MHz lead zirconate titanate transducer in water with matching layers at both surfaces which has shown almost doubled bandwidth compared with an air backing structure, and doubled output power in continuous drive. Also pulse echo experiments have shown the effectiveness of this scheme.

Stress wave focusing transducers

SciTech Connect

Visuri, S.R., LLNL

Conversion of laser radiation to mechanical energy is the fundamental process behind many medical laser procedures, particularly those involving tissue destruction and removal. Stress waves can be generated with laser radiation in several ways: creation of a plasma and subsequent launch of a shock wave, thermoelastic expansion of the target tissue, vapor bubble collapse, and ablation recoil. Thermoelastic generation of stress waves generally requires short laser pulse durations and high energy density. Thermoelastic stress waves can be formed when the laser pulse duration is shorter than the acoustic transit time of the material: {tau}{sub c} = d/c{sub s} where dmore » = absorption depth or spot diameter, whichever is smaller, and c{sub s} = sound speed in the material. The stress wave due to thermoelastic expansion travels at the sound speed (approximately 1500 m/s in tissue) and leaves the site of irradiation well before subsequent thermal events can be initiated. These stress waves, often evolving into shock waves, can be used to disrupt tissue. Shock waves are used in ophthalmology to perform intraocular microsurgery and photodisruptive procedures as well as in lithotripsy to fragment stones. We have explored a variety of transducers that can efficiently convert optical to mechanical energy. One such class of transducers allows a shock wave to be focused within a material such that the stress magnitude can be greatly increased compared to conventional geometries. Some transducer tips could be made to operate regardless of the absorption properties of the ambient media. The size and nature of the devices enable easy delivery, potentially minimally-invasive procedures, and precise tissue- targeting while limiting thermal loading. The transducer tips may have applications in lithotripsy, ophthalmology, drug delivery, and cardiology.« less

Frequency steerable acoustic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Senesi, Matteo

Structural health monitoring (SHM) is an active research area devoted to the assessment of the structural integrity of critical components of aerospace, civil and mechanical systems. Guided wave methods have been proposed for SHM of plate-like structures using permanently attached piezoelectric transducers, which generate and sense waves to evaluate the presence of damage. Effective interrogation of structural health is often facilitated by sensors and actuators with the ability to perform electronic, i.e. phased array, scanning. The objective of this research is to design an innovative directional piezoelectric transducer to be employed for the localization of broadband acoustic events, or for the generation of Lamb waves for active interrogation of structural health. The proposed Frequency Steerable Acoustic Transducers (FSATs) are characterized by a spatial arrangement of active material which leads to directional characteristics varying with frequency. Thus FSATs can be employed both for directional sensing and generation of guided waves without relying on phasing and control of a large number of channels. The analytical expression of the shape of the FSATs is obtained through a theoretical formulation for continuously distributed active material as part of a shaped piezoelectric device. The FSAT configurations analyzed in this work are a quadrilateral array and a geometry which corresponds to a spiral in the wavenumber domain. The quadrilateral array is experimentally validated, confirming the concept of frequency-dependent directionality. Its limited directivity is improved by the Wavenumber Spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT), which, instead, is characterized by a continuous frequency dependent directionality. Preliminary validations of the WS-FSAT, using a laser doppler vibrometer, are followed by the implementation of the WS-FSAT as a properly shaped piezo transducer. The prototype is first used for localization of acoustic broadband sources. Signal processing

Polymer film composite transducer

DOEpatents

Owen, Thomas E.

2005-09-20

A composite piezoelectric transducer, whose piezoeletric element is a "ribbon wound" film of piezolectric material. As the film is excited, it expands and contracts, which results in expansion and contraction of the diameter of the entire ribbon winding. This is accompanied by expansion and contraction of the thickness of the ribbon winding, such that the sound radiating plate may be placed on the side of the winding.

Fluid force transducer

DOEpatents

Jendrzejczyk, Joseph A.

1982-01-01

An electrical fluid force transducer for measuring the magnitude and direction of fluid forces caused by lateral fluid flow, includes a movable sleeve which is deflectable in response to the movement of fluid, and a rod fixed to the sleeve to translate forces applied to the sleeve to strain gauges attached to the rod, the strain gauges being connected in a bridge circuit arrangement enabling generation of a signal output indicative of the magnitude and direction of the force applied to the sleeve.

Thin film strain transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Rand, J. L. (Inventor)

1984-01-01

A strain transducer system and process for making the same is disclosed. A beryllium copper ring having four strain gages is electrically connected in Wheatstone bridge fashion to the output instrumentation. Tabs are bonded to a balloon or like surface with strain on the surface causing bending of a ring which provides an electrical signal through the gages proportional to the surface strain. A photographic pattern of a one half ring segment as placed on a sheet of beryllium copper for chem-mill etch formation is illustrated.

RADIO-ACTIVE TRANSDUCER

DOEpatents

Wanetick, S.

1962-03-01

ABS>ure the change in velocity of a moving object. The transducer includes a radioactive source having a collimated beam of radioactive particles, a shield which can block the passage of the radioactive beam, and a scintillation detector to measure the number of radioactive particles in the beam which are not blocked by the shield. The shield is operatively placed across the radioactive beam so that any motion normal to the beam will cause the shield to move in the opposite direction thereby allowing more radioactive particles to reach the detector. The number of particles detected indicates the acceleration. (AEC)

Development and characterization of an IPMC hair-like transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Akle, Barbar J.; Challita, Elio; Khairalah, Nady

2015-04-01

Hair-like sensors are very common in natural and biological systems. Such sensors are used to measure acoustic pressures, fluid flows, and chemical concentrations among others. Hair-like actuators are also used to control fluid flows and perform temperature management. This study presents a manufacturing technique for a hair-like IPMC transducer. A thorough study is presented on the building process of the sensor. The method used to control the diameter and the electrodes thickness of the transducer is developed. The sensing behavior of the manufactured transducers is experimentally characterized.

Transducer selection and application in magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction

SciTech Connect

Zhou, Yuqi; Wang, Jiawei; Ma, Qingyu, E-mail: maqingyu@njnu.edu.cn

2016-03-07

As an acoustic receiver, transducer plays a vital role in signal acquisition and image reconstruction for magnetoacoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI). In order to optimize signal acquisition, the expressions of acoustic pressure detection and waveform collection are theoretically studied based on the radiation theory of acoustic dipole and the reception pattern of transducer. Pressure distributions are simulated for a cylindrical phantom model using a planar piston transducer with different radii and bandwidths. The proposed theory is also verified by the experimental measurements of acoustic waveform detection for an aluminum foil cylinder. It is proved that acoustic pressure with sharpmore » and clear boundary peaks can be detected by the large-radius transducer with wide bandwidth, reflecting the differential of the induced Lorentz force accurately, which is helpful for precise conductivity reconstruction. To detect acoustic pressure with acceptable pressure amplitude, peak pressure ratio, amplitude ratio, and improved signal to noise ratio, the scanning radius of 5–10 times the radius of the object should be selected to improve the accuracy of image reconstruction. This study provides a theoretical and experimental basis for transducer selection and application in MAT-MI to obtain reconstructed images with improved resolution and definition.« less

Low Differential Pressure Generator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Stout, Stephen J. (Inventor); Deyoe, Richard T. (Inventor)

1997-01-01

A method and apparatus for evaluating low differential pressure transducers includes a pressure generator in the form of a piston-cylinder assembly having a piston that may be manually positioned precisely within the cylinder to change the volume and thus the pressure at respective sides of the piston. At one side of the piston the cylinder communicates with a first chamber and at the other side of the piston the cylinder communicates with a second chamber, the first and second chambers being formed within a common tank by a partition wall. The chambers each communicate with the transducer to be evaluated and a standard pre-calibrated transducer the transducers being connected fluidly in parallel so that a pressure differential between air in the two chambers resulting from movement of the piston within the cylinder is communicated to both the transducer to be evaluated and the standard transducer, and the outputs of the transducers is observed and recorded.

Detection and generation of first sound in4He by vibrating superleak transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Giordano, N.; Edison, N.

1986-07-01

Measurement is made of the first-sound generation and detection efficiencies of vibrating superleak transducers (VSTs) operated in superfluid4He. This is accomplished by using an ordinary pressure transducer to generate first sound with a VST as the detector, and by using a pressure transducer to detect the sound generated by a VST. The results are in reasonably good agreement with the current theory of VST operation.

Detection and generation of first sound in /sup 4/He by vibrating superleak transducers

SciTech Connect

Giordano, N.; Edison, N.

Measurement is made of the first-sound generation and detection efficiencies of vibrating superleak transducers (VSTs) operated in superfluid /sup 4/He. This is accomplished by using an ordinary pressure transducer to generate first sound with a VST as the detector, and by using a pressure transducer to detect the sound generated by a VST. The results are in reasonably good agreement with the current theory of VST operation.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, Andrew J.; Reed, Darren K.; Nance, Donald K.

2015-01-01

Flight vehicle aeroacoustic environments induced during transonic and supersonic flight are usually predicted by subscale wind tunnel testing utilizing high frequency miniature pressure transducers. In order to minimize noise induced by the measurement itself, transducer flush mounting with the model surface is very important. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has accomplished flushness in recent testing campaigns via use of a transducer holder that can be machined and sanded. A single hole in the holder allows the flow medium to interact with the transducer diaphragm. Noise is induced by the resulting cavity however, and is a challenge to remove in post-processing. A new holder design has been developed that minimizes the effects of this transducer mount induced noise (XMIN) by reducing the resonance amplitude or increasing its resonance frequency beyond the range of interest. This paper describes a test conducted at the NASA/George C. Marshall Space Flight Center Trisonic Wind Tunnel intended to verify the effectiveness of this design. The results from this test show that this new transducer holder design does significantly reduce the influence of XMIN on measured fluctuating pressure levels without degrading a transducer's ability to accurately measure the noise external to the model.

Absolute nuclear material assay

DOEpatents

Prasad, Manoj K [Pleasanton, CA; Snyderman, Neal J [Berkeley, CA; Rowland, Mark S [Alamo, CA

2012-05-15

A method of absolute nuclear material assay of an unknown source comprising counting neutrons from the unknown source and providing an absolute nuclear material assay utilizing a model to optimally compare to the measured count distributions. In one embodiment, the step of providing an absolute nuclear material assay comprises utilizing a random sampling of analytically computed fission chain distributions to generate a continuous time-evolving sequence of event-counts by spreading the fission chain distribution in time.

Absolute nuclear material assay

DOEpatents

Prasad, Manoj K [Pleasanton, CA; Snyderman, Neal J [Berkeley, CA; Rowland, Mark S [Alamo, CA

2010-07-13

A method of absolute nuclear material assay of an unknown source comprising counting neutrons from the unknown source and providing an absolute nuclear material assay utilizing a model to optimally compare to the measured count distributions. In one embodiment, the step of providing an absolute nuclear material assay comprises utilizing a random sampling of analytically computed fission chain distributions to generate a continuous time-evolving sequence of event-counts by spreading the fission chain distribution in time.

Friction drive position transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waclawik, Ronald E.; Cayer, James L.; Lapointe, Kenneth M.

1991-10-01

A spring force loaded contact wheel mounted in a stationary position relative to a reciprocating shaft is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a tensioning assembly for maintaining absolute contact between the contact wheel and the reciprocating shaft wherein the tensioning assembly urges the contact wheel against the shaft to maintain contact therebetween so that the wheel turns as the shaft is linearly displaced. A rotary encoding device is coupled to the wheel for translating the angular and rotational movement thereof into an electronic signal for providing linear displacement information and derivative data with respect to displacement of the shaft. Absolute friction contact and cooperative interaction between the shaft and the contact wheel is further enhanced in the preferred embodiment by advantageously selecting the types of surface finish and the amount of surface area of the contact wheel relative to the surface condition of the shaft as well as by reducing the moment of inertia of the contact wheel.

Friction drive position transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Waclawik, Ronald E.; Cayer, James L.; Lapointe, Kenneth M.

1993-06-01

A spring force loaded contact wheel mounted in a stationary position relative to a reciprocating shaft is disclosed. The apparatus of the present invention includes a tensioning assembly for maintaining absolute contact between the contact wheel and the reciprocating shaft wherein the tensioning assembly urges the contact wheel against the shaft to maintain contact there between so that the wheel turn as the shaft is linearly displaced. A rotary encoding device is coupled to the wheel for translating the angular and rotational movement thereof into an electronic signal for providing linear displacement information and derivative data with respect to displacement of the shaft. Absolute friction contact and cooperative interaction between the shaft and the contact wheel is further enhanced in the preferred embodiment by advantageously selecting the type of surface finish and the amount of surface area of the contact wheel relative to the surface condition of the shaft as well as by reducing the moment of inertia of the contact wheel.

Electromagnetic acoustic transducer

DOEpatents

Alers, George A.; Burns, Jr., Leigh R.; MacLauchlan, Daniel T.

1988-01-01

A noncontact ultrasonic transducer for studying the acoustic properties of a metal workpiece includes a generally planar magnetizing coil positioned above the surface of the workpiece, and a generally planar eddy current coil between the magnetizing coil and the workpiece. When a large current is passed through the magnetizing coil, a large magnetic field is applied to the near-surface regions of the workpiece. The eddy current coil can then be operated as a transmitter by passing an alternating current therethrough to excite ultrasonic waves in the surface of the workpiece, or operated as a passive receiver to sense ultrasonic waves in the surface by measuring the output signal. The geometries of the two coils can be varied widely to be effective for different types of ultrasonic waves. The coils are preferably packaged in a housing which does not interfere with their operation, but protects them from a variety of adverse environmental conditions.

Optically transduced MEMS magnetometer

DOEpatents

Nielson, Gregory N; Langlois, Eric

2014-03-18

MEMS magnetometers with optically transduced resonator displacement are described herein. Improved sensitivity, crosstalk reduction, and extended dynamic range may be achieved with devices including a deflectable resonator suspended from the support, a first grating extending from the support and disposed over the resonator, a pair of drive electrodes to drive an alternating current through the resonator, and a second grating in the resonator overlapping the first grating to form a multi-layer grating having apertures that vary dimensionally in response to deflection occurring as the resonator mechanically resonates in a plane parallel to the first grating in the presence of a magnetic field as a function of the Lorentz force resulting from the alternating current. A plurality of such multi-layer gratings may be disposed across a length of the resonator to provide greater dynamic range and/or accommodate fabrication tolerances.

A high-temperature wideband pressure transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Zuckerwar, A. J.

1976-01-01

The problem of operating a condenser microphone as a terminal element of a half wavelength transmission line was dealt with; the environment in which the microphone operates necessitates a 25 foot separation from its supporting electronics. A theoretical analysis of the microphone-cable system, substantiated by laboratory tests, provided criteria to optimize system gain.

Bonded ultrasonic transducer and method for making

DOEpatents

Dixon, R.D.; Roe, L.H.; Migliori, A.

1995-11-14

An ultrasonic transducer is formed as a diffusion bonded assembly of piezoelectric crystal, backing material, and, optionally, a ceramic wear surface. The mating surfaces of each component are silver films that are diffusion bonded together under the application of pressure and heat. Each mating surface may also be coated with a reactive metal, such as hafnium, to increase the adhesion of the silver films to the component surfaces. Only thin silver films are deposited, e.g., a thickness of about 0.00635 mm, to form a substantially non-compliant bond between surfaces. The resulting transducer assembly is substantially free of self-resonances over normal operating ranges for taking resonant ultrasound measurements. 12 figs.

Bonded ultrasonic transducer and method for making

DOEpatents

Dixon, Raymond D.; Roe, Lawrence H.; Migliori, Albert

1995-01-01

An ultrasonic transducer is formed as a diffusion bonded assembly of piezoelectric crystal, backing material, and, optionally, a ceramic wear surface. The mating surfaces of each component are silver films that are diffusion bonded together under the application of pressure and heat. Each mating surface may also be coated with a reactive metal, such as hafnium, to increase the adhesion of the silver films to the component surfaces. Only thin silver films are deposited, e.g., a thickness of about 0.00635 mm, to form a substantially non-compliant bond between surfaces. The resulting transducer assembly is substantially free of self-resonances over normal operating ranges for taking resonant ultrasound measurements.

Circuit for Driving Piezoelectric Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Randall, David P.; Chapsky, Jacob

2009-01-01

The figure schematically depicts an oscillator circuit for driving a piezoelectric transducer to excite vibrations in a mechanical structure. The circuit was designed and built to satisfy application-specific requirements to drive a selected one of 16 such transducers at a regulated amplitude and frequency chosen to optimize the amount of work performed by the transducer and to compensate for both (1) temporal variations of the resonance frequency and damping time of each transducer and (2) initially unknown differences among the resonance frequencies and damping times of different transducers. In other words, the circuit is designed to adjust itself to optimize the performance of whichever transducer is selected at any given time. The basic design concept may be adaptable to other applications that involve the use of piezoelectric transducers in ultrasonic cleaners and other apparatuses in which high-frequency mechanical drives are utilized. This circuit includes three resistor-capacitor networks that, together with the selected piezoelectric transducer, constitute a band-pass filter having a peak response at a frequency of about 2 kHz, which is approximately the resonance frequency of the piezoelectric transducers. Gain for generating oscillations is provided by a power hybrid operational amplifier (U1). A junction field-effect transistor (Q1) in combination with a resistor (R4) is used as a voltage-variable resistor to control the magnitude of the oscillation. The voltage-variable resistor is part of a feedback control loop: Part of the output of the oscillator is rectified and filtered for use as a slow negative feedback to the gate of Q1 to keep the output amplitude constant. The response of this control loop is much slower than 2 kHz and, therefore, does not introduce significant distortion of the oscillator output, which is a fairly clean sine wave. The positive AC feedback needed to sustain oscillations is derived from sampling the current through the

Design of compact piezoelectric transducers for shock wave applications

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Dreyer, Thomas; Liebler, Marko; Riedlinger, Rainer E.; Ginter, Siegfried

2003-10-01

The application of focused intense sound pulses to treat several orthopedic diseases has gained in importance during the past years. Self-focusing piezoelectric transducers known from ESWL are not well suited for this purpose due to their size. Therefore compact transducers have to be designed. This implies an increase of the pressure pulse amplitude generated at the radiating surface. A stacked placement of two piezoelectric layers driven by two high-voltage pulses with an adjustable delay accomplishes this. Several designs are presented here representing transducers of different sizes. In principle piezoelectric transducers have the ability to vary the pressure pulse shape to a wider extent than other shock wave sources. Based on FEM simulations of the transducer the influence of some driving parameters, like a variation of the interpulse delay or shape of the driving voltage, on the resulting focal pressure signal is demonstrated. The results show the feasibility to control some parameters of the signal, for example the peak negative pressure amplitude. This possibility could provide new aspects in basic research as well as in clinical applications.

Report of pilot study CCM.P-P1 for international comparison of absolute pressure measurements in gas from 3 × 10-9 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, Hajime; Arai, Kenta; Komatsu, Eiichi; Fujii, Kenichi; Bock, Thomas; Jousten, Karl

2015-01-01

A bilateral comparison of absolute gas pressure measurements from 3 × 10-9 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa was performed between the National Metrology Institute of Japan (NMIJ) and Physikalisch-Technische Bundesanstalt (PTB). It is a pilot study CCM.P-P1 for the next international comparison in this pressure range to test the stability of ultrahigh vacuum gauges (UHV gauges) as transfer standards. Two spinning rotor gauges (SRGs), an axial-symmetric transmission gauge (ATG), and an extractor gauge (EXG) were used as transfer standards. The calibration ratio of one SRG was sufficiently stable, but the other was not. This result indicates that improvements in the transport mechanism for SRG are needed. The two ionization gauges ATG and EXG, on the other hand, were sufficiently stable. Provisional equivalence of the pressures realized by the primary standards at NMIJ and PTB was found. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by CCM-WGS.

Experimental Evaluation of Three Designs of Electrodynamic Flexural Transducers

PubMed Central

Eriksson, Tobias J. R.; Laws, Michael; Kang, Lei; Fan, Yichao; Ramadas, Sivaram N.; Dixon, Steve

2016-01-01

Three designs for electrodynamic flexural transducers (EDFT) for air-coupled ultrasonics are presented and compared. An all-metal housing was used for robustness, which makes the designs more suitable for industrial applications. The housing is designed such that there is a thin metal plate at the front, with a fundamental flexural vibration mode at ∼50 kHz. By using a flexural resonance mode, good coupling to the load medium was achieved without the use of matching layers. The front radiating plate is actuated electrodynamically by a spiral coil inside the transducer, which produces an induced magnetic field when an AC current is applied to it. The transducers operate without the use of piezoelectric materials, which can simplify manufacturing and prolong the lifetime of the transducers, as well as open up possibilities for high-temperature applications. The results show that different designs perform best for the generation and reception of ultrasound. All three designs produced large acoustic pressure outputs, with a recorded sound pressure level (SPL) above 120 dB at a 40 cm distance from the highest output transducer. The sensitivity of the transducers was low, however, with single shot signal-to-noise ratio (SNR)≃15 dB in transmit–receive mode, with transmitter and receiver 40 cm apart. PMID:27571075

Water wave energy transducer

SciTech Connect

Lamberti, J.

1983-06-28

A water wave energy transducer comprises a boat having pivoted arms projecting out over the water, a float being mounted on the outboard end of each arm so that the arms are oscillated by wave action on the floats. Drive sprockets fixed on the arms coaxially with their pivots are connected by drive chains with two driven sprockets coaxial, respectively, with two gears which mesh with one another and one of which meshes with an output gear. The driven sprockets are coupled with the coaxial gears by one-way clutches which are oppositely arranged so that one drives when the sprocketsmore » turn in one direction and the other drives when the sprockets turn in the opposite direction. Hence, the output gear is driven in the same direction by both upward and downward movement of the floats. The output gear is connected by a speed increasing gear train with an electric generator which can supply current to a motor for propelling the boat, or through a cable to the shore when the boat is anchored.« less

Fullerene reinforced ionic polymer transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jung, J. H.; Cheng, T. H.; Oh, I. K.

2009-07-01

Novel fullerene reinforced nano-composite transducers based on nafion were developed inorder to improve the ionic polymer metal composite transducer. The fullerene reinforced nano-composite membranes were fabricated by recasting method with 0.1 and 0.5 weight percentage of a Fullerenes. Stress-Strain tests showed tremendous increase in stiffness and modulus of the nano-composite membranes even at these minute concentrations of Fullerenes. Ionic exchange capacity analysis and proton conductivity test were performed to calculate the electrical property of the composite films. Water uptake was measured to understand the liquid adsorbing characteristics of the membranes. Also, tip displacement of the nano-composite membrane transducer was investigated under AC excitations with various magnitudes and frequencies. Furthermore, the generated energy was measured from external sinusoidal physical input vibration with several displacements and frequencies by using a mechanical shaker. As a result, the fullerene reinforced nanocomposite membrane based on nafion shows higher stiffness and Young's modulus than that of pure nafion membrane. Also, the nano-composite membrane had better water uptake and proton conductivity than the pure membrane. Fullerene reinforced nano-composite membrane transducer actuates to a much larger deformations than pure nafion membrane transducer. The developed membrane transducer dissipates more energy from the physical input vibration than that of unfilled(or virgin) Nafion membrane transducer.

Absolute biological needs.

PubMed

McLeod, Stephen

2014-07-01

Absolute needs (as against instrumental needs) are independent of the ends, goals and purposes of personal agents. Against the view that the only needs are instrumental needs, David Wiggins and Garrett Thomson have defended absolute needs on the grounds that the verb 'need' has instrumental and absolute senses. While remaining neutral about it, this article does not adopt that approach. Instead, it suggests that there are absolute biological needs. The absolute nature of these needs is defended by appeal to: their objectivity (as against mind-dependence); the universality of the phenomenon of needing across the plant and animal kingdoms; the impossibility that biological needs depend wholly upon the exercise of the abilities characteristic of personal agency; the contention that the possession of biological needs is prior to the possession of the abilities characteristic of personal agency. Finally, three philosophical usages of 'normative' are distinguished. On two of these, to describe a phenomenon or claim as 'normative' is to describe it as value-dependent. A description of a phenomenon or claim as 'normative' in the third sense does not entail such value-dependency, though it leaves open the possibility that value depends upon the phenomenon or upon the truth of the claim. It is argued that while survival needs (or claims about them) may well be normative in this third sense, they are normative in neither of the first two. Thus, the idea of absolute need is not inherently normative in either of the first two senses. © 2013 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

An enzyme logic bioprotonic transducer

SciTech Connect

Miyake, Takeo; Keene, Scott; Deng, Yingxin

2015-01-01

Translating ionic currents into measureable electronic signals is essential for the integration of bioelectronic devices with biological systems. We demonstrate the use of a Pd/PdH{sub x} electrode as a bioprotonic transducer that connects H{sup +} currents in solution into an electronic signal. This transducer exploits the reversible formation of PdH{sub x} in solution according to PdH↔Pd + H{sup +} + e{sup −}, and the dependence of this formation on solution pH and applied potential. We integrate the protonic transducer with glucose dehydrogenase as an enzymatic AND gate for glucose and NAD{sup +}. PdH{sub x} formation and associated electronic current monitorsmore » the output drop in pH, thus transducing a biological function into a measurable electronic output.« less

Design of HIFU transducers for generating specified nonlinear ultrasound fields

PubMed Central

Rosnitskiy, Pavel B.; Yuldashev, Petr V.; Sapozhnikov, Oleg A.; Maxwell, Adam; Kreider, Wayne; Bailey, Michael R.; Khokhlova, Vera A.

2016-01-01

Various clinical applications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have different requirements for the pressure levels and degree of nonlinear waveform distortion at the focus. The goal of this work was to determine transducer design parameters that produce either a specified shock amplitude in the focal waveform or specified peak pressures while still maintaining quasilinear conditions at the focus. Multi-parametric nonlinear modeling based on the KZK equation with an equivalent source boundary condition was employed. Peak pressures, shock amplitudes at the focus, and corresponding source outputs were determined for different transducer geometries and levels of nonlinear distortion. Results are presented in terms of the parameters of an equivalent single-element, spherically shaped transducer. The accuracy of the method and its applicability to cases of strongly focused transducers were validated by comparing the KZK modeling data with measurements and nonlinear full-diffraction simulations for a single-element source and arrays with 7 and 256 elements. The results provide look-up data for evaluating nonlinear distortions at the focus of existing therapeutic systems as well as for guiding the design of new transducers that generate specified nonlinear fields. PMID:27775904

Design of HIFU Transducers for Generating Specified Nonlinear Ultrasound Fields.

PubMed

Rosnitskiy, Pavel B; Yuldashev, Petr V; Sapozhnikov, Oleg A; Maxwell, Adam D; Kreider, Wayne; Bailey, Michael R; Khokhlova, Vera A

2017-02-01

Various clinical applications of high-intensity focused ultrasound have different requirements for the pressure levels and degree of nonlinear waveform distortion at the focus. The goal of this paper is to determine transducer design parameters that produce either a specified shock amplitude in the focal waveform or specified peak pressures while still maintaining quasi-linear conditions at the focus. Multiparametric nonlinear modeling based on the Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation with an equivalent source boundary condition was employed. Peak pressures, shock amplitudes at the focus, and corresponding source outputs were determined for different transducer geometries and levels of nonlinear distortion. The results are presented in terms of the parameters of an equivalent single-element spherically shaped transducer. The accuracy of the method and its applicability to cases of strongly focused transducers were validated by comparing the KZK modeling data with measurements and nonlinear full diffraction simulations for a single-element source and arrays with 7 and 256 elements. The results provide look-up data for evaluating nonlinear distortions at the focus of existing therapeutic systems as well as for guiding the design of new transducers that generate specified nonlinear fields.

High intensity ultrasound transducer used in gene transfection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Morrison, Kyle P.; Keilman, George W.; Noble, Misty L.; Brayman, Andrew A.; Miao, Carol H.

2012-11-01

This paper describes a novel therapeutic high intensity non-focused ultrasound (HIU) transducer designed with uniform pressure distribution to aid in accelerated gene transfer in large animal liver tissues in vivo. The underlying HIU transducer was used to initiate homogeneous cavitation throughout the tissue while delivering up to 2.7 MPa at 1.1 MHz across its radiating surface. The HIU transducer was built into a 6 cm diameter x 1.3 cm tall housing ergonomically designed to avoid collateral damage to the surrounding anatomy during dynamic motion. The ultrasound (US) radiation was applied in a 'paintbrush-like' manner to the surface of the liver. The layers and geometry of the transducer were carefully selected to maximize the active diameter (5.74 cm), maximize the electrical to acoustic conversion efficiency (85%) to achieve 2.7 MPa of peak negative pressure, maximize the frequency operating band at the fundamental resonance to within a power transfer delta of 1 dB, and reduce the pressure delta to within 2 dB across the radiating surface. For maximum peak voltage into the transducer, a high performance piezoceramic was chosen and a DC bias circuit was built integral to the system. An apodized two element annular pattern was made from a single piezoceramic element, resulting in significant pressure uniformity enhancement. In addition to using apodization for pressure uniformity, a proprietary multi-layered structure was used to improve efficiency while sustaining an operating band from 900 kHz to 1.3 MHz. The resultant operating band allowed for dithering techniques using frequency modulation. The underlying HIU transducer for use in large animals enhances gene expression up to 6300-fold.

Acoustic transducer with damping means

DOEpatents

Smith, Richard W.; Adamson, Gerald E.

1976-11-02

An ultrasonic transducer specifically suited to high temperature sodium applications is described. A piezoelectric active element is joined to the transducer faceplate by coating the faceplate and juxtaposed active element face with wetting agents specifically compatible with the bonding procedure employed to achieve the joint. The opposite face of the active element is fitted with a backing member designed to assure continued electrical continuity during adverse operating conditions which can result in the fracturing of the active element. The fit is achieved employing a spring-loaded electrode operably arranged to electrically couple the internal transducer components, enclosed in a hermetically sealed housing, to accessory components normally employed in transducer applications. Two alternative backing members are taught for assuring electrical continuity. The first employs a resilient, discrete multipoint contact electrode in electrical communication with the active element face. The second employs a resilient, elastomeric, electrically conductive, damped member in electrical communication with the active element face in a manner to effect ring-down of the transducer. Each embodiment provides continued electrical continuity within the transducer in the event the active element fractures, while the second provides the added benefit of damping.

Damping, amplitude, aging tests of stacked transducers for shock wave generation.

PubMed

Sferruzza, Jean-Pierre; Birer, Alain; Chavrier, Françoise; Cathignol, Dominique

2002-10-01

New clinical concepts in lithotripsy demand small shock heads. Reducing the size of piezoelectric shock heads will be possible only if the pressure generated at the surface of each transducer can be increased so that the total pressure at the focus remains the same. To solve this problem, different solutions were proposed. For example, it has been demonstrated that piezocomposite material, as opposed to piezoceramic material, allows the generation of a higher surface pressure before breaking, mainly because radial modes are dramatically reduced. In addition, in a previous paper, we showed the feasibility of generating high-pressure pulse waves without increasing the transducer voltage by using sandwiched transducers, which are a stack of two or more transducers. Some discrepancies appeared, however, between the pressure measured at the surface of the front transducer and the arithmetic sum of the pressures generated by each transducer constituting the stack. In fact, development of such stacked transducers capable of generating surface pressures in the range of 2 to 5 MPa is very complex, which may explain why no aging tests have been reported in the literature thus far. In the first part of this paper, we theoretically determine the importance of the electroacoustical coupling between the two transducers on the generated surface pressure. We show that pressure losses due to these electroacoustical couplings are less than 5%. Experimental measurements done on a stacked transducer assembled and tightened in a castor oil-filled tank are in excellent accordance with the theoretical measurements. Using this assembly technique, it was possible to obtain, on average, out of four elements, a pressure of 7.5 MPa for the duration of 4 million shocks, which would allow the treatment of approximately 1000 patients.

Reduced thalamic N-acetylaspartate in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: a controlled 1H-magnetic resonance spectroscopy study of frontal deep white matter and the thalamus using absolute quantification.

PubMed

Lundin, F; Tisell, A; Dahlqvist Leinhard, O; Tullberg, M; Wikkelsö, C; Lundberg, P; Leijon, G

2011-07-01

Patients with idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) frequently have a reduction in cerebral blood flow in the subcortical frontal lobe/basal ganglia/thalamic areas. With magnetic resonance spectroscopy, the metabolism in the brain can be examined. The aim of this study was to investigate if there was a compromised metabolism in the thalamus and in the subcortical frontal areas in INPH patients. This was done by measuring total creatine, myo-inositol, total choline, N-acetylaspartate (NAA), total N-acetylaspartate (tNA), glutamate and lactate levels. A comparison was made with healthy individuals (HI). 16 patients (nine males, seven females, mean age 74 years, range 49-83) diagnosed as INPH and 15 HI (nine males, six females, mean age 74 years, range 62-89) were examined. (1)H magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1.5 T, point-resolved spectroscopy, echo time/relaxation time 30/3000 ms, volume of interest 2.5-3 ml) was performed in frontal deep white matter and in the thalamus. Absolute quantification with internal water as a reference was used. INPH patients had lower NAA (p=0.02) and lower tNA (p=0.05) concentrations in the thalamus compared with HI. NAA and tNA in the frontal deep white matter did not differ between patients and HI. The absolute metabolic concentrations of total creatine, myo-inositol total choline, tNA, lactate and Cr ratios in frontal deep white matter and in the thalamus were similar in INPH patients and HI. Reduced thalamic NAA and tNA in INPH patients suggest a compromised metabolic neuronal function in these regions. Thus, the thalamus might have an important role in the pathogenesis of INPH.

Dynamic Fluid in a Porous Transducer-Based Angular Accelerometer

PubMed Central

Cheng, Siyuan; Fu, Mengyin; Wang, Meiling; Ming, Li; Fu, Huijin; Wang, Tonglei

2017-01-01

This paper presents a theoretical model of the dynamics of liquid flow in an angular accelerometer comprising a porous transducer in a circular tube of liquid. Wave speed and dynamic permeability of the transducer are considered to describe the relation between angular acceleration and the differential pressure on the transducer. The permeability and streaming potential coupling coefficient of the transducer are determined in the experiments, and special prototypes are utilized to validate the theoretical model in both the frequency and time domains. The model is applied to analyze the influence of structural parameters on the frequency response and the transient response of the fluidic system. It is shown that the radius of the circular tube and the wave speed affect the low frequency gain, as well as the bandwidth of the sensor. The hydrodynamic resistance of the transducer and the cross-section radius of the circular tube can be used to control the transient performance. The proposed model provides the basic techniques to achieve the optimization of the angular accelerometer together with the methodology to control the wave speed and the hydrodynamic resistance of the transducer. PMID:28230793

Receive-Noise Analysis of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers.

PubMed

Bozkurt, Ayhan; Yaralioglu, G Goksenin

2016-11-01

This paper presents an analysis of thermal (Johnson) noise received from the radiation medium by otherwise noiseless capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) membranes operating in their fundamental resonance mode. Determination of thermal noise received by multiple numbers of transducers or a transducer array requires the assessment of cross-coupling through the radiation medium, as well as the self-radiation impedance of the individual transducer. We show that the total thermal noise received by the cells of a CMUT has insignificant correlation, and is independent of the radiation impedance, but is only determined by the mass of each membrane and the electromechanical transformer ratio. The proof is based on the analytical derivations for a simple transducer with two cells, and extended to transducers with numerous cells using circuit simulators. We used a first-order model, which incorporates the fundamental resonance of the CMUT. Noise power is calculated by integrating over the entire spectrum; hence, the presented figures are an upper bound for the noise. The presented analyses are valid for a transimpedance amplifier in the receive path. We use the analysis results to calculate the minimum detectable pressure of a CMUT. We also provide an analysis based on the experimental data to show that output noise power is limited by and comparable to the theoretical upper limit.

Multiple single-element transducer photoacoustic computed tomography system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kalva, Sandeep Kumar; Hui, Zhe Zhi; Pramanik, Manojit

2018-02-01

Light absorption by the chromophores (hemoglobin, melanin, water etc.) present in any biological tissue results in local temperature rise. This rise in temperature results in generation of pressure waves due to the thermoelastic expansion of the tissue. In a circular scanning photoacoustic computed tomography (PACT) system, these pressure waves can be detected using a single-element ultrasound transducer (SUST) (while rotating in full 360° around the sample) or using a circular array transducer. SUST takes several minutes to acquire the PA data around the sample whereas the circular array transducer takes only a fraction of seconds. Hence, for real time imaging circular array transducers are preferred. However, these circular array transducers are custom made, expensive and not easily available in the market whereas SUSTs are cheap and readily available in the market. Using SUST for PACT systems is still cost effective. In order to reduce the scanning time to few seconds instead of using single SUST (rotating 360° ), multiple SUSTs can be used at the same time to acquire the PA data. This will reduce the scanning time by two-fold in case of two SUSTs (rotating 180° ) or by four-fold and eight-fold in case of four SUSTs (rotating 90° ) and eight SUSTs (rotating 45° ) respectively. Here we show that with multiple SUSTs, similar PA images (numerical and experimental phantom data) can be obtained as that of PA images obtained using single SUST.

Auto-positioning ultrasonic transducer system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Buchanan, Randy K. (Inventor)

2010-01-01

An ultrasonic transducer apparatus and process for determining the optimal transducer position for flow measurement along a conduit outer surface. The apparatus includes a transmitting transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic signal, said transducer affixed to a conduit outer surface; a guide rail attached to a receiving transducer for guiding movement of a receiving transducer along the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer receives an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer and sends a signal to a data acquisition system; and a motor for moving the receiving transducer along the guide rail, wherein the motor is controlled by a controller. The method includes affixing a transmitting transducer to an outer surface of a conduit; moving a receiving transducer on the conduit outer surface, wherein the receiving transducer is moved along a guide rail by a motor; transmitting an ultrasonic signal from the transmitting transducer that is received by the receiving transducer; communicating the signal received by the receiving transducer to a data acquisition and control system; and repeating the moving, transmitting, and communicating along a length of the conduit.

Remote ultrasound palpation for robotic interventions using absolute elastography.

PubMed

Schneider, Caitlin; Baghani, Ali; Rohling, Robert; Salcudean, Septimiu

2012-01-01

Although robotic surgery has addressed many of the challenges presented by minimally invasive surgery, haptic feedback and the lack of knowledge of tissue stiffness is an unsolved problem. This paper presents a system for finding the absolute elastic properties of tissue using a freehand ultrasound scanning technique, which utilizes the da Vinci Surgical robot and a custom 2D ultrasound transducer for intraoperative use. An external exciter creates shear waves in the tissue, and a local frequency estimation method computes the shear modulus. Results are reported for both phantom and in vivo models. This system can be extended to any 6 degree-of-freedom tracking method and any 2D transducer to provide real-time absolute elastic properties of tissue.

Comprehensive helicopter rotor instrumentation - A retrofit approach using miniature transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Jacklin, Stephen A.; Mort, Ray; Morrison, Dwayne

1992-01-01

This paper reports an approach used to retrofit a set of full-scale main rotor blades with 290 miniature pressure transducers, 46 strain gages, and 24 miniature accelerometers. Normally, in order to avoid disturbing the aerodynamics of the rotor flow field, the pressure instrumentation must be integrally built into the body of the rotor blades. However, using a method developed with NASA, miniature pressure transducers are mounted to the blade exterior surface without degrading the quality of the blade aerodynamics. Moreover, it is estimated that this approach reduced costs by more than 50 percent over building a set of pressure instrumented blades. The aerodynamic measurement objectives are presented as are instrumentation design considerations, type of instrumentation used, assembly process, and the installed instrumentation characteristics.

An absolute instrument for determination of the speed of sound in water

SciTech Connect

Li, Zhiwei; Zhu, Junchao; Zhang, Baofeng, E-mail: zhangbaofeng@263.net

An apparatus for the absolute determination of the sound speed in water based on the time-of-flight technique is described. The time measurement is realized by hardware circuits and the distance measurement by a double-beam plane-mirror interferometer. A highly accurate time chip, with a resolution of approximately 90 ps, is employed for time measurements. The acoustic path length is adjustable and can be measured directly. Two transducers are used for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals without reflection. The transducers are immersed in a thermostatic vessel that maintains bath temperature with high stability. The speed of sound in pure water was measuredmore » at ambient pressure and at the temperatures 308 K, 303 K, 298 K, and 293 K. The achieved measurement uncertainties are 2 mK for temperature and 0.045 m/s for speed of sound. The results are compared to data from the literature, equation of state models, and measurements by two commercial sensors in the same experiment, showing excellent agreement among them.« less

A digital transducer and digital microphone using an optical technique

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ghelmansarai, F. A.

1996-09-01

A transducer is devised to measure pressure, displacements or angles by optical means. This transducer delivers a digital output without relying on interferometry techniques or analogue-to-digital converters. This device is based on an optical scanner and an optical detector. An inter-digital photoconductive detector (IDPC) is employed that delivers a series of pulses, whose number depends on the scan length. A pre-objective scanning configuration is used that allows for the possibility of a flat image plane. The optical scanner provides scanning of IDPC and the generated scan length is proportional to the measurand.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, A. J.; Reed, D. K.; Nance, D. K.

2015-01-01

Characterization of launch vehicle unsteady aerodynamics is a field best studied through experimentation, which is often carried out in the form of large scale wind tunnel testing. Measurement of the fluctuating pressures induced by the boundary layer noise is customarily made with miniature pressure transducers installed into a model of the vehicle of interest. Literature shows that noise level increases between two to five decibels (dB referenced to 20 micropascal) can be induced when the transducer surface is not mounted perfectly flush with the model outer surface. To reduce this artificially induced noise, special transducer holders have been used for aeroacoustic wind tunnel testing by NASA. This holder is a sleeve into which the transducer fits, with a cap that allows it to be mounted in a recessed hole in the model. A single hole in the holder allows the transport of the tunnel medium so the transducer can discriminate the fluctuating pressure due to the turbulent boundary layer noise. The holder is first dry fitted into the model and any difference in height between the holder and the model surface can be sanded flush. The holder is then removed from the model, the transducer glued inside the holder, and the holder replaced in the model, secured also with glue, thus eliminating the problem of noise level increases due to lack of flushness. In order to work with this holder design, special transducers have been ordered with their standard screen removed and the diaphragm moved as close to the top of the casing as possible to minimize any cavity volume. Although this greatly reduces induced noise due to the transducers being out of flush, the holders can also induce a cavity resonance that is usually at a very high frequency. This noise is termed transducer mount induced noise (XMIN). The peak of the mode can vary with the cavity depth, boundary layer noise that can excite the mode, tunnel flow medium, and the build of the transducers. Because the boundary

Non-bonded ultrasonic transducer

DOEpatents

Eoff, J.M.

1984-07-06

A mechanically assembled non-bonded ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a piezoelectric film, a wetting agent, a thin metal electrode, and a lens held in intimate contact by a mechanical clamp. No epoxy or glue is used in the assembly of this device.

Acoustic transducer for acoustic microscopy

DOEpatents

Khuri-Yakub, Butrus T.; Chou, Ching H.

1990-01-01

A shear acoustic transducer-lens system in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens.

Acoustic transducer for acoustic microscopy

DOEpatents

Khuri-Yakub, B.T.; Chou, C.H.

1990-03-20

A shear acoustic transducer-lens system is described in which a shear polarized piezoelectric material excites shear polarized waves at one end of a buffer rod having a lens at the other end which excites longitudinal waves in a coupling medium by mode conversion at selected locations on the lens. 9 figs.

Acoustic Levitation With One Transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Barmatz, Martin B.

1987-01-01

Higher resonator modes enables simplification of equipment. Experimental acoustic levitator for high-temperature containerless processing has round cylindrical levitation chamber and only one acoustic transducer. Stable levitation of solid particle or liquid drop achieved by exciting sound in chamber to higher-order resonant mode that makes potential well for levitated particle or drop at some point within chamber.

Magnetic plethysmograph transducers for local blood pulse wave velocity measurement.

PubMed

Nabeel, P M; Joseph, Jayaraj; Sivaprakasam, Mohanasankar

2014-01-01

We present the design of magnetic plethysmograph (MPG) transducers for detection of blood pulse waveform and evaluation of local pulse wave velocity (PWV), for potential use in cuffless blood pressure (BP) monitoring. The sensors utilize a Hall effect magnetic field sensor to capture the blood pulse waveform. A strap based design is performed to enable reliable capture of large number of cardiac cycles with relative ease. The ability of the transducer to consistently detect the blood pulse is verified by in-vivo trials on few volunteers. A duality of such transducers is utilized to capture the local PWV at the carotid artery. The pulse transit time (PTT) between the two detected pulse waveforms, measured along a small section of the carotid artery, was evaluated using automated algorithms to ensure consistency of measurements. The correlation between the measured values of local PWV and BP was also investigated. The developed transducers provide a reliable, easy modality for detecting pulse waveform on superficial arteries. Such transducers, used for measurement of local PWV, could potentially be utilized for cuffless, continuous evaluation of BP at various superficial arterial sites.

Single source photoplethysmograph transducer for local pulse wave velocity measurement.

PubMed

Nabeel, P M; Joseph, Jayaraj; Awasthi, Vartika; Sivaprakasam, Mohanasankar

2016-08-01

Cuffless evaluation of arterial blood pressure (BP) using pulse wave velocity (PWV) has received attraction over the years. Local PWV based techniques for cuffless BP measurement has more potential in accurate estimation of BP parameters. In this work, we present the design and experimental validation of a novel single-source Photoplethysmograph (PPG) transducer for arterial blood pulse detection and cycle-to-cycle local PWV measurement. The ability of the transducer to continuously measure local PWV was verified using arterial flow phantom as well as by conducting an in-vivo study on 17 volunteers. The single-source PPG transducer could reliably acquire dual blood pulse waveforms, along small artery sections of length less than 28 mm. The transducer was able to perform repeatable measurements of carotid local PWV on multiple subjects with maximum beat-to-beat variation less than 12%. The correlation between measured carotid local PWV and brachial BP parameters were also investigated during the in-vivo study. Study results prove the potential use of newly proposed single-source PPG transducers in continuous cuffless BP measurement systems.

Wideband Single Crystal Transducer for Bone Characterization

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sahul, Raffi

2015-01-01

Phase II objectives: Optimize the Phase I transducer for sensitivity; Test different transmit signals for optimum performance; Demonstrate compatibility with electronics; Confirm additional transducer capabilities over conventional systems by calibrating with other methods.

Electronic Absolute Cartesian Autocollimator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Leviton, Douglas B.

2006-01-01

An electronic absolute Cartesian autocollimator performs the same basic optical function as does a conventional all-optical or a conventional electronic autocollimator but differs in the nature of its optical target and the manner in which the position of the image of the target is measured. The term absolute in the name of this apparatus reflects the nature of the position measurement, which, unlike in a conventional electronic autocollimator, is based absolutely on the position of the image rather than on an assumed proportionality between the position and the levels of processed analog electronic signals. The term Cartesian in the name of this apparatus reflects the nature of its optical target. Figure 1 depicts the electronic functional blocks of an electronic absolute Cartesian autocollimator along with its basic optical layout, which is the same as that of a conventional autocollimator. Referring first to the optical layout and functions only, this or any autocollimator is used to measure the compound angular deviation of a flat datum mirror with respect to the optical axis of the autocollimator itself. The optical components include an illuminated target, a beam splitter, an objective or collimating lens, and a viewer or detector (described in more detail below) at a viewing plane. The target and the viewing planes are focal planes of the lens. Target light reflected by the datum mirror is imaged on the viewing plane at unit magnification by the collimating lens. If the normal to the datum mirror is parallel to the optical axis of the autocollimator, then the target image is centered on the viewing plane. Any angular deviation of the normal from the optical axis manifests itself as a lateral displacement of the target image from the center. The magnitude of the displacement is proportional to the focal length and to the magnitude (assumed to be small) of the angular deviation. The direction of the displacement is perpendicular to the axis about which the

Loss Process for the C2H5 Radical in the Atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn: First Direct, Absolute Measurement of the Rate Constant for the Reaction H + C2H5 at Low Pressure and Temperature

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stief, L. J.; Pimentel, A. S.; Payne, W. A.; Nesbitt, F. L.; Cody, R. J.

2003-05-01

Photochemical models of the atmospheres of Jupiter and Saturn predict the reaction H + C2H5 to be the most important loss process for C2H5 in these atmospheres. In addition, the reaction channel H + C2H5 -> 2 CH3 is a significant source of the methyl radical. There are only two relatively modern studies of the H + C2H5 reaction, both of which depend on extensive modeling involving eight elementary reactions. The motivation for the present study is the lack of direct, absolute measurements of the rate constant for the H + C2H5 reaction at low pressures and temperatures appropriate for outer planet models. In the present experiments the reactants H and C2H5 are rapidly and simultaneously generated by reaction of F with appropriate mixtures of H2 and C2H6. Using the technique of discharge-flow with collision-free sampling to a mass spectrometer, we monitor the decay of C2H5 in excess H. In contrast to previous studies of this reaction, the primary H + C2H5 reaction is isolated and the radical decays only by reaction with H and by loss at the wall. Secondary reactions such as the self-reaction of C2H5 are negligible. At P = 1 Torr He we measure k (298K) = 1.13 x 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1 and k (202K) = 1.18 x 10-10 cm3 molecule-1 s-1. Experiments at T = 155 K are in progress. The reaction is temperature independent as expected based on studies of other atom-radical reactions. Our result at T = 298 K lies between those of the two relatively modern but complex studies of this reaction. The present total rate constant data and planned product yield studies at low pressures and temperatures will then be available for use in future photochemical models of the atmospheres of the outer planets. The Planetary Atmospheres Program of NASA Headquarters is supporting this research.

A Directional Dogbone Flextensional Sonar Transducer

DTIC Science & Technology

2010-10-01

A Directional Dogbone Flextensional Sonar Transducer Stephen C. Butler Naval Undersea Warfare Center, Newport, RI 02841 Abstract: In order to...transmit energy in one direction, sonar flextensional transducers are combined into arrays of elements that are spaced a 1/4 wavelength apart. The...electroacoustic performance and compared with an experimental data. Keywords: Transducer, Flextensional, Sonar , Piezoelectric, Directional, Cardioid

ASRDI oxygen technology survey. Volume 8: Pressure measurement

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Arvidson, J. M.; Brennan, J. A.

1975-01-01

Pressure transducers and their current uses with gaseous or liquid oxygen are reviewed. All transducer types such as strain gage, capacitance, potentiometric, piezoelectric, etc., are included. Topics covered include: cryogenic pressure measurement; material compatibility with gaseous and liquid oxygen; cleaning procedures; pressure tap connections; transducer types and descriptions; and calibration techniques.

Split-mode ultrasonic transducer.

PubMed

Ostrovskii, Igor; Cremaldi, Lucien

2013-08-01

A split-mode ultrasonic transducer is investigated in both theory and experiment. This transducer is a two-dimensional structure of periodically poled domains in a ferroelectric wafer with free surfaces. The acoustic vibrations are excited by a radio frequency electric current applied along the length of the wafer, which allows the basal-plane surfaces to be free of metal coatings and thus ready for further biomedical applications. A specific physical property of this transducer consists of the multiple acousto-electric resonances, which occur due to an acoustic mode split when the acoustic half-wavelength is equal to the domain length. Possible applications include ultrasonic generation and detection at the micro-scale, intravascular sonification and visualization, ultrasound therapy of localized small areas such as the eye, biomedical applications for cell cultures, and traditional nondestructive testing including bones and tissues. A potential use of a non-metallized wafer is a therapeutic application with double action that is both ultrasound itself and an electric field over the wafer. The experimental measurements and theoretical calculations are in good agreement.

Reducing the Effect of Transducer Mount Induced Noise (XMIN) on Aeroacoustic Wind Tunnel Testing Data with a New Transducer Mount Design

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Herron, Andrew J.; Reed, Darren K.; Nance, Donald K.

2015-01-01

Characterization of flight vehicle unsteady aerodynamics is often studied via large scale wind tunnel testing. Boundary layer noise is measured by miniature pressure transducers installed in a model. Noise levels (2-5 dB ref. 20 µPa) can be induced when transducer is mounted out of flush with model outer surface. This effect must be minimized to accurately determine aerodynamically induced acoustic environments.

Determination of Absolute Zero Using a Computer-Based Laboratory

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Amrani, D.

2007-01-01

We present a simple computer-based laboratory experiment for evaluating absolute zero in degrees Celsius, which can be performed in college and undergraduate physical sciences laboratory courses. With a computer, absolute zero apparatus can help demonstrators or students to observe the relationship between temperature and pressure and use…

Acoustic transducer for nuclear reactor monitoring

DOEpatents

Ahlgren, Frederic F.; Scott, Paul F.

1977-01-01

A transducer to monitor a parameter and produce an acoustic signal from which the monitored parameter can be recovered. The transducer comprises a modified Galton whistle which emits a narrow band acoustic signal having a frequency dependent upon the parameter being monitored, such as the temperature of the cooling media of a nuclear reactor. Multiple locations within a reactor are monitored simultaneously by a remote acoustic receiver by providing a plurality of transducers each designed so that the acoustic signal it emits has a frequency distinct from the frequencies of signals emitted by the other transducers, whereby each signal can be unambiguously related to a particular transducer.

Absolute Equilibrium Entropy

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Shebalin, John V.

1997-01-01

The entropy associated with absolute equilibrium ensemble theories of ideal, homogeneous, fluid and magneto-fluid turbulence is discussed and the three-dimensional fluid case is examined in detail. A sigma-function is defined, whose minimum value with respect to global parameters is the entropy. A comparison is made between the use of global functions sigma and phase functions H (associated with the development of various H-theorems of ideal turbulence). It is shown that the two approaches are complimentary though conceptually different: H-theorems show that an isolated system tends to equilibrium while sigma-functions allow the demonstration that entropy never decreases when two previously isolated systems are combined. This provides a more complete picture of entropy in the statistical mechanics of ideal fluids.

Pressure-Application Device for Testing Pressure Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

2002-01-01

A portable pressure-application device has been designed and built for use in testing and calibrating piezoelectric pressure transducers in the field. The device generates pressure pulses of known amplitude. A pressure pulse (in contradistinction to a steady pressure) is needed because in the presence of a steady pressure, the electrical output of a piezoelectric pressure transducer decays rapidly with time. The device includes a stainless- steel compressed-air-storage cylinder of 500 cu cm volume. A manual hand pump with check valves and a pressure gauge are located at one end of the cylinder. A three-way solenoid valve that controls the release of pressurized air is located at the other end of the cylinder. Power for the device is provided by a 3.7-V cordless-telephone battery. The valve is controlled by means of a pushbutton switch, which activates a 5 V to +/-15 V DC-to-DC converter that powers the solenoid. The outlet of the solenoid valve is connected to the pressure transducer to be tested. Before the solenoid is energized, the transducer to be tested is at atmospheric pressure. When the solenoid is actuated by the push button, pressurized air from inside the cylinder is applied to the transducer. Once the pushbutton is released, the cylinder pressure is removed from the transducer and the pressurized air applied to the transducer is vented, bringing the transducer back to atmospheric pressure. Before this device was used for actual calibration, its accuracy was checked with a NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) traceable calibrator and commercially calibrated pressure transducers. This work was done by Wanda Solano of Stennis Space Center and Greg Richardson of Lockheed Martin Corp.

Dynamical Analysis of a Cylindrical Piezoelectric Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

LU, P.; LEE, K. H.; LIM, S. P.

2003-01-01

In the present paper, the vibration of a cylindrical piezoelectric transducer induced by applied voltage, which can be used as the stator transducer of a cylindrical micromotor, is studied based on shell theory. The transducer is modelled as a thin elastic cylinder. The properties of the vibration modes of the transducer, such as mode frequencies and amplitude ratios of the mode shapes, are determined following Galerkin method. The response of the transducer under the four electric sources with 90° phase difference is then obtained by the modal summation method. With the results, the performance of the transducer under the electric sources can be estimated. The present work provides a general and precise theoretical modelling on the dynamical movement of the transducer.

Parametric Shape Optimization of Lens-Focused Piezoelectric Ultrasound Transducers.

PubMed

Thomas, Gilles P L; Chapelon, Jean-Yves; Bera, Jean-Christophe; Lafon, Cyril

2018-05-01

Focused transducers composed of flat piezoelectric ceramic coupled with an acoustic lens present an economical alternative to curved piezoelectric ceramics and are already in use in a variety of fields. Using a displacement/pressure (u/p) mixed finite element formulation combined with parametric level-set functions to implicitly define the boundaries between the materials and the fluid-structure interface, a method to optimize the shape of acoustic lens made of either one or multiple materials is presented. From that method, two 400 kHz focused transducers using acoustic lens were designed and built with different rapid prototyping methods, one of them made with a combination of two materials, and experimental measurements of the pressure field around the focal point are in good agreement with the presented model.

Electronically-Scanned Pressure Sensors

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Coe, C. F.; Parra, G. T.; Kauffman, R. C.

1984-01-01

Sensors not pneumatically switched. Electronic pressure-transducer scanning system constructed in modular form. Pressure transducer modules and analog to digital converter module small enough to fit within cavities of average-sized wind-tunnel models. All switching done electronically. Temperature controlled environment maintained within sensor modules so accuracy maintained while ambient temperature varies.

Micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Jin, Xuecheng

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (cMUTs) have emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers. They offer performance advantages of wide bandwidth and sensitivity that have heretofore been attainable. In addition, micromachining technology, which has benefited from the fast-growing microelectronics industry, enables cMUT array fabrication and electronics integration. This thesis describes the design and fabrication of micromachined capacitive ultrasonic immersion transducer arrays. The basic transducer electrical equivalent circuit is derived from Mason's theory. The effects of Lamb waves and Stoneley waves on cross coupling and acoustic losses are discussed. Electrical parasitics such as series resistance and shunt capacitance are also included in the model of the transducer. Transducer fabrication technology is systematically studied. Device dimension control in both vertical and horizontal directions, process alternatives and variations in membrane formation, via etch and cavity sealing, and metalization as well as their impact on transducer performance are summarized. Both 64 and 128 element 1-D array transducers are fabricated. Transducers are characterized in terms of electrical input impedance, bandwidth, sensitivity, dynamic range, impulse response and angular response, and their performance is compared with theoretical simulation. Various schemes for cross coupling reduction is analyzed, implemented, and verified with both experiments and theory. Preliminary results of immersion imaging are presented using 64 elements 1-D array transducers for active source imaging.

Shear wave transducer for boreholes

DOEpatents

Mao, N.H.

1984-08-23

A technique and apparatus is provided for estimating in situ stresses by measuring stress-induced velocity anisotropy around a borehole. Two sets each of radially and tangentially polarized transducers are placed inside the hole with displacement directions either parallel or perpendicular to the principal stress directions. With this configuration, relative travel times are measured by both a pulsed phase-locked loop technique and a cross correlation of digitized waveforms. The biaxial velocity data are used to back-calculate the applied stress.

Absolute neutrino mass measurements

SciTech Connect

Wolf, Joachim

2011-10-06

The neutrino mass plays an important role in particle physics, astrophysics and cosmology. In recent years the detection of neutrino flavour oscillations proved that neutrinos carry mass. However, oscillation experiments are only sensitive to the mass-squared difference of the mass eigenvalues. In contrast to cosmological observations and neutrino-less double beta decay (0v2{beta}) searches, single {beta}-decay experiments provide a direct, model-independent way to determine the absolute neutrino mass by measuring the energy spectrum of decay electrons at the endpoint region with high accuracy.Currently the best kinematic upper limits on the neutrino mass of 2.2eV have been set by two experiments inmore » Mainz and Troitsk, using tritium as beta emitter. The next generation tritium {beta}-experiment KATRIN is currently under construction in Karlsruhe/Germany by an international collaboration. KATRIN intends to improve the sensitivity by one order of magnitude to 0.2eV. The investigation of a second isotope ({sup 137}Rh) is being pursued by the international MARE collaboration using micro-calorimeters to measure the beta spectrum. The technology needed to reach 0.2eV sensitivity is still in the R and D phase. This paper reviews the present status of neutrino-mass measurements with cosmological data, 0v2{beta} decay and single {beta}-decay.« less

Ionic liquids as novel solvents for ionic polymer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Bennett, Matthew D.; Leo, Donald J.

2004-07-01

The use of ionic liquids as solvents for ionic polymer (specifically, Nafion) transducers is demonstrated. Ionic liquids are attractive for this application because of their high inherent stability. Ionic liquids are salts that exist as liquids at room temperature and have no measureable vapor pressure. Therefore, the use of ionic liquids as solvents for ionic polymer transducers can eliminate the traditional problem of water evaporation in these devices. Another benefit of the use of ionic liquids in this way is the reduction or elimination of the characteristic back-relaxation common in water-solvated ionic polymer actuators. The results demonstrate that the viscosity of the ionic liquid and the degree to which the ionic liquid swells the membrane are the important physical parameters to consider. Five ionic liquids were studied, based on substituted pyrrolidinium, phosphonium, or imidazolium cations and fluoroanions. Of these five ionic liquids, transduction is demonstrated in three of them and the best results are obtained with 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate ionic liquid. This substance has an electrochemical stability window of 4.1 V, a melting point of -10 °C, and a viscosity of 35-45 cP [19]. Results demonstrate that platinum-plated Nafion transducers solvated with this ionic liquid exhibit sensing and actuation responses and that these transducers are stable in air. Endurance testing of this sample reveals a decrease in the free strain of only 25 % after 250,000 actuation cycles in air.

Indicator system provides complete data of engine cylinder pressure variation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mc Jones, R. W.; Morgan, N. E.

1966-01-01

Varying reference pressure used together with a balanced pressure pickup /a diaphragm switch/ to switch the electric output of the pressure transducer in a reference pressure line obtains precise engine cylinder pressure data from a high speed internal combustion engine.

Silicon Integrated Cavity Optomechanical Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zou, Jie; Miao, Houxun; Michels, Thomas; Liu, Yuxiang; Srinivasan, Kartik; Aksyuk, Vladimir

2013-03-01

Cavity optomechanics enables measurements of mechanical motion at the fundamental limits of precision imposed by quantum mechanics. However, the need to align and couple devices to off-chip optical components hinders development, miniaturization and broader application of ultrahigh sensitivity chip-scale optomechanical transducers. Here we demonstrate a fully integrated and optical fiber pigtailed optomechanical transducer with a high Q silicon micro-disk cavity near-field coupled to a nanoscale cantilever. We detect the motion of the cantilever by measuring the resonant frequency shift of the whispering gallery mode of the micro-disk. The sensitivity near the standard quantum limit can be reached with sub-uW optical power. Our on-chip approach combines compactness and stability with great design flexibility: the geometry of the micro-disk and cantilever can be tailored to optimize the mechanical/optical Q factors and tune the mechanical frequency over two orders of magnitudes. Electrical transduction in addition to optical transduction was also demonstrated and both can be used to effectively cool the cantilever. Moreover, cantilevers with sharp tips overhanging the chip edge were fabricated to potentially allow the mechanical cantilever to be coupled to a wide range of off-chip systems, such as spins, DNA, nanostructures and atoms on clean surfaces.

Analog circuit for controlling acoustic transducer arrays

DOEpatents

Drumheller, Douglas S.

1991-01-01

A simplified ananlog circuit is presented for controlling electromechanical transducer pairs in an acoustic telemetry system. The analog circuit of this invention comprises a single electrical resistor which replaces all of the digital components in a known digital circuit. In accordance with this invention, a first transducer in a transducer pair of array is driven in series with the resistor. The voltage drop across this resistor is then amplified and used to drive the second transducer. The voltage drop across the resistor is proportional and in phase with the current to the transducer. This current is approximately 90 degrees out of phase with the driving voltage to the transducer. This phase shift replaces the digital delay required by the digital control circuit of the prior art.

The Dynamic Performance of Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers.

PubMed

Feeney, Andrew; Kang, Lei; Rowlands, George; Dixon, Steve

2018-01-18

Flexural ultrasonic transducers are principally used as proximity sensors and for industrial metrology. Their operation relies on a piezoelectric ceramic to generate a flexing of a metallic membrane, which delivers the ultrasound signal. The performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers has been largely limited to excitation through a short voltage burst signal at a designated mechanical resonance frequency. However, a steady-state amplitude response is not generated instantaneously in a flexural ultrasonic transducer from a drive excitation signal, and differences in the drive characteristics between transmitting and receiving transducers can affect the measured response. This research investigates the dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers using acoustic microphone measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, supported by a detailed mechanical analog model, in a process which has not before been applied to the flexural ultrasonic transducer. These techniques are employed to gain insights into the physics of their vibration behaviour, vital for the optimisation of industrial ultrasound systems.

The Dynamic Performance of Flexural Ultrasonic Transducers

PubMed Central

Kang, Lei; Rowlands, George; Dixon, Steve

2018-01-01

Flexural ultrasonic transducers are principally used as proximity sensors and for industrial metrology. Their operation relies on a piezoelectric ceramic to generate a flexing of a metallic membrane, which delivers the ultrasound signal. The performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers has been largely limited to excitation through a short voltage burst signal at a designated mechanical resonance frequency. However, a steady-state amplitude response is not generated instantaneously in a flexural ultrasonic transducer from a drive excitation signal, and differences in the drive characteristics between transmitting and receiving transducers can affect the measured response. This research investigates the dynamic performance of flexural ultrasonic transducers using acoustic microphone measurements and laser Doppler vibrometry, supported by a detailed mechanical analog model, in a process which has not before been applied to the flexural ultrasonic transducer. These techniques are employed to gain insights into the physics of their vibration behaviour, vital for the optimisation of industrial ultrasound systems. PMID:29346297

ERROR COMPENSATOR FOR A POSITION TRANSDUCER

DOEpatents

Fowler, A.H.

1962-06-12

A device is designed for eliminating the effect of leadscrew errors in positioning machines in which linear motion of a slide is effected from rotary motion of a leadscrew. This is accomplished by providing a corrector cam mounted on the slide, a cam follower, and a transducer housing rotatable by the follower to compensate for all the reproducible errors in the transducer signal which can be related to the slide position. The transducer has an inner part which is movable with respect to the transducer housing. The transducer inner part is coupled to the means for rotating the leadscrew such that relative movement between this part and its housing will provide an output signal proportional to the position of the slide. The corrector cam and its follower perform the compensation by changing the angular position of the transducer housing by an amount that is a function of the slide position and the error at that position. (AEC)

Two-Element Transducer for Ultrasound

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lecroissette, D. H.; Heyser, R. C.

1986-01-01

Separation of transmitting and receiving units improves probing of deep tissue. Ultrasonic transducer has dual elements to increase depth at which sonic images are made of biological tissue. Transducer uses separate transmitting and receiving elements, and frequency response of receiving element independently designed to accommodate attenuation of higher frequencies by tissue. New transducer intended for pulse-echo ultrasonic systems in which reflected sound pulses reveal features in tissue.

Fabrication and application of a carbon nanotube/poly(dimethylsiloxane) coated optoacoustic film transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Fan, Xiaofeng; Ha, Kanglyeol; Kim, Moojoon; Kang, Gwansuk; Choi, Min Joo; Oh, Junghwan

2018-07-01

An optoacoustic film transducer was fabricated by coating carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS) on the surface of a thin flexible optical poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) sheet. When a laser pulse was irradiated on the film transducer, a shockwave, with superimposed waves reflected from the surface and the back of the film, was generated. The shockwave had very small pulse widths of 20–30 ns, and the maximum pressure of 5.4 MPa was obtained at 10 mm from the surface of the transducer. A line-focused optoacoustic source was fabricated using the film transducer, and its characteristics were investigated. A very high maximum pressure of about 35 MPa was obtained using the source. It was demonstrated that the source can engrave a line trace on a chalk surface.

21 CFR 870.2880 - Ultrasonic transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2880 Ultrasonic transducer... ultrasonic energy that is used in conjunction with an echocardiograph to provide imaging of cardiovascular...

21 CFR 870.2880 - Ultrasonic transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2880 Ultrasonic transducer... ultrasonic energy that is used in conjunction with an echocardiograph to provide imaging of cardiovascular...

Nuclear Radiation Tolerance of Single Crystal Aluminum Nitride Ultrasonic Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Reinhard, Brian; Tittmann, Bernhard R.; Suprock, Andrew

Ultrasonic technologies offer the potential for high accuracy and resolution in-pile measurement of a range of parameters, including geometry changes, temperature, crack initiation and growth, gas pressure and composition, and microstructural changes. Many Department of Energy-Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) programs are exploring the use of ultrasonic technologies to provide enhanced sensors for in-pile instrumentation during irradiation testing. For example, the ability of small diameter ultrasonic thermometers (UTs) to provide a temperature profile in candidate metallic and oxide fuel would provide much needed data for validating new fuel performance models, (Rempe et al., 2011; Kazys et al., 2005). These efforts are limited by the lack of identified ultrasonic transducer materials capable of long term performance under irradiation test conditions. To address this need, the Pennsylvania State University (PSU) was awarded an Advanced Test Reactor National Scientific User Facility (ATR NSUF) project to evaluate the performance of promising magnetostrictive and piezoelectric transducers in the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Research Reactor (MITR) up to a fast fluence of at least 1021 n/cm2. The irradiation is also supported by a multi-National Laboratory collaboration funded by the Nuclear Energy Enabling Technologies Advanced Sensors and Instrumentation (NEET ASI) program. The results from this irradiation, which started in February 2014, offer the potential to enable the development of novel radiation tolerant ultrasonic sensors for use in Material Testing Reactors (MTRs). As such, this test is an instrumented lead test and real-time transducer performance data is collected along with temperature and neutron and gamma flux data. Hence, results from this irradiation offer the potential to bridge the gap between proven out-of-pile ultrasonic techniques and in-pile deployment of ultrasonic sensors by acquiring the data necessary to demonstrate the

Dynamic Pressure Calibration Standard

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Schutte, P. C.; Cate, K. H.; Young, S. D.

1986-01-01

Vibrating columns of fluid used to calibrate transducers. Dynamic pressure calibration standard developed for calibrating flush diaphragm-mounted pressure transducers. Pressures up to 20 kPa (3 psi) accurately generated over frequency range of 50 to 1,800 Hz. System includes two conically shaped aluminum columns one 5 cm (2 in.) high for low pressures and another 11 cm (4.3 in.) high for higher pressures, each filled with viscous fluid. Each column mounted on armature of vibration exciter, which imparts sinusoidally varying acceleration to fluid column. Signal noise low, and waveform highly dependent on quality of drive signal in vibration exciter.

Standards for dielectric elastomer transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Carpi, Federico; Anderson, Iain; Bauer, Siegfried; Frediani, Gabriele; Gallone, Giuseppe; Gei, Massimiliano; Graaf, Christian; Jean-Mistral, Claire; Kaal, William; Kofod, Guggi; Kollosche, Matthias; Kornbluh, Roy; Lassen, Benny; Matysek, Marc; Michel, Silvain; Nowak, Stephan; O'Brien, Benjamin; Pei, Qibing; Pelrine, Ron; Rechenbach, Björn; Rosset, Samuel; Shea, Herbert

2015-10-01

Dielectric elastomer transducers consist of thin electrically insulating elastomeric membranes coated on both sides with compliant electrodes. They are a promising electromechanically active polymer technology that may be used for actuators, strain sensors, and electrical generators that harvest mechanical energy. The rapid development of this field calls for the first standards, collecting guidelines on how to assess and compare the performance of materials and devices. This paper addresses this need, presenting standardized methods for material characterisation, device testing and performance measurement. These proposed standards are intended to have a general scope and a broad applicability to different material types and device configurations. Nevertheless, they also intentionally exclude some aspects where knowledge and/or consensus in the literature were deemed to be insufficient. This is a sign of a young and vital field, whose research development is expected to benefit from this effort towards standardisation.

A parametric symmetry breaking transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Eichler, Alexander; Heugel, Toni L.; Leuch, Anina; Degen, Christian L.; Chitra, R.; Zilberberg, Oded

2018-06-01

Force detectors rely on resonators to transduce forces into a readable signal. Usually, these resonators operate in the linear regime and their signal appears amidst a competing background comprising thermal or quantum fluctuations as well as readout noise. Here, we demonstrate a parametric symmetry breaking transduction method that leads to a robust nonlinear force detection in the presence of noise. The force signal is encoded in the frequency at which the system jumps between two phase states which are inherently protected against phase noise. Consequently, the transduction effectively decouples from readout noise channels. For a controlled demonstration of the method, we experiment with a macroscopic doubly clamped string. Our method provides a promising paradigm for high-precision force detection.

Implanted Blood-Pressure-Measuring Device

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Fischell, Robert E.

1988-01-01

Arterial pressure compared with ambient bodily-fluid pressure. Implanted apparatus, capable of measuring blood pressure of patient, includes differential-pressure transducer connected to pressure sensor positioned in major artery. Electrical signal is function of differential pressure between blood-pressure sensor and reference-pressure sensor transmitted through skin of patient to recorder or indicator.

Calculation of acoustic field based on laser-measured vibration velocities on ultrasonic transducer surface

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hu, Liang; Zhao, Nannan; Gao, Zhijian; Mao, Kai; Chen, Wenyu; Fu, Xin

2018-05-01

Determination of the distribution of a generated acoustic field is valuable for studying ultrasonic transducers, including providing the guidance for transducer design and the basis for analyzing their performance, etc. A method calculating the acoustic field based on laser-measured vibration velocities on the ultrasonic transducer surface is proposed in this paper. Without knowing the inner structure of the transducer, the acoustic field outside it can be calculated by solving the governing partial differential equation (PDE) of the field based on the specified boundary conditions (BCs). In our study, the BC on the transducer surface, i.e. the distribution of the vibration velocity on the surface, is accurately determined by laser scanning measurement of discrete points and follows a data fitting computation. In addition, to ensure the calculation accuracy for the whole field even in an inhomogeneous medium, a finite element method is used to solve the governing PDE based on the mixed BCs, including the discretely measured velocity data and other specified BCs. The method is firstly validated on numerical piezoelectric transducer models. The acoustic pressure distributions generated by a transducer operating in an homogeneous and inhomogeneous medium, respectively, are both calculated by the proposed method and compared with the results from other existing methods. Then, the method is further experimentally validated with two actual ultrasonic transducers used for flow measurement in our lab. The amplitude change of the output voltage signal from the receiver transducer due to changing the relative position of the two transducers is calculated by the proposed method and compared with the experimental data. This method can also provide the basis for complex multi-physical coupling computations where the effect of the acoustic field should be taken into account.

Miniature stress transducer has directional capability

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

San Miguel, A.; Silver, R. H.

1965-01-01

Miniature stress transducer uses a semiconductive piezoresistive element to detect stress only on specific axes. Measurement of internal mass stress is based on the compressive deformation of the transducer. The device is applicable to constant stress monitoring in building and dam structural parts.

21 CFR 882.1950 - Tremor transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Tremor transducer. 882.1950 Section 882.1950 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1950 Tremor transducer. (a...

21 CFR 882.1950 - Tremor transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Tremor transducer. 882.1950 Section 882.1950 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES NEUROLOGICAL DEVICES Neurological Diagnostic Devices § 882.1950 Tremor transducer. (a...

Hot foil transducer skin friction sensor

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Vranas, T. (Inventor)

1982-01-01

The device utilizes foil transducers with only one edge exposed to the fluid flow. The surfaces are polished producing a foil transducer that does not generate turbulence while sufficiently thick to carry the required electrical current for high temperature fluid flow. The assembly utilizes a precut layered metal sandwich with attached electrodes eliminating a need for welding and individual sensor calibration.

Piezoelectric and Electrostatic Polymeric Transducers for Acoustic Emission Detection.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-12-01

the fabrication of ultrasonic transducers for acoustic emission (A.E.) detection using polyvinylidene fluoride ( PVDF ) active elements. ii) the...characterization of PVDF transducers. The second report compared the sensitivity of PVDF transducers with polypropylene electrostatic transducer...detection using polyvinylidene 1uoride ( PVDF ) active elements. ii) the fabrication of electrostatic transducers using thin film of non-polar

Ultrasound transducer selection in clinical imaging practice.

PubMed

Szabo, Thomas L; Lewin, Peter A

2013-04-01

Many types of medical ultrasound transducers are used in clinical practice. They operate at different center frequencies, have different physical dimensions, footprints, and shapes, and provide different image formats. However, little information is available about which transducers are most appropriate for a given application, and the purpose of this article is to address this deficiency. Specifically, the relationship between the transducer, imaging format, and clinical applications is discussed, and systematic selection criteria that allow matching of transducers to specific clinical needs are presented. These criteria include access to and coverage of the region of interest, maximum scan depth, and coverage of essential diagnostic modes required to optimize a patient's diagnosis. Three comprehensive figures organize and summarize the imaging planes, scanning modes, and types of diagnostic transducers to facilitate their selection in clinical diagnosis.

Brain Pressure Monitoring

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

1977-01-01

A transducer originally used to measure air pressure in aircraft wind tunnel tests is the basis for a development important in diagnosis and treatment of certain types of brain damage. A totally implantable device, tbe intracranial pressure monitor measures and reports brain pressure by telemetry.

Laboratory Connections. Gas Monitoring Transducers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Powers, Michael H.

1988-01-01

Discusses three types of sensors; pressure, gas detection, and relative humidity. Explains their use for laboratory measurements of gas pressure and detection of specific gaseous species. Shows diagrams of devices and circuits along with examples and applications including microcomputer interfacing. (RT)

Airborne ultrasonic transducer using polymer-based elastomer with high output-to-weight ratio

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wu, Jiang; Mizuno, Yosuke; Tabaru, Marie; Nakamura, Kentaro

2015-08-01

With the properties of low density, low elastic modulus, and low mechanical loss, poly(phenylene sulfide) (PPS) is a suitable material as the elastomer in an airborne ultrasonic transducer for generating large vibration velocity. In this study, we design and fabricate a transducer composed of a PPS-based longitudinal vibrator and a PPS-based disk of 0.3 mm thickness to obtain high-intensity ultrasound. The rated sound pressure at a distance of 300 mm reached 38.9 Pa (125 dB, 0 dB re. 0.02 mPa) when the frequency and voltage were 58.90 kHz and 20 V. The weight of this transducer is 6.3 g. The ratio of the sound pressure to the weight of the prototype transducer is 1.8 times larger than that of the commercial transducer. The experimental results indicate that PPS is a good substitute for metal as the elastomer for manufacturing airborne ultrasonic transducers with a high output-to-weight ratio.

Dynamic Modelling of Embeddable Piezoceramic Transducers

PubMed Central

Li, Xu; Li, Hongnan; Wang, Zhijie; Song, Gangbing

2017-01-01

Embedded Lead Zirconate Titanate (PZT) transducers have been widely used in research related to monitoring the health status of concrete structures. This paper presents a dynamic model of an embeddable PZT transducer with a waterproof layer and a protecting layer. The proposed model is verified by finite-element method (FEM). Based on the proposed model, the factors influencing the dynamic property of the embeddable PZT transducers, which include the material and thickness of the protecting layer, the material and thickness of the waterproof layer, and the thickness of the PZT, are analyzed. These analyses are further validated by a series of dynamic stress transfer experiments on embeddable PZT transducers. The results show that the excitation frequency can significantly affect the stress transfer of the PZT transducer in terms of both amplitude and signal phase. The natural frequency in the poling direction for the PZT transducer is affected by the material properties and the thickness of the waterproof and protecting layers. The studies in this paper will provide a scientific basis to design embeddable PZT transducers with special functions. PMID:29206150

Design and some practical applications of ultrasonic transducers with axicon lenses

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Katchadjian, P.; Desimone, C.; Garcia, A.

2013-01-01

In this paper the applications, detailed in previous papers, referred to ultrasonic transducers with the addition of axicon lenses are extended. Axicon lenses, both contact and immersion, for normal and angular incidence were manufactured, in order to study defectology in welds and other components. For immersion transducers, as had already been made for contact transducers, signal amplitude in function of the depth of the reflector and transverse acoustic pressure at the focus were measured. For this purpose a small metallic sphere submerged in different fluids was used. Several practical applications are shown where it is possible to exploit the advantages that these transducers offer: high resolution measurements for corrosion, laminations and thickness reduction. Discrimination between a weld root and a defect very close to it, etc. Measurements in anisotropic materials (composites) in order to achieve an SNR improvement.

Intravascular forward-looking ultrasound transducers for microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis.

PubMed

Kim, Jinwook; Lindsey, Brooks D; Chang, Wei-Yi; Dai, Xuming; Stavas, Joseph M; Dayton, Paul A; Jiang, Xiaoning

2017-06-14

Effective removal or dissolution of large blood clots remains a challenge in clinical treatment of acute thrombo-occlusive diseases. Here we report the development of an intravascular microbubble-mediated sonothrombolysis device for improving thrombolytic rate and thus minimizing the required dose of thrombolytic drugs. We hypothesize that a sub-megahertz, forward-looking ultrasound transducer with an integrated microbubble injection tube is more advantageous for efficient thrombolysis by enhancing cavitation-induced microstreaming than the conventional high-frequency, side-looking, catheter-mounted transducers. We developed custom miniaturized transducers and demonstrated that these transducers are able to generate sufficient pressure to induce cavitation of lipid-shelled microbubble contrast agents. Our technology demonstrates a thrombolysis rate of 0.7 ± 0.15 percent mass loss/min in vitro without any use of thrombolytic drugs.

Non-destructive evaluation method employing dielectric electrostatic ultrasonic transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Yost, William T. (Inventor); Cantrell, Jr., John H. (Inventor)

2003-01-01

An acoustic nonlinearity parameter (.beta.) measurement method and system for Non-Destructive Evaluation (NDE) of materials and structural members novelly employs a loosely mounted dielectric electrostatic ultrasonic transducer (DEUT) to receive and convert ultrasonic energy into an electrical signal which can be analyzed to determine the .beta. of the test material. The dielectric material is ferroelectric with a high dielectric constant .di-elect cons.. A computer-controlled measurement system coupled to the DEUT contains an excitation signal generator section and a measurement and analysis section. As a result, the DEUT measures the absolute particle displacement amplitudes in test material, leading to derivation of the nonlinearity parameter (.beta.) without the costly, low field reliability methods of the prior art.

A KLM-circuit model of a multi-layer transducer for acoustic bladder volume measurements.

PubMed

Merks, E J W; Borsboom, J M G; Bom, N; van der Steen, A F W; de Jong, N

2006-12-22

In a preceding study a new technique to non-invasively measure the bladder volume on the basis of non-linear wave propagation was validated. It was shown that the harmonic level generated at the posterior bladder wall increases for larger bladder volumes. A dedicated transducer is needed to further verify and implement this approach. This transducer must be capable of both transmission of high-pressure waves at fundamental frequency and reception of up to the third harmonic. For this purpose, a multi-layer transducer was constructed using a single element PZT transducer for transmission and a PVDF top-layer for reception. To determine feasibility of the multi-layer concept for bladder volume measurements, and to ensure optimal performance, an equivalent mathematical model on the basis of KLM-circuit modeling was generated. This model was obtained in two subsequent steps. Firstly, the PZT transducer was modeled without PVDF-layer attached by means of matching the model with the measured electrical input impedance. It was validated using pulse-echo measurements. Secondly, the model was extended with the PVDF-layer. The total model was validated by considering the PVDF-layer as a hydrophone on the PZT transducer surface and comparing the measured and simulated PVDF responses on a wave transmitted by the PZT transducer. The obtained results indicated that a valid model for the multi-layer transducer was constructed. The model showed feasibility of the multi-layer concept for bladder volume measurements. It also allowed for further optimization with respect to electrical matching and transmit waveform. Additionally, the model demonstrated the effect of mechanical loading of the PVDF-layer on the PZT transducer.

Hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Xu, Tian-Bing (Inventor); Jiang, Xiaoning (Inventor); Su, Ji (Inventor); Rehrig, Paul W. (Inventor); Hackenberger, Wesley S. (Inventor)

2008-01-01

A hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system includes: (a) first and second symmetric, pre-curved piezoelectric elements mounted separately on a frame so that their concave major surfaces are positioned opposite to each other; and (b) a linear piezoelectric element mounted separately on the frame and positioned between the pre-curved piezoelectric elements. The pre-curved piezoelectric elements and the linear piezoelectric element are spaced from one another and communicate with energy harvesting circuitry having contact points on the frame. The hybrid piezoelectric energy harvesting transducer system has a higher electromechanical energy conversion efficiency than any known piezoelectric transducer.

High frequency magnetostrictive transducers for waveguide applications

SciTech Connect

Daw, Joshua Earl; Taylor, Steven Cheney; Rempe, Joy Lynn

A high frequency magnetostrictive transducer includes a magnetostrictive rod or wire inserted co-axially into a driving coil, wherein the driving coil includes a coil arrangement with a plurality of small coil segments along the magnetostrictive rod or wire; wherein frequency operation of the high frequency magnetostrictive transducer is controlled by a length of the small coil segments and a material type of the magnetostrictive rod or wire. This design of the high frequency magnetostrictive transducer retains the beneficial aspects of the magnetostrictive design, while reducing its primary drawback, lower frequency operation.

Measuring unsteady pressure on rotating compressor blades

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Englund, D. R.; Grant, H. P.; Lanati, G. A.

1979-01-01

Miniature semiconductor strain gage pressure transducers mounted in several arrangements were studied. Both surface mountings and recessed flush mountings were tested. Test parameters included mounting arrangement, blade material, temperature, local strain in the acceleration normal to the transducer diaphragm, centripetal acceleration, and pressure. Test results show no failures of transducers or mountings and indicate an uncertainty of unsteady pressure measurement of approximately + or - 6 percent + 0.1 kPa for a typical application. Two configurations were used on a rotating fan flutter program. Examples of transducer data and correction factors are presented.

Dual-frequency super harmonic imaging piezoelectric transducers for transrectal ultrasound

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kim, Jinwook; Li, Sibo; Kasoji, Sandeep; Dayton, Paul A.; Jiang, Xiaoning

2015-03-01

In this paper, a 2/14 MHz dual-frequency single-element transducer and a 2/22 MHz sub-array (16/48-elements linear array) transducer were developed for contrast enhanced super-harmonic ultrasound imaging of prostate cancer with the low frequency ultrasound transducer as a transmitter for contrast agent (microbubble) excitation and the high frequency transducer as a receiver for detection of nonlinear responses from microbubbles. The 1-3 piezoelectric composite was used as active materials of the single-element transducers due to its low acoustic impedance and high coupling factor. A high dielectric constant PZT ceramic was used for the sub-array transducer due to its high dielectric property induced relatively low electrical impedance. The possible resonance modes of the active elements were estimated using finite element analysis (FEA). The pulse-echo response, peak-negative pressure and bubble response were tested, followed by in vitro contrast imaging tests using a graphite-gelatin tissue-mimicking phantom. The single-element dual frequency transducer (8 × 4 × 2 mm3) showed a -6 dB fractional bandwidth of 56.5% for the transmitter, and 41.8% for the receiver. A 2 MHz-transmitter (730 μm pitch and 6.5 mm elevation aperture) and a 22 MHz-receiver (240 μm pitch and 1.5 mm aperture) of the sub-array transducer exhibited -6 dB fractional bandwidth of 51.0% and 40.2%, respectively. The peak negative pressure at the far field was about -1.3 MPa with 200 Vpp, 1-cycle 2 MHz burst, which is high enough to excite microbubbles for nonlinear responses. The 7th harmonic responses from micro bubbles were successfully detected in the phantom imaging test showing a contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) of 16 dB.

Radio-frequency plasma transducer for use in harsh environments.

PubMed

May, Andrew; Andarawis, Emad

2007-10-01

We describe a compact transducer used to generate and modulate low-intensity radio-frequency atmospheric pressure plasma (RF-APP) for high temperature gap measurement and generation of air-coupled ultrasound. The new transducer consists of a quarter-wave transmission line where the ground return path is a coaxial solenoid winding. The RF-APP is initiated at the open end of the transmission line and stabilized by passive negative feedback between the electrical impedance of the plasma and the energy stored in the solenoid. The electrical impedance of the plasma was measured at the lower-voltage source end of the transducer, eliminating the need to measure kilovolt-level voltages near the discharge. We describe the use of a 7 MHz RF-APP prototype as a harsh-environment clearance sensor to demonstrate the suitability of plasma discharges for a common nondestructive inspection application. Clearance measurements of 0-5 mm were performed on a rotating calibration target with a measurement precision of 0.1 mm and a 20 kHz sampling rate.

Development of an inherently digital transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Richard, R. R.

1972-01-01

The term digital transducer normally implies the combination of conventional analog sensors with encoders or analog-to-digital converters. Because of the objectionable characteristics of most digital transducers, a program was instituted to investigate the possibility of producing a transducer that is inherently digital, instead of a transducer that is digital in the usual sense. Such a device would have improved accuracy and reliability and would have reduced power and bulk requirements because two processes, sensing and conditioning, would be combined into one processes. A Curie-point-temperature sensor is described that represents realization of the stated goal. Also, a metal-insulator semiconductor is described that does not conform precisely to the program goals but that appears to have applications as a new and interesting transduction device.

Signal conditioner for potentiometer type transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Armentrout, E. C.; Gross, E.

1973-01-01

Low cost method is described for signal conditioning of pot-type transducers utilizing printed circuitry. Conditioner fits into standard rack, accommodates 56 channels, and can be operated by one attendant.

A sonic transducer to detect fluid leaks

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Cimerman, I.; Janus, J.

1972-01-01

Ultrasonic detector utilizes set of contact transducers and bandpass filters to detect and analyze sonic energy produced by flow or leakage. Detector covers wide frequency range and is operable at cryogenic temperatures and in vacuum.

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program FY 80.

DTIC Science & Technology

1980-04-01

transducers has shown that tricresvl Dhosvhate has 2 promise for use where a careful selection of rubber is possible. See Section 2.3. * Information...impedance and are frequently incompatible with the various plastics and rubbers in the transducer. Further research is necessary to find and qualify fill...have excellent or good compatibility with Viton, butyl, chlorobutyl, silicone, and EPDM elastomers. TCP shows marginal compatibility with natural

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP)

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-01-01

Fair *[51] EPDM NORDOL 1370 - Poor *[511 NATURAL 1155- Poor *[51] NITRILE 6100 - Good *[51] VITON CTBN (BF635075) - Poor *[511 CORK- RUBBER ... aging problems have been found. A report entitled "Reliability and Service Life Concepts for Sonar Transducer Applications" has been completed. - A draft...or aging problems have been found. See Section 9. * A report entitled "Reliability and Service Life Concepts for Sonar Transducer Applications" has

Ultrasonic transducer for extreme temperature environments

DOEpatents

Light, Glenn M.; Cervantes, Richard A.; Alcazar, David G.

1993-03-23

An ultrasonic piezoelectric transducer that is operable in very high and very low temperatures. The transducer has a dual housing structure that isolates the expansion and contraction of the piezoelectric element from the expansion and contraction of the housing. Also, the internal components are made from materials having similar coefficients of expansion so that they do not interfere with the motion of the piezoelectric element.

A transducer for bottom-scattering measurements

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Tims, A. C.; Henriquez, T. A.; Williams, J. G.

1985-12-01

An omnidirectional 25-kHz transducer has been designed for use in bottom-scattering measurements. The transducer can be used either as a projector or, when fitted with a preamplifier, as a hydrophone. The requirements for the design are presented and solved with mathematical modeling and analysis. A comparison between theory and measured performance is given. The design of a low-noise preamplifier with integrated circuits is described.

Investigation of focused and unfocused transducer beam patterns in moderately nonlinear absorbing media

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kharin, Nikolay A.

2001-05-01

The novel solution of the KZK equation for acoustic pressure of the second harmonic in slightly focused beam of a circular transducer was obtained in a closed form for moderately nonlinear absorbing media (Gol'dberg numbers ~ 1). The solution is based on the method of slowly changing wave profile in combination with the method of successive approximations. Two pairs of transducers (Valpey-Fisher Corp.) Were compared to investigate the influence of focusing on the applicability of the moderate nonlinearity approach. The first pair was of 0.25' diameter and the second was of 0.5' diameter. Both pairs has one transducer with flat surface and the other geometrically focused at 4'. The central frequency for all transducers was 5 MHz. Measurements were undertaken in the blood-mimicking solution of water and glycerine. The results demonstrated that for slightly focused transducers with circular apertures, the moderate nonlinearity approach is still valid, as it was proved for flat sources with the same source level, despite the higher pressures in the focal region. The peak pressure for the weakly focused system occurs at a shorter range than focal length.

Successful implantation of an abdominal aortic blood pressure transducer and radio-telemetry transmitter in guinea pigs - Anaesthesia, analgesic management and surgical methods, and their influence on hemodynamic parameters and body temperature.

PubMed

Schmitz, Sabrina; Henke, Julia; Tacke, Sabine; Guth, Brian

2016-01-01

Guinea pigs (GPs) are a valuable cardiovascular pharmacology model. Implantation of a radio-telemetry system into GPs is, however, challenging and has been associated with a high failure rate in the past. We provide information on a novel procedure for implanting telemetry devices into GPs and we have measured the hemodynamics (arterial blood pressure, BP and heart rate, HR) and core body temperature (BT) in the 24h after surgery. Male Hartley GPs (Crl:HA, 350-400g, 6.5weeks, n=16) were implanted with a radio transmitter abdominally and were then monitored continuously (HR, BP and BT) for 24h after surgery. 13 of 16 GPs (81%) survived the surgery. Surgery duration was 94min (min) (range: 76-112min) and anaesthesia duration was 131min (range: 107-158min). GPs lost body weight until 2days after surgery and then regained weight. Mean arterial BP increased from 33.7mmHg directly after surgery to 59.1mmHg after 24h. HR increased from 206bpm directly after surgery to 286bpm at 8h and fell to 251bpm at 24h after implantation. BT was 36°C directly after surgery, fell to 35.4°C until regaining of the righting reflex and then stabilized at 38.5°C after 24h. A high survival rate in telemetered GPs is possible. We achieved this through a procedure with minimal stress through habituation and planning, continuous warming during anaesthesia, an optimal anaesthetic and analgesic management, efficient surgical techniques and vitamin C supplementation. Copyright © 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Absolute photon-flux measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Samson, J. A. R.; Haddad, G. N.

1974-01-01

Absolute photon-flux measurements in the vacuum ultraviolet have extended to short wavelengths by use of rare-gas ionization chambers. The technique involves the measurement of the ion current as a function of the gas pressure in the ion chamber. The true value of the ion current, and hence the absolute photon flux, is obtained by extrapolating the ion current to zero gas pressure. Examples are given at 162 and 266 A. The short-wavelength limit is determined only by the sensitivity of the current-measuring apparatus and by present knowledge of the photoionization processes that occur in the rate gases.

Research on pressure sensors for biomedical instruments

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angell, J. B.

1975-01-01

The development of a piezo-resistive pressure transducer is discussed suitable for recording pressures typically encountered in biomedical applications. The pressure transducer consists of a thin silicon diaphragm containing four strain-sensitive resistors, and is fabricated using silicon monolithic integrated-circuit technology. The pressure transducers can be as small as 0.7 mm outer diameter, and are, as a result, suitable for mounting at the tip of a catheter. Pressure-induced stress in the diaphragm is sensed by the resistors, which are interconnected to form a Wheatstone bridge.

Energetic balance in an ultrasonic reactor using focused or flat high frequency transducers.

PubMed

Hallez, L; Touyeras, F; Hihn, J Y; Klima, J

2007-09-01

In order to undertake irradiation of polymer blocks or films by ultrasound, this paper deals with the measurements of ultrasonic power and its distribution within the cell by several methods. The electric power measured at the transducer input is compared to the ultrasonic power input to the cell evaluated by calorimetry and radiation force measurement for different generator settings. Results obtained in the specific case of new transducer types (composites and focused composites i.e., HIFU: high intensity focused ultrasound) provide an opportunity to conduct a discussion about measurement methods. It has thus been confirmed that these measurement techniques can be applied to HIFU transducers. For all cases, results underlined the fact that measurement of radiation pressure for power evaluation is more adapted to low powers (<15 W) and that measurement by calorimetry is a valid technique for global energy measurements. Composites and monocomponent transducers were compared and it appears that the presence of an adaptation glass plate reduces the efficiency of the monocomponent transducers. The distribution of ultrasonic intensity is qualitatively depicted by sono-chemiluminescence of luminol. Finally, the quantity of energy absorbed by samples placed in the sound field is determined and the temperature distribution monitored as a function of wall distance. This energetic balance allows us to understand the global behaviour of all experimental set-ups made up of a generator-transducer-liquid and sample.

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2014-04-01 2014-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2013-04-01 2013-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

21 CFR 870.2860 - Heart sound transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2012-04-01 2012-04-01 false Heart sound transducer. 870.2860 Section 870.2860...) MEDICAL DEVICES CARDIOVASCULAR DEVICES Cardiovascular Monitoring Devices § 870.2860 Heart sound transducer. (a) Identification. A heart sound transducer is an external transducer that exhibits a change in...

Relativistic Absolutism in Moral Education.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Vogt, W. Paul

1982-01-01

Discusses Emile Durkheim's "Moral Education: A Study in the Theory and Application of the Sociology of Education," which holds that morally healthy societies may vary in culture and organization but must possess absolute rules of moral behavior. Compares this moral theory with current theory and practice of American educators. (MJL)

In vivo fascicle length measurements via B-mode ultrasound imaging with single vs dual transducer arrangements.

PubMed

Brennan, Scott F; Cresswell, Andrew G; Farris, Dominic J; Lichtwark, Glen A

2017-11-07

Ultrasonography is a useful technique to study muscle contractions in vivo, however larger muscles like vastus lateralis may be difficult to visualise with smaller, commonly used transducers. Fascicle length is often estimated using linear trigonometry to extrapolate fascicle length to regions where the fascicle is not visible. However, this approach has not been compared to measurements made with a larger field of view for dynamic muscle contractions. Here we compared two different single-transducer extrapolation methods to measure VL muscle fascicle length to a direct measurement made using two synchronised, in-series transducers. The first method used pennation angle and muscle thickness to extrapolate fascicle length outside the image (extrapolate method). The second method determined fascicle length based on the extrapolated intercept between a fascicle and the aponeurosis (intercept method). Nine participants performed maximal effort, isometric, knee extension contractions on a dynamometer at 10° increments from 50 to 100° of knee flexion. Fascicle length and torque were simultaneously recorded for offline analysis. The dual transducer method showed similar patterns of fascicle length change (overall mean coefficient of multiple correlation was 0.76 and 0.71 compared to extrapolate and intercept methods respectively), but reached different absolute lengths during the contractions. This had the effect of producing force-length curves of the same shape, but each curve was shifted in terms of absolute length. We concluded that dual transducers are beneficial for studies that examine absolute fascicle lengths, whereas either of the single transducer methods may produce similar results for normalised length changes, and repeated measures experimental designs. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Focused ultrasound transducer spatial peak intensity estimation: a comparison of methods

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Civale, John; Rivens, Ian; Shaw, Adam; ter Haar, Gail

2018-03-01

Characterisation of the spatial peak intensity at the focus of high intensity focused ultrasound transducers is difficult because of the risk of damage to hydrophone sensors at the high focal pressures generated. Hill et al (1994 Ultrasound Med. Biol. 20 259-69) provided a simple equation for estimating spatial-peak intensity for solid spherical bowl transducers using measured acoustic power and focal beamwidth. This paper demonstrates theoretically and experimentally that this expression is only strictly valid for spherical bowl transducers without a central (imaging) aperture. A hole in the centre of the transducer results in over-estimation of the peak intensity. Improved strategies for determining focal peak intensity from a measurement of total acoustic power are proposed. Four methods are compared: (i) a solid spherical bowl approximation (after Hill et al 1994 Ultrasound Med. Biol. 20 259-69), (ii) a numerical method derived from theory, (iii) a method using measured sidelobe to focal peak pressure ratio, and (iv) a method for measuring the focal power fraction (FPF) experimentally. Spatial-peak intensities were estimated for 8 transducers at three drive powers levels: low (approximately 1 W), moderate (~10 W) and high (20-70 W). The calculated intensities were compared with those derived from focal peak pressure measurements made using a calibrated hydrophone. The FPF measurement method was found to provide focal peak intensity estimates that agreed most closely (within 15%) with the hydrophone measurements, followed by the pressure ratio method (within 20%). The numerical method was found to consistently over-estimate focal peak intensity (+40% on average), however, for transducers with a central hole it was more accurate than using the solid bowl assumption (+70% over-estimation). In conclusion, the ability to make use of an automated beam plotting system, and a hydrophone with good spatial resolution, greatly facilitates characterisation of the FPF, and

Design of HIFU Transducers to Generate Specific Nonlinear Ultrasound Fields

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Khokhlova, Vera A.; Yuldashev, Petr V.; Rosnitskiy, Pavel B.; Maxwell, Adam D.; Kreider, Wayne; Bailey, Michael R.; Sapozhnikov, Oleg A.

Various clinical applications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have different requirements on the pressure level and degree of nonlinear waveform distortion at the focus. Applications that utilize nonlinear waves with developed shocks are of growing interest, for example, for mechanical disintegration as well as for accelerated thermal ablation oftissue. In this work, an inverse problem of determining transducer parameters to enable formation of shockswith desired amplitude at the focus is solved. The solution was obtained by performing multipledirect simulations of the parabolic Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation for various parameters of the source. It is shown that results obtained within the parabolic approximation can be used to describe the focal region of single element spherical sourcesas well as complex transducer arrays. It is also demonstrated that the focal pressure level at which fully developed shocksare formed mainly depends on the focusing angle of the source and only slightly depends on its aperture and operating frequency. Using the simulation results, a 256-element HIFU array operating at 1.5 MHz frequency was designed for a specific application of boiling-histotripsy that relies on the presence of 90-100 MPa shocks at the focus. The size of the array elements and focusing angle of the array were chosen to satisfy technical limitations on the intensity at the array elements and desired shock amplitudes in the focal waveform. Focus steering capabilities of the array were analysed using an open-source T-Array software developed at Moscow State University.

High Temperature, High Power Piezoelectric Composite Transducers

PubMed Central

Lee, Hyeong Jae; Zhang, Shujun; Bar-Cohen, Yoseph; Sherrit, StewarT.

2014-01-01

Piezoelectric composites are a class of functional materials consisting of piezoelectric active materials and non-piezoelectric passive polymers, mechanically attached together to form different connectivities. These composites have several advantages compared to conventional piezoelectric ceramics and polymers, including improved electromechanical properties, mechanical flexibility and the ability to tailor properties by using several different connectivity patterns. These advantages have led to the improvement of overall transducer performance, such as transducer sensitivity and bandwidth, resulting in rapid implementation of piezoelectric composites in medical imaging ultrasounds and other acoustic transducers. Recently, new piezoelectric composite transducers have been developed with optimized composite components that have improved thermal stability and mechanical quality factors, making them promising candidates for high temperature, high power transducer applications, such as therapeutic ultrasound, high power ultrasonic wirebonding, high temperature non-destructive testing, and downhole energy harvesting. This paper will present recent developments of piezoelectric composite technology for high temperature and high power applications. The concerns and limitations of using piezoelectric composites will also be discussed, and the expected future research directions will be outlined. PMID:25111242

Advanced Bode Plot Techniques for Ultrasonic Transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

DeAngelis, D. A.; Schulze, G. W.

The Bode plot, displayed as either impedance or admittance versus frequency, is the most basic test used by ultrasonic transducer designers. With simplicity and ease-of-use, Bode plots are ideal for baseline comparisons such as spacing of parasitic modes or impedance, but quite often the subtleties that manifest as poor process control are hard to interpret or are nonexistence. In-process testing of transducers is time consuming for quantifying statistical aberrations, and assessments made indirectly via the workpiece are difficult. This research investigates the use of advanced Bode plot techniques to compare ultrasonic transducers with known "good" and known "bad" process performance, with the goal of a-priori process assessment. These advanced techniques expand from the basic constant voltage versus frequency sweep to include constant current and constant velocity interrogated locally on transducer or tool; they also include up and down directional frequency sweeps to quantify hysteresis effects like jumping and dropping phenomena. The investigation focuses solely on the common PZT8 piezoelectric material used with welding transducers for semiconductor wire bonding. Several metrics are investigated such as impedance, displacement/current gain, velocity/current gain, displacement/voltage gain and velocity/voltage gain. The experimental and theoretical research methods include Bode plots, admittance loops, laser vibrometry and coupled-field finite element analysis.

Acoustooptic pulse-echo transducer system

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Claus, R. O.; Wade, J. C.

1983-01-01

A pulse-echo transducer system which uses an ultrasonic generating element and an optical detection technique is described. The transmitting transducer consists of a concentric ring electrode pattern deposited on a circular, X-cut quartz substrate with a circular hole in the center. The rings are independently pulsed with a sequence high voltage signals phased in such a way that the ultrasonic waves generated by the separate rings superimpose to produce a composite field which is focused at a controllable distance below the surface of the specimen. The amplitude of the field reflected from this focus position is determined by the local reflection coefficient of the medium at the effective focal point. By processing the signals received for a range of ultrasonic transducer array focal lengths, the system can be used to locate and size anomalies within solids and liquids. Applications in both nondestructive evaluation and biomedical scanning are suggested.

Cryogenic High Pressure Sensor Module

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Chapman, John J. (Inventor); Shams, Qamar A. (Inventor); Powers, William T. (Inventor)

1999-01-01

A pressure sensor is provided for cryogenic, high pressure applications. A highly doped silicon piezoresistive pressure sensor is bonded to a silicon substrate in an absolute pressure sensing configuration. The absolute pressure sensor is bonded to an aluminum nitride substrate. Aluminum nitride has appropriate coefficient of thermal expansion for use with highly doped silicon at cryogenic temperatures. A group of sensors, either two sensors on two substrates or four sensors on a single substrate are packaged in a pressure vessel.

Physics of negative absolute temperatures.

PubMed

Abraham, Eitan; Penrose, Oliver

2017-01-01

Negative absolute temperatures were introduced into experimental physics by Purcell and Pound, who successfully applied this concept to nuclear spins; nevertheless, the concept has proved controversial: a recent article aroused considerable interest by its claim, based on a classical entropy formula (the "volume entropy") due to Gibbs, that negative temperatures violated basic principles of statistical thermodynamics. Here we give a thermodynamic analysis that confirms the negative-temperature interpretation of the Purcell-Pound experiments. We also examine the principal arguments that have been advanced against the negative temperature concept; we find that these arguments are not logically compelling, and moreover that the underlying "volume" entropy formula leads to predictions inconsistent with existing experimental results on nuclear spins. We conclude that, despite the counterarguments, negative absolute temperatures make good theoretical sense and did occur in the experiments designed to produce them.

The Absolute Spectrum Polarimeter (ASP)

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kogut, A. J.

2010-01-01

The Absolute Spectrum Polarimeter (ASP) is an Explorer-class mission to map the absolute intensity and linear polarization of the cosmic microwave background and diffuse astrophysical foregrounds over the full sky from 30 GHz to 5 THz. The principal science goal is the detection and characterization of linear polarization from an inflationary epoch in the early universe, with tensor-to-scalar ratio r much greater than 1O(raised to the power of { -3}) and Compton distortion y < 10 (raised to the power of{-6}). We describe the ASP instrument and mission architecture needed to detect the signature of an inflationary epoch in the early universe using only 4 semiconductor bolometers.

Absolute calibration of optical flats

DOEpatents

Sommargren, Gary E.

2005-04-05

The invention uses the phase shifting diffraction interferometer (PSDI) to provide a true point-by-point measurement of absolute flatness over the surface of optical flats. Beams exiting the fiber optics in a PSDI have perfect spherical wavefronts. The measurement beam is reflected from the optical flat and passed through an auxiliary optic to then be combined with the reference beam on a CCD. The combined beams include phase errors due to both the optic under test and the auxiliary optic. Standard phase extraction algorithms are used to calculate this combined phase error. The optical flat is then removed from the system and the measurement fiber is moved to recombine the two beams. The newly combined beams include only the phase errors due to the auxiliary optic. When the second phase measurement is subtracted from the first phase measurement, the absolute phase error of the optical flat is obtained.

Moral absolutism and ectopic pregnancy.

PubMed

Kaczor, C

2001-02-01

If one accepts a version of absolutism that excludes the intentional killing of any innocent human person from conception to natural death, ectopic pregnancy poses vexing difficulties. Given that the embryonic life almost certainly will die anyway, how can one retain one's moral principle and yet adequately respond to a situation that gravely threatens the life of the mother and her future fertility? The four options of treatment most often discussed in the literature are non-intervention, salpingectomy (removal of tube with embryo), salpingostomy (removal of embryo alone), and use of methotrexate (MXT). In this essay, I review these four options and introduce a fifth (the milking technique). In order to assess these options in terms of the absolutism mentioned, it will also be necessary to discuss various accounts of the intention/foresight distinction. I conclude that salpingectomy, salpingostomy, and the milking technique are compatible with absolutist presuppositions, but not the use of methotrexate.

Absolute gravity measurements in California

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zumberge, M. A.; Sasagawa, G.; Kappus, M.

1986-08-01

An absolute gravity meter that determines the local gravitational acceleration by timing a freely falling mass with a laser interferometer has been constructed. The instrument has made measurements at 11 sites in California, four in Nevada, and one in France. The uncertainty in the results is typically 10 microgal. Repeated measurements have been made at several of the sites; only one shows a substantial change in gravity.

Electrostatic Discharge Initiation Experiments using PVDF Pressure Transducers

DTIC Science & Technology

1991-12-01

ignition sensitivity. The results are discussed within the context of a preliminary model of electrostatic initiation. iii/iv NAVSWC TR 91-666 CONTENTS...Chapter Page 1 INTRODUCTION .......................................... 1-1 TWO PHASE IGNITION MODEL ....................... 1-1 SENSITIZING FACTORS...is necessary to establish effective techniques to reduce the hazards associated with ESD ignition. TWO-PHASE IGNITION MODEL A model has been proposed

Ceramic-to-metal bonding for pressure transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Mackenzie, J. D.

1984-01-01

A solid-state diffusion technique involving the placement of a gold foil between INCONEL X-750 and a machinable glass-ceramic "MACOR" was shown to be successful in bonding these two materials. This technique was selected after an exhaustive literature search on ceramic-metal bonding methods. Small expansion mismatch between the Inconel and the MACOR resulted in fracture of the MACOR when the bonded body was subjected to tensile stress of 535 psi. The bonded parts were submitted to a cyclic loading test in an air atmosphere at 1 Hz from 0 to 60 KPa. Failure was observed after 700,000 cycles at 650 C. Ceramic-Inconel bonding was not achieved with this method for boron nitride and silica glass.

Measuring Clogging with Pressure Transducers in Permeable Pavement Strips

EPA Science Inventory

Two issues that have a negative affect on the long term hydrologic performance of permeable pavement systems are surface clogging and clogging at the interface with the underlying soil. Surface clogging limits infiltration capacity and results in bypass if runoff rate exceeds in...

[Comparative study of unidirectional transducers for invasive blood pressure monitoring].

PubMed

Matzek, F; Boenick, U; Frucht, U; Schroeder, P M

1989-03-01

This paper reports on the results of a study in which the offset drift, sensitivity error and drift, as well as the linearity error of six DPT's were investigated under normal ambient conditions and varying conditions of temperature, light, operating time and variation of supply voltage. In addition, the dynamic response, and the influence of storage at extreme temperatures, and resterilisation, was examined. The electrical and mechanical safety/reliability of DPT's was also investigated. The results obtained are compared.

Cochlear transducer operating point adaptation.

PubMed

Zou, Yuan; Zheng, Jiefu; Ren, Tianying; Nuttall, Alfred

2006-04-01

The operating point (OP) of outer hair cell (OHC) mechanotransduction can be defined as any shift away from the center position on the transduction function. It is a dc offset that can be described by percentage of the maximum transduction current or as an equivalent dc pressure in the ear canal. The change of OP can be determined from the changes of the second and third harmonics of the cochlear microphonic (CM) following a calibration of its initial value. We found that the initial OP was dependent on sound level and cochlear sensitivity. From CM generated by a lower sound level at 74 dB SPL to avoid saturation and suppression of basal turn cochlear amplification, the OHC OP was at constant 57% of the maximum transduction current (an ear canal pressure of -0.1 Pa). To perturb the OP, a constant force was applied to the bony shell of the cochlea at the 18 kHz best frequency location using a blunt probe. The force applied over the scala tympani induced an OP change as if the organ of Corti moved toward the scala vestibuli (SV) direction. During an application of the constant force, the second harmonic of the CM partially recovered toward the initial level, which could be described by two time constants. Removing the force induced recovery of the second harmonic to its normal level described by a single time constant. The force applied over the SV caused an opposite result. These data indicate an active mechanism for OHC transduction OP.

Application of the coplanar principle to dynamic epidural pressure measurements.

PubMed

Beck, J; Schettini, A; Salton, R

1984-10-01

The application of the coplanar principle to dynamic epidural pressure measurements was investigated in vitro. The authors used a coplanar pressure-displacement transducer, commonly employed to measure the viscoelastic properties of brain tissue in vivo. The present studies were performed using canine dura and a specially constructed fluid-filled chamber. The accuracy of the technique was assessed by comparing the pressure in the chamber recorded by the coplanar transducer to the pressure measured by a transducer directly vented to the chamber. The results show that the coplanar principle remained valid for dynamic measurements with the transducer under a variety of conditions.

Ultrasonic transducer with laminated coupling wedge

DOEpatents

Karplus, Henry H. B.

1976-08-03

An ultrasonic transducer capable of use in a high-temperature environment incorporates a laminated metal coupling wedge including a reflecting edge shaped as a double sloping roof and a transducer crystal backed by a laminated metal sound absorber disposed so as to direct sound waves through the coupling wedge and into a work piece, reflections from the interface between the coupling wedge and the work piece passing to the reflecting edge. Preferably the angle of inclination of the two halves of the reflecting edge are different.

Transducer Modules for Dry-Coupled Ultrasonic Inspection of Aircraft Structures

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komsky, Igor N.

2004-02-01

Several types of transducer modules have been developed at Northwestern University to overcome the problems that are associated with the application of liquid or gel couplants. The modules deploy polymer films to transmit the ultrasound through a dry interface. These films are very flexible, so even with a low pressure they can be adapted to the irregular inspection surfaces. The dry-coupled transducer modules may be used for transmission and reception of both longitudinal and transverse ultrasonic waves in the MHz frequency range. The prototype modules have been integrated with the portable ultrasonic inspection units and tested on a number of aircraft structures.

Features calibration of the dynamic force transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Sc., M. Yu Prilepko D.; Lysenko, V. G.

2018-04-01

The article discusses calibration methods of dynamic forces measuring instruments. The relevance of work is dictated by need to valid definition of the dynamic forces transducers metrological characteristics taking into account their intended application. The aim of this work is choice justification of calibration method, which provides the definition dynamic forces transducers metrological characteristics under simulation operating conditions for determining suitability for using in accordance with its purpose. The following tasks are solved: the mathematical model and the main measurements equation of calibration dynamic forces transducers by load weight, the main budget uncertainty components of calibration are defined. The new method of dynamic forces transducers calibration with use the reference converter “force-deformation” based on the calibrated elastic element and measurement of his deformation by a laser interferometer is offered. The mathematical model and the main measurements equation of the offered method is constructed. It is shown that use of calibration method based on measurements by the laser interferometer of calibrated elastic element deformations allows to exclude or to considerably reduce the uncertainty budget components inherent to method of load weight.

Unified Technical Concepts. Module 10: Transducers.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Technical Education Research Center, Waco, TX.

This concept module on transducers is one of thirteen modules that provide a flexible, laboratory-based physics instructional package designed to meet the specialized needs of students in two-year, postsecondary technical schools. Each of the thirteen concept modules discusses a single physics concept and how it is applied to each energy system.…

Non-bonded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer

DOEpatents

Eoff, James M.

1985-01-01

A mechanically assembled non-bonded ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate, a piezoelectric film, a wetting agent, a thin metal electrode, and a lens held in intimate contact by a mechanical clamp. No epoxy or glue is used in the assembly of this device.

Myocardium wall thickness transducer and measuring method

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldstein, C.; Lewis, G. W.; Silver, R. H.; Culler, V. H. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A miniature transducer for measuring changes of thickness of the myocardium is described. The device is easily implantable without traumatizing the subject, without affecting the normal muscle behavior, and is removable and implantable at a different muscle location. Operating features of the device are described.

Electropneumatic transducer automatically limits motor current

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lovitt, T. F.

1966-01-01

Pneumatic controller regulates the load on a centrifugal freon compressor in a water cooling system, thus limiting the current input to an electric motor driving it. An electromechanical transducer monitoring the motor input current sends out air signals which indicate changes in the current to the pneumatic controller.

Transducer Joint for Kidney-Stone Ultrasonics

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Angulo, E. D.

1983-01-01

Ultrasonic therapy for kidney stones improved by new way of connecting wire-probe ultrasonic waveguide to transducer. Improved mounting allows joint to last long enough for effective treatment. Sheath and rubber dampers constrain lateral vibration of wire waveguide. Combination of V-shaped mounting groove, sheath, and rubber dampers increases life expectancy of wire 15 times or more.

Biomedical applications of a commercial capacitance transducer.

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1968-03-01

A capacitive displacement transducer with a linear response and constant sensitivity for a frequency range of 0-1,000 Hz is described. Its application to measurement of chest wall motions was verified using static displacements from flat and curved s...

Transducer-based evaluation of tremor

PubMed Central

Haubenberger, Dietrich; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Bain, Peter G; Bajaj, Nin; Benito-León, Julián; Bhatia, Kailash P; Deuschl, Günther; Forjaz, Maria João; Hallett, Mark; Louis, Elan D; Lyons, Kelly E; Mestre, Tiago A; Raethjen, Jan; Stamelou, Maria; Tan, Eng-King; Testa, Claudia M; Elble, Rodger J

2016-01-01

The Movement Disorder Society (MDS) established a task force on tremor that reviewed the use of transducer-based measures in the quantification and characterization of tremor. Studies of accelerometry, electromyography, activity monitoring, gyroscopy, digitizing tablet-based measures, vocal acoustic analysis, and several other transducer-based methods were identified by searching PubMed.gov. The availability, use, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reviewed for each measure using the following criteria: 1) used in the assessment of tremor, 2) used in published studies by people other than the developers, and 3) adequate clinimetric testing. Accelerometry, gyroscopy, electromyography, and digitizing tablet-based measures fulfilled all three criteria. Compared to rating scales, transducers are far more sensitive to changes in tremor amplitude and frequency, but they do not appear to be more capable of detecting a change that exceeds random variability in tremor amplitude (minimum detectable change). The use of transducer-based measures requires careful attention to their limitations and validity in a particular clinical or research setting. PMID:27273470

Transducer-based evaluation of tremor.

PubMed

Haubenberger, Dietrich; Abbruzzese, Giovanni; Bain, Peter G; Bajaj, Nin; Benito-León, Julián; Bhatia, Kailash P; Deuschl, Günther; Forjaz, Maria João; Hallett, Mark; Louis, Elan D; Lyons, Kelly E; Mestre, Tiago A; Raethjen, Jan; Stamelou, Maria; Tan, Eng-King; Testa, Claudia M; Elble, Rodger J

2016-09-01

The International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society established a task force on tremor that reviewed the use of transducer-based measures in the quantification and characterization of tremor. Studies of accelerometry, electromyography, activity monitoring, gyroscopy, digitizing tablet-based measures, vocal acoustic analysis, and several other transducer-based methods were identified by searching PubMed.gov. The availability, use, acceptability, reliability, validity, and responsiveness were reviewed for each measure using the following criteria: (1) used in the assessment of tremor; (2) used in published studies by people other than the developers; and (3) adequate clinimetric testing. Accelerometry, gyroscopy, electromyography, and digitizing tablet-based measures fulfilled all three criteria. Compared to rating scales, transducers are far more sensitive to changes in tremor amplitude and frequency, but they do not appear to be more capable of detecting a change that exceeds random variability in tremor amplitude (minimum detectable change). The use of transducer-based measures requires careful attention to their limitations and validity in a particular clinical or research setting. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Micromachined ultrasound transducers with improved coupling factors from a CMOS compatible process

PubMed

Eccardt; Niederer

2000-03-01

the BiCMOS process has been modified to meet the demands for ultrasound generation and reception. Bias and driving voltages have been reduced down to the 10 V range. The electromechanical coupling is now almost comparable with that for piezoelectric transducers. The measurements exhibit sound pressures and bandwidths that are at least comparable with those of conventional piezoelectric transducer arrays.

Absolute metrology for space interferometers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Salvadé, Yves; Courteville, Alain; Dändliker, René

2017-11-01

The crucial issue of space-based interferometers is the laser interferometric metrology systems to monitor with very high accuracy optical path differences. Although classical high-resolution laser interferometers using a single wavelength are well developed, this type of incremental interferometer has a severe drawback: any interruption of the interferometer signal results in the loss of the zero reference, which requires a new calibration, starting at zero optical path difference. We propose in this paper an absolute metrology system based on multiplewavelength interferometry.

Linear array transducer for high-power airborne ultrasound using flextensional structure

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yamamoto, Jun; Mizuno, Yosuke; Tabaru, Marie; Nakamura, Kentaro

2015-07-01

To change the direction of ultrasonic irradiation without moving a transducer, a high-power airborne ultrasonic transducer for a one-dimensional phased array system was designed and tested. A flextensional element transducer with higher-mode bending vibration was fabricated to obtain a high vibration amplitude over a wide aperture, where a phase-compensating stepped structure was employed. The width of the main lobe at half maximum and the sidelobe level were measured to be 14.3 deg and 0.78, respectively. The maximal sound pressure of 132 dB (0 dB re. 0.02 mPa) was obtained under the applied voltage of 4.0 V. The beam steering characteristics of a phased array using eight elements were compared with the simple theory.

Biasing of Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers.

PubMed

Caliano, Giosue; Matrone, Giulia; Savoia, Alessandro Stuart

2017-02-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) represent an effective alternative to piezoelectric transducers for medical ultrasound imaging applications. They are microelectromechanical devices fabricated using silicon micromachining techniques, developed in the last two decades in many laboratories. The interest for this novel transducer technology relies on its full compatibility with standard integrated circuit technology that makes it possible to integrate on the same chip the transducers and the electronics, thus enabling the realization of extremely low-cost and high-performance devices, including both 1-D or 2-D arrays. Being capacitive transducers, CMUTs require a high bias voltage to be properly operated in pulse-echo imaging applications. The typical bias supply residual ripple of high-quality high-voltage (HV) generators is in the millivolt range, which is comparable with the amplitude of the received echo signals, and it is particularly difficult to minimize. The aim of this paper is to analyze the classical CMUT biasing circuits, highlighting the features of each one, and to propose two novel HV generator architectures optimized for CMUT biasing applications. The first circuit proposed is an ultralow-residual ripple (<5 [Formula: see text]) HV generator that uses an extremely stable sinusoidal power oscillator topology. The second circuit employs a commercially available integrated step-up converter characterized by a particularly efficient switching topology. The circuit is used to bias the CMUT by charging a buffer capacitor synchronously with the pulsing sequence, thus reducing the impact of the switching noise on the received echo signals. The small area of the circuit (about 1.5 cm 2 ) makes it possible to generate the bias voltage inside the probe, very close to the CMUT, making the proposed solution attractive for portable applications. Measurements and experiments are shown to demonstrate the effectiveness of the new approaches

Material challenges for transducer designers in the 21st century

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Lindberg, Jan F.

2002-07-01

The modern U.S. Navy is rapidly evolving to meet the challenges of operating in the littorals. This focus changes the rules, especially to the designers of sonar systems that now need to aggressively engage quiet diesel electric submarine threats and neutralize sophisticated underwater mines. These new responsibilities dictate that new concepts be developed. To meet these new demands on the sonar system, transducer designers are being tasked to design transducers and to utilize new materials to address performance requirements that were never even imagined a decade ago. Sensor needs are no longer limited to pressure types but now have to sense velocity or acceleration. Sources are challenged to both frequency extent and power levels. The need to physically move sources off of submarines and surface combatants and onto vehicles with limited energy capabilities prompt the challenge of efficient bandwidth and high coupling. These are the needs of the 'next Navy'; the needs of the 'Navy after next' will present an even more demanding scenario. The future will demand revolutionary technology at the micro level with devices utilizing new power sources and new materials.

Final report on key comparison APMP.M.P-K3: Absolute pressure measurements in gas from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Yoshida, H.; Arai, K.; Akimichi, H.; Hong, S. S.; Song, H. W.

2011-01-01

The results of a key comparison of ultra-high vacuum standards at two national metrology institutes (NMIJ/AIST and KRISS) are reported. This bilateral comparison was carried out from May 2010 to October 2010 within the framework of the Asia-Pacific Metrology Programme (APMP) to determine their degrees of equivalence at pressures in the range from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-4 Pa. The pilot institute was NMIJ/AIST. Two spinning rotor gauges and two hot cathode ionization gauges were used as the transfer standards. NMIJ/AIST used two calibration systems: the dynamic expansion system (NMIJ-DES) and two-stage flow-dividing system (NMIJ-TFS). KRISS used the dynamic expansion system. The transfer standards were sufficiently stable to meet the requirements of the comparison compared with those of previous international comparisons owing to some improvements of the protocol and the transfer standards. The ultra-high vacuum standards of NMIJ/AIST and KRISS were found to be equivalent within their claimed uncertainties in the range from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-5 Pa. The NMIJ-DES results, which have smaller uncertainty than NMIJ-TFS, were transferred to the corresponding CCM key comparison, CCM.P-K3, in the range from 3 × 10-6 Pa to 9 × 10-5 Pa and it is shown that the NMIJ values were equivalent to the CCM key comparison reference value within the claimed uncertainties. Main text. To reach the main text of this paper, click on Final Report. Note that this text is that which appears in Appendix B of the BIPM key comparison database kcdb.bipm.org/. The final report has been peer-reviewed and approved for publication by the CCM, according to the provisions of the CIPM Mutual Recognition Arrangement (MRA).

Multiharmonic Frequency-Chirped Transducers for Surface-Acoustic-Wave Optomechanics

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Weiß, Matthias; Hörner, Andreas L.; Zallo, Eugenio; Atkinson, Paola; Rastelli, Armando; Schmidt, Oliver G.; Wixforth, Achim; Krenner, Hubert J.

2018-01-01

Wide-passband interdigital transducers are employed to establish a stable phase lock between a train of laser pulses emitted by a mode-locked laser and a surface acoustic wave generated electrically by the transducer. The transducer design is based on a multiharmonic split-finger architecture for the excitation of a fundamental surface acoustic wave and a discrete number of its overtones. Simply by introducing a variation of the transducer's periodicity p , a frequency chirp is added. This combination results in wide frequency bands for each harmonic. The transducer's conversion efficiency from the electrical to the acoustic domain is characterized optomechanically using single quantum dots acting as nanoscale pressure sensors. The ability to generate surface acoustic waves over a wide band of frequencies enables advanced acousto-optic spectroscopy using mode-locked lasers with fixed repetition rate. Stable phase locking between the electrically generated acoustic wave and the train of laser pulses is confirmed by performing stroboscopic spectroscopy on a single quantum dot at a frequency of 320 MHz. Finally, the dynamic spectral modulation of the quantum dot is directly monitored in the time domain combining stable phase-locked optical excitation and time-correlated single-photon counting. The demonstrated scheme will be particularly useful for the experimental implementation of surface-acoustic-wave-driven quantum gates of optically addressable qubits or collective quantum states or for multicomponent Fourier synthesis of tailored nanomechanical waveforms.

Acoustic field of a wedge-shaped section of a spherical cap transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ketterling, Jeffrey A.

2003-12-01

The acoustic pressure field at an arbitrary point in space is derived for a wedge-shaped section of a spherical cap transducer using the spatial impulse response (SIR) method. For a spherical surface centered at the origin, a wedge shape is created by taking cuts in the X-Y and X-Z planes and removing the smallest surface component. Analytic expressions are derived for the SIR based on spatial location. The expressions utilize the SIR solutions for a spherical cap transducer [Arditi et al., Ultrason. Imaging 3, 37-61 (1981)] with additional terms added to account for the reduced surface area of the wedge. Results from the numerical model are compared to experimental measurements from a wedge transducer with an 8-cm outer diameter and 9-cm geometric focus. The experimental and theoretical -3-dB beamwidths agreed to within 10%+/-5%. The SIR model for a wedge-shaped transducer is easily extended to other spherically curved transducer geometries that consist of combinations of wedge sections and spherical caps.

Acoustic field of a wedge-shaped section of a spherical cap transducer.

PubMed

Ketterling, Jeffrey A

2003-12-01

The acoustic pressure field at an arbitrary point in space is derived for a wedge-shaped section of a spherical cap transducer using the spatial impulse response (SIR) method. For a spherical surface centered at the origin, a wedge shape is created by taking cuts in the X-Y and X-Z planes and removing the smallest surface component. Analytic expressions are derived for the SIR based on spatial location. The expressions utilize the SIR solutions for a spherical cap transducer [Arditi et al., Ultrason. Imaging 3, 37-61 (1981)] with additional terms added to account for the reduced surface area of the wedge. Results from the numerical model are compared to experimental measurements from a wedge transducer with an 8-cm outer diameter and 9-cm geometric focus. The experimental and theoretical -3-dB beamwidths agreed to within 10% +/- 5%. The SIR model for a wedge-shaped transducer is easily extended to other spherically curved transducer geometries that consist of combinations of wedge sections and spherical caps.

External pressure measurement system

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Chandler, Jon K.; Fowler, Don P.

Hydraulic systems comprise an important part of jet aircraft and their pressure needs must be checked constantly. Tests of the prototype external pressure measurement system show that it is possible to accurately convert the small expansion of tubing with pressure into a direct pressure reading without inserting a pressure gage into the piping system. The tool described in the paper is a clamp-on displacement transducer that can read pressure directly in PSI from 0 to 5000. Some limitations concerning temperature and accuracy should be remedied by additional design work. The system promises to streamline troubleshooting of all types of piping systems.

Transducer technology transfer to bio-engineering applications. [aerospace stress transducer for heart function analysis

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Duran, E. N.; Lewis, G. W.; Feldstein, C.; Corday, E.; Meerbaum, S.; Lang, T.

1973-01-01

The results of a technology transfer of a miniature unidirectional stress transducer, developed for experimental stress analysis in the aerospace field, to applications in bioengineering are reported. By modification of the basic design and innovations in attachment techniques, the transducer was successfully used in vivo on the myocardium of large dogs to record the change in contractile force due to coronary occlusion, reperfusion, and intervention.

Review of Chest Deflection Measurement Techniques and Transducers

DOT National Transportation Integrated Search

1978-06-01

A summary is presented of measurement techniques and transducers that have been used, or are presently available and exhibit potential for use in the measurement of dynamic chest deflection. Various techniques and transducers are evaluated for their ...

Microhydraulic transducer technology for actuation and power generation

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hagood, Nesbitt W.; Roberts, David C.; Saggere, Laxminarayana; Breuer, Kenneth S.; Chen, Kuo-Shen; Carretero, Jorge A.; Li, Hanqing; Mlcak, Richard; Pulitzer, Seward W.; Schmidt, Martin A.; Spearing, S. Mark; Su, Yu-Hsuan

2000-06-01

The paper introduces a novel transducer technology, called the solid-state micro-hydraulic transducer, currently under development at MIT. The new technology is enabled through integration of micromachining technology, piezoelectrics, and microhydraulic concepts. These micro-hydraulic transducers are capable of bi-directional electromechanical energy conversion, i.e., they can operate as both an actuator that supplies high mechanical force in response to electrical input and an energy generator that transduces electrical energy from mechanical energy in the environment. These transducers are capable of transducing energy at very high specific power output in the order of 1 kW/kg, and thus, they have the potential to enable many novel applications. The concept, the design, and the potential applications of the transducers are presented. Present efforts towards the development of these transducers, and the challenges involved therein, are also discussed.

Nonlinear Sound Field by Interdigital Transducers in Water

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Maezawa, Miyuki; Kamada, Rui; Kamakura, Tomoo; Matsuda, Kazuhisa

2008-05-01

Nonlinear ultrasound beams in water radiated by a surface acoustic wave (SAW) device are examined experimentally and theoretically. SAWs on an 128° X-cut Y-propagation LiNbO3 substrate are excited by 50 pairs of interdigital transducers (IDTs). The device with a 2 ×10 mm2 rectangular aperture and a center frequency of 20 MHz radiate two ultrasound beams in the direction of the Rayleigh angle determined by the propagation speed of the SAW on the device and of the longitudinal wave in water. The Rayleigh angle becomes 22° in the present experimental situation. The fundamental and second harmonic sound pressures are respectively measured along and across the beam using a miniature hydrophone whose active element 0.4 mm in diameter and whose frequency response is calibrated up to 40 MHz. The Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation is utilized to theoretically predict sound pressure amplitudes. The theoretical predictions of both the fundamental and second harmonic pressures agree well with the measured sound pressures.

ICP measurement accuracy: the effect of temperature drift. Design of a laboratory test for assessment of ICP transducers.

PubMed

Morgalla, M H; Mettenleiter, H; Katzenberger, T

1999-01-01

Intracranial pressure (ICP) monitoring has become the mainstay of multimodal neuromonitoring of comatous patients after head injury. In the presence of rising ICP and faced with pressures, difficult to control, aggressive measures, such as hypothermia may be used. The ICP readings should not be influenced by temperature changes. A laboratory test was designed to simulate temperature variations between 20 degrees C and 45 degrees C at different pressure levels under physiological conditions. Five types of transducers were examined: Epidyn Braun Melsungen, ICT/B-Titan Gaeltec, Camino-OLM-110-4B, Codman MicroSensor ICP-Transducer, Neurovent ICP transducer Rehau Ag+Co. Tests were performed at 6 different pressure levels between 0 mmHg and 50 mmHg. The results show very low drifts of less than 0.15 mmHg degree C-1 for Codman, Epidyn and Neurovent. Gaeltec and Camino exhibited higher drifts of 0.18 mmHg and 0.2 mmHg degree C-1 respectively. Within the temperature range from 35 degrees C to 42 degrees C all probes tested show insignificant temperature drift. Whether these results also apply to other types of transducers needs further evaluation. Problems and requirements related to the design of a laboratory test for the in vitro assessment of ICP transducers are discussed in detail.

Hydrostatic fluid pressure in the vestibular organ of the guinea pig.

PubMed

Park, Jonas J-H; Boeven, Jahn J; Vogel, Stefan; Leonhardt, Steffen; Wit, Hero P; Westhofen, Martin

2012-07-01

Since inner ear hair cells are mechano-electric transducers the control of hydrostatic pressure in the inner ear is crucial. Most studies analyzing dynamics and regulation of inner ear hydrostatic pressure performed pressure measurements in the cochlea. The present study is the first one reporting about absolute hydrostatic pressure values in the labyrinth. Hydrostatic pressure of the endolymphatic system was recorded in all three semicircular canals. Mean pressure values were 4.06 cmH(2)O ± 0.61 in the posterior, 3.36 cmH(2)O ± 0.94 in the anterior and 3.85 cmH(2)O ± 1.38 in the lateral semicircular canal. Overall hydrostatic pressure in the vestibular organ was 3.76 cmH(2)O ± 0.36. Endolymphatic hydrostatic pressure in all three semicircular canals is the same (p = 0.310). With regard to known endolymphatic pressure values in the cochlea from past studies vestibular pressure values are comparable to cochlear values. Until now it is not known whether the reuniens duct and the Bast's valve which are the narrowest passages in the endolymphatic system are open or closed. Present data show that most likely the endolymphatic system is a functionally open entity.

Fabrication and Characterization of Single-Aperture 3.5-MHz BNT-Based Ultrasonic Transducer for Therapeutic Application.

PubMed

Taghaddos, Elaheh; Ma, T; Zhong, Hui; Zhou, Qifa; Wan, M X; Safari, Ahmad

2018-04-01

This paper discusses the fabrication and characterization of 3.5-MHz single-element transducers for therapeutic applications in which the active elements are made of hard lead-free BNT-based and hard commercial PZT (PZT-841) piezoceramics. Composition of (BiNa 0.88 K 0.08 Li 0.04 ) 0.5 (Ti 0.985 Mn 0.015 )O 3 (BNKLT88-1.5Mn) was used to develop lead-free piezoelectric ceramic. Mn-doped samples exhibited high mechanical quality factor ( ) of 970, thickness coupling coefficient ( ) of 0.48, a dielectric constant ( ) of 310 (at 1 kHz), depolarization temperature ( ) of 200 °C, and coercive field ( ) of 52.5 kV/cm. Two different unfocused single-element transducers using BNKLT88-1.5Mn and PZT-841 with the same center frequency of 3.5 MHz and similar aperture size of 10.7 and 10.5 mm were fabricated. Pulse-echo response, acoustic frequency spectrum, acoustic pressure field, and acoustic intensity field of transducers were characterized. The BNT-based transducer shows linear response up to the peak-to-peak voltage of 105 V in which the maximum rarefactional acoustic pressure of 1.1 MPa, and acoustic intensity of 43 W/cm 2 were achieved. Natural focal point of this transducer was at 60 mm from the surface of the transducer.

Absolute measurements of large mirrors

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Su, Peng

The ability to produce mirrors for large astronomical telescopes is limited by the accuracy of the systems used to test the surfaces of such mirrors. Typically the mirror surfaces are measured by comparing their actual shapes to a precision master, which may be created using combinations of mirrors, lenses, and holograms. The work presented here develops several optical testing techniques that do not rely on a large or expensive precision, master reference surface. In a sense these techniques provide absolute optical testing. The Giant Magellan Telescope (GMT) has been designed with a 350 m 2 collecting area provided by a 25 m diameter primary mirror made out from seven circular independent mirror segments. These segments create an equivalent f/0.7 paraboloidal primary mirror consisting of a central segment and six outer segments. Each of the outer segments is 8.4 m in diameter and has an off-axis aspheric shape departing 14.5 mm from the best-fitting sphere. Much of the work in this dissertation is motivated by the need to measure the surfaces or such large mirrors accurately, without relying on a large or expensive precision reference surface. One method for absolute testing describing in this dissertation uses multiple measurements relative to a reference surface that is located in different positions with respect to the test surface of interest. The test measurements are performed with an algorithm that is based on the maximum likelihood (ML) method. Some methodologies for measuring large flat surfaces in the 2 m diameter range and for measuring the GMT primary mirror segments were specifically developed. For example, the optical figure of a 1.6-m flat mirror was determined to 2 nm rms accuracy using multiple 1-meter sub-aperture measurements. The optical figure of the reference surface used in the 1-meter sub-aperture measurements was also determined to the 2 nm level. The optical test methodology for a 1.7-m off axis parabola was evaluated by moving several

Simulation of absolute amplitudes of ultrasound signals using equivalent circuits.

PubMed

Johansson, Jonny; Martinsson, Pär-Erik; Delsing, Jerker

2007-10-01

Equivalent circuits for piezoelectric devices and ultrasonic transmission media can be used to cosimulate electronics and ultrasound parts in simulators originally intended for electronics. To achieve efficient system-level optimization, it is important to simulate correct, absolute amplitude of the ultrasound signal in the system, as this determines the requirements on the electronics regarding dynamic range, circuit noise, and power consumption. This paper presents methods to achieve correct, absolute amplitude of an ultrasound signal in a simulation of a pulse-echo system using equivalent circuits. This is achieved by taking into consideration loss due to diffraction and the effect of the cable that connects the electronics and the piezoelectric transducer. The conductive loss in the transmission line that models the propagation media of the ultrasound pulse is used to model the loss due to diffraction. Results show that the simulated amplitude of the echo follows measured values well in both near and far fields, with an offset of about 10%. The use of a coaxial cable introduces inductance and capacitance that affect the amplitude of a received echo. Amplitude variations of 60% were observed when the cable length was varied between 0.07 m and 2.3 m, with simulations predicting similar variations. The high precision in the achieved results show that electronic design and system optimization can rely on system simulations alone. This will simplify the development of integrated electronics aimed at ultrasound systems.

Articulated Multimedia Physics, Lesson 14, Gases, The Gas Laws, and Absolute Temperature.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

New York Inst. of Tech., Old Westbury.

As the fourteenth lesson of the Articulated Multimedia Physics Course, instructional materials are presented in this study guide with relation to gases, gas laws, and absolute temperature. The topics are concerned with the kinetic theory of gases, thermometric scales, Charles' law, ideal gases, Boyle's law, absolute zero, and gas pressures. The…

21 CFR 892.1570 - Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2011-04-01 2011-04-01 false Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer. 892.1570 Section... (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES RADIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 892.1570 Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer. (a) Identification. A diagnostic ultrasonic transducer is a device made of a piezoelectric material...

Cosmology with negative absolute temperatures

SciTech Connect

Vieira, J.P.P.; Byrnes, Christian T.; Lewis, Antony, E-mail: J.Pinto-Vieira@sussex.ac.uk, E-mail: ctb22@sussex.ac.uk, E-mail: antony@cosmologist.info

Negative absolute temperatures (NAT) are an exotic thermodynamical consequence of quantum physics which has been known since the 1950's (having been achieved in the lab on a number of occasions). Recently, the work of Braun et al. [1] has rekindled interest in negative temperatures and hinted at a possibility of using NAT systems in the lab as dark energy analogues. This paper goes one step further, looking into the cosmological consequences of the existence of a NAT component in the Universe. NAT-dominated expanding Universes experience a borderline phantom expansion ( w < -1) with no Big Rip, and their contractingmore » counterparts are forced to bounce after the energy density becomes sufficiently large. Both scenarios might be used to solve horizon and flatness problems analogously to standard inflation and bouncing cosmologies. We discuss the difficulties in obtaining and ending a NAT-dominated epoch, and possible ways of obtaining density perturbations with an acceptable spectrum.« less

Adhesion promoters for large scale fabrication of dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DESTs) made of pre-fabricated dielectric films

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Grotepaß, T.; Förster-Zügel, F.; Mößinger, H.; Schlaak, H. F.

2015-04-01

Multilayer dielectric elastomer stack transducers (DESTs) are a promising new transducer technology with many applications in different industry sectors, like medical devices, human-machine-interaction, etc. Stacked dielectric elastomer transducers show larger thickness contraction driven by lower voltages than transducers made from a single dielectric layer. Traditionally multilayered DESTs are produced by repeatedly cross-linking a liquid elastomeric pre-polymer into the required shape. Our recent research focusses on a novel fabrication method for large scale stack transducers with a surface area over 200 x 300 mm by processing pre-fabricated elastomeric thin films of less than 50 μm thicknesses. The thin films are provided as two- or three-layer composites, where the elastomer is sandwiched between one or two sacrificial liners. Separating the elastomeric film from the residual layers and assembling them into dielectric elastomer stack transducers poses many challenges concerning adhesion, since the dielectric film merely separates from the liner if the adhesive forces between them are overcome. Conversely, during the assembly of a dielectric elastomer stack transducer, adhesive forces have to be established between two elastomeric layers or between the dielectric and the electrode layer. The very low Young's modulus of at least one adhesion partner requires suitable means of increasing the adhesive forces between the different adhesive layers of a dielectric elastomer stack transducer to prevent a delamination of the transducer during its lifetime. This work evaluates different surface activation treatments - corona, low-pressure plasma and UV-light - and their applicability in the production of large scale DESTs made from pre-fabricated elastomeric films.

Acousto-optical Transducer with Surface Plasmons

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Kolomenskii, A. A.; Surovic, E.; Schuessler, H. A.

2018-04-01

The surface plasmon resonance (SPR) is a sensitive technique for the detection of changes in dielectric parameters in close proximity to a metal film supporting surface plasmon waves. Here we study the application of the SPR effect to an efficient conversion of an acoustic signal into an optical one. Such a transducer potentially has a large bandwidth and good sensitivity. When an acoustic wave is incident onto a receiving plate positioned within the penetration depth of the surface plasmons, it creates displacements of the surface of the plate and, thus, modulates the dielectric properties in the proximity of the gold film. This modulation, in turn, modifies the light reflection under surface plasmon resonance conditions. We simulate characteristics of this acousto-optical transducer with surface plasmons and provide sets of parameters at the optical wavelength of 800 nm and 633 nm for its realization.

Electromechanical transducer for acoustic telemetry system

DOEpatents

Drumheller, D.S.

1993-06-22

An improved electromechanical transducer is provided for use in an acoustic telemetry system. The transducer of this invention comprises a stack of ferroelectric ceramic disks interleaved with a plurality of spaced electrodes which are used to electrically pole the ceramic disks. The ceramic stack is housed in a metal tubular drill collar segment. The electrodes are preferably alternatively connected to ground potential and driving potential. This alternating connection of electrodes to ground and driving potential subjects each disk to an equal electric field; and the direction of the field alternates to match the alternating direction of polarization of the ceramic disks. Preferably, a thin metal foil is sandwiched between electrodes to facilitate the electrical connection. Alternatively, a thicker metal spacer plate is selectively used in place of the metal foil in order to promote thermal cooling of the ceramic stack.

Gel-Filled Holders For Ultrasonic Transducers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Companion, John A.

1992-01-01

In new technique, ultrasonic transducer embedded in rubbery, castable, low-loss gel to enable transducer to "look" into surface of test object or human body at any desired angle. Composed of solution of water and ethylene glycol in collagen matrix. Provides total contact of water bath, also used on bodies or objects too large for water baths, even if moving. Also provides look angles of poly(methyl methacrylate) angle block with potential of reduced acoustic impedance and refraction. Custom-tailored to task at hand, and gel sufficiently inexpensive to be discarded upon completion. Easy to couple ultrasound in and out of gel, minimizing losses and artifacts of other types of standoffs employed in ultrasonic testing.

Electromechanical transducer for acoustic telemetry system

DOEpatents

Drumheller, Douglas S.

1993-01-01

An improved electromechanical transducer is provided for use in an acoustic telemetry system. The transducer of this invention comprises a stack of ferroelectric ceramic disks interleaved with a plurality of spaced electrodes which are used to electrically pole the ceramic disks. The ceramic stack is housed in a metal tubular drill collar segment. The electrodes are preferably alternatively connected to ground potential and driving potential. This alternating connection of electrodes to ground and driving potential subjects each disk to an equal electric field; and the direction of the field alternates to match the alternating direction of polarization of the ceramic disks. Preferably, a thin metal foil is sandwiched between electrodes to facilitate the electrical connection. Alternatively, a thicker metal spacer plate is selectively used in place of the metal foil in order to promote thermal cooling of the ceramic stack.

Acoustic transducer apparatus with reduced thermal conduction

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Lierke, Ernst G. (Inventor); Leung, Emily W. (Inventor); Bhat, Balakrishna T. (Inventor)

1990-01-01

A horn is described for transmitting sound from a transducer to a heated chamber containing an object which is levitated by acoustic energy while it is heated to a molten state, which minimizes heat transfer to thereby minimize heating of the transducer, minimize temperature variation in the chamber, and minimize loss of heat from the chamber. The forward portion of the horn, which is the portion closest to the chamber, has holes that reduce its cross-sectional area to minimize the conduction of heat along the length of the horn, with the entire front portion of the horn being rigid and having an even front face to efficiently transfer high frequency acoustic energy to fluid in the chamber. In one arrangement, the horn has numerous rows of holes extending perpendicular to the length of horn, with alternate rows extending perpendicular to one another to form a sinuous path for the conduction of heat along the length of the horn.

A modified thickness extensional disk transducer.

PubMed

Trolier, S E; Xu, Q C; Newnham, R E

1988-01-01

Photolithography and chemical etching were investigated as a means of patterning miniature piezoelectric devices. Using a processing procedure analogous to that utilized in the production of integrated circuitry, concentrated hydrochloric acid and a commercially available photoresist were used to fabricate a number of complex structures from soft lead zirconate titanate (PZT) substrates. Among the devices produced in this manner was a modified thickness-mode resonator etched to destroy the simple geometry responsible for radial vibrations. The resultant transducer demonstrated significantly smaller amplitudes for lateral resonances and a marked reduction in the effective planar coupling coefficient over the unaltered disk. The results indicate that photolithographic patterning is useful both for eliminating spurious resonances from transducers for medical imaging or nondestructive evaluation and for engineering low planar coupling coefficients into a variety of substrate materials.

Design of HIFU transducers to generate specific nonlinear ultrasound fields.

PubMed

Khokhlova, Vera A; Yuldashev, Petr V; Rosnitskiy, Pavel B; Maxwell, Adam D; Kreider, Wayne; Bailey, Michael R; Sapozhnikov, Oleg A

2016-01-01

Various clinical applications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have different requirements on the pressure level and degree of nonlinear waveform distortion at the focus. Applications that utilize nonlinear waves with developed shocks are of growing interest, for example, for mechanical disintegration as well as for accelerated thermal ablation of tissue. In this work, an inverse problem of determining transducer parameters to enable formation of shocks with desired amplitude at the focus is solved. The solution was obtained by performing multiple direct simulations of the parabolic Khokhlov-Zabolotskaya-Kuznetsov (KZK) equation for various parameters of the source. It is shown that results obtained within the parabolic approximation can be used to describe the focal region of single element spherical sources as well as complex transducer arrays. It is also demonstrated that the focal pressure level at which fully developed shocks are formed mainly depends on the focusing angle of the source and only slightly depends on its aperture and operating frequency. Using the simulation results, a 256-element HIFU array operating at 1.5 MHz frequency was designed for a specific application of boiling-histotripsy that relies on the presence of 90-100 MPa shocks at the focus. The size of the array elements and focusing angle of the array were chosen to satisfy technical limitations on the intensity at the array elements and desired shock amplitudes in the focal waveform. Focus steering capabilities of the array were analysed using an open-source T-Array software developed at Moscow State University.

Design of HIFU transducers to generate specific nonlinear ultrasound fields

PubMed Central

Khokhlova, Vera A.; Yuldashev, Petr V.; Rosnitskiy, Pavel B.; Maxwell, Adam D.; Kreider, Wayne; Bailey, Michael R.; Sapozhnikov, Oleg A.

2017-01-01

Various clinical applications of high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) have different requirements on the pressure level and degree of nonlinear waveform distortion at the focus. Applications that utilize nonlinear waves with developed shocks are of growing interest, for example, for mechanical disintegration as well as for accelerated thermal ablation of tissue. In this work, an inverse problem of determining transducer parameters to enable formation of shocks with desired amplitude at the focus is solved. The solution was obtained by performing multiple direct simulations of the parabolic Khokhlov–Zabolotskaya–Kuznetsov (KZK) equation for various parameters of the source. It is shown that results obtained within the parabolic approximation can be used to describe the focal region of single element spherical sources as well as complex transducer arrays. It is also demonstrated that the focal pressure level at which fully developed shocks are formed mainly depends on the focusing angle of the source and only slightly depends on its aperture and operating frequency. Using the simulation results, a 256-element HIFU array operating at 1.5 MHz frequency was designed for a specific application of boiling-histotripsy that relies on the presence of 90–100 MPa shocks at the focus. The size of the array elements and focusing angle of the array were chosen to satisfy technical limitations on the intensity at the array elements and desired shock amplitudes in the focal waveform. Focus steering capabilities of the array were analysed using an open-source T-Array software developed at Moscow State University. PMID:28580038

Transducer Analysis and ATILA++ Model Development

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-10-10

the ATILA finite element software package. This will greatly enhance the state-of-the-art in transducer performance prediction and provide a tool...refereed publication. 15 IMPACT/APPLICATIONS This work is helping to enable the expansion of the functionality of the A TILA ++ finite element ...Sb. GRANT NUMBER N00014-13-1-0196 Sc. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER 6. AUTHOR(S) Sd. PROJECT NUMBER Richard J. Meyer, Jr. 20675 Douglas C. Markley Se

Cooling Acoustic Transducer with Heat Pipes

DTIC Science & Technology

2009-07-29

a heat sink. [0009] In Kan et al (United States Patent No. 6,528,909), a spindle motor assembly is disclosed which has a shaft with an integral...heat pipe. The shaft with the integral heat pipe improves the thermal conductively of the shaft and the spindle motor assembly. The shaft includes...Description of the Prior Art [0004] It is known in the art that transducers, designed to project acoustic power, are often limited by the build

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP).

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-04-01

CERAMICS. ... .......................... 31 10. STANDARDIZED TEST PROCEDURE ........ .................... ... 35 11. ACCELERATED LIFE TEST...components, and piece-parts that will meet specified requirements in the operational environment during the entire useful life of the transducer. Standards...C.I. Bohmaun F-3 Reliability & Life Prediction TRI R.I. Smith Specification ,F-4 TR-122 FM4 & Improvements NRL-USRD R.W. Timm 1-5 Metal Matrix

Piezoelectric and Electrostrictive Materials for Transducer Applications.

DTIC Science & Technology

1984-05-01

the stress is applied to sample using a simple lever arm to provide high load at the center point of a piston of hardened steel. To avoid poisson ratio...relatively simple ’screening test’ for PZT powders, powder samples were prepared from six different PZT transducer formulations supplied by the Navy...to 6000C showed the largest broadening. Heat treatment of this sample to 1.1000C reduced the broadening markedly indicating that simple chemical co

Passive Mode Carbon Nanotube Underwater Acoustic Transducer

DTIC Science & Technology

2016-09-20

Acoustical transducer arrays can reflect a sound signal in reverse to the sender which can be used for echo location devices. [0008] In Jiang...of this layer of the medium determines the amplitude of the resulting sound waves. [0005] Recently, there has been development of underwater...structures. The energy is partially reflected from interfaces between the geologic structure and is detected with geophone or hydrophone sensors

Marine Transducing Bacteriophage Attacking a Luminous Bacterium

PubMed Central

Keynan, Alex; Nealson, Kenneth; Sideropoulos, Henry; Hastings, J. W.

1974-01-01

The isolation and partial characterization of a marine bacteriophage attacking a strain of luminous bacteria is described, including some physical, biological, and genetic properties. It is a DNA phage of density of 1.52 with a long flexible tail and an apparently icosohedral head. With respect to stability in suspension, it has a rather specific requirement for the sodium ion in high concentration; it is further stabilized by the addition of calcium and magnesium ions. These same ions are likewise all required for both good plating efficiency and plaque uniformity. Although it goes through a typical lytic growth cycle (about 45 min), with a burst size of 100, and no stable lysogens have been isolated, it is nevertheless a transducing phage specifically for the tryptophan region, transducing several, but not all, independently isolated Trp− auxotrophs to protrophy. No other auxotrophs of a variety of amino acids were transduced by this phage to prototrophy. Phage infection does not change the normal expression of the luminescent system, and light remains at near normal levels until cell lysis occurs. Images PMID:16789143

Stress Sensors and Signal Transducers in Cyanobacteria

PubMed Central

Los, Dmitry A.; Zorina, Anna; Sinetova, Maria; Kryazhov, Sergey; Mironov, Kirill; Zinchenko, Vladislav V.

2010-01-01

In living cells, the perception of environmental stress and the subsequent transduction of stress signals are primary events in the acclimation to changes in the environment. Some molecular sensors and transducers of environmental stress cannot be identified by traditional and conventional methods. Based on genomic information, a systematic approach has been applied to the solution of this problem in cyanobacteria, involving mutagenesis of potential sensors and signal transducers in combination with DNA microarray analyses for the genome-wide expression of genes. Forty-five genes for the histidine kinases (Hiks), 12 genes for serine-threonine protein kinases (Spks), 42 genes for response regulators (Rres), seven genes for RNA polymerase sigma factors, and nearly 70 genes for transcription factors have been successfully inactivated by targeted mutagenesis in the unicellular cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Screening of mutant libraries by genome-wide DNA microarray analysis under various stress and non-stress conditions has allowed identification of proteins that perceive and transduce signals of environmental stress. Here we summarize recent progress in the identification of sensory and regulatory systems, including Hiks, Rres, Spks, sigma factors, transcription factors, and the role of genomic DNA supercoiling in the regulation of the responses of cyanobacterial cells to various types of stress. PMID:22294932

Cross-fiber Bragg grating transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Albin, Sacharia (Inventor); Zheng, Jianli (Inventor); Lavarias, Arnel (Inventor)

2000-01-01

A transducer has been invented that uses specially-oriented gratings in waveguide a manner that allows the simultaneous measurement of physical phenomena (such as shear force, strain and temperature) in a single sensing element. The invention has a highly sensitive, linear response and also has directional sensitivity with regard to strain. The transducer has a waveguide with a longitudinal axis as well as two Bragg gratings. The transducer has a first Bragg grating associated with the waveguide that has an angular orientation .theta..sub.a relative to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis such that 0.degree.<.theta..sub.a <.theta..sub.max. The second Bragg grating is associated with the waveguide in such a way that the angular orientation .theta..sub.b of the grating relative to a perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is (360.degree.-.theta..sub.max)<.theta..sub.b <360.degree.. The first Bragg grating can have a periodicity .LAMBDA..sub.a and the second Bragg grating can have a periodicity .LAMBDA..sub.b such that the periodicity .LAMBDA..sub.a of the first Bragg grating does not equal the periodicity .LAMBDA..sub.b of the second Bragg grating. The angle of the gratings can be such that .theta..sub.a =360.degree.-.theta..sub.b. The waveguide can assume a variety of configurations, including an optical fiber, a rectangular waveguide and a planar waveguide. The waveguide can be fabricated of a variety of materials, including silica and polymer material.

Simultaneous muscle force and displacement transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldstein, C.; Lewis, G. W.; Culler, V. H. (Inventor)

1980-01-01

A myocardial transducer for simultaneously measuring force and displacement within a very small area of myocardium is disclosed. The transducer comprised of an elongated body forked at one end to form an inverted Y shaped beam with each branch of the beam constituting a low compliant tine for penetrating the myocardium to a predetermined depth. Bonded to one of the low compliance tines is a small piezoresistive element for converting a force acting on the beam into an electrical signal. A third high compliant tine of the transducer, which measures displacement of the myocardium in a direction in line with the two low compliant tines, is of a length that just pierces the surface membrane. A small piezoresistive element is bonded to the third tine at its upper end where its bending is greatest. Displacement of the myocardium causes a deformation in curvature of the third tine, and the second small piezoresistive element bonded to the surface of its curved end converts its deformation into an electrical signal.

New piezocrystal material in the development of a 96-element array transducer for MR-guided focused ultrasound surgery

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Qiu, Zhen; Habeshaw, Roderick; Fortine, Julien; Huang, Zhihong; Démoré, Christine; Cochran, Sandy

2012-11-01

Piezocrystal materials have been recognized as having better performance than piezoelectric ceramics, and have thus been widely adopted in ultrasound imaging arrays. Although their behaviour is susceptible to temperature and pressure, their large electromechanical coupling coefficients and other excellent piezoelectric properties also offer the potential for further improvements in the efficiency of therapeutic ultrasound transducers. Furthermore, new piezocrystals with modified compositions have been developed recently to increase their tolerance to temperature and pressure. In this work, a prototype of faceted bowl transducer was designed and manufactured as a proof of concept to explore practical issues associated with adoption of piezocrystals for magnetic resonance imaging guided focused ultrasound surgery.

Gas pressure in sealed electrochemical cells measured externally

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sherfey, J. M.

1967-01-01

Piezoresistive transducer measures gas pressure inside sealed secondary electrochemical cells without breaking the seal. This method is based on the observed fact that the force exerted by the cell faces on the clamp tightening them against the transducer is a function of the gas pressure inside the cell.

Transducer with a sense of touch

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Bejczy, A. K.; Paine, G.

1979-01-01

Matrix of pressure sensors determines shape and pressure distribution of object in contact with its surface. Output can be used to develop pressure map of objects' surface and displayed as array of alphanumeric symbols on video monitor.

A 3D reconstruction algorithm for magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction based on ultrasound transducer characteristics.

PubMed

Ma, Ren; Zhou, Xiaoqing; Zhang, Shunqi; Yin, Tao; Liu, Zhipeng

2016-12-21

In this study we present a three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction algorithm for magneto-acoustic tomography with magnetic induction (MAT-MI) based on the characteristics of the ultrasound transducer. The algorithm is investigated to solve the blur problem of the MAT-MI acoustic source image, which is caused by the ultrasound transducer and the scanning geometry. First, we established a transducer model matrix using measured data from the real transducer. With reference to the S-L model used in the computed tomography algorithm, a 3D phantom model of electrical conductivity is set up. Both sphere scanning and cylinder scanning geometries are adopted in the computer simulation. Then, using finite element analysis, the distribution of the eddy current and the acoustic source as well as the acoustic pressure can be obtained with the transducer model matrix. Next, using singular value decomposition, the inverse transducer model matrix together with the reconstruction algorithm are worked out. The acoustic source and the conductivity images are reconstructed using the proposed algorithm. Comparisons between an ideal point transducer and the realistic transducer are made to evaluate the algorithms. Finally, an experiment is performed using a graphite phantom. We found that images of the acoustic source reconstructed using the proposed algorithm are a better match than those using the previous one, the correlation coefficient of sphere scanning geometry is 98.49% and that of cylinder scanning geometry is 94.96%. Comparison between the ideal point transducer and the realistic transducer shows that the correlation coefficients are 90.2% in sphere scanning geometry and 86.35% in cylinder scanning geometry. The reconstruction of the graphite phantom experiment also shows a higher resolution using the proposed algorithm. We conclude that the proposed reconstruction algorithm, which considers the characteristics of the transducer, can obviously improve the resolution of the

A New Low-frequency Sonophoresis System Combined with Ultrasonic Motor and Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Zhu, Pancheng; Peng, Hanmin; Yang, Jianzhi; Mao, Ting; Sheng, Juan

2018-03-01

Low frequency sonophoresis (LFS) is currently being attempted as a transdermal drug delivery method in clinical areas. However, it lacks both an effective control method and the equipment to satisfy the varying drug dosage requirements of individual patients. Herein, a novel method aimed at controlling permeability is proposed and developed, using a pressure control strategy which is based on an accurate, adjustable and non-invasive ultrasound transdermal drug delivery system in in vitro LFS. The system mainly consists of a lead screw linear ultrasonic motor and an ultrasonic transducer, in which the former offers pressure and the latter provides ultrasound wave in the liquid. The ultrasound can enhance non-invasive permeation and the pressure from the motor can control the permeability. The calculated and experimental results demonstrate that the maximum pressure on artificial skin is under the area with the maximum vibration amplitude of the ultrasonic transducer, and the total pressure consists of acoustic pressure from the transducer and approximate static pressure from the motor. Changing the static pressure from the ultrasonic motor can effectively control the non-invasive permeability, by adjusting the duty ratio or the amplitude of the motor’s driving voltage. In addition, the permeability control of calcein by thrust control is realized in 15 min, indicating the suitability of this method for application in accurate medical technology. The obtained results reveal that the issue of difficult permeability control can be addressed, using this control method in in vitro LFS to open up a route to the design of accurate drug delivery technology for individual patients.

Optical micromachined ultrasound transducers (OMUT)--a new approach for high-frequency transducers.

PubMed

Tadayon, Mohammad Amin; Ashkenazi, Shai

2013-09-01

The sensitivity and reliability of piezoelectric ultrasound transducers severely degrade in applications requiring high frequency and small element size. Alternative technologies such as capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducers (CMUT) and optical sensing and generation of ultrasound have been proposed and studied for several decades. In this paper, we present a new type of device based on optical micromachined ultrasound transducer (OMUT) technology. OMUTs rely on microfabrication techniques to construct micrometerscale air cavities capped by an elastic membrane. A modified photoresist bonding process has been developed to facilitate the fabrication of these devices. We will describe the design, fabrication, and testing of prototype OMUT devices which implement a receive-only function. Future design modifications are proposed for incorporating complete transmit¿receive functionality in a single element.

Portable Dynamic Pressure Calibrator

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Wright, Morgan S.; Maynard, Everett (Technical Monitor)

1996-01-01

A portable, dynamic pressure calibrator was fabricated for use on wind tunnel models at NASA-Ames Research Center. The calibrator generates sine wave pressures at levels up to 1 PSIG P-P(168dB) at frequencies from 10Hz to 6KHz and .5 PSIG P.P (162dB) at frequencies from 6KHz to 20KHz. The calibrator consists of two units connected by a single cable. The handheld unit contains a pressure transducer, speaker, and deadman switch. This unit allows application of dynamic pressure to transducers/ports on installed wind tunnel models. The base unit contains all of power supplies, controls and displays. This unit allows amplitude and frequency to be set and verified at a safe location off of the model.

Handbook of Sonar Transducer Passive Materials

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-30

Water A sorption 570 -19 days 4.3 1.6 (mg/cm ) Water Permeability 38°C 44 (01 10gI 2 0Cm/cm 2 /cm-hr -torr) ൪ . .7- a. Compounding Recipe The gum...materials in sonar transducers I are discussed. Factors in the compounding and processing of elastorneric materials which affect end-product performance~ are...A. Scope of the Handbook ................ B. Problems r.,f General Consideration ............ C. Compounding of Elastomers

Response of capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Ge, Lifeng

2008-10-01

Capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) have been developed for airborne ultrasonic applications, acoustic imaging, and chemical and biological detections. Much attention is also paid how to optimize their performance, so that the accurate simulation of the transmitting response of the CMUTs becomes extremely significant. This paper focuses on determining the total input mechanical impedance accountings for damping, and its resistance part is obtained by the calculated natural frequency and equivalent lumped parameters, and the typical 3-dB bandwidth. Thus, the transmitting response can be calculated by using the input mechanical impedance. Moreover, the equivalent electrical circuit can be also established by the determined lumped parameters.

Ultrasound transducer function: annual testing is not sufficient.

PubMed

Mårtensson, Mattias; Olsson, Mats; Brodin, Lars-Åke

2010-10-01

The objective was to follow-up the study 'High incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in use in routine clinical practice' and evaluate if annual testing is good enough to reduce the incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in routine clinical practice to an acceptable level. A total of 299 transducers were tested in 13 clinics at five hospitals in the Stockholm area. Approximately 7000-15,000 ultrasound examinations are carried out at these clinics every year. The transducers tested in the study had been tested and classified as fully operational 1 year before and since then been in normal use in the routine clinical practice. The transducers were tested with the Sonora FirstCall Test System. There were 81 (27.1%) defective transducers found; giving a 95% confidence interval ranging from 22.1 to 32.1%. The most common transducer errors were 'delamination' of the ultrasound lens and 'break in the cable' which together constituted 82.7% of all transducer errors found. The highest error rate was found at the radiological clinics with a mean error rate of 36.0%. There was a significant difference in error rate between two observed ways the clinics handled the transducers. There was no significant difference in the error rates of the transducer brands or the transducers models. Annual testing is not sufficient to reduce the incidence of defective ultrasound transducers in routine clinical practice to an acceptable level and it is strongly advisable to create a user routine that minimizes the handling of the transducers.

High precision UTDR measurements by sonic velocity compensation with reference transducer.

PubMed

Stade, Sam; Kallioinen, Mari; Mänttäri, Mika; Tuuva, Tuure

2014-07-02

An ultrasonic sensor design with sonic velocity compensation is developed to improve the accuracy of distance measurement in membrane modules. High accuracy real-time distance measurements are needed in membrane fouling and compaction studies. The benefits of the sonic velocity compensation with a reference transducer are compared to the sonic velocity calculated with the measured temperature and pressure using the model by Belogol'skii, Sekoyan et al. In the experiments the temperature was changed from 25 to 60 °C at pressures of 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 MPa. The set measurement distance was 17.8 mm. Distance measurements with sonic velocity compensation were over ten times more accurate than the ones calculated based on the model. Using the reference transducer measured sonic velocity, the standard deviations for the distance measurements varied from 0.6 to 2.0 µm, while using the calculated sonic velocity the standard deviations were 21-39 µm. In industrial liquors, not only the temperature and the pressure, which were studied in this paper, but also the properties of the filtered solution, such as solute concentration, density, viscosity, etc., may vary greatly, leading to inaccuracy in the use of the Belogol'skii, Sekoyan et al. model. Therefore, calibration of the sonic velocity with reference transducers is needed for accurate distance measurements.

A flex-compressive-mode piezoelectric transducer for mechanical vibration/strain energy harvesting.

PubMed

Li, Xiaotian; Guo, Mingsen; Dong, Shuxiang

2011-04-01

A piezoelectric transducer for harvesting energy from ambient mechanical vibrations/strains under pressure condition was developed. The proposed transducer was made of two ring-type piezoelectric stacks, one pair of bow-shaped elastic plates, and one shaft that pre-compresses them. This transducer works in flex-compressive (F-C) mode, which is different from a conventional flex-tensional (F-T) one, to transfer a transversely applied force F into an amplified longitudinal force N pressing against the two piezo-stacks via the two bowshaped elastic plates, generating a large electric voltage output via piezoelectric effect. Our experimental results show that without an electric load, an F-C mode piezo-transducer could generate a maximum electric voltage output of up to 110 Vpp, and with an electric load of 40 κΩ, it a maximum power output of 14.6 mW under an acceleration excitation of 1 g peak-peak at the resonance frequency of 87 Hz. © 2011 IEEE

Orbital Angular Momentum-Entanglement Frequency Transducer.

PubMed

Zhou, Zhi-Yuan; Liu, Shi-Long; Li, Yan; Ding, Dong-Sheng; Zhang, Wei; Shi, Shuai; Dong, Ming-Xin; Shi, Bao-Sen; Guo, Guang-Can

2016-09-02

Entanglement is a vital resource for realizing many tasks such as teleportation, secure key distribution, metrology, and quantum computations. To effectively build entanglement between different quantum systems and share information between them, a frequency transducer to convert between quantum states of different wavelengths while retaining its quantum features is indispensable. Information encoded in the photon's orbital angular momentum (OAM) degrees of freedom is preferred in harnessing the information-carrying capacity of a single photon because of its unlimited dimensions. A quantum transducer, which operates at wavelengths from 1558.3 to 525 nm for OAM qubits, OAM-polarization hybrid-entangled states, and OAM-entangled states, is reported for the first time. Nonclassical properties and entanglements are demonstrated following the conversion process by performing quantum tomography, interference, and Bell inequality measurements. Our results demonstrate the capability to create an entanglement link between different quantum systems operating in a photon's OAM degrees of freedom, which will be of great importance in building a high-capacity OAM quantum network.

Measurement of heart sounds with EMFi transducer.

PubMed

Kärki, Satu; Kääriäinen, Minna; Lekkala, Jukka

2007-01-01

A measurement system for heart sounds was implemented by using ElectroMechanical Film (EMFi). Heart sounds are produced by the vibrations of the cardiac structure. An EMFi transducer attached to the skin of the chest wall converts these mechanical vibrations into an electrical signal. Furthermore, the signal is amplified and transmitted to the computer. The data is analyzed with Matlab software. The low-frequency components of the measured signal (respiration and pulsation of the heart) are filtered out as well as the 50 Hz noise. Also the power spectral density (PSD) plot is computed. In test measurements, the signal was measured with respiration and by holding breath. From the filtered signal, the first (S1) and the second (S2) heart sound can be clearly seen in both cases. In addition, from the raw data signals the respiration frequency and the heart rate can be determined. In future applications, with the EMFi material it is possible to implement a plaster-like transducer measuring vital signals.

Floating Ultrasonic Transducer Inspection System and Method for Nondestructive Evaluation

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Johnston, Patrick H. (Inventor); Zalameda, Joseph N. (Inventor)

2016-01-01

A method for inspecting a structural sample using ultrasonic energy includes positioning an ultrasonic transducer adjacent to a surface of the sample, and then transmitting ultrasonic energy into the sample. Force pulses are applied to the transducer concurrently with transmission of the ultrasonic energy. A host machine processes ultrasonic return pulses from an ultrasonic pulser/receiver to quantify attenuation of the ultrasonic energy within the sample. The host machine detects a defect in the sample using the quantified level of attenuation. The method may include positioning a dry couplant between an ultrasonic transducer and the surface. A system includes an actuator, an ultrasonic transducer, a dry couplant between the transducer the sample, a scanning device that moves the actuator and transducer, and a measurement system having a pulsed actuator power supply, an ultrasonic pulser/receiver, and a host machine that executes the above method.

Low-cost ultrasonic lamb-wave transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Kammerer, C. C.

1978-01-01

Transducer propagates Lamb wave through thin aluminum sheet material. Model includes two elements that measure effects of damping and loading which, in turn, are indirectly equated to bond integrity. Transducer has been used to evaluate bond integrity of aluminum facing adhesively bonded to aluminum facing. Because of versatility, it is now possible to inspect many objects of different configurations that could not be reached with earlier transducers.

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program, FY79 First Quarter Progress

DTIC Science & Technology

1979-06-01

The mst significant aspects are improve- ments in the gas-filling procedures for the TR155 transducers, results of accelerated aging of the TR215...thus saved the Navy approximately $19,000 during 4 months of operation. See Section 3.3.2. b. The accelerated aging of the TR-215 ( ) transducers (AN...incompatible with the various plastics and rubbers in the transducer. Further research is necessary to find and qualify fill fluids which represent the best

Electret Acoustic Transducer Array For Computerized Ultrasound Risk Evaluation System

DOEpatents

Moore, Thomas L.; Fisher, Karl A.

2005-08-09

An electret-based acoustic transducer array is provided and may be used in a system for examining tissue. The acoustic transducer array is formed with a substrate that has a multiple distinct cells formed therein. Within each of the distinct cells is positioned an acoustic transducing element formed of an electret material. A conductive membrane is formed over the distinct cells and may be flexible.

NDE of cylindrically symmetric components with piezofilm transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Hsu, David K.; Zhang, Zhong

PVDF polymer film transducers are presently shown to exhibit the flexibility and comformability required for inspection of components with curved surfaces. Although these transducers are less efficient than rigid ceramic ones, and are less accurately matched to the acoustic impedance of metals as well as ceramic transducers, their advantages are presently shown to outweigh their disadvantages in some applications involving tube and rod shaped components. Interface measurements of a Zr/Zircalloy-2 tube allowed the detailed evaluation of weakly reflecting interfaces.

Sonar Transducer Reliability Improvement Program (STRIP) FY81.

DTIC Science & Technology

1981-10-01

that must be considered when selecting a material for the design of a sonar transducer. In the past decade, plastics have decreased in cost and...required in a sonar transducer system. A recent example of this type of failure has been with a neoprene .tfer formulation which was designed to meet...subject of the first design specification for transducer elastomers. Previous work on this material under the aegis of the Sonar Transduction

Estimating the absolute wealth of households

PubMed Central

Gerkey, Drew; Hadley, Craig

2015-01-01

Abstract Objective To estimate the absolute wealth of households using data from demographic and health surveys. Methods We developed a new metric, the absolute wealth estimate, based on the rank of each surveyed household according to its material assets and the assumed shape of the distribution of wealth among surveyed households. Using data from 156 demographic and health surveys in 66 countries, we calculated absolute wealth estimates for households. We validated the method by comparing the proportion of households defined as poor using our estimates with published World Bank poverty headcounts. We also compared the accuracy of absolute versus relative wealth estimates for the prediction of anthropometric measures. Findings The median absolute wealth estimates of 1 403 186 households were 2056 international dollars per capita (interquartile range: 723–6103). The proportion of poor households based on absolute wealth estimates were strongly correlated with World Bank estimates of populations living on less than 2.00 United States dollars per capita per day (R2 = 0.84). Absolute wealth estimates were better predictors of anthropometric measures than relative wealth indexes. Conclusion Absolute wealth estimates provide new opportunities for comparative research to assess the effects of economic resources on health and human capital, as well as the long-term health consequences of economic change and inequality. PMID:26170506

Absolute optical metrology : nanometers to kilometers

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Dubovitsky, Serge; Lay, O. P.; Peters, R. D.; Liebe, C. C.

2005-01-01

We provide and overview of the developments in the field of high-accuracy absolute optical metrology with emphasis on space-based applications. Specific work on the Modulation Sideband Technology for Absolute Ranging (MSTAR) sensor is described along with novel applications of the sensor.

49 CFR 236.709 - Block, absolute.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2010-10-01 2010-10-01 false Block, absolute. 236.709 Section 236.709 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Block, absolute. A block in which no train is permitted to enter while it is occupied by another train. ...

Estimating the absolute wealth of households.

PubMed

Hruschka, Daniel J; Gerkey, Drew; Hadley, Craig

2015-07-01

To estimate the absolute wealth of households using data from demographic and health surveys. We developed a new metric, the absolute wealth estimate, based on the rank of each surveyed household according to its material assets and the assumed shape of the distribution of wealth among surveyed households. Using data from 156 demographic and health surveys in 66 countries, we calculated absolute wealth estimates for households. We validated the method by comparing the proportion of households defined as poor using our estimates with published World Bank poverty headcounts. We also compared the accuracy of absolute versus relative wealth estimates for the prediction of anthropometric measures. The median absolute wealth estimates of 1,403,186 households were 2056 international dollars per capita (interquartile range: 723-6103). The proportion of poor households based on absolute wealth estimates were strongly correlated with World Bank estimates of populations living on less than 2.00 United States dollars per capita per day (R(2)  = 0.84). Absolute wealth estimates were better predictors of anthropometric measures than relative wealth indexes. Absolute wealth estimates provide new opportunities for comparative research to assess the effects of economic resources on health and human capital, as well as the long-term health consequences of economic change and inequality.

Introducing the Mean Absolute Deviation "Effect" Size

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Gorard, Stephen

2015-01-01

This paper revisits the use of effect sizes in the analysis of experimental and similar results, and reminds readers of the relative advantages of the mean absolute deviation as a measure of variation, as opposed to the more complex standard deviation. The mean absolute deviation is easier to use and understand, and more tolerant of extreme…

Investigating Absolute Value: A Real World Application

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Kidd, Margaret; Pagni, David

2009-01-01

Making connections between various representations is important in mathematics. In this article, the authors discuss the numeric, algebraic, and graphical representations of sums of absolute values of linear functions. The initial explanations are accessible to all students who have experience graphing and who understand that absolute value simply…

49 CFR 236.709 - Block, absolute.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2011 CFR

2011-10-01

... 49 Transportation 4 2011-10-01 2011-10-01 false Block, absolute. 236.709 Section 236.709 Transportation Other Regulations Relating to Transportation (Continued) FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION... Block, absolute. A block in which no train is permitted to enter while it is occupied by another train. ...

Absolute Income, Relative Income, and Happiness

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ball, Richard; Chernova, Kateryna

2008-01-01

This paper uses data from the World Values Survey to investigate how an individual's self-reported happiness is related to (i) the level of her income in absolute terms, and (ii) the level of her income relative to other people in her country. The main findings are that (i) both absolute and relative income are positively and significantly…

Monolithically integrated absolute frequency comb laser system

SciTech Connect

Wanke, Michael C.

2016-07-12

Rather than down-convert optical frequencies, a QCL laser system directly generates a THz frequency comb in a compact monolithically integrated chip that can be locked to an absolute frequency without the need of a frequency-comb synthesizer. The monolithic, absolute frequency comb can provide a THz frequency reference and tool for high-resolution broad band spectroscopy.

Effect of Transducer Orientation on Errors in Ultrasound Image-Based Measurements of Human Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Fascicle Length and Pennation

PubMed Central

Gandevia, Simon C.; Herbert, Robert D.

2016-01-01

Ultrasound imaging is often used to measure muscle fascicle lengths and pennation angles in human muscles in vivo. Theoretically the most accurate measurements are made when the transducer is oriented so that the image plane aligns with muscle fascicles and, for measurements of pennation, when the image plane also intersects the aponeuroses perpendicularly. However this orientation is difficult to achieve and usually there is some degree of misalignment. Here, we used simulated ultrasound images based on three-dimensional models of the human medial gastrocnemius, derived from magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor images, to describe the relationship between transducer orientation and measurement errors. With the transducer oriented perpendicular to the surface of the leg, the error in measurement of fascicle lengths was about 0.4 mm per degree of misalignment of the ultrasound image with the muscle fascicles. If the transducer is then tipped by 20°, the error increases to 1.1 mm per degree of misalignment. For a given degree of misalignment of muscle fascicles with the image plane, the smallest absolute error in fascicle length measurements occurs when the transducer is held perpendicular to the surface of the leg. Misalignment of the transducer with the fascicles may cause fascicle length measurements to be underestimated or overestimated. Contrary to widely held beliefs, it is shown that pennation angles are always overestimated if the image is not perpendicular to the aponeurosis, even when the image is perfectly aligned with the fascicles. An analytical explanation is provided for this finding. PMID:27294280

Effect of Transducer Orientation on Errors in Ultrasound Image-Based Measurements of Human Medial Gastrocnemius Muscle Fascicle Length and Pennation.

PubMed

Bolsterlee, Bart; Gandevia, Simon C; Herbert, Robert D

2016-01-01

Ultrasound imaging is often used to measure muscle fascicle lengths and pennation angles in human muscles in vivo. Theoretically the most accurate measurements are made when the transducer is oriented so that the image plane aligns with muscle fascicles and, for measurements of pennation, when the image plane also intersects the aponeuroses perpendicularly. However this orientation is difficult to achieve and usually there is some degree of misalignment. Here, we used simulated ultrasound images based on three-dimensional models of the human medial gastrocnemius, derived from magnetic resonance and diffusion tensor images, to describe the relationship between transducer orientation and measurement errors. With the transducer oriented perpendicular to the surface of the leg, the error in measurement of fascicle lengths was about 0.4 mm per degree of misalignment of the ultrasound image with the muscle fascicles. If the transducer is then tipped by 20°, the error increases to 1.1 mm per degree of misalignment. For a given degree of misalignment of muscle fascicles with the image plane, the smallest absolute error in fascicle length measurements occurs when the transducer is held perpendicular to the surface of the leg. Misalignment of the transducer with the fascicles may cause fascicle length measurements to be underestimated or overestimated. Contrary to widely held beliefs, it is shown that pennation angles are always overestimated if the image is not perpendicular to the aponeurosis, even when the image is perfectly aligned with the fascicles. An analytical explanation is provided for this finding.

Absolute instability of the Gaussian wake profile

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Hultgren, Lennart S.; Aggarwal, Arun K.

1987-01-01

Linear parallel-flow stability theory has been used to investigate the effect of viscosity on the local absolute instability of a family of wake profiles with a Gaussian velocity distribution. The type of local instability, i.e., convective or absolute, is determined by the location of a branch-point singularity with zero group velocity of the complex dispersion relation for the instability waves. The effects of viscosity were found to be weak for values of the wake Reynolds number, based on the center-line velocity defect and the wake half-width, larger than about 400. Absolute instability occurs only for sufficiently large values of the center-line wake defect. The critical value of this parameter increases with decreasing wake Reynolds number, thereby indicating a shrinking region of absolute instability with decreasing wake Reynolds number. If backflow is not allowed, absolute instability does not occur for wake Reynolds numbers smaller than about 38.

High Temperature Ultrasonic Transducer for Real-time Inspection

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Amini, Mohammad Hossein; Sinclair, Anthony N.; Coyle, Thomas W.

A broadband ultrasonic transducer with a novel porous ceramic backing layer is introduced to operate at 700 °C. 36° Y-cut lithium niobate (LiNbO3) single crystal was selected for the piezoelectric element. By appropriate choice of constituent materials, porosity and pore size, the acoustic impedance and attenuation of a zirconia-based backing layer were optimized. An active brazing alloy with high temperature and chemical stability was selected to bond the transducer layers together. Prototype transducers have been tested at temperatures up to 700 °C. The experiments confirmed that transducer integrity was maintained.

Synthesis of monopolar ultrasound pulses for therapy: the frequency-compounding transducer.

PubMed

Lin, Kuang-Wei; Hall, Timothy L; McGough, Robert J; Xu, Zhen; Cain, Charles A

2014-07-01

In diagnostic ultrasound, broadband transducers capable of short acoustic pulse emission and reception can improve axial resolution and provide sufficient bandwidth for harmonic imaging and multi-frequency excitation techniques. In histotripsy, a cavitation-based ultrasound therapy, short acoustic pulses (<2 cycles) can produce precise tissue ablation wherein lesion formation only occurs when the applied peak negative pressure exceeds an intrinsic threshold of the medium. This paper investigates a frequency compounding technique to synthesize nearly monopolar (half-cycle) ultrasound pulses. More specifically, these pulses were generated using a custom transducer composed of 23 individual relatively-broadband piezoceramic elements with various resonant frequencies (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, and 3 MHz). Each frequency component of the transducer was capable of generating 1.5-cycle pulses with only one high-amplitude negative half-cycle using a custom 23-channel high-voltage pulser. By varying time delays of individual frequency components to allow their principal peak negative peaks to arrive at the focus of the transducer constructively, destructive interference occurs elsewhere in time and space, resulting in a monopolar pulse approximation with a dominant negative phase (with measured peak negative pressure [P-]: peak positive pressure [P+] = 4.68: 1). By inverting the excitation pulses to individual elements, monopolar pulses with a dominant positive phase can also be generated (with measured P+: P- = 4.74: 1). Experiments in RBC phantoms indicated that monopolar pulses with a dominant negative phase were able to produce very precise histotripsy-type lesions using the intrinsic threshold mechanism. Monopolar pulses with a dominant negative phase can inhibit shock scattering during histotripsy, leading to more predictable lesion formation using the intrinsic threshold mechanism, while greatly reducing any constructive interference, and potential hot-spots elsewhere

Air-coupled MUMPs capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers with resonant cavities.

PubMed

Octavio Manzanares, Alberto; Montero de Espinosa, Francisco

2012-04-01

This work reports performance improvements of air-coupled capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs) using resonant cavities. In order to perform this work, we have designed and manufactured a CMUT employing multi-user microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processes (MUMPs). The transducer was designed using Helmholtz resonator principles. This was characterised by the dimensions of the cavity and several acoustic ports, which had the form of holes in the CMUT plate. The MUMPs process has the advantage of being low cost which allows the manufacture of economic prototypes. In this paper we show the effects of the resonant cavities and acoustic ports in CMUTs using laser Doppler vibrometry and acoustical measurements. We also use Finite Element (FE) simulations in order to support experimental measurements. The results show that it is possible to enhance the output pressure and bandwidth in air by tuning the resonance frequency of the plate (f(p)) with that of the Helmholtz resonator (f(H)). The experimental measurements show the plate resonance along with an additional resonance in the output pressure spectrum. This appears due to the effect of the new resonant cavities in the transducer. FE simulations show an increase of 11 dB in the output pressure with respect to that of a theoretical vacuum-sealed cavity MUMPs CMUT by properly tuning the transducer. The bandwidth has been also analyzed by calculating the mechanical Q factor of the tuned CMUT. This has been estimated as 4.5 compared with 7.75 for the vacuum-sealed cavity MUMPs CMUT. Copyright © 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Porous PZT ceramics for receiving transducers.

PubMed

Kara, Hudai; Ramesh, Rajamani; Stevens, Ron; Bowen, Chris R

2003-03-01

PZT-air (porous PZT) and PZT-polymer (polymer impregnated porous PZT) piezocomposites with varying porosity/polymer volume fractions have been manufactured. The composites were characterized in terms of hydrostatic charge (dh) and voltage (gh) coefficients, permittivity, hydrostatic figure of merit (dh.gh), and absolute sensitivity (M). With decreasing PZT ceramic volume, gh increased, and dh.gh had a broad maximum around 80 to 90% porosity/polymer content. The absolute sensitivity was also increased. In each case, PZT-air piezocomposites performed better than PZT-polymer piezocomposites. Hydrophones constructed from piezocomposites showed slightly lower measured receiving sensitivities than calculated values for piezocomposite materials, which was due to the loading effect of the cable and the low permittivity associated with the piezocomposites.

Apparatus of the Vapor-pressure Measurements for Natural Refrigerants

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Higuchi, Satoru; Higashi, Yukihiro

An apparatus for measuring the vapor-pressures was newly designed and constructed in order to make the basic thermodynamic properties for environmentally acceptable refrigerants clear. The temperature of sample fluid was measured with 100Ω platinum resistance thermometer calibrated against ITS-90 using a 25Ω standard platinum resistance thermometer. With respect to the pressure measurement, two kinds of presure transducer were adopted. One is a diaphragm semi-conductor strain pressure transducer with the uncertainty of ±0.09%. This pressure transducer was calibrated against quartz crystal pressure transducer with the uncertainty of ±0.01% after every series of experiments. Another is a quartz crystal pressure transducer with the uncertainty of ±0.01%. A quartz crystal pressure transducer was calibrated against the dead weight pressure gauge and barometer. The vapor-pressures for R-32, R-134a, R-290 (propane), R-600a (iso-butane) and n-pentane were measured in the temperature range between273.15 and 323.15K. As the results of vapor-pressure measurements, the reliability of the experimental apparatus as well as the reproducibility of the experimental data were confirmed. In addition, coefficients of Antoine vapor pressure equation were determined from the experimental data. Normal boiling points for environmentally acceptable refrigerants were also determined with high accuracy.

Enhanced Thermal Ablation by Combining Ultrasound Contrast Agents with a Miniature Flat Transducer

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Murillo, A.; Goldendstedt, C.; Lafon, C.; Cathignol, D.; Chapelon, J.-Y.

2007-05-01

Miniature transducers can be used for performing interstitial thermal ablation. Increasing the frequency of non-focused transducers enhances energy deposition but limits the therapeutic range. In order to treat extended tumors, new therapeutic strategies must be explored. This work aimed to combine ultrasound contrast agents (UCA) with flat transducers for increasing the treatment depth. The idea consists in increasing attenuation away from the transducer to favor remote heat deposition. Thermal ablation is induced in three steps. 1- Attenuation raises by injecting UCA; 2- Destruction of bubbles next to the transducer by pulsed high intensity bursts, results in a gradient of attenuation; 3- Continuous ultrasound are applied for generating a localized thermal lesion. In vitro tests were performed on temperature-sensitive tissue phantoms in which the UCA BR14 (Bracco) was injected during the liquid phase. The feasibility of the idea was demonstrated in three stages. 1- The coefficient of attenuation was measured with the force balance as a function of the concentration of BR14. For 0.8 and 4.8% attenuation at 10MHz was found to be 0.35 and 1.33 Np/cm respectively. 2- Pulsed ultrasound was applied on phantoms to destroy UCA. Based on the echogenicity decay evidenced on ultrasound images, a 1MPa-pressure was required at 10MHz. 3- Heating beams were applied on phantoms presenting a gradient in attenuation. Lesions were 1.5 times larger than in phantoms with constant attenuation. This study demonstrates that UCA can be selectively destroyed in order to generate a gradient of attenuation and extended thermal lesions.

Absolute parameters of young stars: QZ Carinae

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Walker, W. S. G.; Blackford, M.; Butland, R.; Budding, E.

2017-09-01

New high-resolution spectroscopy and BVR photometry together with literature data on the complex massive quaternary star QZ Car are collected and analysed. Absolute parameters are found as follows. System A: M1 = 43 (±3), M2 = 19 (+3 -7), R1 = 28 (±2), R2 = 6 (±2), (⊙); T1 ˜ 28 000, T2 ˜ 33 000 K; System B: M1 = 30 (±3), M2 = 20 (±3), R1 = 10 (±0.5), R2 = 20 (±1), (⊙); T1 ˜ 36 000, T2 ˜ 30 000 K (model dependent temperatures). The wide system AB: Period = 49.5 (±1) yr, Epochs, conjunction = 1984.8 (±1), periastron = 2005.3 (±3) yr, mean separation = 65 (±3), (au); orbital inclination = 85 (+5 -15) deg, photometric distance ˜2700 (±300) pc, age = 4 (±1) Myr. Other new contributions concern: (a) analysis of the timing of minima differences (O - C)s for the eclipsing binary (System B); (b) the width of the eclipses, pointing to relatively large effects of radiation pressure; (c) inferences from the rotational widths of lines for both Systems A and B; and (d) implications for theoretical models of early-type stars. While feeling greater confidence on the quaternary's general parametrization, observational complications arising from strong wind interactions or other, unclear, causes still inhibit precision and call for continued multiwavelength observations. Our high-inclination value for the AB system helps to explain failures to resolve the wide binary in the previous years. The derived young age independently confirms membership of QZ Car to the open cluster Collinder 228.

Fast, Computer Supported Experimental Determination of Absolute Zero Temperature at School

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bogacz, Bogdan F.; Pedziwiatr, Antoni T.

2014-01-01

A simple and fast experimental method of determining absolute zero temperature is presented. Air gas thermometer coupled with pressure sensor and data acquisition system COACH is applied in a wide range of temperature. By constructing a pressure vs temperature plot for air under constant volume it is possible to obtain--by extrapolation to zero…

Development of piezoelectric composites for transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Safari, A.

1994-07-01

For the past decade and a half, many different types of piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites have been developed intended for transducer applications. These diphasic composites are prepared from non-active polymer, such as epoxy, and piezoelectric ceramic, such as PZT, in the form of filler powders, elongated fibers, multilayer and more complex three-dimensional structures. For the last four years, most of the efforts have been given to producing large area and fine scale PZT fiber composites. In this paper, processing of piezoelectric ceramic-polymer composites with various connectivity patterns are reviewed. Development of fine scale piezoelectric composites by lost mold, injection molding and the relic method are described. Research activities of different groups for preparing large area piezocomposites for hydrophone and actuator applications are briefly reviewed. Initial development of electrostrictive ceramics and composites are also

Catheter tip force transducer for cardiovascular research

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Feldstein, C.; Lewis, G. W.; Silver, R. H.; Culler, V. H. (Inventor)

1976-01-01

A force transducer for measuring dynamic force activity within the heart of a subject essentially consists of a U-shaped beam of low elastic compliance material. Two lines extend from the beams's legs and a long coil spring is attached to the beam. A strain gauge is coupled to one of the beam's legs to sense deflections thereof. The beam with the tines and most of the spring are surrounded by a flexible tube, defining a catheter, which is insertable into a subject's heart through an appropriate artery. The tines are extractable from the catheter for implantation into the myocardium by pushing on the end of the spring which extends beyond the external end of the catheter.

Design optimization of embedded ultrasonic transducers for concrete structures assessment.

PubMed

Dumoulin, Cédric; Deraemaeker, Arnaud

2017-08-01

In the last decades, the field of structural health monitoring and damage detection has been intensively explored. Active vibration techniques allow to excite structures at high frequency vibrations which are sensitive to small damage. Piezoelectric PZT transducers are perfect candidates for such testing due to their small size, low cost and large bandwidth. Current ultrasonic systems are based on external piezoelectric transducers which need to be placed on two faces of the concrete specimen. The limited accessibility of in-service structures makes such an arrangement often impractical. An alternative is to embed permanently low-cost transducers inside the structure. Such types of transducers have been applied successfully for the in-situ estimation of the P-wave velocity in fresh concrete, and for crack monitoring. Up to now, the design of such transducers was essentially based on trial and error, or in a few cases, on the limitation of the acoustic impedance mismatch between the PZT and concrete. In the present study, we explore the working principles of embedded piezoelectric transducers which are found to be significantly different from external transducers. One of the major challenges concerning embedded transducers is to produce very low cost transducers. We show that a practical way to achieve this imperative is to consider the radial mode of actuation of bulk PZT elements. This is done by developing a simple finite element model of a piezoelectric transducer embedded in an infinite medium. The model is coupled with a multi-objective genetic algorithm which is used to design specific ultrasonic embedded transducers both for hard and fresh concrete monitoring. The results show the efficiency of the approach and a few designs are proposed which are optimal for hard concrete, fresh concrete, or both, in a given frequency band of interest. Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A global algorithm for estimating Absolute Salinity

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McDougall, T. J.; Jackett, D. R.; Millero, F. J.; Pawlowicz, R.; Barker, P. M.

2012-12-01

The International Thermodynamic Equation of Seawater - 2010 has defined the thermodynamic properties of seawater in terms of a new salinity variable, Absolute Salinity, which takes into account the spatial variation of the composition of seawater. Absolute Salinity more accurately reflects the effects of the dissolved material in seawater on the thermodynamic properties (particularly density) than does Practical Salinity. When a seawater sample has standard composition (i.e. the ratios of the constituents of sea salt are the same as those of surface water of the North Atlantic), Practical Salinity can be used to accurately evaluate the thermodynamic properties of seawater. When seawater is not of standard composition, Practical Salinity alone is not sufficient and the Absolute Salinity Anomaly needs to be estimated; this anomaly is as large as 0.025 g kg-1 in the northernmost North Pacific. Here we provide an algorithm for estimating Absolute Salinity Anomaly for any location (x, y, p) in the world ocean. To develop this algorithm, we used the Absolute Salinity Anomaly that is found by comparing the density calculated from Practical Salinity to the density measured in the laboratory. These estimates of Absolute Salinity Anomaly however are limited to the number of available observations (namely 811). In order to provide a practical method that can be used at any location in the world ocean, we take advantage of approximate relationships between Absolute Salinity Anomaly and silicate concentrations (which are available globally).

A Force Transducer from a Junk Electronic Balance

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Aguilar, Horacio Munguia; Aguilar, Francisco Armenta

2009-01-01

It is shown how the load cell from a junk electronic balance can be used as a force transducer for physics experiments. Recovering this device is not only an inexpensive way of getting a valuable laboratory tool but also very useful didactic work on electronic instrumentation. Some experiments on mechanics with this transducer are possible after a…

Development of transducer arrays for ultrasound-computer tomography

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Stotzka, Rainer; Gobel, Georg; Schlote-Holubek, Klaus

2003-05-01

Ultrasound computer-tomography (USCT) is a novel ultrasound imaging method capable of producing volume images with both high spatial and temporal resolution. Several thousand ultrasound transducers are arranged in a cylindrical array around a tank containing the object to be examined coupled by water. Every single transducer is small enough to emit an almost spherical sound-wave. While one transducer is transmitting, all others receive simultaneously. Our experimental setup, using only a few transducers simulating a ring-shaped geometry, showed even nylon threads (0.1 mm) with an image quality superior to clinical in-use ultrasound scanners. In order to build a complete circular array several thousand transducers, with cylindrical sound field characteristics, are needed. Since such transducer arrays are hardly available and expensive, we developed inexpensive transducer arrays consisting of 8 elements. Each array is based on a plate of lead titanate zirconate ceramics (PZT) sawn into 8 elements of 0.3 mm width, 3.8 mm height and 0.5 mm pitch. Each element has a mean frequency of 3.8 MHz and can be triggered separately. The main challenge was the development of production steps with reproducible results. Our transducer arrays show only small variances in the sound field characteristics which are strongly required for ultrasound tomography.

Resonant acoustic transducer system for a well drilling string

DOEpatents

Nardi, Anthony P.

1981-01-01

For use in transmitting acoustic waves propated along a well drilling string, a piezoelectric transducer is provided operating in the relatively low loss acoustic propagation range of the well drilling string. The efficiently coupled transmitting transducer incorporates a mass-spring-piezoelectric transmitter combination permitting a resonant operation in the desired low frequency range.

Resonant acoustic transducer system for a well drilling string

DOEpatents

Kent, William H.; Mitchell, Peter G.

1981-01-01

For use in transmitting acoustic waves propagated along a well drilling string, a piezoelectric transducer is provided operating in the relatively low loss acoustic propagation range of the well drilling string. The efficiently coupled transmitting transducer incorporates a mass-spring-piezoelectric transmitter combination permitting resonant operation in the desired low frequency range.

Respiratory Belt Transducer Constructed Using a Singing Greeting Card Beeper

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Bhaskar, Anand; Subramani, Selvam; Ojha, Rajdeep

2013-01-01

An article by Belusic and Zupancic described the construction of a finger pulse sensor using a singing greeting card beeper. These authors felt that this beeper made of piezoelectric material could be easily modified to function as a respiratory belt transducer to monitor respiratory movements. Commercially available respiratory belt transducers,…

40 CFR 1066.240 - Torque transducer verification and calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2013 CFR

2013-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS VEHICLE-TESTING PROCEDURES Dynamometer Specifications § 1066.240 Torque transducer verification and calibration. Calibrate torque-measurement systems as described in 40 CFR 1065.310. ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2013-07-01 2013-07-01 false Torque transducer verification and...

40 CFR 1066.240 - Torque transducer verification.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2014 CFR

2014-07-01

... POLLUTION CONTROLS VEHICLE-TESTING PROCEDURES Dynamometer Specifications § 1066.240 Torque transducer verification. Verify torque-measurement systems by performing the verifications described in §§ 1066.270 and... 40 Protection of Environment 33 2014-07-01 2014-07-01 false Torque transducer verification. 1066...

40 CFR 1066.240 - Torque transducer verification and calibration.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2012 CFR

2012-07-01

...) AIR POLLUTION CONTROLS VEHICLE-TESTING PROCEDURES Dynamometer Specifications § 1066.240 Torque transducer verification and calibration. Calibrate torque-measurement systems as described in 40 CFR 1065.310. ... 40 Protection of Environment 34 2012-07-01 2012-07-01 false Torque transducer verification and...

21 CFR 892.1570 - Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer.

Code of Federal Regulations, 2010 CFR

2010-04-01

... 21 Food and Drugs 8 2010-04-01 2010-04-01 false Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer. 892.1570 Section 892.1570 Food and Drugs FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES (CONTINUED) MEDICAL DEVICES RADIOLOGY DEVICES Diagnostic Devices § 892.1570 Diagnostic ultrasonic transducer...

Electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer systems for transducing speech articulatory movements.

PubMed

Perkell, J S; Cohen, M H; Svirsky, M A; Matthies, M L; Garabieta, I; Jackson, M T

1992-12-01

This paper describes two electromagnetic midsagittal articulometer (EMMA) systems that were developed for transducing articulatory movements during speech production. Alternating magnetic fields are generated by transmitter coils that are mounted in an assembly that fits on the head of a speaker. The fields induce alternating voltages in a number of small transducer coils that are attached to articulators in the midline plane, inside and outside the vocal tract. The transducers are connected by fine lead wires to receiver electronics whose output voltages are processed to yield measures of transducer locations as a function of time. Measurement error can arise with this method, because as the articulators move and change shape, the transducers can undergo a varying amount of rotational misalignment with respect to the transmitter axes; both systems are designed to correct for transducer misalignment. For this purpose, one system uses two transmitters and biaxial transducers; the other uses three transmitters and single-axis transducers. The systems have been compared with one another in terms of their performance, human subjects compatibility, and ease of use. Both systems can produce useful midsagittal-plane data on articular movement, and each one has a specific set of advantages and limitations. (Two commercially available systems are also described briefly for comparison purposes). If appropriate experimental controls are used, the three-transmitter system is preferable for practical reasons.

Transducer hygiene: comparison of procedures for decontamination of ultrasound transducers and their use in clinical practice.

PubMed

Häggström, Mikael; Spira, Jack; Edelstam, Greta

2015-02-01

To determine whether current hygiene practices are appropriate during sonographic examinations. Five major hospitals in Sweden were investigated with a survey. At each hospital, the departments corresponding to the main types of sonographic examination were chosen. Personnel who were responsible for or acquainted with the local hygiene procedures completed a standardardized questionnaire. The surveys were completed by 25 departments, where the total number of sonographic examinations was approximately 20,000 per month. For transvaginal and transrectal sonographic examinations, the most common method for decontamination of the transducer was barrier protection during the procedure followed by cleansing with alcohol. Latex was the predominant cover material, but one department used polyethylene gloves, and another department used nitrile gloves. Both of these involved transvaginal ultrasonography. In transcutaneous examinations, all hospitals were using alcohol and paper or cloth for decontamination at a minimum. Transesophageal examinations were carried out without barrier protection, and decontamination was performed with an alkylating substance. The hygiene practices appear to be appropriate at most hospitals, but there is a prevalence of transducer cover materials of unacceptable permeability, as well as use of gloves on transducers despite insufficient evidence of safety. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Airborne Transducer Integrity under Operational Environment for Structural Health Monitoring

PubMed Central

Salmanpour, Mohammad Saleh; Sharif Khodaei, Zahra; Aliabadi, Mohammad Hossein

2016-01-01

This paper investigates the robustness of permanently mounted transducers used in airborne structural health monitoring systems, when exposed to the operational environment. Typical airliners operate in a range of conditions, hence, structural health monitoring (SHM) transducer robustness and integrity must be demonstrated for these environments. A set of extreme temperature, altitude and vibration environment test profiles are developed using the existing Radio Technical Commission for Aeronautics (RTCA)/DO-160 test methods. Commercially available transducers and manufactured versions bonded to carbon fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite materials are tested. It was found that the DuraAct transducer is robust to environmental conditions tested, while the other transducer types degrade under the same conditions. PMID:27973450

Embedded Ultrasonic Transducers for Active and Passive Concrete Monitoring

PubMed Central

Niederleithinger, Ernst; Wolf, Julia; Mielentz, Frank; Wiggenhauser, Herbert; Pirskawetz, Stephan

2015-01-01

Recently developed new transducers for ultrasonic transmission, which can be embedded right into concrete, are now used for non-destructive permanent monitoring of concrete. They can be installed during construction or thereafter. Large volumes of concrete can be monitored for changes of material properties by a limited number of transducers. The transducer design, the main properties as well as installation procedures are presented. It is shown that compressional waves with a central frequency of 62 kHz are mainly generated around the transducer’s axis. The transducer can be used as a transmitter or receiver. Application examples demonstrate that the transducers can be used to monitor concrete conditions parameters (stress, temperature, …) as well as damages in an early state or the detection of acoustic events (e.g., crack opening). Besides application in civil engineering our setups can also be used for model studies in geosciences. PMID:25923928

Piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducers in biomedical applications

PubMed Central

Zhou, Qifa; Lam, Kwok Ho; Zheng, Hairong; Qiu, Weibao; Shung, K. Kirk

2014-01-01

Piezoelectric single crystals, which have excellent piezoelectric properties, have extensively been employed for various sensors and actuators applications. In this paper, the state–of–art in piezoelectric single crystals for ultrasonic transducer applications is reviewed. Firstly, the basic principles and design considerations of piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers will be addressed. Then, the popular piezoelectric single crystals used for ultrasonic transducer applications, including LiNbO3 (LN), PMN–PT and PIN–PMN–PT, will be introduced. After describing the preparation and performance of the single crystals, the recent development of both the single–element and array transducers fabricated using the single crystals will be presented. Finally, various biomedical applications including eye imaging, intravascular imaging, blood flow measurement, photoacoustic imaging, and microbeam applications of the single crystal transducers will be discussed. PMID:25386032

Absolute quantification of microbial taxon abundances.

PubMed

Props, Ruben; Kerckhof, Frederiek-Maarten; Rubbens, Peter; De Vrieze, Jo; Hernandez Sanabria, Emma; Waegeman, Willem; Monsieurs, Pieter; Hammes, Frederik; Boon, Nico

2017-02-01

High-throughput amplicon sequencing has become a well-established approach for microbial community profiling. Correlating shifts in the relative abundances of bacterial taxa with environmental gradients is the goal of many microbiome surveys. As the abundances generated by this technology are semi-quantitative by definition, the observed dynamics may not accurately reflect those of the actual taxon densities. We combined the sequencing approach (16S rRNA gene) with robust single-cell enumeration technologies (flow cytometry) to quantify the absolute taxon abundances. A detailed longitudinal analysis of the absolute abundances resulted in distinct abundance profiles that were less ambiguous and expressed in units that can be directly compared across studies. We further provide evidence that the enrichment of taxa (increase in relative abundance) does not necessarily relate to the outgrowth of taxa (increase in absolute abundance). Our results highlight that both relative and absolute abundances should be considered for a comprehensive biological interpretation of microbiome surveys.

Low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants.

PubMed

Kourtis, Athena P; Bramson, Brian; van der Horst, Charles; Kazembe, Peter; Ahmed, Yusuf; Chasela, Charles; Hosseinipour, Mina; Knight, Rodney; Lugalia, Lebah; Tegha, Gerald; Joaki, George; Jafali, Robert; Jamieson, Denise J

2005-07-01

Infants of African origin have a lower normal range of absolute neutrophil counts than white infants; this fact, however, remains under appreciated by clinical researchers in the United States. During the initial stages of a clinical trial in Malawi, the authors noted an unexpectedly high number of infants with absolute neutrophil counts that would be classifiable as neutropenic using the National Institutes of Health's Division of AIDS toxicity tables. The authors argue that the relevant Division of AIDS table does not take into account the available evidence of low absolute neutrophil counts in African infants and that a systematic collection of data from many African settings might help establish the absolute neutrophil count cutpoints to be used for defining neutropenia in African populations.

A New Gimmick for Assigning Absolute Configuration.

ERIC Educational Resources Information Center

Ayorinde, F. O.

1983-01-01

A five-step procedure is provided to help students in making the assignment absolute configuration less bothersome. Examples for both single (2-butanol) and multi-chiral carbon (3-chloro-2-butanol) molecules are included. (JN)

Absolute colorimetric characterization of a DSLR camera

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Guarnera, Giuseppe Claudio; Bianco, Simone; Schettini, Raimondo

2014-03-01

A simple but effective technique for absolute colorimetric camera characterization is proposed. It offers a large dynamic range requiring just a single, off-the-shelf target and a commonly available controllable light source for the characterization. The characterization task is broken down in two modules, respectively devoted to absolute luminance estimation and to colorimetric characterization matrix estimation. The characterized camera can be effectively used as a tele-colorimeter, giving an absolute estimation of the XYZ data in cd=m2. The user is only required to vary the f - number of the camera lens or the exposure time t, to better exploit the sensor dynamic range. The estimated absolute tristimulus values closely match the values measured by a professional spectro-radiometer.

Ultrasound transducer positioning aid for fetal heart rate monitoring.

PubMed

Hamelmann, Paul; Kolen, Alex; Schmitt, Lars; Vullings, Rik; van Assen, Hans; Mischi, Massimo; Demi, Libertario; van Laar, Judith; Bergmans, Jan

2016-08-01

Fetal heart rate (fHR) monitoring is usually performed by Doppler ultrasound (US) techniques. For reliable fHR measurements it is required that the fetal heart is located within the US beam. In clinical practice, clinicians palpate the maternal abdomen to identify the fetal presentation and then the US transducer is fixated on the maternal abdomen where the best fHR signal can be obtained. Finding the optimal transducer position is done by listening to the strength of the Doppler audio output and relying on a signal quality indicator of the cardiotocographic (CTG) measurement system. Due to displacement of the US transducer or displacement of the fetal heart out of the US beam, the fHR signal may be lost. Therefore, it is often necessary that the obstetrician repeats the tedious procedure of US transducer positioning to avoid long periods of fHR signal loss. An intuitive US transducer positioning aid would be highly desirable to increase the work flow for the clinical staff. In this paper, the possibility to determine the fetal heart location with respect to the transducer by exploiting the received signal power in the transducer elements is shown. A commercially available US transducer used for fHR monitoring is connected to an US open platform, which allows individual driving of the elements and raw US data acquisition. Based on the power of the received Doppler signals in the transducer elements, the fetal heart location can be estimated. A beating fetal heart setup was designed and realized for validation. The experimental results show the feasibility of estimating the fetal heart location with the proposed method. This can be used to support clinicians in finding the optimal transducer position for fHR monitoring more easily.

Effect of Surface Pressure Integration Methodology on Launch Vehicle Buffet Forcing Functions

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Sekula, Martin K.; Piatak, David J.; Rausch, Russ D.

2016-01-01

The 2014 test of the Space Launch System (SLS) Rigid Buffet Model conducted at the NASA Langley Transonic Dynamics Tunnel employed an extremely high number of unsteady pressure transducers. The high channel count provided an opportunity to examine the effect of transducer placement on the resulting buffet forcing functions (BFFs). Rings of transducers on the forward half of the model were employed to simulate a single-body vehicle. The impact of transducer density, circumferential distribution, and loss of a single transducer on the resulting BFFs were examined. Rings of transducers on the aft half of the SLS model were employed to examine the effect of transducer density and circumferential distribution on BFFs for a multi-body configuration. Transducer placement considerations with respect to model size, facility infrastructure, and data acquisition system capabilities, which affect the integration process, are also discussed.

Polymer subtrates for dry-coupled ultrasonic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Komsky, Igor N.

2003-07-01

Dry-coupled inspection techniques are very important for applications on components with non-uniform surfaces and for inspections of advanced materials or coatings that are porous or otherwise sensitive to the application of water, gel, or some other ultrasonic couplants. To overcome the problems associated with the liquid coupling medium, a number of polymer films have been developed to transmit the ultrasound through a dry interface. These materials are very flexible so even low pressure loading is sufficient to adapt the films to the irregular inspection surfaces. Several polymer films have been evaluated to develop dry-coupled substrates for transducer modules. The modules will be utilized to detect and characterize fatigue cracks and corrosion spots in the aircraft structures. Ultrasonic properties of the polymer films were measured and compared with the properties of plastic or rubber-like materials commonly used for ultrasonic applications. Experiments have been carried out to analyze propagation of longitudinal and shear waves in the films. Two different types of the ultrasonic modules with the flexible polymer substrates are being developed. The influence of the surface condition on the module performance was evaluated for both types of the modules.

Near-field multiple traps of paraxial acoustic vortices with strengthened gradient force generated by sector transducer array

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Wang, Qingdong; Li, Yuzhi; Ma, Qingyu; Guo, Gepu; Tu, Juan; Zhang, Dong

2018-01-01

In order to improve the capability of particle trapping close to the source plane, theoretical and experimental studies on near-field multiple traps of paraxial acoustic vortices (AVs) with a strengthened acoustic gradient force (AGF) generated by a sector transducer array were conducted. By applying the integration of point source radiation, numerical simulations for the acoustic fields generated by the sector transducer array were conducted and compared with those produced by the circular transducer array. It was proved that strengthened AGFs of near-field multiple AVs with higher peak pressures and smaller vortex radii could be produced by the sector transducer array with a small topological charge. The axial distributions of the equivalent potential gradient indicated that the AGFs of paraxial AVs in the near field were much higher than those in the far field, and the distances at the near-field vortex antinodes were also proved to be the ideal trapping positions with relatively higher AGFs. With the established 8-channel AV generation system, theoretical studies were also verified by the experimental measurements of pressure and phase for AVs with various topological charges. The formation of near-field multiple paraxial AVs was verified by the cross-sectional circular pressure distributions with perfect phase spirals around central pressure nulls, and was also proved by the vortex nodes and antinodes along the center axis. The favorable results demonstrated the feasibility of generating near-field multiple traps of paraxial AVs with strengthened AGF using the sector transducer array, and suggested the potential applications of close-range particle trapping in biomedical engineering.

Simultaneous Ultrasound Therapy and Monitoring of Microbubble-Seeded Acoustic Cavitation Using a Single-Element Transducer.

PubMed

Heymans, Sophie V; Martindale, Christine F; Suler, Andrej; Pouliopoulos, Antonios N; Dickinson, Robert J; Choi, James J

2017-08-01

Ultrasound-driven microbubble (MB) activity is used in therapeutic applications such as blood clot dissolution and targeted drug delivery. The safety and performance of these technologies are linked to the type and distribution of MB activities produced within the targeted area, but controlling and monitoring these activities in vivo and in real time has proven to be difficult. As therapeutic pulses are often milliseconds long, MB monitoring currently requires a separate transducer used in a passive reception mode. Here, we present a simple, inexpensive, integrated setup, in which a focused single-element transducer can perform ultrasound therapy and monitoring simultaneously. MBs were made to flow through a vessel-mimicking tube, placed within the transducer's focus, and were sonicated with therapeutic pulses (peak rarefactional pressure: 75-827 kPa, pulse lengths: [Formula: see text] and 20 ms). The MB-seeded acoustic emissions were captured using the same transducer. The received signals were separated from the therapeutic signal with a hybrid coupler and a high-pass filter. We discriminated the MB-generated cavitation signal from the primary acoustic field and characterized MB behavior in real time. The simplicity and versatility of our circuit could make existing single-element therapeutic transducers also act as cavitation detectors, allowing the production of compact therapeutic systems with real time monitoring capabilities.

Mechanical Amplifier for a Piezoelectric Transducer

NASA Technical Reports Server (NTRS)

Moore, James; Swain, Mark; Lawson, Peter; Calvet, Robert

2003-01-01

A mechanical amplifier has been devised to multiply the stroke of a piezoelectric transducer (PZT) intended for use at liquid helium temperatures. Interferometry holds the key to high angular resolution imaging and astrometry in space. Future space missions that will detect planets around other solar systems and perform detailed studies of the evolution of stars and galaxies will use new interferometers that observe at mid- and far-infrared wavelengths. Phase-measurement interferometry is key to many aspects of astronomical interferometry, and PZTs are ideal modulators for most methods of phase measurement, but primarily at visible wavelengths. At far infrared wavelengths of 150 to 300 m, background noise is a severe problem and all optics must be cooled to about 4 K. Under these conditions, piezos are ill-suited as modulators, because their throw is reduced by as much as a factor of 2, and even a wavelength or two of modulation is beyond their capability. The largest commercially available piezo stacks are about 5 in. (12.7 cm) long and have a throw of about 180 m at room temperature and only 90 m at 4 K. It would seem difficult or impossible to use PZTs for phase measurements in the far infrared were it not for the new mechanical amplifier that was designed and built.

Multicarrier airborne ultrasound transmission with piezoelectric transducers.

PubMed

Ens, Alexander; Reindl, Leonhard M

2015-05-01

In decentralized localization systems, the received signal has to be assigned to the sender. Therefore, longrange airborne ultrasound communication enables the transmission of an identifier of the sender within the ultrasound signal to the receiver. Further, in areas with high electromagnetic noise or electromagnetic free areas, ultrasound communication is an alternative. Using code division multiple access (CDMA) to transmit data is ineffective in rooms due to high echo amplitudes. Further, piezoelectric transducers generate a narrow-band ultrasound signal, which limits the data rate. This work shows the use of multiple carrier frequencies in orthogonal frequency division multiplex (OFDM) and differential quadrature phase shift keying modulation with narrowband piezoelectric devices to achieve a packet length of 2.1 ms. Moreover, the adapted channel coding increases data rate by correcting transmission errors. As a result, a 2-carrier ultrasound transmission system on an embedded system achieves a data rate of approximately 5.7 kBaud. Within the presented work, a transmission range up to 18 m with a packet error rate (PER) of 13% at 10-V supply voltage is reported. In addition, the transmission works up to 22 m with a PER of 85%. Moreover, this paper shows the accuracy of the frame synchronization over the distance. Consequently, the system achieves a standard deviation of 14 μs for ranges up to 10 m.

STIMULUS AND TRANSDUCER EFFECTS ON THRESHOLD

PubMed Central

Flamme, Gregory A.; Geda, Kyle; McGregor, Kara; Wyllys, Krista; Deiters, Kristy K.; Murphy, William J.; Stephenson, Mark R.

2015-01-01

Objective This study examined differences in thresholds obtained under Sennheiser HDA200 circumaural earphones using pure tone, equivalent rectangular noise bands, and 1/3 octave noise bands relative to thresholds obtained using Telephonics TDH-39P supra-aural earphones. Design Thresholds were obtained via each transducer and stimulus condition six times within a 10-day period. Study Sample Forty-nine adults were selected from a prior study to represent low, moderate, and high threshold reliability. Results The results suggested that (1) only small adjustments were needed to reach equivalent TDH-39P thresholds, (2) pure-tone thresholds obtained with HDA200 circumaural earphones had reliability equal to or better than those obtained using TDH-39P earphones, (3) the reliability of noise-band thresholds improved with broader stimulus bandwidth and was either equal to or better than pure-tone thresholds, and (4) frequency-specificity declined with stimulus bandwidths greater than one Equivalent Rectangular Band, which could complicate early detection of hearing changes that occur within a narrow frequency range. Conclusions These data suggest that circumaural earphones such as the HDA200 headphones provide better reliability for audiometric testing as compared to the TDH-39P earphones. These data support the use of noise bands, preferably ERB noises, as stimuli for audiometric monitoring. PMID:25549164

Long term performance of wearable transducer for motion energy harvesting

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

McGarry, Scott A.; Behrens, Sam

2010-04-01

Personal electronic devices such as cell phones, GPS and MP3 players have traditionally depended on battery energy storage technologies for operation. By harvesting energy from a person's motion, these devices may achieve greater run times without increasing the mass or volume of the electronic device. Through the use of a flexible piezoelectric transducer such as poly-vinylidene fluoride (PVDF), and integrating it into a person's clothing, it becomes a 'wearable transducer'. As the PVDF transducer is strained during the person's routine activities, it produces an electrical charge which can then be harvested to power personal electronic devices. Existing wearable transducers have shown great promise for personal motion energy harvesting applications. However, they are presently physically bulky and not ergonomic for the wearer. In addition, there is limited information on the energy harvesting performance for wearable transducers, especially under realistic conditions and for extended cyclic force operations - as would be experienced when worn. In this paper, we present experimental results for a wearable PVDF transducer using a person's measured walking force profile, which is then cycled for a prolonged period of time using an experimental apparatus. Experimental results indicate that after an initial drop in performance, the transducer energy harvesting performance does not substantially deteriorate over time, as less than 10% degradation was observed. Longevity testing is still continuing at CSIRO.

Design of advanced ultrasonic transducers for welding devices.

PubMed

Parrini, L

2001-11-01

A new high frequency ultrasonic transducer has been conceived, designed, prototyped, and tested. In the design phase, an advanced approach was used and established. The method is based on an initial design estimate obtained with finite element method (FEM) simulations. The simulated ultrasonic transducers and resonators are then built and characterized experimentally through laser interferometry and electrical resonance spectra. The comparison of simulation results with experimental data allows the parameters of FEM models to be adjusted and optimized. The achieved FEM simulations exhibit a remarkably high predictive potential and allow full control of the vibration behavior of the transducer. The new transducer is mounted on a wire bonder with a flange whose special geometry was calculated by means of FEM simulations. This flange allows the transducer to be attached on the wire bonder, not only in longitudinal nodes, but also in radial nodes of the ultrasonic field excited in the horn. This leads to a total decoupling of the transducer to the wire bonder, which has not been achieved so far. The new approach to mount ultrasonic transducers on a welding device is of major importance, not only for wire bonding, but also for all high power ultrasound applications and has been patented.

Topology optimized design of functionally graded piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers

NASA Astrophysics Data System (ADS)

Rubio, Wilfredo Montealegre; Buiochi, Flávio; Adamowski, Julio Cezar; Silva, Emílio C. N.

2010-01-01

This work presents a new approach to systematically design piezoelectric ultrasonic transducers based on Topology Optimization Method (TOM) and Functionally Graded Material (FGM) concepts. The main goal is to find the optimal material distribution of Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers, to achieve the following requirements: (i) the transducer must be designed to have a multi-modal or uni-modal frequency response, which defines the kind of generated acoustic wave, either short pulse or continuous wave, respectively; (ii) the transducer is required to oscillate in a thickness extensional mode or piston-like mode, aiming at acoustic wave generation applications. Two kinds of piezoelectric materials are mixed for producing the FGM transducer. Material type 1 represents a PZT-5A piezoelectric ceramic and material type 2 represents a PZT-5H piezoelectric ceramic. To illustrate the proposed method, two Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers are designed. The TOM has shown to be a useful tool for designing Functionally Graded Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Transducers with uni-modal or multi-modal dynamic behavior.

Development of a Piezoelectric Polymer Film Pressure Transducer for Low Frequency and Dynamic Pressure Measurement

DTIC Science & Technology

1990-12-01

Sample LOTUS 123 Cell Formulas for Reducing Reset Data A2: 0.0008 B2: 0.564 C2: -2.501 02: (A1-$A$1) E2: (@IF(@ABS(C2)>2,@TRUE,@FALSE)=1) F2: (@IF(E2...9 F14: (@IF( El4 =1,0,0.951*C14)) H14: (G14- 12 .492*D14) A15: 0.0034 B15: -0.248 015: 0.033 D15: (A14-$A$l) G15: @IF(El5=O, (F15+$G$1 1), (($G$1 1+Gl4...data corrected for rise rate and zero mean. I I F-4 I LOTUS 123 Cell Formulas Used to Reconstruct the Sine Data Al: 0.00324 Bi: -0.01 Cl: -0.14 D1: (Al

Piezoelectric transducer design for a miniaturized injectable acoustic transmitter

DOE PAGES

Li, Huidong; Jung, Ki Won; Deng, Zhiqun D.

2015-10-07

Acoustic telemetry has been an important tool in the last 20 years for studying fish survival and migration behaviors during and after dam passage. This technology uses implantable acoustic transmitters as tags to three-dimensionally track the movement of fish. However, the relatively large weights and sizes of commercially available transmitters limit the populations of fish that could be studied. The surgical implantation procedures required may also injure fish and also incur a significant amount of labor. Therefore, a smaller, lighter, and injectable tag was needed, and similar or better acoustic performance and service life over that provided by existing commercialmore » tags was desired. To develop such a small transmitter, a number of technical challenges, including design optimization of the piezoelectric transducer, needed to be overcome. The goal of our efforts to optimize the transducer focused on improving the average source level in the 180° range in which the transmitter was facing the receiving hydrophone, so as to increase the transmitter’s detection probability. This paper reports the techniques that were explored and developed to achieve this goal. We found that a novel off-center tube transducer improved the average source level of the front half of the transducer by 1.5 dB. An acoustic reflector attached to the back of the transducer also improved the source level by 3 dB when the transducer was pointed toward the receiving hydrophone, although the source level on the sides of the transducer was reduced. We found that too small a gap between the transducer and the component placed behind it resulted in distortion of the beam pattern. To overcome that issue, we connected a tuning inductor in series with the transducer to help optimize the source level. Furthermore, the findings and techniques developed in this work contributed to the successful development and implementation of a new injectable transmitter.« less