Michael J Gorman

US Patent:

6363788, Apr 2, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/613705

Inventors:

Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73597, 73598, 73622, 73624, 73644

Abstract:

Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves (plate waves or Lamb waves) is launched into the wall of a container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, as well as the existence of foreign objects in intimate contact with the container wall. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The guided wave ultrasonic energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency rather than an electrical spike commonly used to excite transducers in standard ultrasonic search units. The energy and energy ratio of both the direct and wrap fields are measured and related to the container inner wall condition and the presence of any corrosion in the container or obstructions in intimate contact with the container wall.

US Patent:

6367328, Apr 9, 2002

Filed:

Jul 11, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/613704

Inventors:

Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO
Wei Huang - Highlands Ranch CO

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73592, 73598, 73290 R, 73622, 73624, 73597, 73644

Abstract:

Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves is launched into the wall of a fluid-filled container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Part of the guide wave energy leaks into the fluid in the form of bulk waves, reflects off the inner wall on the other side and enters back to the receiving transducer trailing the direct wave. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, and fluid level. In addition, it determines whether foreign objects are inside the container. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The leakage energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency. The energy and energy ratio of both the direct and leakage fields are measured and related to the container inner wall condition and the presence of any foreign objects in the fluid.

US Patent:

6578424, Jun 17, 2003

Filed:

Sep 27, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/671405

Inventors:

Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO
Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
William J. Miller - Aurora CO

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73632, 73644

Abstract:

A hand-held Variable Angle Membrane (VAM) ultrasonic scanning head consisting of transmitting and receiving transducers is used to excite guided waves to detect corrosion, MIC and foreign objects in containers such as pipes. The scanning head includes transducers mounted on a fluid filled housing sealed by a membrane. This system couples ultrasound from the transducer to the pipe wall. The transducer housings are mounted in a rigid frame that holds the ultrasonic transducer housings a specific distance apart and allows each transducer housing to rotate about a pivot point. The membrane deforms to the pipe diameter to be scanned. The scanning head is adjusted to perform inspections in various container diameters and thicknesses. Once adjusted for diameter and thickness, the operator places the scanning head on the pipe and couples the rubber membranes to the pipe with a small amount of couplant. Separate electronics excite the transmitting transducer, and then condition the signal from the receiving transducer for analysis.

US Patent:

6595059, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Jan 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057405

Inventors:

Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO
Wei Huang - Highlands Ranch CO

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73592, 598290 R, 598 405 A

Abstract:

Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves is launched into the wall of a fluid-filled container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Part of the guide wave energy leaks into the fluid in the form of bulk waves, reflects off the inner wall on the other side and enters back to the receiving transducer trailing the direct wave. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, and fluid level. In addition, it determines whether foreign objects are inside the container. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The leakage energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency. The energy and energy ratio of both the direct and leakage fields are measured and related to the container inner wall condition and the presence of any foreign objects in the fluid.

US Patent:

6595061, Jul 22, 2003

Filed:

Jan 23, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/057047

Inventors:

Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73597, 73598, 73622, 73624, 73644

Abstract:

Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves (plate waves or Lamb waves) is launched into the wall of a container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, as well as the existence of foreign objects in intimate contact with the container wall. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The guided wave ultrasonic energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency rather than an electrical spike commonly used to excite transducers in standard ultrasonic search units. The energy and energy ratio of both the direct and wrap fields are measured and related to the container inner wall condition and the presence of any corrosion in the container or obstructions in intimate contact with the container wall.

US Patent:

6628567, Sep 30, 2003

Filed:

Jun 15, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/333199

Inventors:

William H. Prosser - Newport News VA
Daniel F. Perey - Yorktown VA
Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO
Edgar F. Scales - Chesapeake VA

Assignee:

The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration - Washington DC

International Classification:

G01M 700

US Classification:

367 13, 73587, 73594

Abstract:

An acoustic monitoring device has at least two acoustic sensors with a triggering mechanism and a multiplexing circuit. After the occurrence of a triggering event at a sensor, the multiplexing circuit allows a recording component to record acoustic emissions at adjacent sensors. The acoustic monitoring device is attached to a solid medium to detect the occurrence of damage.

US Patent:

6851319, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Sep 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/965672

Inventors:

Steven M. Ziola - Littleton CO, US
Michael R. Gorman - Englewood CO, US
William J. Miller - Aurora CO, US

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N029/26

US Classification:

73622, 73 52

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for ultrasonically scanning cylinders are provided. The methods and apparatus employ as few as one ultrasonic sensor for full immersion scanning and defect detection. Self-centering fixturing spins the cylinder, reducing vibration, allowing for fast ultrasonic scans. To create the 45 degree angle beam shear waves for the circumferential scans, the ultrasonic sensor is offset from the centerline of the cylinder, creating the correct angle for excitation of the shear wave.

US Patent:

20040020297, Feb 5, 2004

Filed:

Jun 6, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/456799

Inventors:

Steven Ziola - Littleton CO, US
Michael Gorman - Englewood CO, US
William Miller - Aurora CO, US

Assignee:

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

International Classification:

G01N029/26
G01N029/10

US Classification:

073/634000, 073/622000, 073/644000, 073/865900

Abstract:

Methods and apparatus for ultrasonically scanning cylinders are provided. The methods and apparatus employ as few as one ultrasonic sensor for full immersion scanning and defect detection. Self-centering fixturing spins the cylinder, reducing vibration, allowing for fast ultrasonic scans. To create the 45 degree angle beam shear waves for the circumferential scans, the ultrasonic sensor is offset from the centerline of the cylinder, creating the correct angle for excitation of the shear wave.