Ronald H Roberts

US Patent:

6601451, Aug 5, 2003

Filed:

Jun 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/885506

Inventors:

Ronald Allen Roberts - Ames IA

Assignee:

Iowa State University Research Foundation - Ames IA

International Classification:

G01N 2916

US Classification:

73579

Abstract:

Presented is a system and method for performing highly sensitive measurement of ultrasonic attenuation in small material volumes. The invention allows the mapping of the variations on the surface of a specimen with a high spatial resolution. An ultrasonic transmitter and receiver transmit an ultrasonic signal through a material volume, receive the transmitted pulse, and then re-transmit the received pulse again through the same material volume. The system establishes an oscillating circuit by establishing a positive feedback loop by connecting the transmitter to the receiver with appropriate gain. This oscillating circuit contains the propagation through the material as a component in the signal path. Such a system and method may be employed to aid in the recovery of stamped or engraved serial numbers that have been removed through machining. Such recovery is useful for law enforcement, particularly in tracing weapons and auto parts that have been involved in a crime.

US Patent:

7739899, Jun 22, 2010

Filed:

Apr 28, 2006

Appl. No.:

11/413523

Inventors:

Stephen D. Holland - Ames IA, US
Dale E. Chimenti - Ames IA, US
Ronald A. Roberts - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Ames IA

International Classification:

G01M 3/04

US Classification:

73 405R, 73 455 A, 73 49, 73 52

Abstract:

A method for detection and location of air leaks in a pressure vessel, such as a spacecraft, includes sensing structure-borne ultrasound waveforms associated with turbulence caused by a leak from a plurality of sensors and cross correlating the waveforms to determine existence and location of the leak. Different configurations of sensors and corresponding methods can be used. An apparatus for performing the methods is also provided.

US Patent:

61385123, Oct 31, 2000

Filed:

Jul 29, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/124537

Inventors:

Ronald A. Roberts - Ames IA
Lance E. Rewerts - Ames IA
Mary Amanda Clark - Ames IA

Assignee:

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Ames IA

International Classification:

G01H 1700

US Classification:

73570

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for determining source location for acoustic or other waveform energy in a conducting medium. The method includes simultaneously detecting and transducing the source energy at a plurality of points in the medium into a composite signal representative of the source energy, as sensed at each point. Dispersional modes of propagation of the energy, if more than one, are isolated from each other, preferably by Fourier transform spatially and temporally. Generalized cross correlation is performed on selected isolated modes, resulting in identification of a value from which source location can be located. The apparatus can include an array of spaced apart transducers which are configured to be minimally interfering with source energy propagation through the medium. An multi-channel data acquisition device, including A/D converters for each transducer, captures and digitizes the output of each transducer simultaneously. A digital signal processor operatively associated with the data acquisition device is used to isolate the dispersional modes of the transduced energy and to derive source location with generalized cross correlation techniques.

US Patent:

20220276205, Sep 1, 2022

Filed:

May 13, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/744082

Inventors:

- Farmington CT, US
Ronald Roberts - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

Iowa State University Research Foundation, Inc. - Ames IA
RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01N 29/07
G01N 29/04
G01N 29/44

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a microtexture of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include methods of determining a service life limiting region of a component, determining a treatment method for a component, and/or selecting components from a batch of components for use in production. The characterization may include calculating a microtexture level indicator from ultrasonic C-scan images for various samples, regions, components, or the like. The microtexture level indicator may include at least one of an average peak factor, a standard deviation of peak amplitude, and/or a baseband bandwidth.

US Patent:

20230003694, Jan 5, 2023

Filed:

Sep 2, 2022

Appl. No.:

17/902609

Inventors:

- Farmington CT, US
Ronald Roberts - Ames IA, US
Dan Barnard - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

RAYTHEON TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01N 29/44
G01N 29/50
G01N 29/07
G01N 29/04

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a potential microtexture region (MTR) of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include determining a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for an actual MTR, characterizing a potential MTR as an actual MTR or a defect, characterizing an actual MTR as an acceptable MTR or not, and/or characterizing various components with potential MTRs as defective or not. The characterization may include calculating a width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a spatial correlation coefficient slope of the potential MTR and comparing the width of spatial correlation coefficient to a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or comparing the spatial correlation coefficient slope to a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for the potential MTR to be characterized as an actual MTR or a defect (crack).

US Patent:

20210072192, Mar 11, 2021

Filed:

Feb 15, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/792218

Inventors:

- Farmington CT, US
Ronald Roberts - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01N 29/07

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a microtexture of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include methods of determining a service life limiting region of a component, determining a treatment method for a component, and/or selecting components from a batch of components for use in production. The characterization may include calculating a microtexture level indicator from ultrasonic C-scan images for various samples, regions, components, or the like. The microtexture level indicator may include at least one of an average peak factor, a standard deviation of peak amplitude, and/or a baseband bandwidth.

US Patent:

20210072197, Mar 11, 2021

Filed:

Mar 13, 2020

Appl. No.:

16/818946

Inventors:

- Farmington CT, US
Ronald Roberts - Ames IA, US
Dan Barnard - Ames IA, US

Assignee:

UNITED TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION - Farmington CT

International Classification:

G01N 29/44
G01N 29/04

Abstract:

The present disclosure provides methods and systems for the characterization of a potential microtexture region (MTR) of a sample, component, or the like. The methods may include determining a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for an actual MTR, characterizing a potential MTR as an actual MTR or a defect, characterizing an actual MTR as an acceptable MTR or not, and/or characterizing various components with potential MTRs as defective or not. The characterization may include calculating a width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or a spatial correlation coefficient slope of the potential MTR and comparing the width of spatial correlation coefficient to a threshold width of spatial correlation coefficient and/or comparing the spatial correlation coefficient slope to a threshold spatial correlation coefficient slope for the potential MTR to be characterized as an actual MTR or a defect (crack).