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At least 127 records · Page 7
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
NASA NTRS1980

Simulation of transducer-couplant effects on broadband ultrasonic signals

The increasing use of broadband, pulse-echo ultrasonics in nondestructive evaluation of flaws and material properties has generated a need for improved understanding of the way signals are modified by coupled and bonded thin-layer interfaces associated with transducers. This understanding is most important when using frequency spectrum analyses for characterizing material properties. In this type of application, signals emanating from material specimens can be strongly influenced by couplant and bond-layers in the acoustic path. Computer synthesized waveforms were used to simulate a range of interface conditions encountered in ultrasonic transducer systems operating in the 20to 80-MHz regime. The adverse effects of thin-layer multiple reflections associated with various acoustic impedance conditions are demonstrated. The information presented is relevant to ultrasonic transducer design, specimen preparation, and couplant selection.

Vary, A.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Thin film strain transducer

Previous attempts to develop an appropriate sensor for measuring the stress or strain of high altitude balloons during flight are reviewed as well as the various conditions that must be met by such a device. The design, development and calibration of a transducer which promises to satisfy the necessary design constraints are described. The thin film strain transducer has a low effective modulus so as not to interfere with the strain that would naturally occur in the balloon. In addition, the transducer has a high sensitivity to longitudinal strain (7.216 mV/V/unit strain) which is constant for all temperature from room temperature to -80 C and all strains from 5 percent compression to 10 percent tensile strain. At the same time, the sensor is relatively insensitive (0.27 percent) to transverse forces. The device has a standard 350 ohm impedance which is compatible with available bridge balance, amplification and telemetry instrumentation now available for balloon flight. Recommendations are included for improved coatings to provide passive thermal control as well as model, tethered and full scale flight testing.

Rand, J. L.↗
NASA NTRS1981

Design and analysis of a torsion braid pendulum displacement transducer

The dynamic properties at various temperatures of braids impregnated with polymer can be measured by using the braid as the suspension of a torsion pendulum. This report describes the electronic and mechanical design of a torsional braid pendulum displacement transducer which is an advance in the state of the art. The transducer uses a unique optical design consisting of refracting quartz windows used in conjunction with a differential photocell to produce a null signal. The release mechanism for initiating free torsional oscillation of the pendulum has also been improved. Analysis of the precision and accuracy of the transducer indicated that the maximum relative error in measuring torsional amplitude was approximately 0. A serious problem inherent in all instruments which use a torsional suspension was analyzed: misalignment of the physical and torsional axes of the torsional member which results in modulation of the amplitude of the free oscillation.

Rind, E.↗
NASA NTRS1981

An ultrasonic transducer with Gaussian radial velocity distribution

A transducer with a velocity profile which is Gaussian as a function of radius and independent of angle is described. In materials evaluation applications requiring the interrogation of modified far field patterns of an ultrasonic transducer, it is desirable to use a transducer which produces a beam with a Gaussian profile. A computer aided electrode design and calibrated three dimensional interferometric optical and ultrasonic measurements of the far field distribution are presented.

Zerwekh, P. S.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Low-Stress Sealing of Pressure Transducers

Compliant washer seals high pressures without excessive compressive stress on transducer. Conformal washer serves as effective seal for transducer passing through walls of pressure vessel. Washer makes it unnecessary to tighten mounting nut to high torque, which could damage transducer or adversely affect accuracy. Washer also used to seal mountings for temperature sensors and other devices.

Kroy, R. E.↗
NASA NTRS1983

A technique for dynamically calibrating pressure transducers at cryogenic temperatures

A technique was developed for the calibration of dynamic pressure transducers at cryogenic temperatures. The calibration system utilizes an 8.9 Newton peak thrust shaker which oscillates a helium-filled bellows to generate a sinusoidal dynamic pressure to calibrate transducers immersed in a cryogenic environment. The system has a dynamic pressure measurement uncertainty of approximately 11% and is capable of producing peak-to-peak dynamic pressure amplitudes of 1.4 kPa over a frequency range of 40 to 100 hertz and a temperature range of 100 to 300 K. It provides an unprecedented capability of both static and dynamic calibration of pressure transducers from ambient to cryogenic temperature.

Gibbens, B. V.↗
NASA NTRS1985

Stress waves in an isotropic elastic plate excited by a circular transducer

Steady state harmonic stress waves in an isotropic elastic plate excited on one face by a circular transducer are analyzed theoretically. The transmitting transducer transforms an electrical voltage into a uniform normal stress at the top of the plate. To solve the boundary value problem, the radiation into a half-space is considered. The receiving transducer produces an electrical voltage proportional to the average spatially integrated normal stress over its face due to an incident wave. A numerical procedure is given to evaluate the frequency response at a receiving point due to a multiply reflected wave in the near field. Its stability and convergence are discussed. Parameterization plots which determine the particular wave whose frequency response has maximum magnitude compared with other multiple reflected waves are given for a range of values of dimensionless parameters. The effects of changes in the values of the parameters are discussed.

Karagulle, H.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Acoustooptic pulse-echo transducer system

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.

Claus, R. O.↗
NASA NTRS1983

Detection of acoustic emission from composite laminates using PVF2 transducers

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVF2), a semicrystalline polymer exhibiting piezoelectricity, is presently used as a sensing transducer in acoustic emission (AE) monitoring of several different composite laminate materials in order to obtain both quasi-static and fatigue loading results. AE signals obtained from PVF2 transducers are compared with those obtained by standard AE sensors. It is noted that PVF2 transducers may, through the application of spectral signal analysis, be able to distinguish between two distinct failure modes which have been observed in two composite laminates of the same material, but employing different lamina stacking sequences.

Stiffler, R.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Two-Element Transducer for Ultrasound

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.

Lecroissette, D. H.↗
NASA NTRS1986

Stress waves in isotropic elastic plate excited by circular transducer

Steady state harmonic stress waves in an isotropic elastic plate excited on one face by a circular transducer are analyzed theoretically. The transmitting transducer transforms an electrical voltage into a uniform normal stress at the top of the plate. To solve the boundary value problem,the radiation into a half-space is considered. The receiving transducer produces an electrical voltage proportional to the average spatially integrated normal stress over its face due to an incident wave. A numerical procedure is given to evaluate the frequency response at a receiving point due to a multiply reflected wave in the near field. Its stability and convergence are discussed. Parameterization plots which determine the particular wave whose frequency response has maximum magnitude compared with other multiple reflected waves are given for a range of values of dimensionless parameters. The effects of changes in the values of the parameters are discussed.

Williams, J. H., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1987

Sliding Capacitive Displacement Transducer

Simple circuit replaces bridge circuit. Sliding capacitive displacement transducer, capacitance varies linearly with displacement, enables use of simple circuit based on operational amplifier instead of complicated capacitance bridge. With new circuit, transducers as small as 0.05 in. (1.3 mm) square and 0.004 in. (0.1 mm) thick have produced output-voltage changes of about 200 mV per 0.005 in. (0.13 mm) of displacement. Piston-type transducer made quite small for installation in confined spaces.

Bryner, B. D.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Microtronic Flow Transducer

Novel microelectronic airflow and gas-flow transducer developed. Has no moving parts and constructed by use of variation on ordinary technology for processing of planar silicon microelectronics, where hundreds or thousands of identical devices concurrently produced on single chip as easily as can one. Gas-flow transducer based upon integrated Wheatstone bridge in silicon chip. Legs doped with gold and isolated thermally by etching away surrounding material (except corners). Because of small size, sensitivity, and good directional capability of new transducer, numerous potential applications in measurement of vortexes, flows in inlets to pipes, and other complicated flows.

Sundberg, Gale R.↗
NASA NTRS1990

SHOOT flowmeter and pressure transducers

A venturi flowmeter has been designed and constructed for the Superfluid Helium On-Orbit Transfer (SHOOT) experiment. The calibration results obtained from the SHOOT venturi demonstrate the ability of the flowmeter to meet the requirements of the SHOOT experiment. Flow rates as low as 20 cu dm/h and as high as 800 cu dm/h have been measured. Performances of the SHOOT differential and absolute pressure transducers, which have undergone calibration and vibration tests, are also included. Throughout the tests, the responses of the transducers remained linear and repeatable to within + or - 1 percent of the full scales of the transducers.

Kashani, A.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Technology trends in high temperature pressure transducers: The impact of micromachining

This paper discusses the implications of micromachining technology on the development of high temperature pressure transducers. The introduction puts forth the thesis that micromachining will be the technology of choice for the next generation of extended temperature range pressure transducers. The term micromachining is defined, the technology is discussed and examples are presented. Several technologies for high temperature pressure transducers are discussed, including silicon on insulator, capacitive, optical, and vibrating element. Specific conclusions are presented along with recommendations for development of the technology.

Mallon, Joseph R., Jr.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Radii effect on the translation spring constant of force transducer beams

Multi-component strain-gage force transducer design requires the designer to determine the spring constant of the numerous beams or flexures incorporated in the transducer. The classical beam deflection formulae that are used in calculating these spring constants typically assume that the beam has a uniform moment of inertia along the entire beam length. In practice all beams have a radius at the end where the beam interfaces with the shoulder of the transducer, and on short beams in particular this increases the beam spring constant considerably. A Basic computer program utilizing numerical integration is presented to determine this effect.

Scott, C. E.↗
NASA NTRS1995

Improved Piezoelectric Loudspeakers And Transducers

Loudspeakers and related acoustic transducers of improved type feature both light weight and energy efficiency of piezoelectric transducers and mechanical coupling efficiency. Active component of transducer made from wafer of "rainbow" piezoelectric material, ceramic piezoelectric material chemically reduced on one face. Chemical treatment forms wafer into dishlike shallow section of sphere. Both faces then coated with electrically conductive surface layers serving as electrodes. Applications include high-fidelity loudspeakers, and underwater echo ranging devices.

Regan, Curtis Randall↗
NASA NTRS1995

Measuring Thicknesses With In Situ Ultrasonic Transducers

Several pulsed ultrasonic transducers attached to workpiece for measurement of changes in thicknesses of workpiece at transducer locations during grinding and polishing, according to proposal. Once attached, each transducer remains attached at original position until all grinding and polishing operations complete. In typical application, workpiece glass or ceramic blank destined to become component of optical system.

Dunn, Daniel E.↗