Ultrasonic transducer health status monitor
US12397318B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2020 |
| Grant date | Aug 26, 2025 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 26, 2043 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB06B2201/76
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic-based system includes a transmitter and receiver, an ultrasonic transducer including piezoelectric element having a matching layer thereon connected to the transmitter. A controller is coupled to the transmitter. The transmitter is for driving the piezoelectric element with a pulsed electrical signal, where the piezoelectric element transmits a transmit ultrasonic signal. A current/voltage measurement circuit is coupled to sense a current or voltage in the transmitter. The controller is for implementing an algorithm for an ultrasonic transducer monitoring method including comparing an amplitude of the pulsed signal to a predetermined limit. When the pulsed signal is determined to be outside the limit, an impedance of the piezoelectric element is determined to be abnormal. When the pulsed signal is within the limit, the amplitude of the received signal is compared to a lower limit, which when below results in determining a cleaning operation for the ultrasonic transducer is needed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.