Ultrasonic imaging system

US5979239A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Robert C. Youngquist · Cocoa, US
• J. Steven Moerk · Taylorsville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Apr 28, 1997
• Grant date: Nov 9, 1999
• Expiry date: Apr 28, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01M3/243
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An imaging system is described which can be used to either passively search for sources of ultrasonics or as an active phase imaging system, which can image fires, gas leaks, or air temperature gradients. This system uses an array of ultrasonic receivers coupled to an ultrasound collector or lens to provide an electronic image of the ultrasound intensity in a selected angular region of space. A system is described which includes a video camera to provide a visual reference to a region being examined for ultrasonic signals.