Steven M Ziola

6367328, Apr 9, 2002

Jul 11, 2000

09/613704

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N 2900

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

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.

6578424, Jun 17, 2003

Sep 27, 2000

09/671405

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N 2900

73632, 73644

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.

6595059, Jul 22, 2003

Jan 23, 2002

10/057405

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N 2900

73592, 598290 R, 598 405 A

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.

6595061, Jul 22, 2003

Jan 23, 2002

10/057047

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N 2900

73597, 73598, 73622, 73624, 73644

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.

6851319, Feb 8, 2005

Sep 26, 2001

09/965672

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N029/26

73622, 73 52

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.

20040020297, Feb 5, 2004

Jun 6, 2003

10/456799

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N029/26
G01N029/10

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

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.

20050061077, Mar 24, 2005

Nov 4, 2004

10/982966

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

Digital Wave Corporation - Englewood CO

G01N029/04

073622000

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.

20050187036, Aug 25, 2005

Jan 28, 2005

11/045864

Steven Ziola - Littleton CO, US
Michael Gorman - Englewood CO, US

BlackSound Sports, Inc. - Greenwood Village CO

A63B069/36

473372000

Methods, systems and apparatus for detecting sports object impact location detection and object velocity are provided. Integrated game systems for simulating sports for use as player and coaching aids are also provided.