IP Library Granted Patent US 11,726,066
Granted Patent B2
US 11,726,066 · App. 17/192,024 · Granted Aug 15, 2023

Inspection device and inspection method

Inventors: Yutaka Nakai (Yokohama Kanagawa, JP); Tomio Ono (Yokohama Kanagawa, JP); Noriko Yamamoto (Yokohama Kanagawa, JP); Kazuhiro Itsumi (Tokyo, JP)
Assignees: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
G01N29/11G01N2291/048G01N2291/102
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,726,066
App. No.
17/192,024
Granted
Aug 15, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

According to one embodiment, an inspection device includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a supporter. The transmitter is configured to transmit a first ultrasonic wave including burst waves having a first period Tp. The receiver on which the first ultrasonic wave is incident is configured to output a signal corresponding to the incident first ultrasonic wave. The supporter is provided between the transmitter and the receiver. The supporter is configured to support an inspection object. The first period Tp (s), a distance Dx (m), and a velocity vx (m/s) satisfy 2Dx/((n+1)·vx)<Tp<2Dx/(n·vx). n is 1 or 2. The distance Dx is a shorter distance of first and second distances. The first distance is a distance along a first direction between the transmitter and the supporter. The second distance is a distance along the first direction between the supporter and the receiver.

Claims (79)

1. An inspection device, comprising:

a transmitter configured to transmit a first ultrasonic wave, the first ultrasonic wave including a plurality of burst waves having a first period Tp;

a receiver on which the first ultrasonic wave is incident, the receiver being configured to output a signal corresponding to the incident first ultrasonic wave; and

a supporter provided between the transmitter and the receiver,

the supporter being configured to support an inspection object,

the first period Tp (s), a distance Dx (m), and a velocity vx (m/s) satisfying

2Dx/((n+1)·vx)<Tp<2Dx/(n·vx), n having a same value on each side of the inequality,

n being 1 or 2,

the distance Dx being a shorter distance of a first distance and a second distance,

the first distance being a distance along a first direction between the transmitter and the supporter,

the first direction being from the transmitter toward the receiver,

the second distance being a distance along the first direction between the supporter and the receiver,

the velocity vx being a propagation velocity of the first ultrasonic wave in space between the transmitter and the receiver.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein

n is 1.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein

the transmitter includes a first membrane portion emitting the first ultrasonic wave,

the first membrane portion is deformable,

the first distance is a distance along the first direction between the first membrane portion and the supporter,

the receiver includes a second membrane portion that is deformable by the received first ultrasonic wave, and

the second distance is a distance along the first direction between the supporter and the second membrane portion.

4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein

one of the plurality of burst waves has a first duration Tw, and

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp )×2.

5. The device according to claim 4 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx )×2.

6. The device according to claim 4 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp )×4/3.

7. The device according to claim 4 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx )×4/3.

8. The device according to claim 4 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp ).

9. The device according to claim 4 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx ).

10. The device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

a first waveguide provided between the transmitter and the supporter, the first ultrasonic wave passing through the first waveguide; and

a second waveguide provided between the supporter and the receiver,

the first ultrasonic wave passing through the second waveguide,

the first ultrasonic wave being incident on the receiver after passing through the second waveguide.

11. The inspection device according to claim 10 , wherein

the first waveguide is separated from the supporter, and

the second waveguide is separated from the supporter.

12. An inspection method, comprising:

transmitting, from a transmitter toward an inspection object, a first ultrasonic wave including a plurality of burst waves having a first period Tp; and

inspecting the inspection object by using a receiver to receive the first ultrasonic wave after the first ultrasonic wave passes through the inspection object,

the first period Tp (s), a distance Dx (m), and a velocity vx (m/s) satisfying 2Dx/((n+1)·vx)<Tp<2Dx/(n·vx), n having a same value on each side of the inequality,

n being 1 or 2,

the distance Dx being a shorter distance of a first distance and a second distance,

the first distance being a distance along a first direction between the inspection object and the transmitter,

the first direction being from the transmitter toward the receiver,

the second distance being a distance along the first direction between the inspection object and the receiver,

the velocity vx being a propagation velocity of the first ultrasonic wave in space between the transmitter and the receiver.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein

n is 1.

14. The method according to claim 12 , wherein

one of the plurality of burst waves has a first duration Tw, and

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp )×2.

15. The method according to claim 14 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx )×2.

16. The method according to claim 14 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp )×4/3.

17. The method according to claim 14 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx )×4/3.

18. The method according to claim 14 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Dx/vx−Tp ).

19. The method according to claim 14 , wherein

the first period Tp (s), the distance Dx (m), the velocity vx (m/s), and the first duration Tw (s) satisfy

Tw <(2 Tp− 2 Dx/vx ).

Assignments (3)
MERGER Recorded Jul 29, 2025
From: TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA
Reel/Frame 072239/0263 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 056307 FRAME: 0614. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNEMENT. Recorded May 25, 2021
From: NAKAI, YUTAKA; ONO, TOMIO; YAMAMOTO, NORIKO; ITSUMI, KAZUHIRO
To: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA; TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 057158/0883 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 20, 2021
From: NAKAI, YUTAKA; ONO, TOMIO; YAMAMOTO, NORIKO; ITSUMI, KAZUHIRO
To: TOSHIBA INFRASTRUCTURE SYSTEMS & SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 056307/0614 →
Priority Claims (1)
JP 2020-148073 · Sep 3, 2020 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20220065820A1 · Mar 3, 2022