# US 2009/0013764 A1 · Ultrasonic sensing array system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2009/0013764 A1 - Document ID: US20090013764A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 12/176,688 - Filed: 2008-07-21 - Published: 2009-01-15 - Earliest claimed: 2001-12-17 - Inventors: James Edward Gayle - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090013764A1 ## CPC - G01N 29/4445: {Classification of defects} - G01N 29/11: by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves - G01N 29/348: {with frequency characteristics, e.g. single frequency signals, chirp signals (measuring frequency of mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in general G01H1/06, G01H3/04; measuring frequency or analysing frequency spectra G01R23/00)} - G01N 2291/106: one or more transducer arrays - G01N 2291/2695: Bottles, containers - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract A system and method for detecting leaks in substantially closed objects, such as automobiles, airplanes, tanks, and other vehicles, using an ultrasonic transmitter and one or more ultrasonic sensors or receivers supported on a frame. Ultrasonic amplitude readings obtained from the sensor or sensors are processed to determine if they are representative of a defective or leaking object. The position of the leak may be determined by examining the readings from individual sensors. The system is particularly well-adapted for use in detecting defects and leaks in automobiles on an assembly line without interrupting the assembly process or damaging the automobile. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for detecting a liquid or gas leak in a substantially enclosed object, said system comprising: an ultrasonic transmitter positioned in said enclosed object for producing ultrasonic frequency sound waves as said object moves through a frame; at least one ultrasonic sensor supported by said frame for detecting said ultrasonic frequency sound waves and producing ultrasonic frequency signals; an analog-to-digital converter for converting said ultrasonic frequency signals to digital data; and a computing device coupled to said analog-to-digital converter for receiving, analyzing and storing said digital data. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising a receiver for receiving the ultrasonic frequency signals from said sensor or sensors and converting said ultrasonic frequencies signals to lower frequency signals which are in turn provided to said analog-to-digital converter. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said computer device compares a strength of a received ultrasonic frequency signal to a predetermined alarm threshold and produces an alarm if said threshold is exceeded. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said sensor or sensors are in proximity to said substantially enclosed object. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one object position sensor for sensing a position of said object with respect to said frame. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said computing device determines a location of a potential leak based upon a detected amplitude of said ultrasonic frequency sound waves. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said frame is constructed to minimize ultrasonic reflections. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of a claim 1, wherein said receiver further comprises a Hartley oscillator for converting the ultrasonic frequency signals to a lower frequency. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the object and the sensor or sensors are moved relative to each other. ### Claim 10 A method of locating leaks in a substantially enclosed object, said method comprising: placing an ultrasonic transmitter inside of said substantially enclosed object wherein said ultrasonic transmitter produces ultrasonic sound waves at a predetermined frequency; moving said object at a predetermined speed through a frame, with at least one ultrasonic sensor supported by said frame; obtaining a series of ultrasonic sensor readings from said ultrasonic sensor or sensors as said object moves through said frame; and comparing an amplitude of said ultrasonic sensor readings to a threshold amplitude level to determine if said threshold amplitude level has been exceeded and determining if a leak is present in said object based upon said comparison. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising converting ultrasonic frequency signals from said peripheral ultrasonic sensing array to signals having a lower frequency. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The method of claim 11, further comprising converting said lower frequency signals into digital data. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further wherein said frame is constructed to minimize ultrasonic reflections and signal interference. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising altering a frequency of said transmitter based upon a physical structure of said object or the presence of interference at said predetermined frequency. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of displaying an image of said object wherein said displayed image contains a visual indication of the amplitude of at least some of said ultrasonic sensor readings and a location on said object from which they were obtained.