Apparatus and methods for testing of acoustic devices and systems
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorsJames Ginther, John Timms, G. Wayne Moore, James Gessert
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Abstract
Methods and devices are disclosed for testing an acoustic probe having transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals. An electrical signal is generated at a frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies. The electrical signal is transmitted to at least some of the transducing elements to measure a complex impedance and thereby evaluate a performance of the transducing elements.
Claims32
A method of testing an acoustic probe having a plurality of transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals, the method comprising:
- generating a first electrical signal at a first frequency with a testing device capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies;
- transmitting the first electrical signal to selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements;
- measuring a first respective electrical complex impedance of an electrical structure of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements with the testing device in response to the first electrical signal;
- and
- evaluating a performance of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements from the first respective complex electrical impedance of the electrical structure of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements.
A testing device for testing an acoustic probe having a plurality of transducing elements for converting between acoustic and electrical signals, the testing device comprising:
- a body;
- a coupling interface integrated with the body and adapted for connection with the acoustic probe;
- a processor coupled with the coupling interface and capable of generating electrical signals over a range of frequencies;
- and
- impedance circuitry internal to the body and coupled with the processor, wherein the processor has:
- instructions to generate a first electrical signal at a first frequency;
- instructions to transmit the first electrical signal to selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements via the coupling interface;
- instructions to measure a first respective electrical complex impedance of an electrical structure of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements in response to the first electrical signal using the impedance circuitry;
- and
- instructions to evaluate a performance of the selected ones of the plurality of transducing elements from the first respective electrical complex impedance.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.