Testing of acoustic imaging systems or probes

A testing appliance for testing operation of an acoustic device that generates beams of acoustic energy, the testing appliance comprising:

• an imaging array for generating electrical signals in response to impinging receipt of acoustic energy;
• an acoustic-energy direction system disposed to focus acoustic energy generated by a plurality of transducer elements across a surface of the acoustic device onto the imaging array;
• and
• a controller electrically coupled with the acoustic device and with the imaging array, the controller having instructions to generate an image on a display from electrical signals received by the controller from the imaging array,
• wherein:
• the electrical signals are received by the controller in response to generation of a beam of acoustic energy by the acoustic device;
• the beam of acoustic energy is directed towards the acoustic-energy direction system from the acoustic device;
• and
• the image provides a representation of a distribution of acoustic energy emanating from the plurality of transducer elements, wherein the image provides an indication of one or more defects of one or more of the plurality of transducer elements.