SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HETERODYNING AN ULTRASONIC SIGNAL

Title:

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HETERODYNING AN ULTRASONIC SIGNAL

Document Type and Number:

WIPO Patent Application WO2004045088

Kind Code:

A3

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting leaks and mechanical faults by way of an ultrasonic device. An output from a variable gain amplifier (18) is supplied to a pair of heterodyning circuits (20, 32), i.e., a dual heterodyning circuit. At each respective heterodyning circuit, the output signal from the variable gain amplifier (18) is multiplied by a local oscillator (21, 34) that is internal to each circuit (20, 32). The dual heterodyning circuit is used to provide an enhanced input transducer signal for spectral analysis. This permits the capture of low level frequency components for extraction during spectral analysis. The dual heterodyning circuit (20, 32) of the present invention to provide the enhanced spectrum to thereby permit an easy determination of whether the resonance is mechanical or electrical becomes clear. In addition, fault frequencies are also more easily discernable. In other words, the enhanced signal output provides a lower signal to noise ratio such that the ease with which frequency components are analyzed is increased.

Inventors:

BISHOP WILLIAM (US)
GOODMAN MARK A (US)

Application Number:

PCT/US2003/036169

Publication Date:

September 10, 2004

Filing Date:

November 12, 2003

Export Citation:

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Assignee:

UE SYSTEMS INC (US)
BISHOP WILLIAM (US)
GOODMAN MARK A (US)

International Classes:

G01M3/24; H01B1/06; H04B1/06; H04B; (IPC1-7): H01B1/06; G01M3/24

Foreign References:

US4027242A	1977-05-31
US5432755A	1995-07-11
US4629834A	1986-12-16

Other References: