Ultrasonic Surface Movement Detection via Multi-Angle Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for detecting surface movements using ultrasonic waves are limited in efficiency and accuracy, particularly when measuring a wide area or varied surfaces, and struggle to achieve high sensitivity and low acoustic power levels.
Innovation Solution
The method involves emitting ultrasonic waves at multiple angles of incidence and using a network of receiving transducers to determine beam-forming signals, allowing for precise measurement of surface movements by calculating delay or phase shifts between signals, enabling the detection of movements across large areas with high sensitivity and low acoustic power.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a single ultrasonic transducer is used to measure surface movements, then the device complexity is low, but the measurement precision and detection efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The single transducer is segmented into multiple transmitting transducers and multiple receiving transducers arranged in a network. Each transducer element can independently transmit or receive ultrasonic waves at different angles, enabling precise measurement of surface movements through beam-forming techniques while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular architecture
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from a single-point measurement approach to a two-dimensional array of transducers. This dimensional expansion enables angular diversity in ultrasonic wave transmission and reception, allowing the system to measure surface movements with high precision by processing signals from multiple spatial perspectives simultaneously
2Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic waves are emitted at a single angle of incidence, then the device complexity is low, but the adaptability to different surface types and measurement areas is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the angles of incidence by electronically controlling the phase and amplitude of ultrasonic waves emitted from different transducer elements. This dynamic beam steering capability allows adaptation to various surface types (smooth, rough, flat, curved) and measurement areas without physical reconfiguration, while signal processing algorithms handle the complexity of multi-angle data fusion
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer network is designed to perform multiple functions: transmitting ultrasonic waves at various angles, receiving reflected signals, and performing beam-forming operations. This multi-functionality enables the same device to measure movements on diverse surfaces (liquids, solids, smooth, rough) across large areas, reducing the need for specialized equipment for different measurement scenarios
3Measurement precision
If high acoustic power is used to improve signal detection, then the measurement precision improves, but the risk of acoustic damage and energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple receiving transducers are combined to form a network that collectively receives and processes reflected ultrasonic signals. Through coherent signal integration and beam-forming techniques, the system achieves high measurement precision by merging weak signals from multiple transducers, thereby reducing the need for high acoustic power transmission and lowering energy consumption while maintaining detection sensitivity
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs feedback mechanisms where the received signals are processed to determine surface movements, and this information is used to adjust subsequent transmission parameters. This feedback loop enables optimized signal detection at lower power levels by adapting the ultrasonic wave emission based on actual surface conditions and previously detected movements, reducing unnecessary high power consumption
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach allows for the accurate measurement of surface movements across a wide range of surfaces, including liquids and solids, with high sensitivity (1 micrometer) and low detectable speed (fraction of a millimeter per second), while maintaining low acoustic power levels, and can image surface movements over large areas (tens of cm²) at rates up to one kilohertz.
Implementation Method 1
at least one incident ultrasonic wave is emitted into the air towards the surface using an ultrasonic wave emitting device and reflected signals representative of at least one ultrasonic wave reflected in the air by said surface
Implementation Method 2
the reflected signals are detected using a network of receiving transducers comprising a plurality of ultrasonic receiving transducers and a beam-forming signal is determined for each measuring point by at least beam-forming in reception from said reflected signals
Implementation Method 3
said movements of the surface at the considered measuring point are determined by determining at least one delay or phase shift between two beam-forming signals for this measuring point
Data Source
AI summary
A method for detecting movements of a plurality of points (P) of a surface (21), comprising a measuring step during which an incident ultrasonic wave is emitted into the air towards the surface and an ultrasonic wave reflected into the air by the surface (21) is detected. During the measuring step, each measuring point is illuminated by the incident ultrasonic wave at a multiplicity of angles of incidence, and the reflected ultrasonic wave is detected by a network of receiving transducers (3) comprising a plurality of ultrasonic receiving transducers (3a). The movements of the surface are determined at a measuring point by determining a delay and/or a phase shift between two beam-forming signals for said measuring point.