• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.79-87
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• 2011

This paper presents the optimal design of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring for high resolution obstacle detection of an autonomous mobile robot. It is assumed that a set of low directivity ultrasonic sensors of the same type are arranged along a circle of nonzero radius at a regular spacing with their beams overlapped. First, taking into account the dead angle region, the entire range of obstacle detection is determined with reference to the center of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring. Second, the optimal design index of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring is defined as the area closeness of three sensing subzones resulting from beam overlap. Third, the lower and upper bounds on the number of ultrasonic sensors are derived, which can guarantee minimal beam overlap and also avoid excessive beam overlap among adjacent ultrasonic sensors. Fourth, employing a commercial low directivity ultrasonic sensor, an optimal design example of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring is given along with the ultrasonic sensor ring prototype mounted on top of a mobile robot. Finally, some experimental results using our prototype ultrasonic sensor ring are given to demonstrate the validity and performance of an optimally overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring for high resolution obstacle detection.

• The Transactions of the Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers C
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• v.54 no.12
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• pp.553-557
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• 2005

This paper describes the application results of an ultrasonic detection system for the power transformer. The ultrasonic detection system with 6 sensors was applied to detect partial discharge in a 154kV transformer with a dangerous levels of $C_{2}H_{2},\;C_{2}H_4$ and $CH_{4}$ gases. The ultrasonic detection tests were carried out 2 times, respectively, to confirm the existence and location of the partial discharge in the transformer. As a result of internal inspection, the arc trace between the pressure ring and core due to the partial discharge was found at the estimated position based on the amplitude and arriving time of the ultrasonic signals. Therefore, it was verified that the ultrasonic detection system is effective as a preventive diagnosis method for the power transformer. Also, the reliability of the ultrasonic detection system in detecting partial discharges in the transformer was also confirmed. It is expected, therefore, that the ultrasonic detection system will have beneficial effects on applications and verifications in detecting partial discharges for the power transformer.

• Environmental Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.99-105
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• 2006

A digital ultrasonic image construction system was developed for the nondestructive detection of cracks in water distribution pipes. The system consists of PC based ultrasonic testing system and a scanning device. The PC based ultrasonic system has an ultrasonic pulse/receive board for the generation and reception of ultrasonic signals, an analogue to digital conversion board for the digitization of the received ultrasonic signals, and transducers for the ultrasonic sensors. Using this system, the digitized ultrasonic signals were properly constructed in accordance with the position information obtained by scanning device that moves an ultrasonic transducer along the outer surface of pipes. In the construction of the ultrasonic signals, signal processing concepts, such as spatial average and array concept, were considered to enhance the resolution of ultrasonic images of pipe wall. Using the developed system, crack detection experiments were performed in both laboratory and field, which shows promise for crack detection in the water distribution system.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.321-327
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• 2012

This paper presents a comparative analysis on three different types of performance indices of obstacle detection for an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring. Due to beam overlap, the entire sensing zone of each ultrasonic sensor can be divided into three smaller sensing subzones, which leads to significant reduction of positional uncertainty in obstacle detection. First, the positional uncertainty in obstacle detection is expressed in terms of the area of a sensing subzone, and type 1 performance index is then defined as the area ratio of side and center sensing subzones. Second, based on the area of a sensing subzone, type 2 performance index is defined taking into account the size of the entire range of obstacle detection as well as the degree of the positional uncertainty in obstacle detection. Third, the positional uncertainty in obstacle detection is now expressed in terms of the length of the uncertainty arc spanning a sensing subzone, and type 3 performance index is then defined as the average value of the uncertainty arc lengths over the entire range of obstacle detection. Fourth, using a commercial low directivity ultrasonic sensor, the changes of three different performance indices depending on the parameter of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring are examined and compared.

• International Journal of Control, Automation, and Systems
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• v.6 no.5
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• pp.767-775
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• 2008

Methods used for exploring marine resources and spaces include positioning a probe under water and then recalling it after a specified time. Hydro-acoustic Releasers are commonly used for positioning and retrieving of such exploration equipment. The most important factor in this kind of system is the reliability for recalling the instruments. The frequently used ultrasonic signal detection method can detect ultrasonic signals using a fixed comparator, but because of increased rates of errors due to outside interferences, information is repetitively acquired. This study presents an effective ultrasonic signal detection algorithm using the characteristics of a resonance and adaptive comparator Combined with the FSK+ASK modulator. As a result, approximately 8.8% of ultrasonic wave communication errors caused by background noise and transmission losses were reduced for effectively detecting ultrasonic waves. Furthermore, the resonance circuit's quality factor was enhanced (Q = 120 to 160). As such, the bias voltage of the transistor (Vb= 3.3 to 6.8V) was increased thereby enhancing the frequency's selectivity.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Nondestructive Testing
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.270-279
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• 2003

Parametric studies have been conducted into the variability of the factors affecting the ultrasonic testing applied to weldments. The influence of ultrasonic equipment, transducer parameters, test technique, job parameters, defect type and characteristics on reliability far defect detection and sizing was investigated by experimentation. The investigation was able to build up substantial bank of information on the reliability of manual ultrasonic method for testing weldments. The major findings of the study separate into two parts, one dealing with correlation between ultrasonic techniques, equipment and defect parameters and inspection performance effectiveness and other with human factors. Defect detection abilities are dependent on the training, experience and proficiency of the UT operators, the equipment used, the effectiveness of procedures and techniques.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Machine Tool Engineers
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.49-54
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• 2005

Measuring defects on the inside and on the surface of a steel structure is very important technology in order to predict the life span of the structure. In particular, a place with a high probability that it may contain defects is a welded part and it is very important to check defects in the part, absence/presence of non-uniform substances, its shape, and the location. Many non-destructive tests can be applied, but the ultrasonic flow detection test is widely used with some advantages. The ultrasonic flow detection test, however, cannot be applied when there is a problem by a contact medium between PZT and a specimen, in case of a small and complicated shape or a moving object or when the specimen is hot. In this study, to solve the problems of the contact ultrasonic flow detection test, the non-contact ultrasonic flow detection test for sending/receiving ultrasonic waves using lasers was described. I intended to develop a non-destructive detection system applying the laser application ultrasonic test to a steel structure by detecting the defects inside of and on the surface of the specimen.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.341-347
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• 2011

This paper presents the performance evaluation. optimal design. and complex obstacle detection of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring by introducing a new concept of effective beam width. It is assumed that a set of ultrasonic sensors of the same type are arranged along a circle of nonzero radius at regular spacings with their beams overlapped. First, the global positional uncertainty of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring is expressed by the average value of local positional uncertainty over the entire obstacle detection range. The effective beam width of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring is assessed as the beam width of a single ultrasonic sensor having the same amount of global positional uncertainty, from which a normalized obstacle detection performance index is defined. Second. using the defined index, the design parameters of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring are optimized for minimal positional uncertainty in obstacle detection. For a given number of ultrasonic sensors, the optimal radius of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring is determined, and for a given radius of an overlapped ultrasonic sensor ring, the optimal number of ultrasonic sensors is determined. Third, the decision rules of positional uncertainty zone for multiple obstacle detection are provided based on the inequality relationships among obstacle distances by three adjacent ultrasonic sensors. Using the provided rules, the obstacle outline detection is performed in a rather complex environment consisting of several obstacles of different shapes.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.9-12
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• 1995

Detection of small defects by medical ultrasonic testing when the thermal sprayed coating by $MoSi_2$ on the metal is done. The defects may occur at the bonded surface. So, the detecting method of the defects by non-destructive in spection is desired. Here, in order to examine the possibility of the detection of the small defects by the ultrasonic. The electronic scanning ultrasonic equipment using an array probe developed as the medical ultrasonic diagnostic equipment is applied for the detection of the metal material defects. It's validity is investigated.

• KIEE International Transactions on Electrophysics and Applications
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• v.2C no.6
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• pp.297-303
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• 2002

We have developed an on-line ultrasonic detector to monitor partial discharge in an operating transformer. The ultrasonic sensor has 150[KHz] resonance frequency and contains a pre-amplifier with 60[㏈] gain. The on-line ultrasonic detector has 50~300[KHz] frequency band-pass filter to remove electrical and mechanical noises from the transformer. This detector has an ultrasonic signal discrimination algorithm which discriminates ultrasonic signals due to partial discharge in a transformer. A moving average method of ultrasonic signal number was employed to effectively monitor the increasing trend of the partial discharge. This paper describes an experience of partial discharge detection in a 154[㎸] operating transformer using an ultrasonic detector. With regards to gas analysis in oil, C2H2 gas was produced with a warning level in this transformer We detected ultrasonic signals on the transformer steel wall, and estimated the position of partial discharge. With further inspection, we found carbonized marks due to partial discharge on the supporting bolt which fastens the windings.