1. High Resolution, Low Cost Ultrasound Camera for In-service Composite NDI
Robert Lasser, Marvin Lasser, Ron Westernik, John Kula, David Rich
Imperium, Inc.

2. Imperium Formed in 1996 Focused solely on ultrasound camera technology
In development for 10 years, now selling commercially
Implement for different embodiments of ultrasound camera

3. Easy-to-Interpret Image Examples
Imperium
Conventional
Bone
Medical Image of Finger:
Industrial
Detection of Fault:
Defect

4. Industry Sectors
Industrial
Underwater
Biometrics
Medical

5. Sampling of Customers

6. Imperium Architecture
Apply optical imaging techniques to ultrasound
Optical Sensor
Lens

7. Imperium Architecture
Acoustic Flashlight
Acoustic Lens Set
Ultrasound Sensor

8. Through Transmission Imaging Array Acoustic Lens Target
Source Transducer

9. Imaging Array Piezoelectric Layer Pre-amp/ detection
Signal Conditioning
Multiplexing
I500 to I600
Pin Grid Array
Package
Ultrasound (
piezoelectric)
material
Read out
integrated circuit
(ROIC)
Wire bonds

10. Through Transmission of Composite Laminate
Three inches

11. DAV TM Technology - Pulse Echo Pulse echo image of quarter
Sound
Transmitter
Water
Pulse echo image of quarter
Subsurface fault
Array
Video
Water
Lens
Electronics
Target

12. Pulse Echo – 50/50 Beamsplitter
Sound
Transmitter
Pulse echo image of quarter
Array
Subsurface fault
Video
Water
Lens
Acoustic beamsplitter
Target

13. Pulse Echo of Composite Laminate
One inch

14. Pulse Echo of Quarter
One inch

15. Camera Head Cutaway Source transducer Imaging Array Target LCD
Acoustic Lens
Beamsplitter

16. B-scan versus C-scan
Defect

17. Impact Damage in Composite Structure
One inch
Leading Edge Inspection

18. Pulse Echo of Honeycomb Composite
One inch

19. Range Gating
Gate 1
Gate 2
Gate 3

20. Range Gating for Depth: Pick the C-scan plane of interest

21. Integrated A-scan for Flaw Detector Functionality
“Transparent” A-scan Sensor

22. Presentation of Imagery and A-scan/ Match Gates
Set A-scan gates, automatically changes C-scan gates

23. Production Scanning Results: ATK Thiokol
Hex nut and paper clip placed
on surface
Graphite/epoxy laminate defect standard
with embedded Teflon wafers

24. UT camera scan with stitching algorithm applied
- 0.3” scan increment
Conventional immersion scan
MHz, 0.25” diameter transducer
scan increment

25. Gridlines/Sizing

26. Future Developments: Pulse Echo
Handheld portion goes from 4 lbs. to 2 lbs.

27. Current Development: ‘Camcorder’ Handheld
Focus with finger
Strap
Grip
Handheld portion goes from 4 lbs. to under 2 lbs.

28. New Control Unit

29. Current Development: ‘Camcorder’ Handheld

30. Time of flight: color code different depths
Blue: Level 1
Red: Level 2
Yellow: Level 3 2 3 3 1 2
Increments to be selected by user (e.g. 1 mm)

31. Future Developments: Through Transmission

32. Boeing Remote NDI Program
Lack of trained NDI personnel
Use by non-certified personnel
SIMPLE, SIMPLE, SIMPLE
Remotely monitored in real time
Wireless
Program began in early 2007

33. Remote Wireless NDI Program
C-scan, A-scan, Audio, Video of inspection
Audio, Control of camera

34. Boeing Remote NDI Program
Successful demonstration Fall 2008
Equipment at Boeing’s Everett, WA production facility
Remotely monitored at Boeing’ GoldCare center in Seattle, WA
Pilot program with airlines during 2009