Ultrasonic Arrays, Inc.

Other

James N Kniest

Dean D Campbell

James M Hossack

William C Gross

Walter Lecoque

Jay Dee Petersen

A tone synthesizer for complex tone modeling, synthesis, or reproduction for simple to complex instruments, both real and imagined. The tone synthesizer has a wave generator that is responsive to a key signal from a key signal generator to produce an analog or digital wave. The key signal corresponds to a discrete musical note value. A preferred digital wave generator for a digital tone synthesizer is a DSP with componentry to read from a digital memory, generally a large RAM, one or more previously recorded, or sampled, digital waveforms loaded to the RAM. The digital wave generators selectably respond to a key signal to produce a primary note output in the from of a digital wave, or to a sympathetic note signal from a sympathetic note signal generator to produce a sympathetic digital wave. The sympathetic note signal generator is preferably responsive to at least one sympathetic note signal generator input to produce the sympathetic note signal, and can produce multiple sympathetic note signals to multiple digital wave generators. The digital wave generator producing the primary note output digital wave and the digital wave generator producing the sympathetic digital wave cooperate to produce a summed digital wave output which is the digital sum of the primary digital wave and one or more of the sympathetic digital waves. Also a digital tone synthesizer has stored digitally sampled note data, the note data having been sampled at a sampling frequency F, with a sample period of 1/F, and has a DSP clock operating at a DSP clock frequency; a slot count incrementer for incrementing in a slot counter a slot count of a selectable number of slots n, each slot having a slot duration defined by a selectable number of DSP clock ticks T. It also has a system clock producing system clock ticks and operating at a system clock frequency equal to a whole number multiple P of the sampling frequency. It also has a reset counter for counting P system clock ticks and thereupon effecting a reset signal to the slot counter.

Digital tone synthesis modeling for complex instruments

A diaphragm tensioning arrangement for a Sell-type ultrasonic transducer assembly is disclosed. The transducer includes a fixed backplate having a substantially planar electrically conductive front surface and a diaphragm having a front surface and back surface, the back surface of the diaphragm overlying the substantially planar surface of the backplate. The diaphragm includes an insulating layer adapted to contact the backplate and a conducting layer electrically isolated therefrom. The diaphragm tensioning arrangement includes means for applying a load to the front surface of the diaphragm in order to maintain diaphragm tension. A groove disposed in the backplate extension or base has at least one groove opening into its front surface. A tension element engages the front surface of the diaphragm pressing a portion thereof into the groove in order to maintain diaphragm tension. If creep occurs within the diaphragm, the tension element which is substantially constantly loaded, presses the diaphragm further into the groove thereby compensating for diaphragm creep. The tension element may be loaded by a variety of means with a preferred embodiment incorporating a wave spring placed directly above the tension element.

Ultrasonic transducer with tensioned diaphragm and method

A method for calibrating a thickness measuring system that automatically compensates for inadvertent movements of the probe. In one emobodiment, a conventional thickness measuring system is provided that incorporates a pair of spaced apart opposing ultrasonic sensors that are positioning a known distance apart. A target is passed between the sensors and the distance from each sensor to the target is measured. The thickness of the target can be determined by subtracting the distance from each sensor to the target from the known distance between the targets. The improvement, being a method of periodically checking the distance between the sensors to compensate for movements of the sensor relative to each other due to such effects as thermal expansion or inadvertent movements. The automatic compensation technique can be applied to a single probe system as well.

Automatic calibration method for thickness gauges

A method for calibrating a thickness measuring system that automatically compensates for inadvertent movements of the probe. In one embodiment, a conventional thickness measuring system is provided that incorporates a pair of spaced apart opposing ultrasonic sensors that are positioning a known distance apart. A target is passed between the sensors and the distance from each sensor to the target is measured. The thickness of the target can be determined by subtracting the distance from each sensor to the target from the known distance between the targets. The improvement, being a method of periodically checking the distance between the sensors to compensate for movements of the sensor relative to each other due to such effects as thermal expansion or inadvertent movements. The automatic compensation technique can be applied to a single probe system as well.

An ultrasonic transducer and method for detecting the distance to an object using ultrasonic energy. The transducer includes a foil which creates ultrasonic energy. First and second reference surfaces are provided which are spaced between the transducer and the object. The two reference surfaces provide for immunity against temperature and positional changes.

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Edmonds, WA, United States of America

James N Kniest