Optimized automatic system to obtain ultrasonic radiation patterns

• Published in: International journal of computational methods and experimental measurements 2014-03, Vol.2 (1), p.58-70
• Main Authors: Fernández, M., Rodríguez, C., Alonso, L., Pérez-Oria, J. M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Automation; High temperature; Humidity; Sensors; Test chambers; Ultrasonic radiation
• ISSN: 2046-0554; 2046-0546; 2046-0546; 2046-0554
• DOI: 10.2495/CMEM-V2-N1-58-70

Due to the need to know and modify the radiation pattern of the ultrasonic sensors, to suit them to a particular application, in this paper is presented an automated measure system to obtain the radiation pattern for ultrasonic sensors in air. The system allows to obtain the radiation pattern in different conditions, for example for checking the characteristics of the ultrasonic sensors provided by the manufacturer, or for obtaining the modifications in the radiation pattern when a mechanical element is coupled to the ultrasonic sensor. In addition, the system has been improved by shortening the measurement time and decreasing the volume of data needed to carry out a measure. Furthermore, due to the fact of implementing the system inside a climatic chamber, the system allows to analyze the influence of environmental factors such as temperature and humidity, plus an evaluation of the degradation behaviour of the ultrasonic sensors in air under conditions of high temperature and humidity. At the end of the paper, two measurements have been done and the results have been compared with the characteristics of the radiation pattern provided by the manufacturer. Finally, a robust measurement system is presented, designed to find the modifications in the radiation pattern of an ultrasonic sensor when it is coupled to a mechanical element.