Ultrasonic tomographic imaging of solid objects in air using an array of fan-shaped-beam electrostatic transducers

A technique capable of imaging solid object distributions in air is presented. The imaging technique is based on a tomographic method, similar in concept to those used in diagnostic computerised tomography. The reconstruction algorithm has been implemented in a software modelling package to allow the performance of the technique to be evaluated for various object distributions and array configurations. Furthermore, fan-shaped-beam (FSB) electrostatic transducers have been developed to allow experimental evaluation of the technique. Experimental and simulated results indicate the utility of the approach to provide information on the size, shape, location and orientation of solid objects.