Use in medicine

Medical ultrasonic transducers (probes) come in a variety of different shapes and sizes for use in making pictures of different parts of the body. The transducer may be passed over the surface of the body or inserted into a body opening such as the rectum or vagina. Clinicians who perform ultrasound-guided procedures often use a probe positioning system to hold the ultrasonic transducer.

Air detection sensors are used in various roles. Non-invasive air detection capabilities in the most critical applications where the safety of a patient is mandatory. Many of the variables, which can affect performance of amplitude or continuous wave based sensing systems, are eliminated or greatly reduced, thus yielding accurate and repeatable detection. The principle behind the technology is that the transmit signal consists of short bursts of ultrasonic energy. After each burst, the electronics looks for a return signal within a small window of time corresponding to the time it takes for the energy to pass through the vessel. Only signals received during this period will qualify for additional signal processing.

Use in industry

Ultrasonic sensors are used to detect movement of targets and to measure the distance to targets in many automated factories and process plants. Sensors with an on or off digital output are available for detecting the movement of objects, and sensors with an analog output which varies proportionally to the sensor to target separation distance are commercially available. They can be used to sense the edge of material as part of a web guiding system.

Ultrasonic sensors are widely used in automotive applications for parking assist technology. Ultrasonic sensors are being tested in a number of uses including ultrasonic people detection and assisting in autonomous UAV navigation.

Because ultrasonic sensors use sound rather than light for detection, they work in applications where photoelectric sensors may not. Ultrasonics are a great solution for clear object detection, clear label detection and for liquid level measurement, applications that photoelectrics struggle with because of target translucence. Target color and/or reflectivity do not affect ultrasonic sensors which can operate reliably in high-glare environments.

Passive ultrasonic sensors may be used to detect high-pressure gas or liquid leaks, or other hazardous conditions that generate ultrasonic sound.

High-power ultrasonic emitters are used in commercially available ultrasonic cleaning devices. An ultrasonic transducer is affixed to a stainless steel pan which is filled with a solvent (frequently water or isopropanol), and a square wave is applied to it, imparting vibrational energy in the liquid.