The evolution and improvement of technology are unstoppable forces resulting from human ingenuity. Just as the invention of the steam engine radically transformed industries long ago, our patented Discovery Sound Technology (DST) platform refines and simplifies ultrasonic testing by helping HVAC/R technicians save businesses time, money, and other resources toward keeping their mechanical systems running strong every day. To help shed a light on how our innovative platform works, how ultrasound technology has improved, and the best ways it can help your business, let’s take a deeper look at the history of ultrasonic testing and what helped it evolve to offer better diagnostic capabilities for a wide range of industries.

Understanding Ultrasonic Testing

Ultrasonic testing, at its core, involves recording the sounds of a machine and analyzing them to gain information about its internal condition without the need to disassemble or disrupt its normal operation. This technique utilizes sophisticated technology capable of scrutinizing the minute details of a sound, providing essential insights impossible to achieve with the human ear alone.

The non-destructive nature of ultrasonic testing ensures that the equipment being analyzed remains intact and unchanged. In fact, this technique is most effective when the machine is functioning during its regular operations, eliminating the need for any shutdowns to perform diagnostics. This efficiency and practicality make ultrasonic testing invaluable for providing crucial insights toward quickly discovering HVAC/R health and performance issues.

The Mechanism Behind the Magic

When using ultrasound technology for ultrasonic testing, a sound wave of a specific frequency is typically directed into the machine. Two primary methods of analysis are employed: pulse echo testing and through-transmission testing.

In pulse echo testing, a sound wave is directed into the machine, and the waves that bounce back to the initial release point are measured. Through-transmission testing, on the other hand, measures the sound waves that reach the opposite side of the equipment. By analyzing these waves, trained users can detect disruptions or blockages caused by imperfections or malfunctions within the machine.

DST uses Ultrasound technology and patented processing methods to identify equipment operating properly and those requiring attention. The platform can detect various operational mechanical condition HVAC/R issues within the machine, including sound characteristics that might be defined as scratched, and/or dry bearings, cavitation, floodback, rotating, loose, rattling, scroll, piston, electrical, VFD, arching and other operational conditions, enabling technicians to identify and diagnose problems with the help of DST’s comparative analytics program. In the past, this typically required a highly specialized 3rd party organization or highly trained and certified technicians due to its complexities. DST has engineered the complexities of Ultrasound deep into the back core of its technology process so at the user interface, the technician simply takes easy 7-second ultrasound readings letting the cloud-based platform run its patented AI and comparative analytics to provide factual data and suggested recommendations back to the technician. Every reading is date and time stamped.

Evolution and Advancements: Our DST Capabilities

In the past, technicians also had to manually calibrate their machines with either sensitivity or resolution in mind. However, increasing sensitivity would decrease resolution and vice versa. This limitation made it challenging to obtain accurate information from ultrasound readings due to varying calibrations.

Fortunately, DST’s Ultrasound platform has transcended these limitations by incorporating patented self-calibrating ultrasound technology that provides real-time equipment analytics by capturing SoundEnergy™ and SoundSignature™ samples without the need for manual calibration or long complicated training. Again, our tool is auto-calibrating at start-up. This ensures accurate readings and calibration every time.

Another DST technological advancement such as DST's comparative analytics, has further augmented the usefulness of the method by providing ‘real-time’ actionable data to technicians including condition- based recommended actions to take. With the DST platform, any level of technician can run DST inspection routes to capture inspection readings. Those readings can also drive the diagnostic reporting up into the service organization for review and further action if needed. Our simple to read Green, Yellow, and Red evaluation colors quickly allow users to identify points needing additional review.

Embrace the Power of Ultrasound Technology Today

The evolution of ultrasound technology has transformed ultrasonic testing into a valuable and efficient tool, providing crucial insights into the inner workings of machinery and equipment across multiple industries. With advancements in ultrasound equipment and the introduction of DST's innovative technology platform, what once required highly skilled 3rd party specialty companies can now be completed with a service companies own HVAC/R service technicians. The service business can benefit from improved diagnostics, preventive maintenance, and greater operational efficiency while using all levels of their technician pool. The end-customer loves the comprehensive and fact-based condition reporting the DST platform provides.

Our complete subscription service starts at $1,500 a month with a 90-day trial period utilizing (3) complete toolsets. After the demo period is over, one can cancel at any time if not completely satisfied. Whether it's in commercial refrigeration systems or HVAC systems service or any combination of these, embracing ultrasound technology from DST unlocks a world of possibilities for improved performance and cost-saving measures.

So, if you're looking to revolutionize your diagnostics and preventative maintenance, now is the perfect time to explore the power of DST’s ultrasound technology. Contact our expert team to discover how ultrasound testing can elevate your business’s efficiency and effectiveness. Embrace the future of HVAC monitoring and stay ahead of the curve with Discovery Sound Technology!