The widespread use of ultrasound techniques throughout industry causes many workers to be exposed to airborne ultrasound at their workplaces. To measure and assess the exposure to airborne ultrasound at these workplaces, devices are required that allow reliable measurements of ultrasound levels and support occupational safety and health measures. However, the sound level meters available to date do not meet these requirements. Therefore, a research prototype of a sound level meter covering audible and ultrasonic frequencies was developed, paying particular attention to the suitability of the components in terms of their acoustical characteristics (such as directional patterns) in the ultrasonic frequency range. The prototype was tested based on the international standard for sound level meters IEC 61672-1, with extensions regarding the signal frequencies used. The results revealed that the sound level meter developed is suitable for application at most workplaces exposed to ultrasound, as reflected by, e.g., its frequency range (at least up to 47 kHz), upper level limits (up to 160 dB SPL), and measurement uncertainty (k = 2, GUM) of 1.15 dB. The prototype developed allows measurement and assessment of exposure at workplaces for occupational safety and health purposes. Moreover, it can serve as a basis for future developments of commercial ultrasound level meters.

中文翻译：

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开发用于职业安全和健康的超声波液位计

超声技术在整个行业中的广泛使用导致许多工人在其工作场所暴露于空气传播的超声中。为了测量和评估这些工作场所暴露于空气中的超声辐射，需要使用能够可靠地测量超声水平并支持职业安全和健康措施的设备。但是，迄今为止可用的声级计不能满足这些要求。因此，开发了涵盖声频和超声频率的声级计的研究原型，并特别关注了组件在超声频率范围内的声学特性（例如方向图）方面的适用性。该原型根据国际标准声级计IEC 61672-1进行了测试，扩展了有关所用信号频率的信息。结果表明，所开发的声级计适用于大多数暴露于超声波的工作场所，如其频率范围（至少高达47 kHz），上限（高达160 dB SPL）和测量不确定度k =  2，GUM）为1.15 dB。所开发的原型可以出于职业安全和健康的目的而对工作场所的暴露进行测量和评估。而且，它可以作为商业超声液位计未来发展的基础。