MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES

Introduced: September 1968

Last revised: January 1985

Classification Context

Section:: PHYSICS
Class:: MEASURING; TESTING
Subclass:: MEASUREMENT OF MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS OR ULTRASONIC, SONIC OR INFRASONIC WAVES

Description

G01H covers instruments and methods for measuring mechanical vibrations across the acoustic spectrum, including ultrasonic (>20 kHz), sonic (20 Hz–20 kHz), and infrasonic (<20 Hz) waves. This subclass encompasses accelerometers, vibration sensors, acoustic transducers, and related devices used to detect, quantify, and analyze vibrational phenomena in materials, structures, and media. Typical applications include non-destructive testing, structural health monitoring, condition-based maintenance, and acoustic characterization of mechanical systems. Related measurements of sound intensity, pressure, and frequency are generally classified separately under G01N (analytical testing of materials) or H04R (acoustics in general).

Filing statistics

IPC subclass G01H recorded 43,222 patent applications worldwide between 2013 and 2023. Annual filings grew from 1,880 in 2013 to 5,695 in 2023 (+203%). The most active applicants in class G01 are SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) (41,447 applications), CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES (32,952 applications) and ROBERT BOSCH (16,470 applications).

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

In class comparison

G01H ranks 15th of 18 subclasses with filings in G01, with 43,222 applications between 2013 and 2023, 0.9% of the class. Annual filings grew 203% from 2013 to 2023, above the class as a whole (+138%).

Top 10 of 18 subclasses of class G01 by patent applications, 2013–2023
Rank	Subclass	Title	Applications	Share
1	G01N, Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties	Investigating or Analysing Materials by Determining Their Chemical or Physical Properties	1,640,918	34.9%
2	G01R, Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables	Measuring Electric Variables; Measuring Magnetic Variables	598,083	12.7%
3	G01B, Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours	Measuring Length, Thickness or Similar Linear Dimensions; Measuring Angles; Measuring Areas; Measuring Irregularities of Surfaces or Contours	395,662	8.4%
4	G01S, Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves	Radio Direction-Finding; Radio Navigation; Determining Distance or Velocity by Use of Radio Waves; Locating or Presence-Detecting by Use of the Reflection or Reradiation of Radio Waves; Analogous Arrangements Using Other Waves	358,214	7.6%
5	G01M, Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for	Testing Static or Dynamic Balance of Machines or Structures; Testing of Structures or Apparatus, Not Otherwise Provided for	339,843	7.2%
6	G01C, Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry	Measuring Distances, Levels or Bearings; Surveying; Navigation; Gyroscopic Instruments; Photogrammetry or Videogrammetry	271,474	5.8%
7	G01D, Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for	Measuring Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Arrangements for Measuring Two or More Variables Not Covered by a Single Other Subclass; Tariff Metering Apparatus; Transferring or Transducing Arrangements Not Specially Adapted for a Specific Variable; Measuring or Testing Not Otherwise Provided for	207,395	4.4%
8	G01F, Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume	Measuring Volume, Volume Flow, Mass Flow, or Liquid Level; Metering by Volume	157,084	3.3%
9	G01L, Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure	Measuring Force, Stress, Torque, Work, Mechanical Power, Mechanical Efficiency, or Fluid Pressure	145,069	3.1%
10	G01K, Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for	Measuring Temperature; Measuring Quantity of Heat; Thermally-Sensitive Elements Not Otherwise Provided for	118,108	2.5%
15	G01H	Measurement of Mechanical Vibrations or Ultrasonic, Sonic or Infrasonic Waves	43,222	0.9%

Source: EPO PATSTAT, worldwide filings

Additional Content

Determining imbalance by oscillating the body to be tested and converting vibrations due to imbalance into electric variables Vibration testing of structures Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems Sonar systems designed for mapping or imaging Seismology; Seismic or acoustic prospecting or detecting Manufacture of electromechanical resonators by processes which include measurement of frequency with consequential modification of the resonator

Related Keywords

measuring AMPLITUDE of mechanical vibrationsANALYSING of mechanical vibrationsANALYSING of sound wavesELECTRONIC musical instrumentsmeasuring FREQUENCY of mechanical vibrationsmeasuring resonant FREQUENCY of bodiesmeasuring speed of flow of LIQUID(S)measuring POWER of mechanical vibrationsmeasuring PROPAGATION velocity of mechanical vibrationsmeasuring properties of SOUND(S)measuring mechanical VIBRATIONSvibrometers

9 direct subcodes

Child Classifications

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G01H 1/00 Measuring vibrations in solids by using direct conduction to the detector
G01H 11/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by detecting changes in electric or magnetic properties
G01H 13/00 Measuring resonant frequency
G01H 15/00 Measuring mechanical or acoustic impedance
G01H 17/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves, not provided for in the other groups of this subclass
G01H 3/00 Measuring vibrations by using a detector in a fluid
G01H 5/00 Measuring propagation velocity of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01H 7/00 Measuring reverberation time
G01H 9/00 Measuring mechanical vibrations or ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves by using radiation-sensitive means, e.g. optical means

Top Applicants

Top 10 applicants by patent filingsfor class G01, 2013–2023, worldwide · Source: EPO PATSTAT

SGCC(STATE GRID CORPORATION OF CHINA) 41,447
CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 32,952
ROBERT BOSCH DE 16,470
SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS COMPANY KR 10,052
SINOPEC (CHINA PETROCHEMICAL CORPORATION) 9,573
ZHEJIANG UNIVERSITY 9,529
GUANGDONG POWER GRID CORPORATION 8,615
TSINGHUA UNIVERSITY 7,805
HALLIBURTON ENERGY SERVICES GROUP US 7,796
QUALCOMM US 7,171