US3640122A
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Ultrasonic defect signal discriminator
Assignee: Bethlehem Steel Corp
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Filing: 1969-11-20
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Granted: 1972-02-08
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Expires: 1989-11-20
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonic instrument with pulsed transducer provides a plurality of gating pulses and analog output signals related to test piece surface spacing and defect characteristics. Separate transposition, ratio, and other defect signal discriminators sample these output signals simultaneously and, by means of logic elements combined with a ''''strobe'''' gate, provide for characterizing defects and occurrences of events. A transposition alarm is enabled when two different analog signals rise and fall relative to respective thresholds according to a prescribed sequence. A ratio alarm is enabled when, for example, the defect and rear surface analog signals are compared and they exceed a predetermined ratio thereof. A third alarm is enabled when defects occur that are not characterized by the transposition or ratio methods.
Inventors
- 👤 Edward M Nusbickel Jr
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 12:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/36; G01N29/38; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/262
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
Ultrasonic nondestructive testing apparatus, comprising; a. means including a triggering pulse source, transducer means and receiver means for subjecting a test piece to pulsed ultrasonic energy and producing electrical pulse echo signals corresponding to a series of ultrasonic pulse echoes occurring during each pulse cycle, b. gating means responsive to means (a) for issuing at least one sequence of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals during corresponding first and second gating intervals after the triggering pulse, said gating means also issuing the triggering pulse and a second gating interval pulse, c. pulse echo signal amplitude discriminating means responsive to means (b) output for producing one or more echo initiated digital output signals synchronized with the second gating interval pulse and terminated by said triggering pulse and which correspond to one or more predetermined physical properties of the test piece, and d. means for utilizing the means (c) output to provide an indication of said physical properties of the test piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
Ultrasonic nondestructive testing apparatus, comprising; a. means including a triggering pulse source, transducer means and receiver means for subjecting a test piece to pulsed ultrasonic energy and producing electrical pulse echo signals corresponding to a series of ultrasonic pulse echoes occurring during each pulse cycle, b. gating means responsive to means (a) for issuing at least one sequence of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals during corresponding first and second gating intervals after the triggering pulse, said gating means also issuing the triggering pulse and a second gating interval pulse, c. pulse echo signal amplitude discriminating means responsive to means (b) output for producing one or more echo initiated digital output signals synchronized with the second gating interval pulse and terminated by said triggering pulse and which correspond to one or more predetermined physical properties of the test piece, and d. means for utilizing the means (c) output to provide an indication of said physical properties of the test piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of means (c) output signals is produced by means for detecting a predetermined amplitude reduction in the second pulse echo signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
45 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal, the triggering pulse and a sequence of first and second pulse echo threshold signals for signal, a predetermined amplitude reduction in the second pulse echo signal thereby producing a first of said means (c) output signals, and
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
45 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal, the triggering pulse and a sequence of first and second pulse echo threshold signals for signal, a predetermined amplitude reduction in the second pulse echo signal thereby producing a first of said means (c) output signals, and
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
65 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal and a sequence of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals for detecting a predetermined amplitude ratio of said first and second pulse echo signals, thereby producing a second of said means (c) output signals, and d. means for utilizing the means (c) output to provide an indication of said physical properties of the test piece.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
65 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal and a sequence of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals for detecting a predetermined amplitude ratio of said first and second pulse echo signals, thereby producing a second of said means (c) output signals, and d. means for utilizing the means (c) output to provide an indication of said physical properties of the test piece.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the detecting means is adapted to detect said amplitude transposition sequence and prevent a false output signal from occurring when a multiple of the first pulse echo signal is substituted for the second echo pulse signal during the second gating interval.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of means (c) output signals is produced by means for detecting a predetermined amplitude ratio of the first to the second pulse echo signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
46 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal, the absence of both means (c.2) and (c.3) output signals, and the presence of a first pulse echo threshold signal for detecting an excess of said signal amplitude, thereby producing a third of said means (c) output signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
46 words
means responsive to the ''''strobe'''' gate control signal, the absence of both means (c.2) and (c.3) output signals, and the presence of a first pulse echo threshold signal for detecting an excess of said signal amplitude, thereby producing a third of said means (c) output signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein means (a) receiver means includes an amplifier having a variable gain control to check amplifier gain linearity by observing if a change occurs in the amplitude ratio output signal when said gain control is varied while said transducer means is over the test piece.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein means (c) includes ''''strobe'''' gate means responsive to the triggering pulse and the second gating interval pulse for controlling at least one of the means (c) output signals to limit signal passage to the latter portion of said triggering pulse cycle.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of means (c) output signals is produced by means for detecting an amplitude transposition of the first and second pulse echo signals.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
126 words
Ultrasonic nondestructive testing apparatus, comprising: a. means including a triggering pulse source, trAnsducer means and receiver means for subjecting a test piece to pulsed ultrasonic energy and producing electrical pulse echo signals corresponding to a series of ultrasonic pulse echoes occurring during each pulse cycle, b. gating means responsive to means (a) for issuing a plurality of sequences of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals during corresponding first and second gating intervals after the triggering pulse, said gating means also issuing the triggering pulse and a second gating interval pulse, c. pulse echo signal discriminating means responsive to means (b) outputs for producing a plurality of output signals which distinguish between one or more predetermined physical properties of the test piece, said means comprising:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
126 words
Ultrasonic nondestructive testing apparatus, comprising: a. means including a triggering pulse source, trAnsducer means and receiver means for subjecting a test piece to pulsed ultrasonic energy and producing electrical pulse echo signals corresponding to a series of ultrasonic pulse echoes occurring during each pulse cycle, b. gating means responsive to means (a) for issuing a plurality of sequences of first and second amplitude variable pulse echo signals during corresponding first and second gating intervals after the triggering pulse, said gating means also issuing the triggering pulse and a second gating interval pulse, c. pulse echo signal discriminating means responsive to means (b) outputs for producing a plurality of output signals which distinguish between one or more predetermined physical properties of the test piece, said means comprising:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
10 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein means (c) further comprises:
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
The apparatus of claim 8 wherein said means (c.2) comprises means for detecting an amplitude transposition of the first and second pulse echo signals.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-07 | 1975-08-09 | 1976-02-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-07 | 1979-08-09 | 1980-02-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-07 | 1983-08-09 | 1984-02-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |