US3712736A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for testing welds by optical spectrography
Assignee: Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique et Aux Énergies Alternatives
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Filing: 1971-01-05
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Granted: 1973-01-23
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Expires: 1991-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A method of testing welded work pieces by optical spectrography (either emission or atomic absorption) comprises locating a wire or film of tracer material which diffuses within the work piece material when in the liquid state, at the minimum depth to be attained by the weld and on the welding path. The presence of said tracer in the plasma above the welding zone is continuously detected during the welding operation by spectrography. A wire or film of a second material may be located at a deeper location which should not be attained.
Inventors
- 👤 M Boncoeur
- 👤 L Heintz
- 👤 J Langrand
- 👤 M Lavaud
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 08:44
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N21/00; G01N21/62; G01N21/71; B; B23; B23K; B23K15/00; B23K15/0013
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing welds on work pieces by optical spectrography, comprising the steps of : locating an elongated member of a tracer material at a predetermined depth to be attained by the weld and on the welding path, said tracer material being of a type which diffuses in the work piece material when the latter is liquid ; and continuously monitoring the plasma above the weld zone by optical spectrography during the welding operation for detecting the presence of the tracer material in said plasma.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
86 words
A method of testing welds on work pieces by optical spectrography, comprising the steps of : locating an elongated member of a tracer material at a predetermined depth to be attained by the weld and on the welding path, said tracer material being of a type which diffuses in the work piece material when the latter is liquid ; and continuously monitoring the plasma above the weld zone by optical spectrography during the welding operation for detecting the presence of the tracer material in said plasma.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method of testing as defined in claim 1, including the step of placing an elongated member of a second tracer having an emission or absorption spectrum which is different from the first tracer material prior to welding at a depth which must not be attained by the weld.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the step of welding the work piece by an electron-beam in an evacuated enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the step of directing the light emitted by said plasma to an optical spectrograph through a window in an enclosure containing said part and monitoring an emission line of said tracer material by said spectrograph.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method as defined in claim 1, including the step of passing light from a source outside an enclosure containing the work piece through said plasma and to a spectrograph and monitoring an absorption line of said tracer material by said spectrograph.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method as defined in claim 5, wherein said light has the same characteristic lines as the tracer.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the work piece material is uranium and the tracer material is selected from the group consisting of Mo, Ti and Cu.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as defined in claim 1, wherein the work piece material is magnesium and the tracer material is selected from the group consisting of Cu, Zr and Al.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3271558A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-01-23 | 1976-07-24 | 1977-01-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-01-23 | 1980-07-24 | 1981-01-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-01-23 | 1984-07-24 | 1985-01-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |