Patent US3714816A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3714816A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tubular transducer and dry couplant therefor
Assignee: Boeing North American Inc
•
Filing: 1971-04-30
•
Granted: 1973-02-06
•
Expires: 1991-04-30
Abstract
Abstract A probe for nondestructive testing to identify internal structural defects comprises a tubular piezoelectric element adapted for low frequency vibration while moving in rolling contact over a workpiece surface. A dry adhesive couplant forms a mechanical bond between the piezoelectric element and the workpiece surface, and is also useful with disc-type probes known to the prior art, especially when the adhesive is coated with a layer of minute glass beads.
Inventors
- 👤 D Miller
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 16:34
CPC Classifications
B; B06; B06B; B06B1/00; B06B1/02; B06B1/06; B06B1/0644; B06B1/0655
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
112 words
In a probe system for nondestructively testing a workpiece to locate internal structural defects therewithin: a tubular substantially cylindrical transducer element having a length less than its diameter and adapted to vibrate in the diametral mode when impressed by an electrical voltage, support means for moving said transducer element in rolling contact with a surface of said workpiece during said vibration and along a line of movement transverse to the roll axis of said tubular transducer, and a substantially dry adhesive coating on said transducer element adapted to form a temporary mechanical bond between said element and said workpiece surface along a narrow elongate line of contact therebetween during said rolling movement.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
112 words
In a probe system for nondestructively testing a workpiece to locate internal structural defects therewithin: a tubular substantially cylindrical transducer element having a length less than its diameter and adapted to vibrate in the diametral mode when impressed by an electrical voltage, support means for moving said transducer element in rolling contact with a surface of said workpiece during said vibration and along a line of movement transverse to the roll axis of said tubular transducer, and a substantially dry adhesive coating on said transducer element adapted to form a temporary mechanical bond between said element and said workpiece surface along a narrow elongate line of contact therebetween during said rolling movement.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a probe system for nondestructively testing a workpiece to locate internal structural defects therewithin: a tubular substantially cylindrical transducer element having a length less than its diameter and adapted to vibrate in the diametral mode when impressed by an electrical voltage, support means for moving said transducer element in rolling contact with a surface of said workpiece during said vibration and along a line of movement transverse to the roll axis of said tubular transducer, a substantially dry adhesive coating on said transducer element, and a layer of hard minute granules secured to said adhesive coating.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
97 words
In a probe system for nondestructively testing a workpiece to locate internal structural defects therewithin: a tubular substantially cylindrical transducer element having a length less than its diameter and adapted to vibrate in the diametral mode when impressed by an electrical voltage, support means for moving said transducer element in rolling contact with a surface of said workpiece during said vibration and along a line of movement transverse to the roll axis of said tubular transducer, a substantially dry adhesive coating on said transducer element, and a layer of hard minute granules secured to said adhesive coating.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The structure set forth in claim 2 above, wherein: said granules comprise glass beads.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for nondestructively inspecting a workpiece to determine the presence or absence of internal structural defects therewithin, comprising: coating a tubular transducer crystal with a dry adhesive to form a mechanical bond between said crystal and the workpiece surface, placing said tubular transducer crystal at a first location on an outer surface of said workpiece, inducing diametrical vibration in a single parabolic waveform in said tubular crystal at a predetermined frequency, moving said crystal across said workpiece surface to a second location thereon while maintaining said crystal in rolling contact with said surface, and noting any changes in said vibrations of said crystal during said movement thereof.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
108 words
A method for nondestructively inspecting a workpiece to determine the presence or absence of internal structural defects therewithin, comprising: coating a tubular transducer crystal with a dry adhesive to form a mechanical bond between said crystal and the workpiece surface, placing said tubular transducer crystal at a first location on an outer surface of said workpiece, inducing diametrical vibration in a single parabolic waveform in said tubular crystal at a predetermined frequency, moving said crystal across said workpiece surface to a second location thereon while maintaining said crystal in rolling contact with said surface, and noting any changes in said vibrations of said crystal during said movement thereof.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3423991A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-02-06 | 1976-08-07 | 1977-02-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-02-06 | 1980-08-07 | 1981-02-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-02-06 | 1984-08-07 | 1985-02-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |