US3768306A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic apparatus and method for analyzing defects in material
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1971-12-20
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Granted: 1973-10-30
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Expires: 1991-12-20
Abstract
Abstract A pair of ultrasonic transducers, operatively connected to electrical signal generating and detecting circuits, are mounted in spaced relationship for movement through a liquid confined in a couplent chamber. A flexible wall of the chamber is adapted for close engagement against a wall surface of material to be tested for a suspected internal flaw. The chamber can be selectively positioned on this surface for ultrasonic energy transmission through the flexible wall into the material at a plurality of positions adjacent the suspected defect. A series of passes of the transducers is made in sequential order along lines longitudinally oriented with respect to the surface but transversely spaced across the surface. At those points where the detecting means reveal an interruption, or resumption, of ultrasonic energy transmission through the material, scale indicators, associated with the transducers, can be read to obtain numerical values indicative of the profile and location of the suspected defect.
Inventors
- 👤 C Stearns
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:35
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/26; G01N29/265; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/044; G01N2291/10; G01N2291/102; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/262; G01N2291/2623
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
306 words
A method for analyzing the extent of a defect, lying between spaced apart first and second boundary surfaces of a material, by means of a pair of spaced apart ultrasonic transducers, which are connected to electrical signal generating and indicating means, and which are movable as a unit over the first boundary surface in ultrasonic energy transmission relationship with the material at the first boundary surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. moving the transducers spaced apart at a predetermined distance and as a unit, along a first straight line lying over the first boundary surface, toward the defect while simultaneously transmitting ultrasonic energy from one transducer, along a path of travel in which the energy is reflected from the second boundary surface, to the other transducer connected to the indicating means; b. moving a marker mEmber to a position to indicate the location of one of the transducers along the position line with respect to the location of the defect when the indicating means shows that transmission of ultrasonic energy along that portion of the path of travel from the second boundary surface to the other transducer is beginning to be attenuated at the defect; c. reading a logarithmic and scalar grid associated with said marker member to determine the relative distance of the top of the defect from the first boundary surface as compared to the distance from that surface to the second boundary surface; d. continuing the movement of the transducers as a unit along the first position line; e. moving the marker member as in step (b) when the indicating means shows that transmission of ultrasonic energy along the path of travel has commenced again; and f. reading the grid in the same manner as in step (c) but in order to determine the relative position of the bottom of the defect.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
306 words
A method for analyzing the extent of a defect, lying between spaced apart first and second boundary surfaces of a material, by means of a pair of spaced apart ultrasonic transducers, which are connected to electrical signal generating and indicating means, and which are movable as a unit over the first boundary surface in ultrasonic energy transmission relationship with the material at the first boundary surface thereof, comprising the steps of: a. moving the transducers spaced apart at a predetermined distance and as a unit, along a first straight line lying over the first boundary surface, toward the defect while simultaneously transmitting ultrasonic energy from one transducer, along a path of travel in which the energy is reflected from the second boundary surface, to the other transducer connected to the indicating means; b. moving a marker mEmber to a position to indicate the location of one of the transducers along the position line with respect to the location of the defect when the indicating means shows that transmission of ultrasonic energy along that portion of the path of travel from the second boundary surface to the other transducer is beginning to be attenuated at the defect; c. reading a logarithmic and scalar grid associated with said marker member to determine the relative distance of the top of the defect from the first boundary surface as compared to the distance from that surface to the second boundary surface; d. continuing the movement of the transducers as a unit along the first position line; e. moving the marker member as in step (b) when the indicating means shows that transmission of ultrasonic energy along the path of travel has commenced again; and f. reading the grid in the same manner as in step (c) but in order to determine the relative position of the bottom of the defect.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method as defined in claim 1 comprising the additional steps of: g. reversing the connections from the electrical signal generating and indicating means to the transducers so that the flow of ultrasonic energy along the path of travel is from the other transducer to the one transducer; h. moving the transducers as a unit along the first straight line toward the defect but in the opposite direction to that of step (a); and i. repeating steps (b) through (f).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method as defined in claim 2, wherein steps (a) through (i) are repeated along a second straight line transversely displaced from the first straight line but generally parallel thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method as defined in claim 2, wherein steps (a) through (i) are successively repeated along a plurality of straight lines each of which is transversely displaced from the first straight line but which are generally parallel thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein steps (a) through (f) are repeated but with the transducers spaced apart at another predetermined distance.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined in claim 2, wherein steps (a) through (i) are repeated but with the transducers spaced apart at another predetermined distance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as defined in claim 4 comprising the additional steps of plotting the distance determinations obtained in steps (c) and (f).
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-29 | 1977-04-30 | 1977-10-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-29 | 1981-04-30 | 1981-10-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-29 | 1985-04-30 | 1985-10-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |