US3916699A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for vibration testing of objects
Assignee: RESOURCE SCIENCES Corp
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Filing: 1973-11-13
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Granted: 1975-11-04
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Expires: 1993-11-13
Abstract
Abstract Acoustic waves are generated in an object to be tested by a distribution of stresses arranged to produce a banded vibration within the object. The characteristics of the banded vibrations and their interactions with the object are monitored at different locations on the object and used to determine properties of the object such as flaws and defects.
Inventors
- 👤 William P Moran
- 👤 Robert E Fearon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/14; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/263; G01N2291/2636
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 46
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected in a direction normal to the acoustic path, means mounted upon said carrier for applying mechanical energy to said body along said path at a frequency to establish acoustic vibrations propagating in a direction along said path and evanescent vibrations in a direction normal to said path, said energy applied for a period substantially greater than the propagation period for said waves over the length of said path in the body to be inspected, means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body, and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of a flaw within the path region of said body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
147 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected in a direction normal to the acoustic path, means mounted upon said carrier for applying mechanical energy to said body along said path at a frequency to establish acoustic vibrations propagating in a direction along said path and evanescent vibrations in a direction normal to said path, said energy applied for a period substantially greater than the propagation period for said waves over the length of said path in the body to be inspected, means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body, and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of a flaw within the path region of said body.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 1, wherein said signal producing means also includes: means for generating a signal indicative of the size and type of flaw present.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of a physical characteristic of the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
92 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of a physical characteristic of the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signal producing means generates a signal indicative of the size and shape of a flaw within the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signal producing means generates a signal indicative of the presence of joints and seams within the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 3 wherein said signal producing means generates a signal indicative of the condition of the interface between the acoustic path of said body and its environment.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
142 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 3, wherein: said means for generating a banded vibration includes a radio frequency generator, a power amplifier connected to the generator, and a transducer connected to the output of the amplifier and positioned adjacent the surface of said body for converting electrical energy from the amplifier into mechanical energy and coupling the mechanical energy into the acoustic path of said body; and said means for detecting a vibratioon wave includes a transducer positioned adjacent the surface of said body for converting mechanical vibrations adjacent said transducer into electrical signals and a transducer amplifier connected to the output of the transducer for amplifying the signals; and said signal producing means includes means for analyzing the output of said transducer amplifier for signal parameters indicative of physical characteristics of said body.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said analyzing means includes means for producing an indication of flaws in said body.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said analyzing means includes means for producing an indication of the size and shape of said body.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said analyzing means includes means for producing an indication of the ultimate strength and elastic and plastic characteristics of said body.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said analyzing means includes means for producing an indication of the stress conditions within said body.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
91 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said means for detecting a vibration wave is positioned adjacent a point spaced from the transducer of said means for generating a vibration wave and at a location wherein the amplitude of the vibrations of said body are less than a preselected value; and said analyzing means includes means for detecting a signal differing in phase, frequency, or amplitude from the signal expected on the basis of the character of the object and the impressed signal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
132 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body for flaws as set forth in claim 7, wherein: said vibration generating means being mounted near the center of said carrier; said means for generating a banded vibration includes at least three transducers, the first of said transducers being mounted near the front of said carrier, the second near the center of said carrier and the third near the rear, said transducers also lying along the straight line parallel to the direction of adapted movement of said carrier; and wherein said analyzing means includes means for comparing the relative phases, with respect to the said means for generating a banded vibration, of said first and second transducers with said second and third transducers to produce a signal indicative of physical characteristics of said body.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of the first and higher order elastic parameters of the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
96 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting body having at least one acoustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of the first and higher order elastic parameters of the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting bOdy having at least one acustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of the stresses within the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
91 words
A system for inspecting a sound conducting bOdy having at least one acustic path, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a carrier adapted for movement along the length of the body to be inspected; means mounted upon said carrier for generating an acoustic banded vibration within the acoustic path of said body; means mounted upon said carrier for detecting a vibration wave of said body; and means responsive to said detecting means for producing a signal indicative of the stresses within the acoustic path of said body.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pipeline inspection system for the location of flaws which comprises: search means movable through said pipe; an acoustic transmitter in said search means for applying mechanical energy to said pipe wall at at least one point at a frequency corresponding with at least one banded resonance frequency for a path normal to the length of said pipe and for a period substantially greater than the propagation time of acoustic energy, the length of said path to establish a resonant condition in said pipe of banded vibration nodes and anti-nodes which occur along said path and extend lengthwise of said pipe with little lengthwise energy propagation; and means for sensing the acoustic energy in said pipe resulting from energy flow along said path.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
123 words
A pipeline inspection system for the location of flaws which comprises: search means movable through said pipe; an acoustic transmitter in said search means for applying mechanical energy to said pipe wall at at least one point at a frequency corresponding with at least one banded resonance frequency for a path normal to the length of said pipe and for a period substantially greater than the propagation time of acoustic energy, the length of said path to establish a resonant condition in said pipe of banded vibration nodes and anti-nodes which occur along said path and extend lengthwise of said pipe with little lengthwise energy propagation; and means for sensing the acoustic energy in said pipe resulting from energy flow along said path.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
A pipeline inspection system for location of flaws as set forth in claim 16 wherein said sensing means includes: a plurality of receivers spaced from one another mounted within said search means; and means for selectiively utilizing one or more of said receivers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
127 words
A pig for the inspection of pipe comprising: a cylindrical body having wheels mounted upon the outer surface thereof to permit movement through a pipe to be inspected; a driver transducer mounted within said body for coupling vibrational energy into the wall of the pipe; a receiver transducer mounted within said body and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the pig for detecting vibration of the wall of the pipe; means connected to said driver transducer for energizing said transducer to produce a banded vibration extending around the circumference of the pipe and over a localized region in the longitudinal direction; and means responsive to the output of said receiver transducer for producing a signal indicative of physical characteristics of said localized region of pipe under inspection.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
127 words
A pig for the inspection of pipe comprising: a cylindrical body having wheels mounted upon the outer surface thereof to permit movement through a pipe to be inspected; a driver transducer mounted within said body for coupling vibrational energy into the wall of the pipe; a receiver transducer mounted within said body and spaced along the longitudinal axis of the pig for detecting vibration of the wall of the pipe; means connected to said driver transducer for energizing said transducer to produce a banded vibration extending around the circumference of the pipe and over a localized region in the longitudinal direction; and means responsive to the output of said receiver transducer for producing a signal indicative of physical characteristics of said localized region of pipe under inspection.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibration through the zones of applied force, adjusting the magnitude, number, shape, position, frequency and phasing of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, and sensing the banded vibration of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibration.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
129 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibration through the zones of applied force, adjusting the magnitude, number, shape, position, frequency and phasing of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, and sensing the banded vibration of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibration.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
82 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the banded vibration includes measuring the deviations of the shape of the banded vibration amplitude distribution at points away from the closed acoustic ray path from the shape of the banded vibrations established at the zones of excitation, and generating a signal indicative of a flaw in the body in the region of the vibration amplitude distribution deviation.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the banded vibration of said body includes measuring the presence of a second banded vibration on a closed acoustic ray path adjacent to the closed acoustic ray path and measuring the banded vibration being excited, and generating a signal indicating the presence of a flaw in the region occupied by the second banded vibration.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the step of sensing the banded vibration of said body includes measuring the variation of the shape of the phase distribution as a function of a distance normal to the closed acoustic ray path from the shape of the phase distribution characteristic of the banded vibration established at the zones of excitation, and generating a signal indicative of the shape deviation to indicate a flaw in said body in the region of the deviation.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the step of applying forces to one or more zones of the body includes applying an exciting force at substantially one frequency for a period of time greater than ten times the propagation time through the closed acoustic ray path.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the frequency of the applied forces achieves resonance for propagation along the closed acoustic ray path and bandedness in directions normal to the closed acoustic ray path.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
62 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 19 wherein the step of applying forces to one or more zones of the body includes applying exciting forces at a number of discrete frequencies applied for a period of time greater than ten times the propagation time through the closed acoustic ray path.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 25 wherein the discrete frequencies are selected to achieve resonance for propagation along the closed acoustic ray path and bandedness in directions normal to the closed acoustic ray path.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, adjusting the parameters of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, and sensing the banded vibrations of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibrations.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
123 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, adjusting the parameters of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, and sensing the banded vibrations of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibrations.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a. applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, b. exciting propagating acoustic vibirations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, c. repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, d. adjusting the parameters of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, e. repeating steps (a)-(d) to generate additional banded vibration along closed acoustic ray paths, f. sensing each of the banded vibrations of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibration, and g. generating a signal related to the differences between the frequency and wavelength of the various banded vibrations as an indication of the size and shape of the object in the region of the banded vibration.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
179 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, comprising: a. applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, b. exciting propagating acoustic vibirations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, c. repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, d. adjusting the parameters of the applied force at the zones of application to generate a banded vibration along said path, e. repeating steps (a)-(d) to generate additional banded vibration along closed acoustic ray paths, f. sensing each of the banded vibrations of said body at one or more points in the region occupied by the banded vibration, and g. generating a signal related to the differences between the frequency and wavelength of the various banded vibrations as an indication of the size and shape of the object in the region of the banded vibration.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
34 words
A method of using acoustic waves to mechanically insPect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 28, wherein said generated signals are indicative of the size and shape of said body position.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method of using acoustic waves to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 28, wherein: said generated signals are indicative of the presence of joints and seams within said body portion.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method of using acoustic waves to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 28, wherein: said generated signals are indicative of the condition of the interface between said body portion and its environment.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 28 wherein each of the banded vibrations is excited successively and the generated signal indicates the elastic constants of the body, its state of stress and strain, and the condition of the interface between the body and the surrounding environment.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
55 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body as set forth in claim 28 wherein the banded vibrations are excited simultaneously and the generated signal indicates the elastic constants of the body, its state of stress and strain, and the condition of the interface between the object and surrounding environment.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, sweeping the frequency of the applied forces to produce a banded vibration resonance on the closed acoustic ray path, and measuring the vibration amplitude of the banded vibration resonance as a function of distance normal to said path, sensing the presence of a second banded vibration resonance on an adjacent closed acoustic ray path at a frequency different from the frequency of the excited banded vibration resonance, and generating a signal indicating a flaw in the body in the region of the second banded vibration.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
167 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones of applied force, sweeping the frequency of the applied forces to produce a banded vibration resonance on the closed acoustic ray path, and measuring the vibration amplitude of the banded vibration resonance as a function of distance normal to said path, sensing the presence of a second banded vibration resonance on an adjacent closed acoustic ray path at a frequency different from the frequency of the excited banded vibration resonance, and generating a signal indicating a flaw in the body in the region of the second banded vibration.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones, of applied force, sweeping the frequency of the applied force to produce a banded vibration on the closed acoustic ray path, and recording the number of banded vibrations with resonances for the swep frequencies and generating a signal indicative of changes in the number of banded vibration resonances in the interval of the swept frequencies as an indication of a flaw in the region of the change.
Claim 46
Independent Claim
146 words
A method of using acoustic vibrations to mechanically inspect a sound conducting body, having at least one acoustic ray path closed upon itself, where the body has length normal to said path, which comprises: applying forces to one or more zones of the body along or adjacent to said path, exciting propagating acoustic vibrations in a direction along said path and evanescent acoustic vibrations in a direction normal to said path, repeatedly passing the propagating vibrations through the zones, of applied force, sweeping the frequency of the applied force to produce a banded vibration on the closed acoustic ray path, and recording the number of banded vibrations with resonances for the swep frequencies and generating a signal indicative of changes in the number of banded vibration resonances in the interval of the swept frequencies as an indication of a flaw in the region of the change.
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) | 1978-11-03 | 1979-05-05 | 1979-11-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-11-03 | 1983-05-05 | 1983-11-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-11-03 | 1987-05-05 | 1987-11-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |