US4170143A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Recognizing ultrasonic response signals during testing of structural materials
Assignee: Vodafone GmbH
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Filing: 1977-08-11
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Granted: 1979-10-09
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Expires: 1997-08-11
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonic response signals resulting from interaction of a test pulse with the structural material are recognized by dynamically tracking the noise level and adding thereto a fixed level; a response signal to be recognized must exceed the resulting variable threshold level.
Inventors
- 👤 Karl Ries
- 👤 Dieter Kaiser
- 👤 Mesa Quaye
- 👤 Heinz-Jurgen Boms
- 👤 Klaus-Uwe Jannsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 22:26
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/44; G01N29/4409; G01N29/4427; G01N29/04; G01N29/11; G01N29/34; G01N29/341; G01N29/343; G01N29/36; G01N29/40; G01N29/449; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/044
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
In a method of testing structural materials by ultrasonic inspection using individual test pulses, comprising the steps of: detecting a noise and background level in a signal path for received ultrasonic signals; detecting and recognizing ultrasonic response signals having resulted from interaction of the test pulses with the structural material by detecting signal levels above a threshold level; and varying the threshold level in accordance with the detected noise level to establish a dynamic response level for the ultrasonic signal detecting on the basis of tracking the noise level.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
89 words
In a method of testing structural materials by ultrasonic inspection using individual test pulses, comprising the steps of: detecting a noise and background level in a signal path for received ultrasonic signals; detecting and recognizing ultrasonic response signals having resulted from interaction of the test pulses with the structural material by detecting signal levels above a threshold level; and varying the threshold level in accordance with the detected noise level to establish a dynamic response level for the ultrasonic signal detecting on the basis of tracking the noise level.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a method as in claim 1, the first detecting step including the step of averaging the existing noise level, the varying step including the step of adding a fixed signal level to the averaged noise level to establish the dynamic response level.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
In a method as in claim 1, and including the step of separately identifying response signals which exceed the threshold level.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
In a method as in claim 1 and including the step of: detecting whether the noise level is above a minimum as an indication of operativeness of a system participating in the testing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3482434A
Cited
US3813926A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1982-10-08 | 1983-04-09 | 1983-10-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1986-10-08 | 1987-04-09 | 1987-10-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1990-10-08 | 1991-04-09 | 1991-10-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |