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US4339944A
Expired / Lapsed
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Ultrasonic particulate identification
Assignee: MONITEK TECHNOLOGIES Inc
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Filing: 1980-05-21
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Granted: 1982-07-20
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Expires: 2000-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method of identifying discontinuities in a flow by transforming an ultrasonic pulse reflected from an unknown discontinuity into a frequency spectrum and comparing that spectrum with the spectra of known discontinuities.
Inventors
- 👤 Leigh R. Abts
- 👤 Robert T. Beyer
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 03:39
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/02; G01N29/032; G01N29/34; G01N29/348; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02836; G01N2291/02854
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of identifying and distinguishing different types of discontinuities in a flow comprising: directing a transmitted pulse of short duration and rich in frequency components essentially transversely across the flow, detecting an ultrasonic pulse reflected from an unknown discontinuity in the flow, which reflected pulse need not have any frequency change due to discontinuity movement, transforming said reflected pulse into a multi-component frequency spectrum, in which certain of the frequency components of said reflected pulse are enhanced because of the type of discontinuity reflecting said pulse, and comparing said frequency spectrum with the frequency spectra of known discontinuities, in which spectra different frequency components are enhanced, until a matching frequency spectrum is found.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
114 words
A method of identifying and distinguishing different types of discontinuities in a flow comprising: directing a transmitted pulse of short duration and rich in frequency components essentially transversely across the flow, detecting an ultrasonic pulse reflected from an unknown discontinuity in the flow, which reflected pulse need not have any frequency change due to discontinuity movement, transforming said reflected pulse into a multi-component frequency spectrum, in which certain of the frequency components of said reflected pulse are enhanced because of the type of discontinuity reflecting said pulse, and comparing said frequency spectrum with the frequency spectra of known discontinuities, in which spectra different frequency components are enhanced, until a matching frequency spectrum is found.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said transforming initially comprises converting said pulse to a digital signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said transforming further comprises performing a fast Fourier transform on said signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting a portion of said pulse representing said unknown discontinuity and transforming only said selected portion of said pulse.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for identifying and distinguishing different types of discontinuities in a flow, comprising, means for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse of short duration and rich in frequency components essentially transversely across a flow containing unknown discontinuities, means for receiving a reflected ultrasonic pulse from an unknown discontinuity, which reflected pulse need not have any frequency change due to discontinuity movement, means for transforming said reflected pulse into a multi-component frequency spectrum, in which certain of the frequency components of said reflected pulse are enhanced because of the type of discontinuity reflecting said pulse, means for displaying said frequency spectrum, and means for comparing said frequency spectrum with the frequency spectra of known discontinuities, in which spectra different frequency components are enhanced, until a matching frequency spectrum is found.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
128 words
An apparatus for identifying and distinguishing different types of discontinuities in a flow, comprising, means for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse of short duration and rich in frequency components essentially transversely across a flow containing unknown discontinuities, means for receiving a reflected ultrasonic pulse from an unknown discontinuity, which reflected pulse need not have any frequency change due to discontinuity movement, means for transforming said reflected pulse into a multi-component frequency spectrum, in which certain of the frequency components of said reflected pulse are enhanced because of the type of discontinuity reflecting said pulse, means for displaying said frequency spectrum, and means for comparing said frequency spectrum with the frequency spectra of known discontinuities, in which spectra different frequency components are enhanced, until a matching frequency spectrum is found.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The discontinuity identification apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for transforming comprises an analog-to-digital converter which converts said reflected pulse into a digital signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The discontinuity identification apparatus of claim 5 wherein said means for displaying comprises a visual graphics terminal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3553636A
Cited
US4217909A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-07-19 | 1986-01-18 | 1986-07-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-07-19 | 1990-01-18 | 1990-07-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-07-19 | 1994-01-18 | 1994-07-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |