Patent US4392380A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4392380A
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High temperature pressure coupled ultrasonic waveguide
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1981-02-11
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Granted: 1983-07-12
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Expires: 2001-02-11
Abstract
Abstract A pressure coupled ultrasonic waveguide is provided to which one end may be attached a transducer and at the other end a high temperature material for continuous ultrasonic testing of the material. The ultrasonic signal is coupled from the waveguide into the material through a thin, dry copper foil.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael J. Caines
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:36
CPC Classifications
G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/24; B; B06; B06B; B06B3/00; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for ultrasonically monitoring the characteristics of a material comprising: a threaded waveguide; a transducer coupled to one end of the waveguide; a treated copper foil positioned between the material and the other end of the waveguide, wherein the treatment of said treated foil comprises annealing and polishing to render the foil soft and smooth; an adjustable holding fixture for positioning the waveguide against the foil and against the material; and force compensating means for maintaining substantially constant pressure against the waveguide and against the material during creep of said fixture wherein said force compensating means is positioned far enough away from the material so as not to be exposed to temperatures of such a high level as to cause relaxation of said force compensating means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
127 words
A device for ultrasonically monitoring the characteristics of a material comprising: a threaded waveguide; a transducer coupled to one end of the waveguide; a treated copper foil positioned between the material and the other end of the waveguide, wherein the treatment of said treated foil comprises annealing and polishing to render the foil soft and smooth; an adjustable holding fixture for positioning the waveguide against the foil and against the material; and force compensating means for maintaining substantially constant pressure against the waveguide and against the material during creep of said fixture wherein said force compensating means is positioned far enough away from the material so as not to be exposed to temperatures of such a high level as to cause relaxation of said force compensating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the copper foil is thick enough for mechanical coupling to fill in voids without attenuating an ultrasonic signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the copper foil is annealed after being positioned between the material and the waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the threaded waveguide is made of 304 stainless steel.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
94 words
The device of claim 1 wherein the adjustable holding fixture comprises: bolts; a saddle enclosing the material and having two threaded holes for receiving the bolts; a crossbar having two outer holes for receiving the bolts and a threaded center hole for receiving the threaded waveguide, the crossbar being coupled to the saddle by the bolts passing through the outer holes; and wherein the force compensating means comprise spring washers positioned between the head ends of the bolts and the crossbar; whereby tightening of the bolts exerts pressure forcing the waveguide against the material.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for ultrasonically monitoring the characteristics of a material comprising: a threaded waveguide; a transducer coupled to one end of the waveguide; a treated copper foil positioned between the material and the other end of the waveguide, wherein the treatment of said treated foil comprises annealing and polishing to render the foil soft and smooth; adjustable constant pressure means for poisitioning the foil between the material and the waveguide whereby an adjustable constant pressure is applied to the waveguide against the foil and against the material wherein the adjustable constant pressure means comprises: bolts; a saddle enclosing the material and having two threaded holes for receiving the bolts; spring washers; and a crossbar having two outer holes for receiving the bolts and a threaded center hole for receiving the threaded waveguide, the crossbar being coupled to the saddle by the bolts passing through the outer holes with the spring washers being positioned beetween the head end of the bolts and the crossbar, with tightening of the bolts, hereby exerting pressure forcing the waveguide against the material.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
177 words
A device for ultrasonically monitoring the characteristics of a material comprising: a threaded waveguide; a transducer coupled to one end of the waveguide; a treated copper foil positioned between the material and the other end of the waveguide, wherein the treatment of said treated foil comprises annealing and polishing to render the foil soft and smooth; adjustable constant pressure means for poisitioning the foil between the material and the waveguide whereby an adjustable constant pressure is applied to the waveguide against the foil and against the material wherein the adjustable constant pressure means comprises: bolts; a saddle enclosing the material and having two threaded holes for receiving the bolts; spring washers; and a crossbar having two outer holes for receiving the bolts and a threaded center hole for receiving the threaded waveguide, the crossbar being coupled to the saddle by the bolts passing through the outer holes with the spring washers being positioned beetween the head end of the bolts and the crossbar, with tightening of the bolts, hereby exerting pressure forcing the waveguide against the material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The device of claim 6 wherein the threaded waveguide and the adjustable constant pressure means are made of 304 stainless steel.
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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) | 1986-07-11 | 1987-01-10 | 1987-07-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1990-07-11 | 1991-01-10 | 1991-07-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1994-07-11 | 1995-01-10 | 1995-07-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |