US4559810A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for determining resin viscosity with ultrasonic waves
Assignee: ADVANCED PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY Inc
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Filing: 1984-06-15
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-06-15
Abstract
Abstract A method for determining the dynamic viscosity of a specimen of a polymeric resin which is subjected to a time-varying temperature includes the steps of passing an ultrasonic sensing wave of known amplitude through the specimen, sensing the amplitude of the wave after it has travelled through the specimen, and from the degree of amplitude attenuation, obtaining a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the instantaneous dynamic viscosity of the resin.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard J. Hinrichs
- 👤 Judy Thuen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 21:42
CPC Classifications
B; B01; B01J; B01J3/00; B01J3/002; B29; B29C; B29C35/00; B29C35/02; B29C35/0288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
56 words
A process for determining the dynamic viscosity of a stationary specimen of a polymeric resin which is subjected to a time-varying temperature, the process comprising the step of determining the amplitude attenuation of an ultrasonic wave in the polymeric resin, to obtain a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the dynamic viscosity.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
56 words
A process for determining the dynamic viscosity of a stationary specimen of a polymeric resin which is subjected to a time-varying temperature, the process comprising the step of determining the amplitude attenuation of an ultrasonic wave in the polymeric resin, to obtain a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the dynamic viscosity.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The process of claim 1 wherein the step of determining includes a step of passing an ultrasonic wave of a known amplitude through the resin, and a step of sensing the amplitude of the ultrasonic wave after it has travelled through the resin.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is in the 0.1-2.5 MHz range.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 3 wherein the amplitude sensed is a root mean square amplitude of the ultrasonic wave.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 2 wherein the polymeric resin is a binding resin of a fiber-reinforced composite.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for monitoring the viscosity of a resin substrate of a fiber-reinforced composite material undergoing a final curing step during which the composite material is subjected to a time-varying temperature, the process comprising the steps of: irradiating the composite material with an ultrasonic wave, at least the root mean square amplitude of which is known; and sensing at least the root mean square amplitude of the ultrasonic wave after it has travelled through at least a portion of the composite material, and thereby obtaining a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the instantaneous viscosity of the resin.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for monitoring the viscosity of a resin substrate of a fiber-reinforced composite material undergoing a final curing step during which the composite material is subjected to a time-varying temperature, the process comprising the steps of: irradiating the composite material with an ultrasonic wave, at least the root mean square amplitude of which is known; and sensing at least the root mean square amplitude of the ultrasonic wave after it has travelled through at least a portion of the composite material, and thereby obtaining a value which has a linear relationship to the logarithm of the instantaneous viscosity of the resin.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the ultrasonic wave is in the 0.1-2.5 MHz frequency range.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The process of claim 6 wherein the process includes the additional steps of positioning an ultrasonic wave source on a surface of the composite material and positioning an ultrasonic wave amplitude sensor on a surface of the composite material at a location remote from the location of said source.
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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) | 1988-12-23 | 1989-06-24 | 1989-12-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1992-12-23 | 1993-06-24 | 1993-12-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1996-12-23 | 1997-06-24 | 1997-12-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |