US4559827A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic shear wave couplant
Assignee: United States Department of Energy
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Filing: 1984-04-11
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Granted: 1985-12-24
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Expires: 2004-04-11
Abstract
Abstract Ultrasonically testing of an article at high temperatures is accomplished by the use of a compact layer of a dry ceramic powder as a couplant in a method which involves providing an ultrasonic transducer as a probe capable of transmitting shear waves, coupling the probe to the article through a thin compact layer of a dry ceramic powder, propagating a shear wave from the probe through the ceramic powder and into the article to develop echo signals, and analyzing the echo signals to determine at least one physical characteristic of the article.
Inventors
- 👤 David S. Kupperman
- 👤 Ronald N. Lanham
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/22; G01N29/28
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ultrasonically testing a metallic or ceramic article at temperatures in the order of about 300°-1000° C. comprising the steps of providing an ultrasonic transducer capable of generating a shear wave, ultrasonically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to a surface of the article through a thin compact layer of a dry ceramic powder, the ceramic powder having a modulus of elasticity about 25% below that for silicon carbide, propagating a shear wave from the transducer through the ceramic powder and into the article to develop echo signals, and analyzing the echo signals to determine at least one physical characteristic of the article.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method of ultrasonically testing a metallic or ceramic article at temperatures in the order of about 300°-1000° C. comprising the steps of providing an ultrasonic transducer capable of generating a shear wave, ultrasonically coupling the ultrasonic transducer to a surface of the article through a thin compact layer of a dry ceramic powder, the ceramic powder having a modulus of elasticity about 25% below that for silicon carbide, propagating a shear wave from the transducer through the ceramic powder and into the article to develop echo signals, and analyzing the echo signals to determine at least one physical characteristic of the article.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the ultrasonic coupling is carried out with a ceramic powder composed of particles sized in the range of 0.3-3.0 microns.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 wherein the ultrasonic coupling is carried out with a ceramic selected from the group consisting of yttrium chromite and magnesium oxide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 3 including the step of providing a buffer member between the ultrasonic transducer and thin layer to protect the probe from excessive temperatures.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 4 wherein the layer is heated to a temperature in the range of about 300°-1000° C.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the ceramic is yttrium chromite.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The method of claim 5 wherein the ceramic is magnesium oxide.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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US3678737A
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US3714816A
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US3732444A
Cited
US3663842A
Cited
US4069083A
Cited
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 |