US4702111A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sonic wood testing apparatus and method
Assignee: AMERICAN ENERGY SERVICES Inc 33850 ARMADA RIDGE ROAD RICHMOND MI 48062 A CORP OF MICHIGAN
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Filing: 1986-04-01
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2006-04-01
Abstract
Abstract An improved non-destructive sonic testing apparatus is disclosed which is specially adapted for use in assessing the integrity of wooden utility poles. In one embodiment, the sonic testing apparatus of the present invention operates to perform a Fourier analysis on a signal which has been transmitted through a pole to be tested. Two or more criteria selected from the group of mode, mean, median and range are then determined for the resulting waveform and compared in order to provide a visual display representative of the condition of the pole being tested. In another embodiment of the present invention a software peak seeking algorithm is utilized to provide an envelope waveform from which successive half lives are determined. The relative time duration for successive half lives are compared to provide an indication of the amount of decay.
Inventors
- 👤 John F. Holland
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 08:23
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/045; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/023; G01N2291/0238
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
123 words
A non-destructive sonic testing apparatus for ascertaining the integrity of wooden members comprising: means for receiving sonic energy imparted to said wooden member and generating a signal in response to said received sonic energy; analyzing means for receiving said signal and performing an analysis thereon to determine energy levels as a function of frequency for said signal, said analyzing means also being operative to determine at least two criteria selected from the group comprising the mean, mode, median and range for said energy levels as a function of frequency and to determine the relative relationship between said two criteria; and means responsive to the relative relationship between said two criteria to provide a visual indication representative of the condition of said wooden member.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
123 words
A non-destructive sonic testing apparatus for ascertaining the integrity of wooden members comprising: means for receiving sonic energy imparted to said wooden member and generating a signal in response to said received sonic energy; analyzing means for receiving said signal and performing an analysis thereon to determine energy levels as a function of frequency for said signal, said analyzing means also being operative to determine at least two criteria selected from the group comprising the mean, mode, median and range for said energy levels as a function of frequency and to determine the relative relationship between said two criteria; and means responsive to the relative relationship between said two criteria to provide a visual indication representative of the condition of said wooden member.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said analyzing means perform a Fourier transform analysis on said signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said two criteria are mean and mode.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said visual indication of the condition of said wooden member shows substantial decay when said mean occurs at a frequency higher than said mode.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said relative relationship comprises a determination of the relative frequency levels at which said at least two criteria occur.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
98 words
A non-destructive sonic testing apparatus for ascertaining the integrity of wooden members comprising: means for receiving sonic energy imparted to said wooden member and generating a signal in response thereto; analyzing means for receiving said signal and performing an analysis thereon to determine the intensity as a function of time of said signal, said analyzing means further determining successive time durations required for said intensity to decay to one-half the level previously reached; and display means responsive to said time durations from said analyzing means to provide a visual indication representative of the condition of said wooden member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
98 words
A non-destructive sonic testing apparatus for ascertaining the integrity of wooden members comprising: means for receiving sonic energy imparted to said wooden member and generating a signal in response thereto; analyzing means for receiving said signal and performing an analysis thereon to determine the intensity as a function of time of said signal, said analyzing means further determining successive time durations required for said intensity to decay to one-half the level previously reached; and display means responsive to said time durations from said analyzing means to provide a visual indication representative of the condition of said wooden member.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
31 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said analyzing means includes means for developing said intensity as a function of time from the peak values of said signal.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said analyzing means operates to determine successive half lives of said intensity as a function of time.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A testing apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein a first time duration required for said intensity to decay to half its value at the beginning of said first time duration is indicative of the condition of said wooden member and a second time duraction required for said intensity to decay to half its value at the beginning of said second time duration provides a verification of said indication.
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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) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |