US4897796A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Nondestructive measurement of fractions of phases in mixtures and composite materials
Assignee: Expert System Technologies Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-22
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Granted: 1990-01-30
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Expires: 2008-11-22
Abstract
Abstract The weight fractions of the phases of a composite material working specimen are determined nondestructively by first performing a sufficient number of nondestructive and destructive calibration measurements on the properties of calibration specimens. The information learned from the calibration specimens is used in combination with nondestructive measurements of the working specimen to determine the fractions of the phases therein, without damaging the working specimen. In one version of this approach, ultrasonic measurements are used to determine fractions of the fiber and matrix in a nonmetallic composite material.
Inventors
- 👤 Carlos A. Salvado
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 01:24
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/07; G01N29/22; G01N29/30; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/023; G01N2291/0231; G01N2291/025; G01N2291/0251; G01N2291/0258; G01N2291/10; G01N2291/105
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A process for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; destructively measuring the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; nondestructively measuring the measurable property of a working specimen; and determining the fractions of the phases present in the working specimen utilizing information obtained in the nondestructive measurement of the calibration specimen and the destructive measurement of the calibration specimen.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
104 words
A process for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; destructively measuring the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; nondestructively measuring the measurable property of a working specimen; and determining the fractions of the phases present in the working specimen utilizing information obtained in the nondestructive measurement of the calibration specimen and the destructive measurement of the calibration specimen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The process of claim 1, wherein only one calibration specimen is destructively measured.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the working specimen is measured at a time of manufacture.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the steps of nondestructively measuring are accomplished by an ultrasonic measurement technique.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the steps of nondestructively measuring are accomplished by a technique that does not use ultrasonics.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the working specimen is a prepreg composite material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
14 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the working specimen is a finished composite material.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the composite material contains fibers, and the fibers are formed of a material selected from a group consisting of glass and carbon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the specimen being measured is mechanically deformed during each of the steps of nondestructively measuring.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the first property is a property dependent upon elastic modulus.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The process of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the specimen is measured during each of the steps of nondestructively measuring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1, wherein the steps of nondestructively measuring are accomplished by contacting a measuring device to a surface of the specimen being measured.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
153 words
A process for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the calibration specimen, and measuring the thickness of the calibration specimen; determining the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; nondestructively measuring the measurable property of a working specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the working specimen, and measuring the thickness of the working specimen; and determining the fractions of the phases present in the working specimen utilizing information obtained in the nondestructive measurement of the calibration specimen and the determination of the fractions of the phases present in the calibration specimen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
153 words
A process for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the calibration specimen, and measuring the thickness of the calibration specimen; determining the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen; nondestructively measuring the measurable property of a working specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the working specimen, and measuring the thickness of the working specimen; and determining the fractions of the phases present in the working specimen utilizing information obtained in the nondestructive measurement of the calibration specimen and the determination of the fractions of the phases present in the calibration specimen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The process of claim 13, wherein the steps of nondestructively measuring the accomplished by an ultrasonic measurement technique.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 13, wherein the steps of nondestructively measuring are accomplished by contacting a measuring device to a surface of the specimen being measured.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for determining a property of a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: correlating a nondestructively obtained first property of a composite material to a second property of a composite material obtained utilizing at least one calibration specimen that is destroyed in obtaining the second property; measuring in a nondestructive manner the first property on a working specimen of the composite material; and determining the second property of the working specimen from the nondestructively measured first property of the working specimen, and the correlation of the second property and the first property obtained from the calibration specimen.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
102 words
A process for determining a property of a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: correlating a nondestructively obtained first property of a composite material to a second property of a composite material obtained utilizing at least one calibration specimen that is destroyed in obtaining the second property; measuring in a nondestructive manner the first property on a working specimen of the composite material; and determining the second property of the working specimen from the nondestructively measured first property of the working specimen, and the correlation of the second property and the first property obtained from the calibration specimen.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 16, wherein the first property is a property dependent upon elastic modulus.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The process of claim 16, wherein the second property is a fraction of a phase present in the composite material.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
19 words
The process of claim 16, wherein a thickness of the working specimen is measured during the step of measuring.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process for providing a calibration to be used in conjunction with a method for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fractions of the phases present in the calibration specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the calibration specimen by contacting a measuring device to a surface of the calibration specimen, and measuring the thickness of the calibration specimen; determining the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen utilizing a procedure wherein the calibration specimen is destroyed and the fractions of the phases are measured; and correlating the nondestructively measured property and the fraction of the phases present determined destructively, in the calibration specimen, to form a calibration for measurements of a working specimen.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
155 words
A process for providing a calibration to be used in conjunction with a method for determining fractions of phases present in a working specimen of a composite material, comprising the steps of: providing at least one calibration specimen of a composite material; nondestructively measuring a measurable property of the calibration specimen that varies with the fractions of the phases present in the calibration specimen, the step of nondestructively measuring including the substeps of elastically deforming the calibration specimen by contacting a measuring device to a surface of the calibration specimen, and measuring the thickness of the calibration specimen; determining the fraction of the phases present in the calibration specimen utilizing a procedure wherein the calibration specimen is destroyed and the fractions of the phases are measured; and correlating the nondestructively measured property and the fraction of the phases present determined destructively, in the calibration specimen, to form a calibration for measurements of a working specimen.
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| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
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| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-01-29 | 1993-07-31 | 1994-01-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-01-29 | 1997-07-31 | 1998-01-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-01-29 | 2001-07-31 | 2002-01-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |