Ultrasonic test chamber for tray production system and the like

• US 20040011133A1
• Filed: 03/13/2003
• Published: 01/22/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sonix, Inc. (Fortive Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sonix, Inc. (Fortive Corp.)
• Inventors: Busch, Ralph E., Fallon, Brandon D., McKeon, James C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,181,969 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 73/618
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02872 Pressure
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/044 Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2698 Other discrete objects, e.g. bricks
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/223 Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation mounting transducers per se G10K11/004
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/28 providing acoustic coupling , e.g. water impedance matching G10K11/02

Abstract

A method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of one or more objects in an object holder. In a first embodiment of the method, the objects are immersed in a tank containing coupling fluid and a flow of fluid is generated in the tank beneath the object holder, thereby producing a suction pressure that tends to hold the objects in the holder. Each object is insonified with ultrasound from an ultrasonic transducer and the ultrasound reflected from or transmitted through the object is sensed. In a further embodiment, the object to be inspected is moved between the upper and lower chambers of a scanning station, over a surface in the lower chamber. A coupling fluid is supplied to the upper chamber so that coupling fluid flows through one or more holes in the bottom of the upper chamber and fills the space between the ultrasound emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer and the object to be scanned, thereby providing coupling for the ultrasound and tending the hold the objects in the object holder.

Claims

1. A method for ultrasonic scanning of an object supported by an object holder in a scanning station, the scanning station comprising an upper chamber and housing an ultrasonic transducer with an ultrasound emitting surface, the method comprising:

moving the object beneath the upper chamber;

insonifying the object with ultrasound from the ultrasonic transducer;

supplying a coupling fluid to the upper chamber so that coupling fluid flows through one or more holes in the bottom of the upper chamber onto the object, thereby filling the space between the ultrasound emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer and the object; and

sensing ultrasound reflected from or transmitted through the object,

wherein the static pressure of the coupling fluid exerts a downward force on the object tending to hold the object in the object holder.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the object is a part and the object holder is a parts holder supporting a plurality of parts.

3. A method in accordance with claim 2, wherein the parts holder has holes therein to allow the coupling fluid to pass from the upper chamber through parts holder.

4. A method in accordance with claim 1, wherein the scanning station further comprises a lower chamber, further comprising:

collecting the coupling fluid in the lower chamber; and

recirculating the coupling fluid to the upper chamber.

5. A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising adjusting the distance between the upper and lower chambers in accordance with the thickness of the object.

6. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein moving the object comprises moving the object in a first horizontal direction along a substantially horizontal track attached to the lower chamber.

7. A method in accordance with claim 6, further comprising moving the ultrasonic transducer in a second horizontal direction along a slot in the bottom of the upper chamber.

8. A method in accordance with claim 4, further comprising moving the ultrasonic transducer in a horizontal plane across the object holder.

9. A method in accordance with claim 4, wherein in the lower chamber incorporates a raised surface, further comprising generating reduced fluid pressure in the coupling fluid between the raised surface of the lower chamber and the object.

10. A method in accordance with claim 9, wherein the reduced pressure is generated by a flow of coupling fluid between the raised surface of the lower chamber and the object.

11. A method in accordance with claim 10, further comprising:

flowing the coupling fluid from a de-bubbling chamber between the raised surface of the lower chamber and the object holder.

12. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising moving a horizontal scan bar with the ultrasonic transducer, thereby reducing turbulence in the coupling fluid in the space between the ultrasound emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer and the object in the object holder.

13. A method in accordance with claim 1, further comprising drying the object in the object holder using at least one of an air-knife, a wicking material and a flow of warm air.

14. A method in accordance with claim 13, wherein the drying further comprises:

reducing the air pressure below the object holder so as to prevent the object from being dislodged from the object holder.

15. A method in accordance with claim 13, further comprising:

reducing the air pressure below the object holder so as to prevent the object from being dislodged from the object holder; and

removing fluid from the object in the object holder using a brush.

16. A method for removing bubbles from the surface of an object in an object holder prior to ultrasonic scanning, the method comprising:

supplying a flow of fluid to an upper de-bubbling chamber so that fluid flows through one or more holes in the bottom of the upper de-bubbling chamber; and

moving the object beneath the upper de-bubbling chamber through the flow of fluid from the one or more holes in the bottom of the upper de-bubbling chamber,

wherein the static pressure of the fluid exerts a downward force on the object tending to hold the object in the object holder.

17. A method for removing bubbles from the surface of an object in an object holder prior to ultrasonic scanning, the method comprising

moving the object between the upper surface of a lower de-bubbling chamber and a cover containing at least one aperture large enough to allow fluid and bubbles to pass but small enough to prevent passage of the object;

and

supplying a flow of fluid to a lower de-bubbling chamber so that fluid flows upwards past the object through the at least one aperture in the cover.

18. A method for ultrasonic inspection of an object in an object holder holding one or more objects, the method comprising:

immersing the object and the object holder in a tank containing coupling fluid;

generating a flow of fluid in the tank beneath the object holder, whereby a suction pressure is produced tending to hold the one or more objects in the object holder;

insonifying the object with ultrasound from an ultrasonic transducer; and

sensing ultrasound reflected from or transmitted through the object.

19. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow of fluid is generated by at least one fluid jet directed at one side of the object holder.

20. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow of fluid is generated by creating a suction acting at one or more sides of the object holder.

21. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the flow of fluid is a generated by creating drawing fluid out of at least one hole in the tank beneath the object holder.

22. A method in accordance with claim 18, wherein the object holder is supported above a raised surface having at least one hole therein, and wherein the flow of fluid is a generated by drawing fluid through the at least one hole in the raised surface.

23. An ultrasonic test chamber for use in inspecting an object in an object holder, the ultrasonic test chamber comprising at least one of a de-bubbling station and a scanning station,

the de-bubbling station comprising:

an upper de-bubbling chamber having at least one opening in its bottom surface, the at least one opening being sized so that the object cannot pass through; and

a lower de-bubbling chamber located below the upper de-bubbling chamber and spaced therefrom to allow the object to pass between the upper de-bubbling chamber and the lower de-bubbling chamber;

wherein the lower de-bubbling chamber is operable to supply a flow of fluid directed towards the object and the upper chamber is operable to receive at least some of the flow of fluid through the at least one opening; and

the scanning station comprising;

a holder support structure for supporting the object holder;

an upper scanning station chamber positioned above the holder support structure; and

a first ultrasonic transducer located within the upper scanning station chamber;

wherein the upper scanning station chamber is operable to receive and dispense coupling fluid at a rate sufficient to provide fluid coupling between the ultrasonic transducer and the object and to provide a static fluid pressure acting on the object and tending to retain the object in the object holder.

24. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a scanning bar extended in the direction of the scanning path and adapted to move with the first ultrasonic transducer.

25. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 24, wherein the first ultrasonic transducer has an ultrasound emitting surface and is located in an orifice in the scanning bar such that the ultrasound emitting surface is approximately in same plane as the underside of the scanning bar.

26. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 24, wherein first the ultrasonic transducer is moveable in a vertical direction relative to the scanning bar to allow focusing of the ultrasound.

27. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a line of spring fingers attached to one of the upper de-bubbling chamber and the upper scanning station chamber, the spring fingers operable to exert a downward force on the object.

28. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, wherein the first transducer is moveable in a scanning path.

29. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, wherein the first transducer is fixed in the upper scanning station chamber and comprises at least one of a transducer with an array of elements and an array of transducers.

30. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, wherein the object is a part of a plurality of parts and the object holder is a parts tray.

31. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, further comprising:

a lower scanning station chamber located below the upper scanning station chamber and spaced from it to allow the object to pass between the upper scanning station chamber and the lower scanning station chamber.

32. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 31, wherein the first ultrasonic transducer is moveable in a scanning path and wherein the lower scanning station chamber comprises a raised surface located beneath the scanning path of the first ultrasonic transducer.

33. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 31, further comprising a second ultrasonic transducer incorporated in the raised surface of the lower scanning station chamber.

34. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 33, wherein the second ultrasonic transducer comprises at least one of a transducer with an array of elements and an array of transducers.

35. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 31, comprising both a de-bubbling station and a scanning station, wherein the lower de-bubbling chamber is in close proximity to the lower scanning station chamber, whereby fluid flows from the lower de-bubbling chamber between the object holder and the raised surface of the lower scanning station chamber.

36. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, further comprising a dryer having a lower drying chamber positioned below the object holder, the lower drying chamber having an opening from which air is drawn to maintain suction in the lower drying chamber.

37. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 36, wherein the dryer comprises at least one of an air knife, a hot air flow and a line of wicking material.

38. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 36, wherein the dryer comprises a brush.

39. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, wherein the de-bubbling station further comprises a brush operable to contact a surface of the object as it passes through the de-bubbling station.

40. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23′

, comprising both a de-bubbling station and a scanning station, wherein the upper de-bubbling chamber and the upper scanning station chamber are connected and form an integrated upper chamber.

41. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 23, comprising both a de-bubbling station and a scanning station, wherein-the lower de-bubbling chamber and the lower scanning station chamber are connected and form an integrated lower chamber.

42. An ultrasonic test chamber in accordance with claim 41, further comprising a track coupled to the integrated lower chamber, the track operable to support the object holder and move it through the ultrasonic test station.