CONVENIENT ULTRASONIC INSPECTION DEVICE
First Claim
1. A method of testing a structure, the method comprising:
- providing a structure having a front surface and a back surface;
pressing an ultrasonic transducer device against the front surface of the structure;
emitting an ultrasonic pulse into the structure;
detecting an echo profile from the structure; and
activating an indicator if the echo profile includes a return pulse that at least is received from between the front surface and the back surface.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic transducer device is pressed against the front surface of a structure, emits an ultrasonic pulse into the structure, and detects an echo profile from the structure. An indicator is activated if the echo profile includes a return pulse that at least is received from between the front surface and the back surface of the structure. An ultrasonic transducer device includes an ultrasonic transducer and a coupling element coupled to the transducer for disposition between the transducer and a surface of a structure. The coupling element serves as a delay line that allows time for quiescence in the transducer so that return pulses from shallow depths can be detected. The ultrasonic transducer is activated when multiple switches are pressed against a surface thus assuring both firm coupling and perpendicular disposition of the acoustic axis of the transducer relative to the surface.
43 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of testing a structure, the method comprising:
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providing a structure having a front surface and a back surface;
pressing an ultrasonic transducer device against the front surface of the structure;
emitting an ultrasonic pulse into the structure;
detecting an echo profile from the structure; and
activating an indicator if the echo profile includes a return pulse that at least is received from between the front surface and the back surface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A diagnostic apparatus for detecting damages in a structure, the apparatus comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer device configured to be pressed against a structure, the structure having a front surface and a back surface, the ultrasonic transducer device being further configured to emit ultrasonic pulses into the structure through the front surface and detect echo profiles from the structure through the front surface;
an indicator; and
an electronic device configured to activate the indicator if the ultrasonic transducer device detects an echo profile that includes a return pulse received from between the front surface and the back surface.
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17. A diagnostic apparatus for inspecting a structure through a surface of the structure, the apparatus comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer device configured to emit ultrasonic pulses and detect return pulses;
an indicator; and
an electronic device disposed in electronic communication with each of the ultrasonic transducer device and the indicator, the electronic device configured to automatically activate the indicator if the ultrasonic transducer device detects a return pulse that at least exhibits a time of flight of less duration than a predetermined time of flight. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification