Autoradiography-Based Differential Wear Mapping
First Claim
1. A system for differential wear mapping of the surface of an object, the system comprising:
- (a) a device for establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object;
(b) a first conformal radiation imaging device for producing a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface;
(c) a second conformal radiation imaging device for producing a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile of the wearing surface;
(d) a digitizer for establishing first and second data sets representing the first and second autoradiographs; and
(e) a data processor for comparing the first and second data sets and establishing a differential data set, the differential data set characterizing a differential wear map of the surface of the object.
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Abstract
Methods and systems for the differential wear mapping of the surface of an object are described. The process involves establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object through surface layer activation (SLA) and/or radioactive ion implantation (RII) and imaging the wearing surface with conformal photographic or x-ray film to produce a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface. After subjecting the object to wear during testing the wearing surface is again imaged with conformal photographic or x-ray film to produce a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile. The first and second autoradiographs of the wearing surface are digitized and compared to produce a differential wear map of the surface of the object.
15 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for differential wear mapping of the surface of an object, the system comprising:
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(a) a device for establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object; (b) a first conformal radiation imaging device for producing a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface; (c) a second conformal radiation imaging device for producing a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile of the wearing surface; (d) a digitizer for establishing first and second data sets representing the first and second autoradiographs; and (e) a data processor for comparing the first and second data sets and establishing a differential data set, the differential data set characterizing a differential wear map of the surface of the object. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for differential wear mapping of the surface of an object, the system comprising:
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(a) a surface layer activation/implantation device for establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object; (b) a first sheet of flexible radiation imaging film conformable to the surface of the object for producing a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface; (c) a second sheet of flexible radiation imaging film conformable to the surface of the object for producing a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile of the wearing surface; (d) an indexing device for consistent positioning and repositioning of the first and second sheets of flexible radiation imaging film on the wearing surface of the object; (e) a digital scanner for establishing first and second digital data sets representing the first and second autoradiographs; and (f) a data processor for comparing the first and second data sets and establishing a differential data set, the differential data set characterizing a differential wear map of the surface of the object.
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12. A method for differential wear mapping of the surface of an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object; (b) imaging the wearing surface to produce a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface; (c) subjecting the object to wear during testing; (d) imaging the wearing surface to produce a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile of the wearing surface; (e) digitizing the first and second autoradiographs of the wearing surface; and (f) comparing the digitized first and second autoradiograph to produce a differential wear map of the surface of the object. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A method for differential wear mapping of the surface of an object, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) establishing a radioactive wearing surface on the object through surface layer activation (SLA) or radioactive ion implantation (RII); (b) imaging the wearing surface with conformal photographic/x-ray film to produce a first autoradiograph providing a baseline profile of the wearing surface; (c) indexing a position of the first autoradiograph so as to allow repetition of the step imaging the wearing surface; (d) subjecting the object to wear during testing; (e) imaging the wearing surface with conformal photographic/x-ray film to produce a second autoradiograph providing a worn profile of the wearing surface; (f) digitizing the first and second autoradiographs of the wearing surface; (g) compensating for any non-linear response characteristics of the photographic/x-ray film, for any non-wear induced reductions in radiation, and for any non-homogeneity in the photographic/x-ray film; and (h) comparing the digitized first and second autoradiograph to produce a differential wear map of the surface of the object.
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Specification