SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONITORING WELDING
First Claim
1. A system for monitoring a weld process, comprising:
- an ultrasonic wave generator adapted to deliver an ultrasonic signal to a target material during a weld operation;
a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements with opposite directions of polarization relative to each other, the ultrasonic receiver elements configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material in an electromagnetic interference environment;
an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements, the electronic circuit configured to;
receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements in an electromagnetic interference environment;
the respective signals comprising the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal; and
output the ultrasonic signal devoid of the noise signal in an electromagnetic interference environment; and
a signal processor coupled to the electronic circuit, the signal processor configured to determine a quality level of a weld created during the weld operation by extracting data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal and comparing the data to a profile that corresponds to an acceptable quality level.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for monitoring a weld process is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic wave generator adapted to deliver an ultrasonic signal to a target material during a weld operation. The system also includes a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements with opposite directions of polarization relative to each other, the ultrasonic receiver elements configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material. The system further includes an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements. The electronic circuit is configured to receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements; wherein the respective signals comprise the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal. The electronic circuit is also configured to output the ultrasonic signal devoid of the noise signal. The system also includes a signal processor coupled to the electronic circuit, wherein the signal processor is configured to determine a quality level of a weld created during the weld operation by extracting data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal and comparing the data to a profile that corresponds to an acceptable quality level.
27 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for monitoring a weld process, comprising:
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an ultrasonic wave generator adapted to deliver an ultrasonic signal to a target material during a weld operation; a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements with opposite directions of polarization relative to each other, the ultrasonic receiver elements configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material in an electromagnetic interference environment; an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements, the electronic circuit configured to; receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements in an electromagnetic interference environment;
the respective signals comprising the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal; andoutput the ultrasonic signal devoid of the noise signal in an electromagnetic interference environment; and a signal processor coupled to the electronic circuit, the signal processor configured to determine a quality level of a weld created during the weld operation by extracting data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal and comparing the data to a profile that corresponds to an acceptable quality level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A welding system, comprising:
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a target material; a pair of welding shanks disposed on opposite sides of the target material, the pair of welding shanks configured to weld the target material; an ultrasonic wave generator disposed on one of the pair of welding shanks, the ultrasonic wave generator configured to deliver an ultrasonic signal to the target material during a weld operation; a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements disposed on another of the pair of welding shanks, the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements having opposite directions of polarization relative to each other and being configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material in an electromagnetic interference environment; an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements, the electronic circuit configured to; receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements in an electromagnetic interference environment;
the respective signals comprising the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal; andoutput the ultrasonic signal devoid of the noise signal in an electromagnetic interference environment; and a signal processor configured to determine a quality level of a weld created during the weld operation by extracting data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal and comparing the data to a profile that corresponds to an acceptable quality level. - View Dependent Claims (12)
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13. A method of providing a welding system, comprising:
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providing an ultrasonic wave generator configured to deliver an ultrasonic signal to a target material during a weld operation; providing a pair of ultrasonic receiver elements with opposite directions of polarization relative to each other, the ultrasonic receiver elements configured to receive the ultrasonic signal propagated through the target material in an electromagnetic interference environment; providing an electronic circuit coupled to the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements, the electronic circuit configured to; receive respective signals from the pair of ultrasonic receiver elements in an electromagnetic interference environment;
the respective signals comprising the ultrasonic signal and a noise signal; andoutput a desired signal devoid of the noise signal in an electromagnetic interference environment; providing a signal processor configured to determine a quality level of a weld created during the weld operation by extracting data corresponding to the ultrasonic signal and comparing the data to a profile that corresponds to an acceptable quality level. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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17. (canceled)
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18. (canceled)
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19. (canceled)
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20. (canceled)
Specification