ACOUSTIC COUPLING SHOES FOR USE IN INSPECTING NON-FLAT SURFACES

• US 20140375169A1
• Filed: 06/20/2013
• Published: 12/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/21/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Edison Welding Company
• Original Assignee: Edison Welding Institute Incorporated
• Inventors: NA, Jeong, Gleeson, Sean
• Granted Patent: US 9,360,461 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 310/313.B
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/2634 cylindrical from outside
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/28 providing acoustic coupling , e.g. water impedance matching G10K11/02
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/34 Generating the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves , e.g. electronic circuits specially adapted therefor

Abstract

A system for inspecting the surface of a curved object is provided. This system includes an object having a curved surface; at least one substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to generate surface energy waves; and at least one coupling device disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the coupling device is operative to conform to the curved surface, support the interdigital transducer, and provide a medium through which the surface energy waves can effectively travel from the interdigital transducer to the curved surface and across the curved surface in a predetermined direction.

Claims

1. A system for inspecting the surface of a curved object, comprising:

(a) an object having a curved surface;

(b) at least one substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to generate surface energy waves; and

(c) at least one coupling device disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the coupling device is operative to conform to the curved surface, support the interdigital transducer, and provide a medium through which the surface energy waves can effectively travel from the interdigital transducer to the curved surface and across the curved surface in a predetermined direction.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to receive surface energy waves.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the surface energy waves are acoustic waves.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device is polymethyl methacrylate.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device further includes metal, plastics, composite materials, polymers, nanomaterials, or combinations thereof.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device further includes incident angles ranging from about 1 to 89 degrees.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device is generally polygonal and further includes:

(a) a substantially flat top surface;

(b) a curved bottom surface, wherein the curved bottom surface is of greater length than the top surface; and

(c) a least two angled side surfaces between the top and bottom surfaces.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the interdigital transducer is mounted on the substantially flat top surface.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the coupling device includes a plurality of flat surfaces and wherein an interdigital transducer may be mounted on any or all of the flat surfaces in the plurality of flat surfaces.

10. A system for inspecting the surface of a curved object, comprising:

(a) an object having a curved surface;

(b) at least one substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to generate and receive surface acoustic waves; and

(c) at least one coupling device disposed between the curved surface and the substantially flat interdigital transducer, wherein the coupling device is operative to conform to the curved surface, support the interdigital transducer, and provide a medium through which the surface acoustic waves can effectively travel from the interdigital transducer to the curved surface and across the curved surface in a predetermined direction.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the coupling device is polymethyl methacrylate.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the coupling device further includes metal, plastics, composite materials, polymers, nanomaterials, or combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the coupling device further includes incident angles ranging from about 1 to 89 degrees.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the coupling device is generally polygonal and further includes:

(a) a substantially flat top surface;

(b) a curved bottom surface, wherein the curved bottom surface is of greater length than the top surface; and

(c) a least two angled side surfaces between the top and bottom surfaces.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the interdigital transducer is mounted on the substantially flat top surface.

16. The system of claim 10, wherein the coupling device includes a plurality of flat surfaces and wherein an interdigital transducer may be mounted on any or all of the flat surfaces in the plurality of flat surfaces.

17. A coupling device for transmitting surface energy waves, comprising:

(a) a substantially flat top surface, wherein the substantially flat top surface is adapted to receive at least one surface energy wave generating device;

(b) a curved bottom surface, wherein the curved bottom surface is of greater length than the top surface and is adapted to conform to a curved surface of an object to be inspected; and

(c) a least two angled side surfaces between the top and bottom surfaces, wherein the angled side surfaces are operative to direct surface energy waves generated by the at least one surface energy wave generating device onto and across the curved surface of an object to be inspected.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one surface energy wave generating device is an interdigital transducer, and wherein the interdigital transducer is operative to both generate and receive surface acoustic waves.

19. The device of claim 17, wherein the coupling device is polymethyl methacrylate.

20. The system of claim 17, wherein the coupling device further includes metal, plastics, composite materials, polymers, nanomaterials, or combinations thereof.