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Method and apparatus for converting analog ultrasonic echo signals into digital form

  • US 4,210,904 A
  • Filed: 09/12/1978
  • Issued: 07/01/1980
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/12/1978
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. A method for processing and storing an echo signal in pulse-echo ultrasonic testing comprising the steps of:

  • cyclically transmitting ultrasonic search signal into a workpiece;

    receiving corresponding ultrasonic echo signals, each echo signal being responsive to a respective search signal intercepting an acoustic discontinuity in the workpiece and converting each such echo signal into an electrical analog echo signal;

    generating a reference signal and varying the amplitude level of said reference signal from an initial value by a predetermined increment concomitantly with each cyclically transmitted ultrasonic search signal until a predetermined condition is reached;

    providing a signal indicative of a gated time interval commencing a predetermined time after transmitting each search signal and terminating after a predetermined quantity of time increments occurs;

    comparing the amplitude of a cyclically received analog echo signal with the amplitude level of a respective reference signal and generating a digital signal responsive to the amplitude of said electrical analog signal exceeding or failing to exceed the amplitude level of said reference signal at predetermined time increments during a gated time interval, andstoring said digital signals so generated in time increment responsive relation.

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