Method and apparatus for detecting defects and different-hardness portions of an object with protrusions
First Claim
1. A method of detecting a defect and/or a different-hardness portion in a test object having a plurality of protrusions, comprising the steps of:
- (a) applying a mechanical vibration to a test object having a plurality of protrusions;
(b) analyzing spectral data of the vibration of the test object based on signals indicative of the vibration of the protrusions;
(c) detecting spectral energy peaks in different spectral frequency regions corresponding respectively to the protrusions based on the signals; and
(d) determining whether two separate spectral energy peaks are in the spectral frequency region corresponding to each protrusion, thereby determining whether a defect or a different-hardness portion is in each of the protrusions.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A test object having a plurality of protrusions is inspected for a defect and/or different-hardness by applying vibration to the test object. Spectral data of the vibration of the test object is analyzed based on signals indicative of the vibration of the protrusions. Spectral energy peaks are then detected in different spectral frequency regions corresponding respectively to the protrusions based on the signals. It is then determined whether there are two separate spectral energy peaks in the spectral region corresponding to each of the protrusions, thereby to determining whether there is a defect and/or different-hardness portion in each of the protrusions.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of detecting a defect and/or a different-hardness portion in a test object having a plurality of protrusions, comprising the steps of:
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(a) applying a mechanical vibration to a test object having a plurality of protrusions; (b) analyzing spectral data of the vibration of the test object based on signals indicative of the vibration of the protrusions; (c) detecting spectral energy peaks in different spectral frequency regions corresponding respectively to the protrusions based on the signals; and (d) determining whether two separate spectral energy peaks are in the spectral frequency region corresponding to each protrusion, thereby determining whether a defect or a different-hardness portion is in each of the protrusions. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 12, 13, 14)
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6. An apparatus for detecting a defect and/or a different-hardness portion in a test object having a plurality of protrusions, comprising:
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vibrating means for mechanically vibrating a test object having a plurality of protrusions; detecting means for detecting vibration of the test object and for converting the detected vibration into data representing frequencies of the detected vibration; means, responsive to said data from said detecting means, for analyzing a spectrum of said data representing the vibration of the test object to detect spectral energy peaks in respective spectral frequency regions corresponding respectively to the protrusions; and determining means for determining, when two separate spectral energy peaks are in each of the spectral frequency regions, that a defect or a different-hardness portion is present in the protrusion. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification