Apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece
First Claim
1. An apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece, comprising:
- a tubular member;
a membrane sealed to one end of said tubular member;
an acoustic transducer assembly including a rod mounted in said tubular member, one end of said rod defining with said tubular member a first chamber and the other end of said rod acoustically coupled to a transducer;
an annular adapter attached to said tubular member, said adapter adapted to contact the workpiece and space said membrane from the workpiece to form a second chamber.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece has a tubular member with a membrane sealing an end of the tube to form a first chamber. An acoustic transducer assembly is mounted in the tubular member. An adapter secured to the tubular member is adapted to contact the workpiece and space the membrane from the workpiece and form a second chamber. In operation, the transducer generates an acoustic wave that travels through coupling fluid disposed in the chambers to strike the workpiece. The acoustic wave is reflected from the workpiece, received by the transducer assembly, and a corresponding electrical signal is sent to a processor for evaluation. Additional features include a fluid conduit providing the independent coupling fluid, a spacer that accommodates workpiece surface variations while maintaining acoustic coupling with the workpiece, and a vacuum housing that removes excess coupling fluid from around the inspection apparatus and workpiece mating surface.
47 Citations
12 Claims
-
1. An apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece, comprising:
-
a tubular member; a membrane sealed to one end of said tubular member; an acoustic transducer assembly including a rod mounted in said tubular member, one end of said rod defining with said tubular member a first chamber and the other end of said rod acoustically coupled to a transducer; an annular adapter attached to said tubular member, said adapter adapted to contact the workpiece and space said membrane from the workpiece to form a second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. An apparatus for acoustically inspecting a workpiece, comprising:
-
a tubular member; a membrane sealed to one end of said tubular member; an acoustic transducer assembly including a rod mounted in said tubular member, one end of said rod defining with said tubular member a first chamber and the other end of said rod acoustically coupled to a transducer; an annular adapter attached to said tubular member, said adapter having a conduit to receive coupling fluid, and said adapter adapted to contact the workpiece and space said membrane from the workpiece to form a second chamber. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
-
Specification