Method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container

• US 6,289,724 B1
• Filed: 08/05/1999
• Issued: 09/18/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 08/05/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: SubCom, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tycom Limited (Johnson Controls International plc)
• Inventors: Alexander, Marty, Hunter, J. Bradley, Varma, Ramesh
• Primary Examiner(s): LARKIN, DANIEL SEAN
• Application Number:
  US09/368,428
• Time in Patent Office: 775 Days
• Field of Search: 735/72, 735/91, 73/52, 73/120.1, 73/120.9
• US Class Current: 73/52
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 11/088 of optical fibres; Mechanical features associated with the optical testing of optical fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G01M 7/00 Vibration-testing of structures; Shock-testing of structures G01M9/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/014 Resonance or resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/101 one transducer
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/14 using acoustic emission techniques echo of particles G01N29/046; measuring mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in solids in general G01H1/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/4427 with stored values, e.g. threshold values

Abstract

A method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of attaching an acoustic sensor to an outer surface of the sealed container and moving the sealed container about at least one axis of the sealed container. An audio signal is received from the acoustic sensor, where the audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of the step of moving the sealed container about the at least one axis. The audio signal is analyzed to determine the frequency of the signal. In an embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention, an acoustic sensor is attached to the sealed container. An amplifier is coupled to the acoustic sensor and receives an audio signal from the acoustic sensor. The audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of movement of the sealed container. A receiver is coupled to the amplifier and receives the amplified audio signal.

Claims

1. A method for examining internal components of a sealed fiber optic repeater comprising the steps of:

attaching an acoustic sensor to an outer surface of the sealed repeater;

moving the sealed repeater about at least one of its axis;

receiving an audio signal from said acoustic sensor at a receiver, said audio signal generated by a component within the sealed repeater that is put into motion as a result of said step of moving the sealed repeater about said at least one axis; and

analyzing said audio signal.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of recording said audio signal.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said audio signal is recorded on a digital tape recorder.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of:

associating the audio signal to the sealed repeater; and

entering data representative of said associated audio signal into a data recording system.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

inputting said audio signal into a computer;

retrieving stored frequency data from a storage device; and

comparing said audio signal to said stored frequency data to determine if said audio signal matches said stored frequency data.

6. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of displaying data representative of said audio signal on a display device if said audio signal matches said stored frequency data.

7. The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of recording said audio signal on a recorder if said audio signal matches said stored frequency data.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of amplifying said audio signal.

9. An apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed fiber optic repeater comprising:

an acoustic sensor, said acoustic sensor attached to said sealed repeater;

an amplifier, said amplifier coupled to said acoustic sensor and amplifying an audio signal received from said acoustic sensor, said audio signal generated by a component within the sealed repeater that is put into motion as a result of movement of the sealed container; and

an output device, said output device coupled to said amplifier and receiving said amplified audio signal.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a metal band, said metal band attached too the sealed repeater; and

a magnet, said magnet attached to said acoustic sensor;

wherein said magnet is magnetically attached to said metal band.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said acoustic sensor is an accelerometer.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said acoustic sensor is attached to the sealed repeater by an adhesive.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising:

a memory, said memory storing frequency data and wherein said output device is a processor, said processor coupled to said memory and wherein said processor correlates said audio signal to said stored frequency data.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said processor associates said audio signal to the sealed repeater and further comprising a data recording system, said data recording system storing said associated audio signal.

15. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said stored frequency data includes frequencies between 8 and 50 kilohertz.

16. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a display device, said display device coupled to said output device and displaying data representative of said audio signal.

17. A diagnostic system comprising:

a base;

a hermetically sealed fiber optic repeater, said repeater movably supported within said base;

an accelerometer, said accelerometer attached to said fiber optic repeater;

an amplifier, said amplifier coupled to said accelerometer; and

an acoustic signal receiver, said receiver coupled to said amplifier.

18. The system of claim 17 further comprising a memory, said memory storing frequency data and wherein said acoustic signal receiver includes a processor, said processor coupled to said memory.

19. The system of claim 17 wherein said base includes a plurality of wheels, said plurality of wheels rotatably mounted to said base.