Noninvasive detection of corrosion, mic, and foreign objects in containers, using guided ultrasonic waves
First Claim
1. A method for detecting container features, or materials attached to the container, by guided wrap wave ultrasound (GWWU), the method comprising:
- (a.) placing a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer at circumferential positions of a container;
(b.) generating guided waves using a shaped tone burst pulse at a specified frequency; and
, (c.) measuring a direct field and/or wrap waves, thereby providing an indication of existence of corrosion and obstructions on the container inner wall, and foreign objects inside the container in contact with the container wall.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic energy in the form of guided waves (plate waves or Lamb waves) is launched into the wall of a container. The guided wave propagates around the circumference of the container from a transmitting transducer to a receiving transducer. Analysis of the received waves determines the presence of corrosion pitting and MIC nodules on the container inner wall, as well as the existence of foreign objects in intimate contact with the container wall. The guided waves are created with wideband transducers excited at certain frequencies that depend on the material and geometry of the part being measured. The guided wave ultrasonic energy is maximized with a shaped tone burst pulse at the specified frequency rather than an electrical spike commonly used to excite transducers in standard ultrasonic search units. The energy and energy ratio of both the direct and wrap fields are measured and related to the container inner wall condition and the presence of any corrosion in the container or obstructions in intimate contact with the container wall.
50 Citations
39 Claims
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1. A method for detecting container features, or materials attached to the container, by guided wrap wave ultrasound (GWWU), the method comprising:
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(a.) placing a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer at circumferential positions of a container;
(b.) generating guided waves using a shaped tone burst pulse at a specified frequency; and
,(c.) measuring a direct field and/or wrap waves, thereby providing an indication of existence of corrosion and obstructions on the container inner wall, and foreign objects inside the container in contact with the container wall. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 24)
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13. An integrated system for detecting container features, or materials attached to the container, by guided wrap wave ultrasound (GWWU), the system comprising:
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(a.) a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer placed at circumferential positions of a container;
(b.) a guided wave generator which produces a shaped tone burst pulse at a specified frequency; and
,(c.) an energy field detection module for measuring both a direct field and a wrap field, which measurement provides an indication of container features or materials inside the container. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 25)
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26. A device for detecting container features, or materials attached to the container, by guided wrap wave ultrasound (GWWU), the device comprising:
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(a.) a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer configured to be placed at circumferential positions of a container;
(b.) a guided wave generator which produces a shaped tone burst pulse at a specified frequency; and
,(d.) means for measuring a direct and wrap fields, thereby providing an indication of existence of corrosion and MIC on the container inner wall, and foreign objects inside the container in contact with the container wall. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
the output of the arbitrary function generator is connected to a first channel input of the A/D converter and to an input of the RF amplifier;
the RF amplifier output is connected to the transmitting transducer;
the receiving transducer is connected to an input of the RF receiver gain and filter circuitry;
the output of the RF receiver is connected to a second channel input of the A/D converter; and
,the data analysis/display software controls signal generation, acquisition and display functions.
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Specification