Sol-gel tube crack detection apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A crack detection method comprising:
- transmitting from at least one sensor to a body an electromagnetic radiation signal;
receiving by the at least one sensor the electromagnetic radiation signal reflected by the body;
measuring an output voltage from at least one sensor that is proportional to a signal characteristic change between the transmitted and received electromagnetic radiation signals;
wherein the signal characteristic change results from one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of, microscopic motion of the body, media transition and fluid movement.
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Abstract
A crack detection method and system capable of detecting cracks on a scale of about 5 μm or greater, useful for detecting cracks in sol-gel tubes. An electromagnetic radiation signal is transmitted from a sensor to a body in which cracking may occur. The signal is reflected back to and received by the sensor. An output voltage from the sensor is measured which is proportional to a signal characteristic change between the transmitted and received signals. Signal characteristics such as frequency, phase, and amplitude may be monitored. The signal characteristic change may result from one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of microscopic motion of the body, media transition and fluid movement.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A crack detection method comprising:
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transmitting from at least one sensor to a body an electromagnetic radiation signal;
receiving by the at least one sensor the electromagnetic radiation signal reflected by the body;
measuring an output voltage from at least one sensor that is proportional to a signal characteristic change between the transmitted and received electromagnetic radiation signals;
wherein the signal characteristic change results from one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of, microscopic motion of the body, media transition and fluid movement. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
filtering the output signal; and
amplifying the output signal.
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11. The crack detection method of claim 1 further comprising providing a visual display of the signal characteristic change.
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12. The crack detection method of claim 1 further comprising providing notification of detected signal characteristic changes real-time computer threshold analysis.
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13. A method for sol-gel body fabrication process development comprising:
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providing a sol-gel process;
carrying out the process;
detecting in real time, cracking of the sol-gel body during the process thereby isolating one or more process steps causing the cracking; and
adjusting the one or more process steps until cracking is diminished;
wherein cracks are detected according to claim 1.
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14. A method for sol-gel body fabrication process development comprising:
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providing a sol-gel process;
carrying out the process;
detecting in real time, cracking of the sol-gel body during the process thereby isolating one or more process steps causing the cracking; and
adjusting the one or more process steps until cracking is diminished;
wherein cracks are detected according to claim 1.
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15. A crack detector for use with a furnace comprising:
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a plug positioned near an end of the furnace;
a door positioned at the end of the furnace closest to the plug;
a cover positioned over the door; and
an antenna positioned within the area defined by an inner surface of the cover to an outer surface of the plug;
wherein cracks are detected according to the method of claim 1.
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16. A crack detector to detect cracks in a body, the detector comprising:
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a sensor comprising;
an electromagnetic radiation signal source; and
a receiver positioned to receive an electromagnetic radiation signal from the electromagnetic radiation signal source reflected by the body;
wherein a crack is detected by transmitting from the electromagnetic radiation signal source to the body an electromagnetic radiation signal;
receiving by the sensor the electromagnetic radiation signal reflected by the body; and
measuring an output voltage from the sensor that is proportional to the signal characteristic change between the transmitted and received electromagnetic radiation signals; and
wherein the signal characteristic change results from one or more mechanisms selected from the group consisting of, microscopic motion of the body, media transition and fluid movement. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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Specification