Thermography inspection of surface discontinuities
First Claim
1. A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a surface of a test specimen, the method comprising:
- applying a liquid detection medium to the test specimen wherein the liquid detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen through capillary action; and
monitoring the surface of the test specimen for discontinuity signatures produced by the liquid detection medium including monitoring the liquid detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen;
wherein the discontinuity signatures comprise a warm signature emitted by the liquid detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity and which is detected relative to an area of the test specimen surrounding the surface discontinuity; and
the warm signature comprises the result of an exothermic reaction following application of the liquid detection medium to the test specimen.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity.
17 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a surface of a test specimen, the method comprising:
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applying a liquid detection medium to the test specimen wherein the liquid detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen through capillary action; and monitoring the surface of the test specimen for discontinuity signatures produced by the liquid detection medium including monitoring the liquid detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen; wherein the discontinuity signatures comprise a warm signature emitted by the liquid detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity and which is detected relative to an area of the test specimen surrounding the surface discontinuity; and the warm signature comprises the result of an exothermic reaction following application of the liquid detection medium to the test specimen. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a surface of a test specimen without application of an external excitation energy to the specimen, the method comprising:
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applying a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen; and monitoring the surface of the test specimen for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium including monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen; wherein the discontinuity signatures comprise a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity, and the warm signature is detected relative to a cooler signature measured on an area of the test specimen surrounding the surface discontinuity; and the warm signature comprises the result of an exothermic reaction, and including application of a reacting medium to the detection medium to produce the exothermic reaction. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11)
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Specification