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Method of determining acoustic transit times for material having high acoustic attenuation properties

  • US 8,276,431 B1
  • Filed: 08/08/2008
  • Issued: 10/02/2012
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2008
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method of determining the time for a single transit of an acoustic wave through a test material, comprising:

  • providing a calibration material having known acoustic velocity characteristics, said calibration material having a plurality of sections with each of said sections defining a known thickness;

    providing an acoustic pitch-catch system that includes a recording structure for recording a received signal as a function of time, said pitch-catch system having a first configuration for the transmission of acoustic shear waves and a second configuration for the transmission of acoustic longitudinal waves;

    determining a first acoustic zero for said pitch-catch system in said first configuration when said acoustic shear waves are applied at normal incidence by said pitch-catch system to each of said sections of said block;

    determining a second acoustic zero for said pitch-catch system in said second configuration when said acoustic longitudinal waves are applied at normal incidence by said pitch-catch system to each of said sections of said calibration material;

    providing a test material of known thickness;

    coupling said pitch-catch system in said first configuration to the test material such that said acoustic shear waves can be applied at normal incidence to the test material;

    identifying said first acoustic zero on said recording structure;

    determining a single transit time for said acoustic shear waves to transit the test material using said pitch-catch system in said first configuration with said first acoustic zero so-identified;

    coupling said pitch-catch system in said second configuration to the test material such that said acoustic longitudinal waves can be applied at normal incidence to the test material;

    identifying said second acoustic zero on said recording structure; and

    determining a single transit time for said acoustic longitudinal waves to transit the test material using said pitch-catch system in said second configuration with said second acoustic zero so-identified.

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