Differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe
First Claim
1. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe for in situ ultrasonic monitoring of a material undergoing a cure process, the probe comprising:
- an ultrasonic transducer;
a waveguide having a proximal end in contact with the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end for contacting the material undergoing the cure process, the waveguide comprising;
a first portion extending from the proximal end;
a reference of the waveguide;
a second portion extending from the reference to a tip at the distal end of the waveguide;
wherein the tip further comprises a lip located on the circumference of the tip;
wherein an ultrasonic signal can be generated by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted into the waveguide;
thereby generating an interface signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the interface of the probe and the material undergoing a cure, the interface signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the interface signal being used to directly sense the mechanical modulus change of the curing material; and
thereby generating a reference signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the reference, the reference signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the reference signal being used to recalibrate the probe and account for non-cure related signal variances during the cure process;
wherein a quantitative assessment of a cure level of the material undergoing the cure process is determined in a non-cure related signal variances independent calibrated response manner using the reference signal to correct/recalibrate the interface signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention is seen to provide a new methodology, testing system designs and concept to enable in situ real time monitoring of the cure process. Apparatus, system, and method for the non-destructive, in situ monitoring of the time dependent curing of advanced materials using one or more differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probes. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe in direct contact with the material to be cured and providing in situ monitoring of the cure process to enable assessment of the degree of cure or cure level in a non-cure related signal variances (e.g., temperature) independent calibrated response manner. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe including a transducer coupled to a waveguide and incorporating correction and calibration methodology to accurately and reproducibly monitor the cure process and enable assessment of cure level via ultrasonic reflection measurements. The amplitude of the corrected interface response signal reflected from the probe-resin interface indicating changes in the modulus of the material during the cure.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe for in situ ultrasonic monitoring of a material undergoing a cure process, the probe comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer; a waveguide having a proximal end in contact with the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end for contacting the material undergoing the cure process, the waveguide comprising; a first portion extending from the proximal end; a reference of the waveguide; a second portion extending from the reference to a tip at the distal end of the waveguide; wherein the tip further comprises a lip located on the circumference of the tip; wherein an ultrasonic signal can be generated by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted into the waveguide; thereby generating an interface signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the interface of the probe and the material undergoing a cure, the interface signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the interface signal being used to directly sense the mechanical modulus change of the curing material; and thereby generating a reference signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the reference, the reference signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the reference signal being used to recalibrate the probe and account for non-cure related signal variances during the cure process; wherein a quantitative assessment of a cure level of the material undergoing the cure process is determined in a non-cure related signal variances independent calibrated response manner using the reference signal to correct/recalibrate the interface signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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14. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe for in situ ultrasonic monitoring of a material undergoing a cure process, the probe comprising:
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an ultrasonic transducer; a waveguide having a proximal end in contact with the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end for contacting the material undergoing the cure process, the waveguide comprising; a first portion extending from the proximal end; a reference of the waveguide; a second portion extending from the reference to a tip at the distal end of the waveguide; wherein the waveguide further comprises an alternate geometry, the alternate geometry comprising an angled body wherein the second portion of the waveguide extends at an angle relative to the first portion of the waveguide; wherein an ultrasonic signal can be generated by the ultrasonic transducer and transmitted into the waveguide; thereby generating an interface signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the interface of the probe and the material undergoing a cure, the interface signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the interface signal being used to directly sense the mechanical modulus change of the curing material; and thereby generating a reference signal by a portion of the ultrasonic signal reflecting back from the reference, the reference signal reflecting back to the ultrasonic transducer, the reference signal being used to recalibrate the probe and account for non-cure related signal variances during the cure process; wherein a quantitative assessment of a cure level of the material undergoing the cure process is determined in a non-cure related signal variances independent calibrated response manner using the reference signal to correct/recalibrate the interface signal.
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Specification