Three-dimensional matrix phased array spot weld inspection system
First Claim
1. A system for characterizing a spot weld, comprising:
- (a) an acoustic probe, wherein the acoustic probe further includes;
(i) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array at one end of the acoustic probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and
(ii) a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions,(b) a phased array excitation unit in electrical communication with the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements, and(c) a controller in electrical communication with the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for characterizing a spot weld including an acoustic probe that further includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array, wherein the transducer elements are operative to generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions; a phased array excitation unit coupled to the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements; and a controller coupled to the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. A system for characterizing a spot weld, comprising:
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(a) an acoustic probe, wherein the acoustic probe further includes; (i) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array at one end of the acoustic probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and (ii) a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions, (b) a phased array excitation unit in electrical communication with the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements, and (c) a controller in electrical communication with the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A non-destructive test system for characterizing a spot weld, comprising:
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(a) an acoustic probe, wherein the acoustic probe further includes; (i) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array at one end of the acoustic probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and (ii) a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions, wherein the combination of materials further includes a flexible membrane mounted on the end of the probe and a fluid filled chamber or solid sound delay material disposed between the membrane and the array; and (b) a phased array excitation unit in electrical communication with the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting the transducer elements; and (c) a computerized controller in electrical communication with the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A non-destructive test system for characterizing a spot weld, comprising:
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(a) an acoustic probe, wherein the acoustic probe further includes; (i) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array at one end of the acoustic probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof, wherein the transducer elements are further arranged into discrete subgroups, and wherein each subgroup may be activated independently of the other subgroups; and (ii) a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions, wherein the combination of materials further includes a flexible membrane mounted on the end of the probe and a fluid filled chamber or solid sound delay material disposed between the membrane and the array; and (b) a phased array excitation unit in electrical communication with the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting the transducer elements; and (c) a computerized controller in electrical communication with the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification