Patent · US Expired

Ultrasonic apparatus and method for measuring wall thickness

US4305294A · kind A · utility

29Cited by
3References
8Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 10, 1980
Grant dateDec 15, 1981
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 10, 2000

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01N2291/02854
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Disclosed is a method for determining the thickness of an object, including the steps of generating a higher order mode ultrasonic wave at a first location on the object, varying the frequency of the generated wave, and measuring, at a second location on the object, the minimum frequency at which the generated wave will propagate in the object. Where the ultrasonic wave generated is a horizontally polarized shear wave, the thickness t may be calculated from the relationship EQU t=(n V.sub.s)/(2 f.sub.c), where: PA1 n is the wave mode number, PA1 V.sub.s is the shear wave velocity, and PA1 f.sub.c is the minimum propagation frequency. Alternatively, the steps may be repeated for the next consecutive frequency minimum and the thickness t calculated from the formula EQU t=V.sub.s /(2 .DELTA.f.sub.c) where: .DELTA.f.sub.c is the difference between two consecutive frequency minima. An apparatus for performing the method includes a transmitting transducer for generating a higher order mode ultrasonic wave at a first location on the object, a signal generator for driving the transmitting transducer with a variable frequency, a receiving transducer for detecting the wave in the object, an …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.