Ultrasonic scanning apparatus for nondestructive site characterization of structures using a planar based acoustic transmitter and receiver in a rolling pond

US5814731A · kind A · utility

Inventors

• Alton Michel Alexander · Vicksburg, US
• Richard Wayne Haskin · Raymond, US
• Dan Wilson · Bozeman, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 28, 1997
• Grant date: Sep 29, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 28, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2291/2632
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The invention is a carriage type sonic or ultrasonic testing apparatus for flaw and deterioration detection testing in a structure, especially concrete. The apparatus detects both location and type of flaw in a structure. The carriage unit incorporates a rolling pond feature which includes: i) foam-covered tracks and rollers, this soft foam material in addition to its primary function prevents vibration of the transducers while traversing rough surfaces such as weathered concrete. The tracks and rollers form a water-tight seal with each other and the specimen surface; ii) an air-removal brush assembly which maintains contact with a specimen surface to facilitate transmission and reception of ultrasonic energy into and out of a test specimen; iii) an ultrasonic isolator element and optional wave absorbers; and iv) the ultrasonic transducer suspension system. A transducer water bed is continuously maintained while the system is in motion across the concrete. A sealed space surrounds the transducer system, and that space is continuously flooded with water so as to keep the bottom sections of the transducers submerged. This sealed space continuously transports a sufficient amount of fl…