Delay line for an ultrasonic probe and method of using same
US5979241A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 3, 1998 |
| Grant date | Nov 9, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/02854
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic probe includes an ultrasonic transducer; a delay line acoustically coupled to the transducer so that ultrasonic vibrations may be transmitted into the delay line from the ultrasonic transducer in a first direction, the delay line includes a first section and a second section; the first and second sections forming an interface that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and the second section including a surface for coupling with a material to be investigated. The probe can be used to measure a thickness of a coating on a substrate by transmitting a signal in a first direction from the transducer into the delay line; measuring a time t.sub.1 for a first portion of the signal to travel round trip from the transducer and the interface; using the measured time t.sub.1 to calculate an expected time t.sub.2 for a second portion of the signal to travel round trip from the transducer to an opposite face of the delay line; measuring a time t.sub.3 that it takes for a third portion of the signal to travel round trip from the transducer and an interface between the coating and the substrate; and calculating a thickness of the coating based on a difference between…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.