System and method for quantitative measurements of energy damping capacity
US6120466A · kind A · utility
Assignees
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Sep 19, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B2560/0425
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and system for measuring quantitatively the energy damping capacity of a specimen. In one embodiment of the present invention, the tip of the polymer sleeve of the handpiece of the system is placed directly against the specimen to be tested. The alignment of the handpiece is aided by the polymer tip which maintained the handpiece approximately orthogonal to the specimen surface and a level indicator for aiding the user to keep the handpiece approximately horizontal. Upon the pressing of a finger switch on the handpiece, a magnetic coil within the handpiece propels a tapping rod strikes the specimen multiple times per cycle creating stress waves that traveled through the tapping rod. Vibrations are attenuated by the polymer sleeve so as to not disturb the sensitive measurements. An accelerometer within the handpiece coupled with the tapping rod measures signals corresponding to the resulting stress waves. Data transmitted by the accelerometer is processed by a calibrated computer program which detects changes in the properties of the specimen and quantifies objectively internal characteristics.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.