Method and apparatus for leak detection and non-destructive testing
US6177678A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 13, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 23, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 13, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N21/91
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A lamp system is for use in non-destructive testing to illuminate luminescent materials, such as fluorescent dyes. The lamp system has a control unit and a lamp. The lamp has a bulb and a filter. The bulb generates at least a first wavelength of invisible energy and the filter limits other visible wavelength light from the lamp. The lamp has a handle with a trigger. The control unit pulses the lamp on and off when the trigger is depressed. The lumiescent material absorbs the first wavelength of energy and pulses in response when the lamp illuminates the material. The system can be AC or DC operated. It can be operated from an automotive battery. A fault locating system for use with fluorescent dyes to detect faults in a body has a handheld D-type battery flashlight configuration with a casing having a handle at one end and a flared lamp housing at the other. A reflector fits within the lamp housing, and a bulb rests in the reflector. The bulb is an ultraviolet light source, for example tungsten halogen or a Xenon flashtube. A lens fits over an open end of the lamp housing to allow transmission of substantially more ultraviolet than visible light. The lens may be a dichroic filter. …
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.