Method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container
US6289724A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 5, 1999 |
| Grant date | Sep 18, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 5, 2019 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/101
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for examining internal components of a sealed container is disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes the steps of attaching an acoustic sensor to an outer surface of the sealed container and moving the sealed container about at least one axis of the sealed container. An audio signal is received from the acoustic sensor, where the audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of the step of moving the sealed container about the at least one axis. The audio signal is analyzed to determine the frequency of the signal. In an embodiment for an apparatus of the present invention, an acoustic sensor is attached to the sealed container. An amplifier is coupled to the acoustic sensor and receives an audio signal from the acoustic sensor. The audio signal is generated by a component within the sealed container that is put into motion as a result of movement of the sealed container. A receiver is coupled to the amplifier and receives the amplified audio signal.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.