Hand-held sound source gun for infrared imaging of sub-surface defects in materials
US6593574B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 8, 2001 |
| Grant date | Jul 15, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 20, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2694
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A system for the thermal imaging of sonically or ultrasonically excited subsurface defects in a structure. The system includes a hand-held sound source, a thermal imaging camera and a control unit. The sound source emits pulses of sound energy into the structure, and the camera generates images of defects in the structure that are heated by the sound energy. The control unit controls the operation of the sound source on the camera for timing purposes. The sound source includes a transducer that is positioned against the structure at a desirable location. The source further includes a pair of legs that are also positioned against the structure to define a plane in combination with the transducer. The length of each leg is adjustable relative to the length of the transducer so that the gun can be used against irregular surfaces. The legs include a rubber tip to further prevent the transducer from slipping on the structure. In an alternate embodiment, the gun includes three transducers that define a plane and act to stabilize the gun against movement.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.