Method for determining the wall thickness and the speed of sound in a tube from reflected and transmitted ultrasound pulses
US6634233B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 23, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 21, 2003 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 18, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/2634
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method for the determining ultrasonic sound propagation speed and wall thickness of a tubular object. Time-domain and frequency-domain analyses are used, where the latter can determine acoustic dispersion if the specimen is made up of a dispersive material. Time of flight data is sensed from a series of transmitted ultrasonic waves, some of which are reflected and some of which are transmitted. The time of flight data can be used to calculate speed of sound in the tube, as well as wall thickness. Inherent in the time of flight data is the speed of the ultrasonic wave; accordingly, correction for temperature variations in the tube is not required. The calculations based on measured speed of sound quantities produces more accurate results than in calculations where the speed of sound in the specimen is assumed.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.