Self-aligning apparatus for acoustic thermography
US6877894B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 24, 2002 |
| Grant date | Apr 12, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 24, 2022 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N29/2418
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus (10) for performing acoustic thermography including a fixture (32) having a compliant member (40) that allows contacting surfaces of a horn face (20) and a specimen surface (16) to self-align into parallel contact in response to only the contacting force (FC) there between. When the contacting surfaces are brought together in a slightly non-parallel alignment, the contacting force develops a force component (FN) that is normal to the plane of contact. This normal force causes deflection of a compliant member, thereby providing movement that brings the contacting surfaces into parallel alignment. The compliant member may be a spring (48), elastomer (50), swivel member (56), bearing member (80), or a curved non-stick surface (90) in various embodiments.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.