Method and apparatus for temperature-controlled ultrasonic inspection
US7013732B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 10, 2004 |
| Grant date | Mar 21, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 10, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/02881
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method and apparatus for temperature-controlled ultrasonic inspection of an object. The temperature of a coupling medium between an ultrasonic transducer and an object under inspection is controlled to be at a predetermined temperature for which the attenuation of the ultrasonic energy in the coupling medium is reduced compared to the attenuation at an ambient temperature. This improves the efficiency of ultrasonic energy transport between the ultrasonic transducer and the object. The temperature of the object is controlled to simulate operating conditions more closely. An ultrasonic inspection system includes a temperature controller operable to maintain the temperature of the coupling medium and/or an object under inspection at a set temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.