Vibrothermographic weld inspections
US9146205B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 7, 2012 |
| Grant date | Sep 29, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 15, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY02E30/30
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The present invention is related to a system and method of inspecting a weld. The weld to be inspected is subjected to a transient sonic excitation while the weld area is monitored using a remote infrared camera. The sonic excitation induces mechanical vibration, which causes heat generation at any cracks or other anomalies in the weld. The infrared camera detects any temperature differentials in the weld, indicating the presence of an anomaly. The system and method is particularly useful for welds in environments that are unsafe for extended human presence or that are crowded or otherwise inaccessible, such as with piping or other structural components.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.