Thermal acoustic imaging methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting defects in an object
US9194842B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 21, 2011 |
| Grant date | Nov 24, 2015 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 13, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01N2291/044
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Thermal Acoustic Imaging (TAI) methods and systems are provided for detecting defects in an object. The TAI system may include a plurality of acoustic wave transceivers (AWTs), which are positioned around the object at different locations, and a broadband frequency signal generator, which is coupled to each of the AWTs. The system may further include an acoustic processor configured to utilize the AWTs to gather acoustic data pertaining to the object, process the acoustic data to generate spectral response data, and then process the spectral response data to determine an optimized setup. The optimized setup may include optimized excitation frequencies and optimized inspection positions for positioning a plurality of infrared imaging devices at different locations around the object. A plurality of infrared imaging devices may then be selectively positioned with respect to the object at the optimized inspection positions and utilized to further inspect the object for defects.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.