# US 10,481,104 B2 · Utilizing resonance inspection of in-service parts

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- Number: US 10,481,104 B2
- Document ID: US10481104B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 13/278,380
- Filed: 2011-10-21
- Published: 2012-06-21
- Granted: 2019-11-19
- Earliest claimed: 2010-10-21
- Assignees: Vibrant Corporation
- Applicants: Lemna J. Hunter; Leanne Jauriqui; Greg Weaver
- Inventors: Lemna J. Hunter; Leanne Jauriqui; Greg Weaver
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10481104B2

## CPC

- G01N 22/00: Investigating or analysing materials by the use of microwaves or radio waves, i.e. electromagnetic waves with a wavelength of one millimetre or more (G01N3/00 - G01N17/00, G01N24/00 take precedence)
- G01N 29/045: {by imparting shocks to the workpiece and detecting the vibrations or the acoustic waves caused by the shocks (measuring resonant frequency G01H13/00; measuring strength properties by application of mechanical stress G01N3/00)}
- G01N 29/12: by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves {(measuring frequency or resonant frequency of mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in general G01H1/06, G01H3/04, G01H13/00; acoustic resonators G10K11/04; vibration or shock testing of structures G01M7/00)}
- G01N 29/348: {with frequency characteristics, e.g. single frequency signals, chirp signals (measuring frequency of mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in general G01H1/06, G01H3/04; measuring frequency or analysing frequency spectra G01R23/00)}
- G01N 29/4427: {with stored values, e.g. threshold values}
- G01N 29/4472: {Mathematical theories or simulation}
- G01N 29/46: by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis {or wavelet analysis (spectral signal processing per se G06F17/14)}
- G01N 29/4409: {by comparison}
- G01N 29/4445: {Classification of defects}
- G01N 2291/103: one emitter, two or more receivers
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)

## Abstract

Various embodiments relating to resonance inspections and in-service parts are disclosed. One protocol (150) includes conducting a resonance inspection of an in-service part (152). The frequency response of the in-service part may be compared with a resonance standard (154) for purposes of determining whether or not the in-service part is changing abnormally (156). An in-service part that is identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “rejected” (160). An in-service part that is no identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “accepted” (158).

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of evaluating new production parts, wherein a resonance inspection comprises exciting a part at a plurality of input frequencies and obtaining a frequency response of the part at said plurality of input frequencies, wherein said method comprises the steps of:
performing said resonance inspection on a first new production part using a new production part sort functionality of a resonance inspection tool;
performing said resonance inspection on a first in-service part after said resonance inspection has been performed on said first new production part;
identifying a first manufacturing defect in said first in-service part;
selecting resonance inspection data from said resonance inspection on said first in-service part that corresponds with said first manufacturing defect and that defines selected resonance inspection data;
generating an updated new production part sort functionality of said resonance inspection tool based upon said selected resonance inspection data, wherein said updated new production part sort functionality is adjusted based upon said selected resonance inspection data from said resonance inspection of said first in-service part and where said selected resonance inspection data corresponds with said first manufacturing defect; and
performing said resonance inspection on a second new production part, wherein said resonance inspection of said second new production part uses said updated new production part sort functionality of said resonance inspection tool after said generating step, wherein said first and second new production parts are in a common part class, and wherein said first in-service part is in a different part class from said common part class of said first and second new production parts.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said resonance inspection in relation to said first in-service part comprises using at least one transducer that excites said first in-service part through a range of frequencies and thereafter using at least two other transducers to measure said frequency response of said first in-service part.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said resonance inspection of said first in-service part comprises using a first transducer that excites said first in-service part at each of multiple frequencies and also using said first transducer to measure said frequency response of said first in-service part.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said resonance inspection of said first in-service part is performed with said first in-service part being in an installed condition.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said resonance inspection of said first in-service part is performed with said first in-service part being in an uninstalled condition.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying a first manufacturing defect step uses data other than results from said resonance inspection of said first in-service part.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying a first manufacturing defect step comprises testing selected from the group consisting of destructive testing, nondestructive testing, and any combination thereof.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein prior to said generating step, said new production sort functionality of said resonance inspection tool was configured to accept a part having said first manufacturing defect.

### Claim 9 (depends on 8)

The method of claim 8, wherein after said generating step, said updated new production sort functionality of said resonance inspection tool is configured to reject a part having said first manufacturing defect.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first new production part comprises said first manufacturing defect, and wherein said new production part sort functionality accepts said first new production part and which occurs prior to said generating step.

### Claim 11 (depends on 10)

The method of claim 10, wherein said second new production part comprises said first manufacturing defect, and wherein said updated new production part sort functionality rejects said second new production part and which occurs after said generating step.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first and second new production parts are in a new production part class, wherein said first in-service part is in an in-service part class that is different from said new production part class, wherein said new production part class is for parts that have not yet been released from production, and wherein said in-service part class is for parts that have been released from production.