# US 10,502,712 B2 · Ultrasound inspection apparatus with a plurality of coupling modules > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,712 B2 - Document ID: US10502712B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/510,761 - Filed: 2015-09-29 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-09-29 - Assignees: Renishaw PLC - Applicants: RENISHAW plc - Inventors: Liam Hall - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502712B2 ## CPC - G01N 29/04: Analysing solids (using acoustic emission techniques G01N29/14) - G01B 1/00: Measuring instruments characterised by the selection of material therefor - G01B 5/012: Contact-making feeler heads therefor - G01B 17/02: for measuring thickness - G01B 21/04: by measuring coordinates of points - G01N 29/043: {in the interior, e.g. by shear waves} - G01N 29/225: {Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation} - G01N 29/265: by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material - G01N 29/28: providing acoustic coupling {, e.g. water (impedance matching G10K11/02)} - G01N 2291/2693: Rotor or turbine parts - 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) - G01B: MEASURING LENGTH, THICKNESS OR SIMILAR LINEAR DIMENSIONS; MEASURING ANGLES; MEASURING AREAS; MEASURING IRREGULARITIES OF SURFACES OR CONTOURS ## Abstract An ultrasound inspection apparatus for use with coordinate positioning apparatus is described. The apparatus includes a base module that is attachable to the moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus. The base module comprises an ultrasound transducer and a first connector portion. A plurality of coupling modules are also provided that each include a second connector portion that is releasably attachable to the first connector portion of the base module. The coupling modules also include a coupling element, which may be a sphere of self-lubricating material such as a hydro-gel, for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected. This allows different coupling modules to be attached to the base module to perform different ultrasound inspection tasks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ultrasound inspection apparatus for use with a coordinate positioning apparatus, the ultrasound inspection apparatus comprising: a base module attachable to a moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus, the base module comprising an ultrasound transducer and a first connector portion, and a plurality of coupling modules, each coupling module comprising a second connector portion that is releasably attachable to the first connector portion of the base module and a coupling element for contacting and acoustically coupling to an object to be inspected, wherein any one of the plurality of coupling modules is attachable to, and detachable from, the base module in an automated manner by the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling modules includes a coupling element comprising a self-lubricating material. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the self-lubricating material comprises a hydrophilic elastomer sphere. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling modules comprises a delay line. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling modules comprises an ultrasound beam control element. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of coupling modules comprises an ultrasound absorbing shell. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, comprising a holder for retaining the plurality of coupling modules. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the holder is hermetically sealed prior to use. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the holder comprises a plurality of recesses for receiving the plurality of coupling modules, the recesses and coupling modules being arranged to prevent rotation of a coupling module when located in a recess. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second connector portions comprise one or more magnets for attaching any one of the coupling modules to the base module. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base module comprises a transducer having a wear plate, the wear plate being arranged to acoustically couple with a coupling module attached to the base module. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasound transducer is arranged to operate in a pulse-echo mode to allow thickness measurements of the object. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the base module includes a processor for analysing ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound transducer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A coordinate positioning apparatus, comprising a moveable member and the ultrasound inspection apparatus according to claim 1, the base module of the ultrasound inspection apparatus being mounted to the moveable member of the coordinate positioning apparatus. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the coordinate positioning apparatus comprises a coordinate measuring machine having a rotary head that provides the moveable member, the rotary head comprising at least two rotary axes.