Fluid supports for sensors
AssigneeJENTEK Sensors, Inc.
InventorsVladimir Tsukernik, Neil J. Goldfine, Andrew P. Washabaugh, Darrell E. Schlicker, Karen E. Walrath, Eric Hill, Vladimir A. Zilberstein
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Pressurized elastic support structures or balloons are used to press flexible sensors against the surface a material under test. Rigid support elements can also be incorporated into the inspection devices to maintain the basic shape of the inspection structure and to facilitate positioning of the sensors near the test material surface. The rigid supports can have the approximate shape of the test material surface or the pressurization of one or more balloons can be used to conform the sensor to the shape of the test material surface.
Claims43
A device for inspecting a component comprising:
- a flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;
- at least one elastic support member that locates the sensor proximate to the component surface;
- and
- at least one chamber in the at least one elastic support member, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized.
A device for inspecting a component comprising:
- at least one flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;
- at least one elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized;
- and
- at least one rigid support member for maintaining the sensor position proximate to the component surface.
A device for inspecting a component comprising:
- at least one flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;
- a compressible support layer placed behind the sensor;
- at least one elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized;
- and
- a rigid insert that approximates the shape of the component surface.
A device for inspecting a component comprising:
- at least one flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;
- a rigid support member that approximates the shape of the component surface;
- at least one first elastic member containing a chamber and placed between the sensor and rigid support member, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressured;
- and
- a means for supplying pressure to the chamber of the elastic member.
A device for inspecting a component comprising:
- a flexible sensor that is placed against a component surface;
- a support member for adjusting the sensor position;
- an elastic member containing a chamber, the flexible sensor being pressed against the component surface when the chamber is pressurized;
- and
- means for supplying pressure to the chamber of the elastic member.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.