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US 2004/0200284 A1Published application
Tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope system and method for immobilizing parts during inspection
AssigneeSonosean, Inc.
InventorsLawrence Kessier, John Billone
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An improved scanning station and method for a tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope has a vacuum system which at least assists in immobilizing loosely held parts in the trays during insonification by an ultrasonic beam generator.
Claims37
In a tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope, an improved tray-scanning station for inspecting perforate trays of loosely held parts, comprising:
- a tray conveyor;
- a coupling fluid dispenser;
- an ultrasonic beam generator configured to direct an ultrasonic beam through the coupling fluid onto the trays during scanning of the trays, the dispensed coupling fluid undesirably tending to agitate the parts during scanning;
- and
- a vacuum system configured to draw a vacuum on the bottom of the trays during tray scanning.
2 more elements
A method useful in a tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope, comprising:
- conveying a perforate tray of loosely held parts through a scanning station;
- in the scanning station insonifying the tray with an ultrasonic beam passed through a falling stream of coupling fluid;
- during the scanning operation, drawing a vacuum on the tray to at least assist in securing and immobilizing the parts in the tray.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.