Implementing steep delta wave technique to inspect joints
AssigneeBell Helicopter Textron Inc.
InventorRobert James Barry
Life of this patent
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Abstract
One aspect of a process of inspecting a joint that connects two parts includes directing an ultrasonic beam from an ultrasonic beam transmitter at a joint that connects two parts, the ultrasonic beam forming an angle between at least 14 degrees and at most 21 degrees with a joint axis of the joint, wherein the ultrasonic beam passes through a joint thickness of the joint. The process also includes determining a quality of the joint based, in part, on a difference between a strength of the ultrasonic beam directed at the joint and a strength of a portion of the ultrasonic beam that passed through the joint thickness.
Claims20
A method of inspecting a joint that connects two parts, the method comprising:
- directing an ultrasonic beam from an ultrasonic beam transmitter at a joint that connects two parts, the ultrasonic beam forming an angle between at least 14 degrees and at most 21 degrees with a joint axis of the joint, wherein the ultrasonic beam passes through a joint thickness of the joint;
- and
- determining a quality of the joint based, in part, on a difference between a strength of the ultrasonic beam directed at the joint and a strength of a portion of the ultrasonic beam that passed through the joint thickness.
A joint inspection system comprising:
- an ultrasonic beam transmitter, the ultrasonic beam transmitter operable to direct an ultrasonic beam at a joint that connects two parts, the ultrasonic beam forming an angle between at least 14 degrees and at most 21 degrees with a joint axis of the joint, wherein the ultrasonic beam passes through a joint thickness of the joint;
- and
- an ultrasonic beam receiver.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.