Flaw detecting device and method
AssigneeLaser Technology, Inc.
InventorJohn W. Newman
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The method and apparatus of the invention simultaneously induces the same variable frequency mechanical vibrations in a test part and a standard. The vibrations of the two are converted to signals which are either displayed for comparison purposes or automatically analyzed for differences. Advantageously, the signals are electrical signals providing spectra which are analyzed for differences in amplitudes produced by the signals. Where the parts are separately supported, they are held with substantially the same force and are maintained against the vibration inducing mechanism with the same force. Where accelerometers are used, they are held with substantially the same force against the vibrating parts.
Claims14
A device for detecting flaws in a test part comprising:
- a sweep generator,
- a drive amplifier supplied by the sweep generator,
- a pair of electrical to mechanical transducers connected to the amplifier,
- a first carriage associated with one transducer for a test part,
- a second carriage associated with the other transducer for a standard part,
- means for moving each carriage towards and away from its associated transducer,
- means on each carriage for holding a part,
- an accelerometer associated with each carriage for contacting a part on the carriage, and
- means responsive to the signals from the accelerometers for the comparison of the signals.
A device for detecting flaws in a test part comprising:
- a pair of electrical to mechanical transducers,
- means to drive the transducers in phase and at the same frequency,
- a first carriage associated with one transducer for a test part,
- a second carriage associated with the other transducer for a standard part,
- means for moving each carriage towards and away from its associated transducer,
- means on each carriage for holding a part,
- an accelerometer associated with each carriage for contacting a part on the carriage, and
- means responsive to the signals from the accelerometers for the comparison of the signals.
A device for detecting flaws in a test part comprising:
- electrical to mechanical transducer means for inducing the same variable frequency mechanical vibrations in the test part and in a standard part,
- means for placing and maintaining each of said parts in contact with said transducer means with substantially the same force,
- means for comparing the structural integrity of said parts when they are being vibrated, including an accelerometer for contacting the test part and an accelerometer for contacting the standard part for respectively producing electrical signals analogous to the vibrations of the test part and the standard part, and
- means for placing and maintaining each accelerometer in contact with its respective part with substantially the same force.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.