US 7,124,636 B2 · Non-contact measurement of material property

Abstract

A process for measuring a property of a sample is provided. The sample has an external surface enclosing an inner portion, and firstly, the sample is deformed by applying a predetermined non-contact pressure to deform a portion of the sample. Then a signal, which is at least suitable for transmission over the air, is directed towards the deformed portion of the sample, and further propagates through the external surface and the inner portion of the sample. Then an echoed signal generated by the inner portion of the sample in response to the propagation of the signal is detected; wherein the echoed signal incorporates information relating to a deformation of the inner portion of the sample. The property of the sample is determined from the deformation of the inner portion of the sample.

Claims19

Dependent claims

A process for measuring a property of a sample having an external surface enclosing an inner portion, comprising:

ejecting a jet of fluid, compressed aerosol, laser beam, electron beam or focused acoustic beam onto the external surface of the sample to obtain deformation of a portion of the sample;
directing a signal towards the deformed portion of the sample, wherein the signal is at least suitable for non-contact transmission;
propagating the signal through the external surface and inside the inner portion of the sample;
detecting an echoed signal generated by the inner portion of the sample in response to the propagation of the signal, wherein the echoed signal incorporates information being indicative of a deformation of the inner portion of the sample;
and
determining the property of the sample from the deformation of at least the inner portion of the sample.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Non-contact measurement of material property

Life of this patent

Non-contact measurement of material property

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims19