# US 7,743,639 B2 · Method, device, and test specimen for testing a part, and use of the method and device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,639 B2 - Document ID: US7743639B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/581,539 - Filed: 2004-11-09 - Published: 2007-11-08 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2003-12-02 - Assignees: MTU Aero Engines AG - Inventors: Joachim Bamberg; Wolf-Dieter Feist - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743639B2 ## CPC - G01N 29/30: Arrangements for calibrating or comparing, e.g. with standard objects - B23K 26/53: for modifying or reforming the material inside the workpiece, e.g. for producing break initiation cracks - G01N 2291/2693: Rotor or turbine parts - G01N 2291/2694: Wings or other aircraft parts - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) - B23K: SOLDERING OR UNSOLDERING; WELDING; CLADDING OR PLATING BY SOLDERING OR WELDING; CUTTING BY APPLYING HEAT LOCALLY, e.g. FLAME CUTTING; WORKING BY LASER BEAM ## Abstract A method and a device are for testing the detectability of at least one flaw in a component, or for evaluating ultrasonic signals of the flaw. The method provides for an electronic specification of the flaw to be generated, which includes a two-dimensional or three-dimensional point pattern. This specification predefines the number, position, shape, orientation, and dimensions of flaws to be deliberately generated. A test specimen is produced, where for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack is generated at the position of this point. An ultrasonic image of the test specimen is recorded and evaluated. The test specimen may be made out of a material transparent to visible light, e.g., crown glass, optical glass, borosilicate glass, or quartz glass. The microcracks may be produced, using internal laser engraving. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method for at least one of (a) testing detectability of at least one flaw in a component and (b) evaluating ultrasonic signals of the flaw, comprising: generating an electronic specification of the flaw, the electronic specification including at least one of (a) a two-dimensional and (b) a three-dimensional point pattern; after the generating, manufacturing a test specimen, for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack in the test specimen generated at a corresponding position to form a microcrack field representing the flaw; and recording and evaluating ultrasonic signals of the test specimen. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the microcracks are produced in the manufacturing step by internal laser engraving. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a largest dimension of the microcracks is smaller than a wavelength used for recording the ultrasonic signals in the recording step. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the test specimen is manufactured in the manufacturing step of a material transparent to visible light. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The method according to claim 4, wherein the transparent material includes at least one of (a) crown glass, (b) optical glass, (c) borosilicate glass and (d) quartz glass. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein a material of the test specimen has approximately same elastic parameters as a material of the component. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method according to claim 1, wherein the generating step includes generating several specifications having one point pattern each, the point patterns differing with regard to at least one of (a) size, (b) shape and (c) orientation, and for each specification: the manufacturing of a test specimen being performed in accordance with a corresponding specification; and the recording and evaluation of ultrasonic signals of the corresponding test specimen being performed. ### Claim 8 A method for at least one of (a) ascertaining and (b) testing a resolution of an ultrasonic testing system, comprising: at least one of (a) testing detectability of at least one flaw in a component and (b) evaluating ultrasonic signals of the flaw, including: generating an electronic specification of the flaw, the electronic specification including at least one of (a) a two-dimensional and (b) a three-dimensional point pattern; after the generating, manufacturing a test specimen, for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack in the test specimen generated at a corresponding position to form a microcrack field representing the flaw; and recording by the testing system and evaluating ultrasonic signals of the test specimen. ### Claim 9 A device for at least one of (a) testing detectability of at least one flaw in a component and (b) evaluating an ultrasonic signal of the flaw, comprising: a device adapted to generate an electronic specification of the flaw, the specification including at least one of (a) a two-dimensional and (b) a three-dimensional point pattern; a device adapted to produce a test specimen after generation of the electronic specification of the flaw, for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack produced at a position of the point to form a microcrack field representing the flaw; and a device adapted to record and evaluate ultrasonic signals of the test specimen. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The device according to claim 9, wherein the device adapted to produce the test specimen is adapted to produce the test specimen such that a largest dimension of the microcracks is smaller than wavelength used to record the ultrasonic signals. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The device according to claim 9, wherein the device adapted to produce the test specimen includes a laser apparatus adapted to produce microcracks by internal engraving. ### Claim 12 A method, comprising: at least one of (a) ascertaining and (b) testing a resolution of an ultrasonic testing system by a device adapted to at least one of (a) test a detectability of at least one flaw in a component and (b) evaluate an ultrasonic signal of the flaw, the device including: a device adapted to generate an electronic specification of the flaw, the specification including at least one of (a) a two-dimensional and (b) a three-dimensional point pattern; a device adapted to produce a test specimen after generation of the electronic specification of the flaw, for each point of the point pattern, a microcrack produced at a position of the point to form a microcrack field representing the flaw; and a device adapted to record and evaluate ultrasonic signals of the test specimen, the testing system arranged as a part of the device adapted to record and evaluate the ultrasonic signals. ### Claim 13 A test specimen for calibration of an ultrasonic testing system for at least one of (a) testing a component and (b) evaluating ultrasonic signals of a flaw, the test specimen including microcracks having positions predefined by an electronic specification having at least one of (a) a two-dimensional and (b) a three-dimensional point pattern that corresponds to the flaw. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The test specimen according to claim 13, wherein a largest dimension of the microcracks is smaller than a wavelength for an ultrasonic test to be calibrated. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The test specimen according to claim 13, wherein the test specimen is formed of a material transparent to visible light. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The test specimen according to claim 15, wherein the transparent material includes at least one of (a) crown glass, (b) optical glass, (c) borosilicate glass and (d) quartz glass. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The test specimen according to claim 13, wherein the test specimen is formed of a material having approximately same elastic parameters as a material of the component.