US 8,046,178 B2 · Defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams

Abstract

A defect detection system identifies defects in weld seams. An exemplary system includes a scanner device, mounted on a displacement device of a processing unit and which can be displaced by the unit over at least one weld seam that is to be examined. The scanner unit scans the weld seam using a predefinable frequency, each scanning sweep being correlated with a time signal. The time signal is used to record the point in time when at least one location containing defects is scanned. An analysis module determines the co-ordinates of the defects from the signals that are obtained by the scanning sweeps and stores the co-ordinates of the defects and transmits them to a localisation module. The localisation module determines the spatial arrangement of the defects of the weld seam by evaluating a speed profile of the displacement device during the scanning sweeps, the time signal and the co-ordinates.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams comprising:

a scanning apparatus which is fitted to a movement apparatus of a processing device, with the scanning apparatus being moveable by the movement apparatus over at least one weld seam to be examined, wherein the scanning apparatus scanning the weld seam at a predeterminable frequency, each scan being correlated with a time signal, with the time of the scanning of at least one defect location being recorded with the time signal;
an analysis module for determining the coordinates of the defect locations from the scan signals obtained by the scans, the analysis module storing the coordinates of the defect locations;
and
a localization module for determining a distance between the defect locations along the weld seam by evaluation of a velocity profile of the movement apparatus during the scans, of the time signals associated with the defect locations, and of the coordinates of the defect locations produced by the analysis module.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams

Life of this patent

Defect detection system for identifying defects in weld seams

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims21