Ultrasonic acoustic emissions to detect substrate fracture
AssigneeTenneco Automotive Operating Company Inc.
InventorsKeith G. Olivier, Thomas Custer
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Abstract
A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process includes positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component. A manufacturing process is performed while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component. A signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process is provided to a controller where it is determined whether the component has fractured based on the signal.
Claims17
A method of detecting a fracture as it occurs in a component during a manufacturing process, the method comprising:
- positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the component;
- performing a manufacturing process while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the component;
- providing a signal indicative of acoustic emissions from the component during the manufacturing process to a controller;
- and
- determining whether the component has fractured by comparing the magnitude of the signal to a predetermined maximum.
A method of detecting a fracture in a component of an exhaust treatment device as it occurs during a manufacturing process, the method comprising:
- positioning an acoustic sensor in acoustic communication with the exhaust treatment device;
- performing a manufacturing process on the exhaust treatment device while the acoustic sensor remains in acoustic communication with the exhaust treatment device;
- outputting a signal from the acoustic sensor indicative of acoustic emissions from the exhaust treatment device during the manufacturing process;
- comparing the signal to a predetermined value;
- and
- determining whether the exhaust treatment device has fractured based on the comparison.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.