US 9,297,789 B2 · Differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe

Abstract

The present invention is seen to provide a new methodology, testing system designs and concept to enable in situ real time monitoring of the cure process. Apparatus, system, and method for the non-destructive, in situ monitoring of the time dependent curing of advanced materials using one or more differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probes. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe in direct contact with the material to be cured and providing in situ monitoring of the cure process to enable assessment of the degree of cure or cure level in a non-cure related signal variances (e.g., temperature) independent calibrated response manner. A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe including a transducer coupled to a waveguide and incorporating correction and calibration methodology to accurately and reproducibly monitor the cure process and enable assessment of cure level via ultrasonic reflection measurements. The amplitude of the corrected interface response signal reflected from the probe-resin interface indicating changes in the modulus of the material during the cure.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe for in situ ultrasonic monitoring of a material undergoing a cure process, the probe comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer for generating, transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves;
a waveguide for guiding the ultrasonic waves and having a proximal end in contact with the ultrasonic transducer and a distal end for contacting the material undergoing the cure process, the waveguide comprising:
a first portion extending from the proximal end;
a reference segment of the waveguide for reflecting a portion of the ultrasonic wave back to the ultrasonic transducer as a reference ultrasonic wave signal for use to recalibrate the probe and account for non-cure related ultrasonic wave variances during the cure process;
a second portion extending from the reference to a tip at the distal end of the waveguide;
wherein the tip further comprises a lip located on the circumference of the tip;
and
wherein the lip extends intermittently about the circumference of the tip;
a waveguide for guiding the ultrasonic waves whose proximal end in contact with the ultrasonic transducer is easily separated from the ultrasonic transducer.

6 more elements

A calibrated and reproducible method for detecting material cure comprising:

performing an initial signal calibration of a probe, comprising an ultrasonic transducer and a waveguide, by measuring waveguide distal end ultrasonic wave reflection in air or from controlled impedance liquid at pre-determined temperature, for a specific probe with particular distal end cure tip geometrical features;
coupling the probe waveguide distal end to the material to be cured;
generating an ultrasonic stress wave in a waveguide using the ultrasonic transducer;
generating a response signal by reflecting a portion of the generated ultrasonic stress wave from a reference structure in the waveguide back to the ultrasonic transducer;
generating a distal end cure tip interface response signal by reflecting a portion of the generated ultrasonic stress wave from distal end interface of the waveguide and the cure material back to the ultrasonic transducer;
performing non-cure related signal variances correction/compensation of the sensed distal end interface signal using the sensed reference and calibration signals thus establishing RRRC (Relative Reflection Coefficient value) as universal reference value;
setting numeric value of initial start up cure level to “1” by dividing the measured signal level by calibration signal level;
and
comparing the corrected signal to a known response curve for the material to be cured to determine a quantitative degree of cure of the materials.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe

Life of this patent

Differential ultrasonic waveguide cure monitoring probe

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20