Ultrasonic probe deployment device for increased wave transmission and rapid area scan inspections
United States Patent
| 8,371,173 | |
| February 12, 2013 | |
| View the Complete Patent at the US Patent & Trademark Office | |
| Advanced Ultrasonic Device with In-Situ Height Adjustment for Improved Flaw Detection | |
| An ultrasonic probe deployment device in which an ultrasound-transmitting liquid forms the portion of the ultrasonic wave path in contact with the surface being inspected (i.e., the inspection surface). A seal constrains flow of the liquid, for example preventing the liquid from surging out and flooding the inspection surface. The seal is not rigid and conforms to variations in the shape and unevenness of the inspection surface, thus forming a seal (although possibly a leaky seal) around the liquid. The probe preferably is held in place to produce optimum ultrasonic focus on the area of interest. Use of encoders can facilitate the production of C-scan area maps of the material being inspected. | |
| 13/237,520 | |
| September 20, 2011 | |
| 73/629 ; 73/644; | |
| G01N 29/00 (20060101); | |
| 73/629,628,641,644 | |
| STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT The United States Government has certain rights in this invention pursuant to Department of Energy Contract No. DE-AC04-94AL85000 with Sandia Corporation. |