Billy Lin Cook

US Patent:

42651220, May 5, 1981

Filed:

Apr 23, 1979

Appl. No.:

6/032176

Inventors:

Billy D. Cook - Houston TX
Eduardo Cavanagh - Houston TX

Assignee:

University of Houston - Houston TX

International Classification:

G01N 2904
G02B 514

US Classification:

73627

Abstract:

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for nondestructive testing of structures where the apparatus includes a transducer for generating an ultrasonic acoustic signal, a nonlinear medium for parametrically generating a special, ramp, waveform, and an acousto-optic broadband receiver for detecting a reflected signal from the test structure. A homodyne interferometer is provided to measure the change of refractive index of the acousto-optic receiver, and generates an electrical signal representative of the reflected acoustic signal. Signature analysis techniques are utilized to evaluate the reflected waveform to determine the characteristics of the structural defects.