Dean E Christie

US Patent:

6481290, Nov 19, 2002

Filed:

Jun 4, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/871707

Inventors:

Timothy John MacInnis - Quaker Hill CT
Willard Clark Nichols - Niantic CT
Dean Emerson Christie - Groton CT

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - San Diego CA

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73644

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection is provided. An automatic couplant delivery system that delivers and maintains a constant water supply to a single path chamber located at a transducer head. Any couplant run-off is removed and reclaimed by vacuum recovery. A transducer holder block that supports two transducers is used, and mounts to a manifold and brush subassembly. A manifold and brush subassembly includes a manifold block, a couplant containment/removal block, and gimbal. The manifold and brush subassembly has three sets of brushes that define three chambers for water or vacuum. An innermost chamber sets the water path, the middle chamber may provide water or regulated vacuum, and the outer chamber provides full vacuum for water removal. Couplant flow rate and vacuum are selectable and can be adjusted by an operator during initial set up.

US Patent:

48360260, Jun 6, 1989

Filed:

Jun 1, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/616351

Inventors:

Charles T. P'an - Mystic CT
Dean E. Christie - Ledyard CT
Robert H. Grills - New London CT

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - LaJolla CA

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73620

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging system which is used to provide contact imaging of a component. A transducer is scanned across a workpiece to collect image data from a scan area comprising a plurality of pixels. Means for resiliently carrying the transducer with two separate degrees of freedom maintain a tight acoustic coupling between the workpiece surface and the transducer. The image data relating to each position in the scanned area describe the amplitude of a reflection and its depth from a reference. Means are provided for easily varying the size of the image area while the number of pixels remains constant. The system provides a real-time visual display of the scanned area while the transducer is moving over the area in contrast as either a grey scale or a color scale for each pixel. An automatic calibration mode for the sytem is provided as another feature to remove acoustic delay, caused by transducer coupling, from the image data. As an option to the calibration mode, the system provides for the translation of the scan area into a true proportional size for a radial mounting geometry of the workpiece.