US3562642A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus and method for measuring properties of materials by sensing signals responsive to both amplitude and phase changes in transmitted or reflected microwave energy
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1968-12-02
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Granted: 1971-02-09
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Expires: 1988-12-02
Abstract
Abstract This invention relates to an apparatus and method utilizing microwaves for testing objects, especially nonmetalic objects, nondestructively for numerous characteristics such as thickness, chemical and physical properties, flaws, moisture content, vibration and displacement. Discrimination between these variables, or the suppression of one or more of these variables which are not of interest to the measurement, are shown to be possible utilizing detection apparatus which provides and displays two output signals, each of which is an independent function of the amplitude and phase of the microwave signal received from the test object. For example, different variables cause deflections in different directions in an XY display of the two independent output signals. Alternatively, means are described for obtaining a single output signal responsive to only one variable in the test object, or a single output signal in which the response to one test variable is suppressed.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Hochschild
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 10:49
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N22/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of determining, in a nondestructive manner, a characteristic relative to a test object, which method comprises: generating a signal in the microwave range employing a microwave generator means, supplying said microwave signal through a transmission-line means to a transmitting means, transmitting said microwave signal from said transmitting means to a test object, whereby said microwave signal interacts with said test object; receiving said microwave signal after interaction thereof with said test object employing a receiving means; supplying the received microwave signal from said receiving means to an output means adapted to generate at least one output voltage representing a function of the amplitude and phase of said received signal; and adjusting at least one of said means until said output voltage does not vary in substantial amount in accordance with one of a plurality of characteristics relative to said test object.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
143 words
A method of determining, in a nondestructive manner, a characteristic relative to a test object, which method comprises: generating a signal in the microwave range employing a microwave generator means, supplying said microwave signal through a transmission-line means to a transmitting means, transmitting said microwave signal from said transmitting means to a test object, whereby said microwave signal interacts with said test object; receiving said microwave signal after interaction thereof with said test object employing a receiving means; supplying the received microwave signal from said receiving means to an output means adapted to generate at least one output voltage representing a function of the amplitude and phase of said received signal; and adjusting at least one of said means until said output voltage does not vary in substantial amount in accordance with one of a plurality of characteristics relative to said test object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which said adjusting step comprises adjusting the electrical length of the portion of said transmission-line means which lies between said output means and the end of the transmitting or receiving means which is adjacent to the test object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
83 words
The invention as claimed in claim 1, in which the microwave signal from said receiving means is supplied to an output means adapted to generate at least two output voltages representing different functions of the amplitude and phase of said received signal, and in which said adjusting step comprises mathematically adjusting and combining said output voltages to produce a third output voltage which does not vary in substantial amount in accordance with one of a plurality of characteristics relative to said test object.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of determining, in a nondestructive manner, one characteristic relative To a test object, which comprises: generating a signal in the microwave range employing a microwave generator means, supplying said signal to a transmitting means; transmitting said signal from said transmitting means to a test object whereby said signal interacts with said test object; receiving said signal after said interaction thereof with said test object; mixing the received signal with said signal supplied to said transmitting means employing mixer means, sensing a function of phase and amplitude of said received signal and said signal supplied to said transmitting means at a region where said signals are mixed employing sensing means; generating an output voltage responsive to said function; and empirically adjusting at least one of said means until said output voltage is not substantially responsive to one of a plurality of variables which are present relative to said test object.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
151 words
A method of determining, in a nondestructive manner, one characteristic relative To a test object, which comprises: generating a signal in the microwave range employing a microwave generator means, supplying said signal to a transmitting means; transmitting said signal from said transmitting means to a test object whereby said signal interacts with said test object; receiving said signal after said interaction thereof with said test object; mixing the received signal with said signal supplied to said transmitting means employing mixer means, sensing a function of phase and amplitude of said received signal and said signal supplied to said transmitting means at a region where said signals are mixed employing sensing means; generating an output voltage responsive to said function; and empirically adjusting at least one of said means until said output voltage is not substantially responsive to one of a plurality of variables which are present relative to said test object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for effecting, in a nondestructive manner, simultaneous determination of a plurality of variables relative to a test object, which comprises: a microwave generator; means to transmit a microwave signal from said microwave generator to a test object whereby said signal interacts therewith; receiving means to receive said microwave signal; transmission line means electrically coupled to said generator and said receiving means wherein at least part of said received signal will be simultaneously present with at least part of the transmitted signal; means to sense first and second functions of the phase and amplitude of the signals present in said transmission-line means; means to change the signal amplitude of each of said first and second functions; means to mathematically combine said first and second functions after said change to produce a third function which is not substantially responsive to one variable relative to said test object after said change of signal amplitude; and means to display said third function.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
159 words
Apparatus for effecting, in a nondestructive manner, simultaneous determination of a plurality of variables relative to a test object, which comprises: a microwave generator; means to transmit a microwave signal from said microwave generator to a test object whereby said signal interacts therewith; receiving means to receive said microwave signal; transmission line means electrically coupled to said generator and said receiving means wherein at least part of said received signal will be simultaneously present with at least part of the transmitted signal; means to sense first and second functions of the phase and amplitude of the signals present in said transmission-line means; means to change the signal amplitude of each of said first and second functions; means to mathematically combine said first and second functions after said change to produce a third function which is not substantially responsive to one variable relative to said test object after said change of signal amplitude; and means to display said third function.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of nondestructive testing, comprising: generating a signal in the microwave range; transmitting said microwave signal to a test object for interaction therewith; receiving said microwave signal after said interaction with said test object; sensing first and second different functions of the amplitude of said received signal and of the phase thereof relative to the phase of the transmitted signal; generating output voltages responsive, respectively, to said first and second functions; supplying said output voltages to the X and Y inputs of an XY display means; maintaining constant, relative to said test object, all parameters except the desired variable to thereby provide on said display means a visual indication of the locus of such desired variable; maintaining constant, relative to said test object, all parameters except an undesired variable to thereby provide on said display means a visual indication of the locus of such undesired variable; empirically adjusting at least one electrical characteristic of at least one of the signal generating, transmitting, receiving and sensing means until the locus of the undesired variable is substantially parallel to the axis associated with one of the inputs of said display means; and supplying to a one-characteristic display means the output voltage leading to the remaining one of said inputs of said display means.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
212 words
A method of nondestructive testing, comprising: generating a signal in the microwave range; transmitting said microwave signal to a test object for interaction therewith; receiving said microwave signal after said interaction with said test object; sensing first and second different functions of the amplitude of said received signal and of the phase thereof relative to the phase of the transmitted signal; generating output voltages responsive, respectively, to said first and second functions; supplying said output voltages to the X and Y inputs of an XY display means; maintaining constant, relative to said test object, all parameters except the desired variable to thereby provide on said display means a visual indication of the locus of such desired variable; maintaining constant, relative to said test object, all parameters except an undesired variable to thereby provide on said display means a visual indication of the locus of such undesired variable; empirically adjusting at least one electrical characteristic of at least one of the signal generating, transmitting, receiving and sensing means until the locus of the undesired variable is substantially parallel to the axis associated with one of the inputs of said display means; and supplying to a one-characteristic display means the output voltage leading to the remaining one of said inputs of said display means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
65 words
The invention as claimed in claim 6, in which said method additionally includes the step of empirically adjusting at least one electrical characteristic of at least one of the signal generating, transmitting, receiving and sensing means until said loci of the desired and undesired variables are at a substantial angle relative to each other, and until the locus of the undesired variable is relatively straight.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
50 words
The invention as claimed in claim 6, in which said method additionally includes the step of empirically adjusting at least one electrical characteriStic of at least one of the signal generating, transmitting, receiving and sensing means until said locus of the undesired variable is substantially the arc of a circle.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; transmission-line means connected to said oscillator; transmitting-receiving means connected to said transmission-line means; said transmitting-receiving means being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part and receive such energy therefrom after interaction with said test part; a coupling element connected to said transmission-line means and adapted to sense a function of the phase and amplitude of the microwave signals present in said transmission-line means; the electrical length of said transmission-line means between said coupling element and the end of said transmitting-receiving means which is adjacent said test part being such that said function sensed by said coupling element is substantially unresponsive to one of a plurality of variables present relative to said test part; and means electrically connected to said coupling element to effect a display of said function.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
145 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; transmission-line means connected to said oscillator; transmitting-receiving means connected to said transmission-line means; said transmitting-receiving means being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part and receive such energy therefrom after interaction with said test part; a coupling element connected to said transmission-line means and adapted to sense a function of the phase and amplitude of the microwave signals present in said transmission-line means; the electrical length of said transmission-line means between said coupling element and the end of said transmitting-receiving means which is adjacent said test part being such that said function sensed by said coupling element is substantially unresponsive to one of a plurality of variables present relative to said test part; and means electrically connected to said coupling element to effect a display of said function.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; a transmission line connected to said oscillator; a transmitting element connected to said transmission line for reception therefrom of a microwave signal generated by said oscillator; said transmitting element being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part; receiving means to receive said energy from said test part after interaction therewith; first and second coupling means electrically connected to said transmission line in such manner that said coupling means sense first and second separate functions of the phase and amplitudes of microwave signals present in said transmission line; a third coupling means connected between said receiving means and said transmission line to introduce received microwave energy into said transmission line; first and second detectors electrically connected, respectively, to said first and second coupling means to convert the energy sensed thereby into first and second output voltages; and a two-characteristic display means connected to said detectors whereby to effect simultaneous display of said output voltages.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
170 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; a transmission line connected to said oscillator; a transmitting element connected to said transmission line for reception therefrom of a microwave signal generated by said oscillator; said transmitting element being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part; receiving means to receive said energy from said test part after interaction therewith; first and second coupling means electrically connected to said transmission line in such manner that said coupling means sense first and second separate functions of the phase and amplitudes of microwave signals present in said transmission line; a third coupling means connected between said receiving means and said transmission line to introduce received microwave energy into said transmission line; first and second detectors electrically connected, respectively, to said first and second coupling means to convert the energy sensed thereby into first and second output voltages; and a two-characteristic display means connected to said detectors whereby to effect simultaneous display of said output voltages.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; a first transmission line connected to said oscillator; a transmitting element connected to said first transmission line for reception therefrom of a microwave signal generated by said oscillator; said transmitting element being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part; a receiving element to receive said energy from said test part after interaction therewith; a second transmission line; means to introduce microwave energy from said receiving element into said second transmission line; a first coupling means to transfer microwave energy from said first transmission line into said second transmission line; second and third coupling means electrically connected to said second transmission line in such manner that said second and third coupling means sense first and second separate functions of the phase and amplitude of the microwave signals present in said second transmission line; first and second detectors electrically connected, respectively, to said second and third coupling means to convert the energy sensed thereby into first and second output voltages; and a two-characteristic display means connected to said detectors whereby to effect simultaneous display of said output voltages.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
193 words
Apparatus for effecting testing and sensing by means of microwaves, which comprises: a microwave oscillator; a first transmission line connected to said oscillator; a transmitting element connected to said first transmission line for reception therefrom of a microwave signal generated by said oscillator; said transmitting element being adapted to transmit microwave energy to a test part; a receiving element to receive said energy from said test part after interaction therewith; a second transmission line; means to introduce microwave energy from said receiving element into said second transmission line; a first coupling means to transfer microwave energy from said first transmission line into said second transmission line; second and third coupling means electrically connected to said second transmission line in such manner that said second and third coupling means sense first and second separate functions of the phase and amplitude of the microwave signals present in said second transmission line; first and second detectors electrically connected, respectively, to said second and third coupling means to convert the energy sensed thereby into first and second output voltages; and a two-characteristic display means connected to said detectors whereby to effect simultaneous display of said output voltages.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of testing and sinsing by means of microwaves, which comprises: generating a microwave signal; passing at least part of said signal through a transmission line; transmittIng at least part of said signal to a test part; receiving at least part of said signal from said test part and mixing at least part of the received signal with said signal in said transmission line; associating a coupling means with said transmission line to sense a function of the phases and amplitudes of the signals present therein; empirically adjusting at least one of the following three parameters until one variable relative to said test part is substantially suppressed: a. the electrical length between said coupling means and the transmitting-receiving end of the apparatus through which said signal passes; b. the signal reflection present in said transmission line; and c. the design of said coupling means, and supplying said function to a display means.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of testing and sinsing by means of microwaves, which comprises: generating a microwave signal; passing at least part of said signal through a transmission line; transmittIng at least part of said signal to a test part; receiving at least part of said signal from said test part and mixing at least part of the received signal with said signal in said transmission line; associating a coupling means with said transmission line to sense a function of the phases and amplitudes of the signals present therein; empirically adjusting at least one of the following three parameters until one variable relative to said test part is substantially suppressed: a. the electrical length between said coupling means and the transmitting-receiving end of the apparatus through which said signal passes; b. the signal reflection present in said transmission line; and c. the design of said coupling means, and supplying said function to a display means.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of suppressing two variables, which comprises: generating first and second signals having different test frequencies in the microwave range; transmitting said signals to an object under test and receiving said signals after interaction with said object under test, employing a receiving means, electrically connecting to said receiving means a first coupler which is substantially insensitive to said second signal; electrically connecting to said receiving means a second coupler which is substantially insensitive to said first signal, adjusting at least one of said apparatus and couplers until the function sensed by said first coupler is substantially unresponsive to a first variable relative to said test object, adjusting at least one of said apparatus and couplers until the function sensed by said second coupler is substantially unresponsive to a second variable relative to said test object; and determining at least one variable relative to said test object employing the output of said couplers.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
153 words
A method of suppressing two variables, which comprises: generating first and second signals having different test frequencies in the microwave range; transmitting said signals to an object under test and receiving said signals after interaction with said object under test, employing a receiving means, electrically connecting to said receiving means a first coupler which is substantially insensitive to said second signal; electrically connecting to said receiving means a second coupler which is substantially insensitive to said first signal, adjusting at least one of said apparatus and couplers until the function sensed by said first coupler is substantially unresponsive to a first variable relative to said test object, adjusting at least one of said apparatus and couplers until the function sensed by said second coupler is substantially unresponsive to a second variable relative to said test object; and determining at least one variable relative to said test object employing the output of said couplers.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
135 words
A testing and sensing apparatus, comprising: microwave-generator means to generate a microwave signal, means to transmit said microwave signal to a test object and to receive said signal after interaction thereof with said test object; mixer means to mix the received signal with said signal supplied to said transmitting means; sensing means to generate an output voltage which is a function of the amplitude of said received signal and of the phase difference between said received signal and said signal supplied to said transmitting means at a region where said signals are mixed; means for shifting said phase difference until said output voltage ceases to be responsive to one variable in said test object while continuing to be responsive to other variables in said test object, and means to effect a display of said voltage.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
135 words
A testing and sensing apparatus, comprising: microwave-generator means to generate a microwave signal, means to transmit said microwave signal to a test object and to receive said signal after interaction thereof with said test object; mixer means to mix the received signal with said signal supplied to said transmitting means; sensing means to generate an output voltage which is a function of the amplitude of said received signal and of the phase difference between said received signal and said signal supplied to said transmitting means at a region where said signals are mixed; means for shifting said phase difference until said output voltage ceases to be responsive to one variable in said test object while continuing to be responsive to other variables in said test object, and means to effect a display of said voltage.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-02-08 | 1974-08-10 | 1975-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-02-08 | 1978-08-10 | 1979-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-02-08 | 1982-08-10 | 1983-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |