Patent GB793984A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3858437A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Acoustic test method and apparatus
Assignee: United States Department of the Navy
•
Filing: 1973-03-27
•
Granted: 1975-01-07
•
Expires: 1993-03-27
Abstract
Abstract An acoustic testing method and apparatus is disclosed for measuring the ultrasonic speed of sound and the sound absorption of both longitudinal and shear waves in a material as a function of temperature. A supporting device holding a pair of transducers in opposed, parallel relationship is pivotable about two, mutually perpendicular axes to vary the angular positions of the transducer pair for shear wave measurements and to adjust the transducer''s relative positions to compensate for wave shift. Test specimens are supported upon a rotatable fixture which fixedly positions them between the transducers. Specimen holders, adapted to be positioned within the rotatable fixture, permit testing of materials which are not normally self-supporting, liquids or materials otherwise adversely affected during testing. Control means are provided to adjust the transducer positions and to change specimens. The test apparatus may be immersed in a suitable fluid.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacek Jarzynski
- 👤 Howard B Mclelland
- 👤 Hyman Kessler
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:29
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01H; G01H5/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
144 words
An acoustic test apparatus for ultrasonic testing of materials comprising: a first transducer for transmitting acoustic energy through the test material; a second transducer for detecting the presence of the acoustic energy; carriage means supporting said first and said second transducers in opposEd, parallel orientation, said carriage means pivotal about a first, horizontal axis equidistant between said transducers, and a second axis in a plane parallel to the plane through the centerline of said transducers and orthogonal to said first axis; control means to permit regulation of rotation of said carriage means about said first axis; adjustment means to control relative counter-rotary pivotal movement of said first transducer with respect to said second transducers about said second axis; second control means to permit regulation of said pivotal movement; and adjustable support means for supporting the test material between said first and said second transducers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
144 words
An acoustic test apparatus for ultrasonic testing of materials comprising: a first transducer for transmitting acoustic energy through the test material; a second transducer for detecting the presence of the acoustic energy; carriage means supporting said first and said second transducers in opposEd, parallel orientation, said carriage means pivotal about a first, horizontal axis equidistant between said transducers, and a second axis in a plane parallel to the plane through the centerline of said transducers and orthogonal to said first axis; control means to permit regulation of rotation of said carriage means about said first axis; adjustment means to control relative counter-rotary pivotal movement of said first transducer with respect to said second transducers about said second axis; second control means to permit regulation of said pivotal movement; and adjustable support means for supporting the test material between said first and said second transducers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The test apparatus of claim 1 wherein said carriage means comprise: a pair of arms, one each supporting said first and said second transducers; a casing connected to said arms and rotatable about said first axis; and journal means to receive said casing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
pivoting said transducers in a counter-rotary orientation relative to each other about a second axis in a plane orthogonAl to said first axis; and e. obtaining new acoustic measurements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
pivoting said transducers in a counter-rotary orientation relative to each other about a second axis in a plane orthogonAl to said first axis; and e. obtaining new acoustic measurements.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The test apparatus of claim 2 wherein said adjustment means comprise: a pair of rotatable shafts housed within said casing, one end of said shafts connected to each of said arms; gearing means connected to the other end of said shafts; and a driveshaft drivingly connected to said gearing means, whereby rotation of said driveshaft rotates said arms in a counterrotary fashion.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
45 words
The test apparatus of claim 3 wherein said control means comprises: rotating means connected to said casing; a selective rotator; and flexible connecting means joining said rotator to said rotating means whereby turning of said rotator causes said casing to rotate about said first axis.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
49 words
The test apparatus of claim 4 wherein said second control means comprises: second rotating means connected to said driveshaft; a second selective rotator; and a second flexible connecting means joining said second rotator and said second rotating means whereby turning of said second rotator causes said driveshaft to rotate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
46 words
The test apparatus of claim 5 wherein said support means comprises: a support surface rotatable between said energy source and said detection means; at least one aperture provided in said surface; and rotating means connected to said surface to permit control of rotation of said surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The test apparatus of claim 6 wherein said aperture is provided with a plurality of attachment means adapted to support a test specimen therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The test apparatus of claim 7 wherein at least one of said attachment means is adjustable.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
23 words
The test apparatus of claim 7 further comprising a test specimen support insert receivable within said aperture and engagable by said attachment means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
The test apparatus of claim 9 wherein said insert comprises: an annulus; a film positionable over said annulus; an annular member positionable over said annulus to secure said film; and a circumferential groove provided in said annulus to be engaged by said attachment means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
The test apparatus of claim 9 wherein said insert comprises a disk to support a test specimen and a circumferential groove provided in said disk to be engaged by said attachment means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
74 words
An acoustic test method for ultrasonic testing of materials comprising the steps of: a. mounting at least one specimen on a rotatable support platform of a test apparatus; b. immersing said apparatus in a suitable fluid; c. obtaining acoustic measurements with a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer supported in opposed, parallel orientation on opposite sides of said support platform; d. reorienting said transmitting and said receiving transducers relative to said support platform by:
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
74 words
An acoustic test method for ultrasonic testing of materials comprising the steps of: a. mounting at least one specimen on a rotatable support platform of a test apparatus; b. immersing said apparatus in a suitable fluid; c. obtaining acoustic measurements with a transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer supported in opposed, parallel orientation on opposite sides of said support platform; d. reorienting said transmitting and said receiving transducers relative to said support platform by:
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The test method of claim 12 wherein the step of mounting the specimen comprises mounting a plurality of specimens on a rotatable platform.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the steps of: f. rotating the specimen support platform whereby a second specimen is positioned for testing and g. repeating steps (c) - (e).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of: altering the temperature of the fluid; i. permitting the temperature of the fluid to reach steady-state conditions; and j. repeating steps (c) - (g).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-01-06 | 1978-07-08 | 1979-01-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-01-06 | 1982-07-08 | 1983-01-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-01-06 | 1986-07-08 | 1987-01-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |