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US4965451A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method and apparatus for the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece

Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1989-06-14
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Granted: 1990-10-23
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Expires: 2009-06-14
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Abstract

Abstract A method and apparatus is provided to effect the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece, wherein a single pulse of an electromagnetic exciting beam, preferably of a focused beam, is projected against the workpiece and the effect of the locally and temporarily induced workpiece temperature, measured as generated infra-red radiation, is processed, providing information concerning the surface and inner structure of the workpiece. The single pulsee of the laser beam is broken up into a multiplicity of component beams whose images, simultaneously projected upon the workpiece, are combined in a field or line by means of which the workpiece is analyzed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Hans-Joachim Solter

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-25 15:09
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N25/00; G01N25/72; G01N21/00; G01N21/17; G01N21/171

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim 94 words
A method for the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece, comprising: (a) projecting a single pulse of an electromagnetic exciting beam onto the surface of the workpiece; (b) breaking up said single pulse prior to contact with the surface of the workpiece into a multiplicity of individual component beams so that their images are simultaneously projected onto said workpiece combined in a field or line; (c) measuring the workpiece generated infra-red radiation; and (d) processing the measured infra-red radiation to determine the locally and temporarily induced workpiece temperature.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 94 words
A method for the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece, comprising: (a) projecting a single pulse of an electromagnetic exciting beam onto the surface of the workpiece; (b) breaking up said single pulse prior to contact with the surface of the workpiece into a multiplicity of individual component beams so that their images are simultaneously projected onto said workpiece combined in a field or line; (c) measuring the workpiece generated infra-red radiation; and (d) processing the measured infra-red radiation to determine the locally and temporarily induced workpiece temperature.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein said single pulse of an electromagnetic exciting beam is a focused laser beam.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the length of the single pulse is varied.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the intensity of the single pulse is varied.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein the length and intensity of the single pulse are varied.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method according to claim 1, wherein at the unflawed locations calibration measurements are performed and compared with measurements taken at flawed locations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 107 words
Apparatus for the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece, comprising: (a) a device for generating a single pulse of an electromagnetic beam directed at the surface of the workpiece; (b) an expansion lens interposed in the path of said beam; (c) a beam separating element interposed in the path of said beam following said expansion lens, wherein said beam separating element breaks up said beam into a multiplicity of individual component beams; (d) at least one infra-red sensitive detector directed toward said workpiece for making measurements; and (e) a computer to which said detector is attached which evaluates the measurement data.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 107 words
Apparatus for the contactless testing of the surface and inner structure of a solid workpiece, comprising: (a) a device for generating a single pulse of an electromagnetic beam directed at the surface of the workpiece; (b) an expansion lens interposed in the path of said beam; (c) a beam separating element interposed in the path of said beam following said expansion lens, wherein said beam separating element breaks up said beam into a multiplicity of individual component beams; (d) at least one infra-red sensitive detector directed toward said workpiece for making measurements; and (e) a computer to which said detector is attached which evaluates the measurement data.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 21 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said device for the generation of a single pulse is configured as a laser.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said beam separating element is configured as a diaphragm.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 23 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said diaphragm exhibits a pinhole image which corresponds to the number and distribution of component beams.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 11 words
The apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said diaphragm is interchangeable.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 30 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, which further includes a focusing array means disposed between said expansion lens and said beam separating element which focuses the beam on a line.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 15 words
The apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said focusing array means is a cylindrical lens.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said detector is a thermal imaging camera.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US4328516A Cited
US4520504A Cited
US4594508A Cited
US4647220A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-10-22 1994-04-23 1994-10-23 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-10-22 1998-04-23 1998-10-23 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-10-22 2002-04-23 2002-10-23 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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