Jason L Sanders

US Patent:

6604420, Aug 12, 2003

Filed:

Dec 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

10/025501

Inventors:

Robert Elmer Hawbaker - Peoria IL
Leonard George Wheat - Manito IL
Jason William Sanders - Chillicothe IL
Poh Heng Teh - Peoria IL

Assignee:

Caterpillar Inc - Peoria IL

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73588, 73150 A

Abstract:

A method is provided for nondestructive adhesion testing of a coating on a component surface through ultrasonic cavitation. The disclosed method includes submerging a tip end of a vibratory horn in a liquid medium and operating a converter, coupled to the vibratory horn, at a frequency and an amplitude to generate a cavitation field within the liquid medium. A first portion of a component having an adhered coating on at least a portion of the component is moved into the cavitation field. Areas of the coating that are poorly adhered to the component are located by the removing areas of the coating that are poorly adhered, while not removing areas of the coating that are properly adhered to the component.