Joseph James Earl Sparks

US Patent:

51110482, May 5, 1992

Filed:

Sep 27, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/588909

Inventors:

John W. Devitt - Loveland OH
Thomas E. Bantel - Cincinnati OH
Joseph M. Sparks - Newport KY
Janet S. Kania - Cincinnati OH

Assignee:

General Electric Company - Cincinnati OH

International Classification:

G01N 2171

US Classification:

250342

Abstract:

A method and apparatus for detecting a defect in a workpiece are disclosed. The workpiece is positioned with a surface of the workpiece to be inspected in an optical path of an infrared radiation detector. A selected portion of the workpiece is heated by scanning with electromagnetic radiation for a selected duration to cause an increase in radiance from any defect present in the selected portion. Any defects, present in the workpiece selected portion, which may cause a failure of the workpiece, may be detected and distinguished from minor surface anomalies by analyzing a transient response of the irradiance received by the infrared radiation detector.