Robert H Grills

US Patent:

48360260, Jun 6, 1989

Filed:

Jun 1, 1984

Appl. No.:

6/616351

Inventors:

Charles T. P'an - Mystic CT
Dean E. Christie - Ledyard CT
Robert H. Grills - New London CT

Assignee:

Science Applications International Corporation - LaJolla CA

International Classification:

G01N 2900

US Classification:

73620

Abstract:

An ultrasonic imaging system which is used to provide contact imaging of a component. A transducer is scanned across a workpiece to collect image data from a scan area comprising a plurality of pixels. Means for resiliently carrying the transducer with two separate degrees of freedom maintain a tight acoustic coupling between the workpiece surface and the transducer. The image data relating to each position in the scanned area describe the amplitude of a reflection and its depth from a reference. Means are provided for easily varying the size of the image area while the number of pixels remains constant. The system provides a real-time visual display of the scanned area while the transducer is moving over the area in contrast as either a grey scale or a color scale for each pixel. An automatic calibration mode for the sytem is provided as another feature to remove acoustic delay, caused by transducer coupling, from the image data. As an option to the calibration mode, the system provides for the translation of the scan area into a true proportional size for a radial mounting geometry of the workpiece.