Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an acoustic thermography system 10 and/or enhancing the flaw detection abilities of such a system is provided. The method allows applying a material (e.g., 103) to a specimen 12 undergoing acoustic thermography inspection. The material is thermally responsive to acoustic energy transmitted to the specimen by the acoustic thermography system. In one aspect thereof, a thermal response of the material applied to the specimen when subjected to acoustic energy is processed to determine whether the level of acoustic energy applied by the acoustic thermographic system appropriately meets a desired amount of acoustic energy for inspecting the specimen. In another aspect thereof, the thermal response of the specimen in combination with the applied material may be processed to determine whether certain types of flaws (e.g.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for performing acoustic thermography including a fixture (32) having a compliant member (40) that allows contacting surfaces of a horn face (20) and a specimen surface (16) to self-align into parallel contact in response to only the contacting force (FC) there between. When the contacting surfaces are brought together in a slightly non-parallel alignment, the contacting force develops a force component (FN) that is normal to the plane of contact. This normal force causes deflection of a compliant member, thereby providing movement that brings the contacting surfaces into parallel alignment. The compliant member may be a spring (48), elastomer (50), swivel member (56), bearing member (80), or a curved non-stick surface (90) in various embodiments.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for performing acoustic thermography including a fixture (32) having a compliant member (40) that allows contacting surfaces of a horn face (20) and a specimen surface (16) to self-align into parallel contact in response to only the contacting force (FC) there between. When the contacting surfaces are brought together in a slightly non-parallel alignment, the contacting force develops a force component (FN) that is normal to the plane of contact. This normal force causes deflection of a compliant member, thereby providing movement that brings the contacting surfaces into parallel alignment. The compliant member may be a spring (48), elastomer (50), swivel member (56), bearing member (80), or a curved non-stick surface (90) in various embodiments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for calibrating an acoustic thermography system 10 and/or enhancing the flaw detection abilities of such a system is provided. The method allows applying a material (e.g., 103) to a specimen 12 undergoing acoustic thermography inspection. The material is thermally responsive to acoustic energy transmitted to the specimen by the acoustic thermography system. In one aspect thereof, a thermal response of the material applied to the specimen when subjected to acoustic energy is processed to determine whether the level of acoustic energy applied by the acoustic thermographic system appropriately meets a desired amount of acoustic energy for inspecting the specimen. In another aspect thereof, the thermal response of the specimen in combination with the applied material may be processed to determine whether certain types of flaws (e.g.