Abstract: A clock circuit comprising a synchronizable voltage controlled oscillator in combination with a programmable address means, which address means is adjusted commensurate with the acoustic velocity of the workpiece, provides clock pulses from the oscillator having a stable and accurate acoustic velocity dependent frequency. An entrant surface responsive electrical signal responsive to an ultrasonic search signal entering the workpiece is also provided to the clock circuit for assuring that the clock pulses are synchronized with the receipt of the electrical signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic pulse echo real time imaging system comprises a segmented transducer array formed by a plurality of juxtaposed transducer elements. Successive scans are performed by forming a first predetermined quantity of juxtaposed elements and incrementally shifting said first quantity along said array and subsequently shifting a second quantity of elements along the array, said first and said second quantity being different, for example four and three elements respectively. If the respective quantities are shifted incrementally by one element, the beam axis is stepped by one-half element width only, thereby providing improved image resolution. The image presentation on a cathode ray tube makes use of the interlacing feature, specifically the B-scan presentation line raster responsive to alternate array scans is interlaced.

Abstract: A delicate workpiece, such as a semiconductor wafer is cleaned by supporting the workpiece on a shaft which is rotated. A film of liquid solvent is caused to continuously flow across the exposed workpiece surface while the workpiece is in rotation and ultrasonic energy is applied to the liquid film for causing cavitation in the solvent, thereby effecting cleaning of the workpiece surface. Upon shutting off the solvent and the ultrasonic energy, the workpiece is dried by spinning it at high speed.

Abstract: The invention refers to a method of joining two non-fusible workpieces using frictional energy. A first workpiece having a higher melting temperature is provided with a recess extending from the mating surface of the workpiece into the interior thereof. The recess is shaped for trapping material. A static force applied in a direction normal to the mating surfaces of the workpieces to be joined urges the first workpiece into intimate contact with a second workpiece having a lower melting temperature. The workpieces are subjected to relative motion in the plane of the mating surface for causing frictional energy and a softening of the second workpiece. The softened material flows into the recess and solidifies upon cessation of the relative motion. The workpieces are thus joined by virtue of the solidified material trapped in the recess.

Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for cleaning mechanical workpieces, such as bearings, comprises a reservoir for containing a cleaning liquid, a stationary conveyor mechanism partially immersed in the cleaning liquid, and a high frequency vibration source disposed in proximity to and near the bottom of the reservoir. Responsive to the vibration source transmitting vibratory energy via a coupling medium to the cleaning liquid, the workpieces are simultaneously conveyed along the conveyor mechanism and cleansed in the cleaning liquid.

Abstract: An ultrasonic pulse-echo apparatus tests railroad wheels passing through a test zone by sending ultrasonic energy into the rim of the wheels. Sensing means are disposed to discern the type of wheel e.g. locomotive wheel or freight car wheel to be tested and provide a corresponding control signal which adjusts the sensitivity of the test apparatus. This arrangement causes the apparatus to be conditioned for registering relatively small defects in locomotive wheels, but passing over small defects in other wheels which are stressed to a lesser extent, e.g. freight car wheels. Hence, the sensitivity of the test apparatus is continuously responsive to the wheel category undergoing test.

Abstract: A broad bandwidth, constant input impedance programmable attenuator circuit for use in pulse-echo ultrasonic testing is provided for attenuating an acoustic discontinuity responsive electrical signal. The attenuator circuit is programmable either by computer or manually and comprises solid state components, specifically a constant current source and unidirectional current conducting devices. The attenuator circuit exhibits both constant input impedance over a wide range of operating frequencies and immunity from varying output load conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for joining metal workpieces using high frequency vibratory energy includes applying short bursts of high frequency energy to the workpieces to be joined and the constant monitoring of the power supplied during the applied bursts of energy. Responsive to the power exceeding a predetermined level, high frequency vibratory energy is applied to the workpieces for a predetermined time interval for creating welds exhibiting consistent quality.

Abstract: In contact-free testing a workpiece by ultrasonic energy an interferometric method and apparatus is used to sense acoustic energy by determining the deformation of a workpiece surface while such workpiece is undergoing acoustic exploration. The surface of the workpiece is illuminated by a laser beam which is reflected thereat and reaches an optical beam splitter to produce a measuring beam portion and a reference beam portion. The measuring beam portion after reflection at a mirror is transmitted to photoelectric means, while the reference beam portion is time delayed via an optical delay path and then brought to interfere with the measuring beam portion at the photoelectric means.

Abstract: An ultrasonic track testing carriage for movement along rails in operative relationship with a test vehicle is disclosed and includes a pair of wheel frames each having guide means for following the gauge side of the rail and ultrasonic sensing means mounted in working relationship with a portion of the rail for detecting changes in the rail and the position of the sensing means relative to the rail with a main frame disposed between the wheel frames and adapted to be coupled to the test vehicle for movement therewith. Interconnecting means extends between the main frame and each of the wheel frames so as to permit each wheel frame independent freedom of motion relative to the main frame in a plane substantially perpendicular to the gauge side of the rail while simultaneously maintaining parallelism between the wheel frames. The ultrasonic sensing means associated with each wheel frame is adapted to be adjusted in a vertical, lateral and angular plane relative to the rail being inspected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for splicing thermoplastic monofilament material by high frequency vibratory energy use a support having both forming means and an adjoining flash receiving cavity. Monofilaments to be spliced are disposed in the forming means in overlapping relationship. High frequency vibratory energy is applied to the overlap region softening the monofilaments while the excess thermoplastic material created during the splicing is extruded into the adjoining flash receiving cavity. The vibratory energy is removed and the softened material remaining in the forming means solidifies into a continuous monofilament having a predetermined cross sectional area.

Abstract: This invention concerns an apparatus for embossing a plastic workpiece using vibratory energy. A workpiece to be embossed is brought into forced engagement with indicia carried by an embossing ring which is disposed at or in proximity to the antinodal region of longitudinal motion of a resonator. The resonator is caused to vibrate at its natural frequency of oscillation in a direction substantially parallel to the workpiece surface. After embossing the workpiece is removed from contact with the resonator.

Abstract: A high frequency vibration insertion apparatus using high frequency vibrations and pressure for inserting an element into a body operates in conjunction with an automatic feed means which feeds such elements seriatim into a guide. The guide has an axial bore in which the resonator of the high frequency vibration apparatus operates. The guide accurately positions the element upon the body prior to such element being inserted into the body responsive to pressure and high frequency vibrations applied by the resonator.

Abstract: A tubular resonator is coupled coaxially to a half wavelength extensional resonator at a nodal region of the vibratory motion in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the extensional resonator. The frequency of the vibratory motion is in the sonic or ultrasonic frequency range, typically in the range from 1 kHz to 100 kHz. The radially directed vibratory motion at the nodal region of the extensional resonator is coupled to the tubular resonator and is converted by the tubular resonator into radial flexural vibratory motion which motion travels along the wall of the tubular resonator in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. A fluid within the flexural resonator thus is subjected to intense vibratory energy.

Abstract: A resonator dimensioned to be resonant along its longitudinal axis at a predetermined frequency of vibration includes a liquid retaining recess therein disposed at or near an antinodal region of longitudinal motion. An electroacoustic converter coupled to one end of the resonator renders the resonator resonant at its predetermined high frequency for activating a liquid, such as molten solder, disposed in the liquid retaining means to effect soldering a workpiece immersed in the liquid of the retaining means. Means move said resonator between a storage tank, whereat to charge said recess, and working position whereat to effect said workpiece treatment.

Abstract: An electrical circuit incorporated in a receiver circuit of an ultrasonic pulse-echo thickness and/or velocity measuring apparatus causes the entrant surface and rear wall responsive video signals to be of equal magnitude and in phase with each other. The provision of echo responsive video signals having equal amplitude and phase results in a measuring apparatus exhibiting improved accuracy while requiring fewer and less expensive circuit components.

Abstract: The invention concerns an apparatus and method for ultrasonically testing thick-walled workpieces at an increased scanning speed by the use of a plurality of ultrasonic test probes wherein the probes are selectively rendered operable. The transmit probes are temporarily inhibited from transmitting search signals into the workpiece for a time interval during which the receipt of a defect responsive echo signal by a receive transducer is anticipated. The scan frequency is determined therefore by a clock circuit and the transmission of search signals is halted only temporarily for a brief period during which time there is no skipping in the predetermined transmitting sequence of the transducer probes.

Abstract: In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test arrangement the back reflected echo acoustic wave signal as well as the scattered longitudinal wave and scattered shear wave signals are utilized in an evaluation circuit for determining more accurately the characteristics of a defect in a workpiece. The evaluation circuit, most suitably, includes a digital computer which in a typical embodiment of the invention is programmed to provide by Fourier transforms the frequency amplitude spectrum and the frequency phase spectrum of the supplied three signals, hence producing six characteristic outputs for a particular defect.