Abstract: A tubing length or workpiece is conveyed to a readying apparatus (A) in which it is cleaned and otherwise readied for inspection. The readied tubing length is conveyed to an inspection and segregating apparatus (B). An ultrasonic array (20) inspects the tubing length, and as a result of the inspection, a switching system (26) places the inspected member on one of: an unrepairable workpiece conveyor (28); an acceptable workpiece conveyor (30); and, a repairable workpiece conveyor (32). The repairable tubing lengths are conveyed to a physical alteration apparatus (C). The physical alteration apparatus removes material, deposits material, hot isostatic pressure consolidates deposited material, and otherwise alters the repairable tubing lengths in such a manner as to bring them into conformity with preselected specifications. The altered tubing lengths are conveyed back to the inspection and segregating apparatus for reinspection.

Abstract: A method is provided to inspect a resiliently deflectable O-ring which tends to distort under the influence of its own weight. The O-ring is placed on a transparent support member with the central axis of the O-ring in a vertical orientation. Light is directed toward the O-ring and through the support member to cause the O-ring to cast a shadow. The distance between portions of the shadow cast by diametrically spaced apart portions of the O-ring indicate diametral measurements of the O-ring. The distance between radial edge portions of the shadow cast by the O-ring indicates the thickness of the O-ring. To detect surface flaws in the O-ring, light is directed against a small area on the surface of the O-ring while it is rotated. A variation in the characteristics of the reflected light indicates the presence of a flaw in the surface of the O-ring.

Abstract: A tubular workpiece (10) undergoes axial and rotational movement relative to a collar (12) filled with an acoustically coupling medium (14). Longitudinal waves are emitted into the coupling medium and the workpiece from a first transducer (22) and acoustic echoes are received thereby. From the coupling medium travel times between the transducer and the surface of the workpiece, a contour reconstruction apparatus (58) reconstructs the peripheral contour of the workpiece. The workpiece travel times are stored in a memory (92) until the longitudinal velocity of the acoustic wave in the workpiece is determined. Transducers (24, 26) emit and detect a Rayleigh wave which travels around the workpiece circumference. A divider (80) divides the workpiece circumference as determined by the contour reconstruction apparatus by the Rayleigh wave travel time to determine the Rayleigh wave acoustic velocity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic defect detection assembly (A) and an elongated workpiece (B) are mounted for relative movement. A mechanical assembly (C) provides relative movement between the workpiece and the examination assembly. An electronic circuit and display (D) produces a visual display indicating the relative position of the workpiece and the examination assembly, particularly the relative positions at which the examination assembly detects defects. A transmitting ultrasonic transducer (30) and a receiving ultrasonic transducer (38) are acoustically coupled with the workpiece, one being mounted at a preselected position on the workpiece and the other being mounted for relative movement with the examination assembly. The relative position of the workpiece and examination assembly is determined by measuring changes in a characteristic of the acoustic wave traveling between the transmitting and receiving transducers.

Abstract: A first array (A) of ultrasonic transducers transmits ultrasonic shear waves circumferentially around an examined cylindrical object (110). A second array (B) transmits ultrasonic shear waves axially along the examined object. Triggering pulses from a triggering amplifier (22) are switched by a multiplexer (24) to each individual transducer of the first and second arrays. As one of the transducers assumes the role of a transmitting transducer and transmits an ultrasonic wave, the other transducers of the first and second arrays assume a receiving mode to receive reflected ultrasonic components. A wave travel timer (26) measures the duration for an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted from the transmitting transducer to a defect and for a reflected component to propagate from the defect to the receiving transducer.

Abstract: Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 of an inch (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations.

Abstract: Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 inches (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations.

Abstract: Although the method and apparatus of the present invention can be utilized to apply either a uniform or a nonuniform covering of material over many different workpieces, the apparatus (20) is advantageously utilized to apply a thermal barrier covering (64) to an airfoil (22) which is used in a turbine engine. The airfoil is held by a gripper assembly (86) while a spray gun (24) is effective to apply the covering over the airfoil. When a portion of the covering has been applied, a sensor (28) is utilized to detect the thickness of the covering. A control apparatus (32) compares the thickness of the covering of material which has been applied with the desired thickness and is subsequently effective to regulate the operation of the spray gun to adaptively apply a covering of a desired thickness with an accuracy of at least plus or minus 0.0015 inches (1.5 mils) despite unanticipated process variations.

Abstract: A pulser circuit for providing electrical exciting pulses to a transducer in an ultrasonic testing apparatus in which a transducer transmits ultrasonic energy corresponding to the pulses into a test specimen. The pulser circuit includes a capacitor connected in series with a source of charging potential and a load impedance. A pair of switching transistors are connected in parallel and to the capacitor and the charging potential. A second switching transistor is connected directly across the capacitor. The first switching transistors turn on and cause the charged capacitor to develop the leading edge of a pulse across the load impedance. The leading edge turns on the second switching transistor which provides a direct discharge path for the capacitor and thereby shapes the pulse. Diode means is connected across the load impedance to assist in rapid recharging of the capacitor. The diode means is forward biased to provide a clamped reference potential for the pulse.

Abstract: An automatic distance amplitude correction device for automatically correcting for amplitude variations and signals caused by the attenuation of sound propagating through a test specimen wherein a signal is transmitted through a test specimen and the reflection is detected and furthermore, a through signal is detected after the signal has passed through the test specimen only a single time and utilized to provide improved automatic distance amplitude compensation.

Abstract: An automatic ultrasonic inspection system for automatically testing billets by the pulse reflection type of inspection and further utilizing an ultrasonic transducer for thru-transmission of energy for automatic distance-amplitude correction and including indexing means having an angular scan encoder and an axial scan encoder such that reflections obtained indicative of defects are accurately correlated with their three dimensional positions in the billets. A defect gate receives the reflections through the billet and if a defect meets a preset criteria such defect information is displayed and passed to a computer wherein the position of the defect is stored. The computer can provide various outputs such as alphanumeric-graphic display or printed outputs.