Abstract: Various approaches for assessing a part for a defect are disclosed and that are based upon SAW modes. In one embodiment, a part-under-test (120) is excited. One or more SAW modes (206) are identified in the frequency response (240/260) of the part-under-test (120). A SAW mode area (248/266) in the frequency response of the part-under-test (120) is compared with a baseline SAW mode area (238/258) of a baseline frequency response (230/250) (and which may be associated with an acceptable part). This comparison may be used to determine if the part-under-test (120) may be characterized defective in at least some respect.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a part-under-test (120) is disclosed. The part-under-test (120) is excited using at least one drive frequency. A first surface acoustical wave (SAW) mode (206) is identified in the frequency response (200). A separate reference peak (204) for the identified SAW mode (206) is also identified in the frequency response (200). At least one degeneracy assessment zone (208) is evaluated for existence of a surface defect trigger condition. If a surface defect trigger condition exists, the part-under-test (120) may be rejected. Otherwise, the part-under-test (120) may be accepted.

Abstract: A part (120) may be subjected to both a resonance inspection and a surface vibration inspection. Various protocols (230; 240; 250; 280; 260) are disclosed as to how the results of one or more of these inspections may be used to evaluate the part (120).

Abstract: A method for non-destructively evaluating a joined component includes inducing vibrations in the joined component within a range of frequencies, acquiring a resonance spectra from the joined component resulting from the induced vibrations, and analyzing the resonance spectra using Acoustic Sensor Testing (AST).

Abstract: A waveform generator and a signal analyzer are respectively provided in electrical communication with an input transducer and an output transducer capable of conversion between electrical and acoustic signals, and in mechanical communication with a part. A processor coupled with the waveform generator and signal analyzer receives a set of parameters defining a frequency scan from which it determines a number of frequency sweeps to be performed by the waveform generator. Each of the frequency sweeps has a number of frequencies less than a maximum capacity of the waveform generator, and for each frequency sweep, the processor instructs the waveform generator to excite the input transducer and synchronously receiving a response signal with the signal analyzer at multiple frequencies.

Abstract: Various approaches for assessing a part for a defect are disclosed and that are based upon SAW modes. In one embodiment, a part-under-test (120) is excited. One or more SAW modes (206) are identified in the frequency response (240/260) of the part-under-test (120). A SAW mode area (248/266) in the frequency response of the part-under-test (120) is compared with a baseline SAW mode area (238/258) of a baseline frequency response (230/250) (and which may be associated with an acceptable part). This comparison may be used to determine if the part-under-test (120) may be characterized defective in at least some respect.

Abstract: A system and method for evaluating a part-under-test (120) is disclosed. The part-under-test (120) is excited using at least one drive frequency. A first surface acoustical wave (SAW) mode (206) is identified in the frequency response (200). A separate reference peak (204) for the identified SAW mode (206) is also identified in the frequency response (200). At least one degeneracy assessment zone (208) is evaluated for existence of a surface defect trigger condition. If a surface defect trigger condition exists, the part-under-test (120) may be rejected. Otherwise, the part-under-test (120) may be accepted.

Abstract: A waveform generator and a signal analyzer are respectively provided in electrical communication with an input transducer and an output transducer capable of conversion between electrical and acoustic signals, and in mechanical communication with the part. A processor coupled with the waveform generator and signal analyzer receives a set of parameters defining a frequency scan from which it determines a number of frequency sweeps to be performed by the waveform generator. Each of the frequency sweeps has a number of frequencies less than a maximum capacity of the waveform generator, and for each frequency sweep, the processor instructs the waveform generator to excite the input transducer and synchronously receiving a response signal with the signal analyzer at multiple frequencies.

Abstract: A part (120) may be subjected to both a resonance inspection and a surface vibration inspection. Various protocols (230; 240; 250; 280; 260) are disclosed as to how the results of one or more of these inspections may be used to evaluate the part (120).

Abstract: Various embodiments relating to resonance inspections and in-service parts are disclosed. One protocol (150) includes conducting a resonance inspection of an in-service part (152). The frequency response of the in-service part may be compared with a resonance standard (154) for purposes of determining whether or not the in-service part is changing abnormally (156). An in-service part that is identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “rejected” (160). An in-service part that is no identified as changing abnormally may be characterized as being “accepted” (158).