Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the velocity of ultrasonic surface skimming longitudinal waves on various materials are described herein. In embodiments, a surface skimming longitudinal wave is generated at a first location on a material, at least a portion of that wave is detected at a second location on the material, the time-of-flight of that wave between the first and second locations is determined, and then the velocity of that wave is determined. One or more crystallographic orientations of the material may then be determined based upon that velocity.

Abstract: A magnetic particle separator which provides a magnetic grate in which magnetic rods are inserted in non-magnetic tubes forming a magnetic grate in the particle stream to be separated. The Magnetic rods can be removed from the assembly only when the grate is removed from the particle stream. The invention also provides a system of at least two separators assembled in series in the particle stream so that one of the separators may be removed for cleaning and the other will perform the separating function thus not requiring the system to be shut down during separator cleaning.

Abstract: An indication of the formability of metallic sheet is determined using a correlation between nondestructively measurable ultrasonic properties and a formability index. A calibration relation is initially established by measuring ultrasonic velocities at various angles to the rolling direction of sheet specimens with noncontacting electromagnetic acoustic transducers, calculating an ultrasonic correlation parameter from the measurements, destroying the specimens in tensile tests to measure a formability index, and then correlating the ultrasonic correlation parameter with the formability index. Once this relationship is established, the formability index of a working sample, which is not to be destroyed, is found by making the same types of ultrasonic property measurements on the working sample, calculating the ultrasonic correlation parameter for the working sample, and then employing the previously established correlation to ascertain the formability index for the working sample.

Abstract: A method for measuring texture of metal plates or sheets using non-destructive ultrasonic investigation includes measuring the velocity of ultrasonic energy waves in lower order plate modes in one or more directions, and measuring phase velocity dispersion of higher order modes of the plate or sheet if needed. Texture or preferred grain orientation can be derived from these measurements with improves reliability and accuracy. The method can be utilized in production on moving metal plate or sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sorting a mixture of particles containing a first group of particles of substantially uniform size and density and a second group of particles of substantially the same size as the particles of the first group and of different density than the particles of the first group. The noted mixture is supplied to a reservoir in which it is fluidized so that the particles gather into different levels in accordance with their density. The particles are then removed from the reservoir at their different levels.

Abstract: A means and method for ultrasonic measurement of texture non-destructively and efficiently. Texture characteristics are derived by transmitting ultrasound energy into the material, measuring the time it takes to be received by ultrasound receiving means, and calculating velocity of the ultrasound energy from the timed measurements. Textured characteristics can then be derived from the velocity calculations. One or more sets of ultrasound transmitters and receivers are utilized to derive velocity measurements in different angular orientations through the material and in different ultrasound modes. An ultrasound transmitter is utilized to direct ultrasound energy to the material and one or more ultrasound receivers are utilized to receive the same. The receivers are at a predetermined fixed distance from the transmitter. A control means is utilized to control transmission of the ultrasound, and a processing means derives timing, calculation of velocity and derivation of texture characteristics.

Abstract: A method for measuring texture of metal plates or sheets using non-destructive ultrasonic investigation includes measuring the velocity of ultrasonic energy waves in lower order plate modes in one or more directions, and measuring phase velocity dispersion of higher order modes of the plate or sheet if needed. Texture or preferred grain orientation can be derived from these measurements with improved reliability and accuracy. The method can be utilized in production on moving metal plate or sheet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining stress in a material independent of micro-structural variations and anisotropies. The method comprises comparing the velocities of two horizontally polarized and horizontally propagating ultrasonic shear waves with interchanged directions of propagation and polarization. The apparatus for carrying out the method comprises periodic permanent magnet-electromagnetic acoustic transducers for generating and detecting the shear waves and means for determining the wave velocities.

Abstract: Ultrasonic inspection of a structure such as steel tubing is enhanced by moving the ultrasonic wave transmitter and receiver through the pipe and periodically injecting an ultrasonic pulse into the tube. Reflected waves are received during a sample period after each pulse injection. By proper selection of linear displacement between pulses and the sample time interval, the time reference of received signals can be adjusted whereby signals reflected from only one direction are coherently added.