Acoustic Wave Coating Detection via Mode Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for non-destructive testing of structures, such as solid substrates and conduits, are inadequate for detecting layers on surfaces that are inaccessible or difficult to access, limiting their effectiveness in determining coating properties and medium levels.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the excitation of acoustic waves in the structure using a transmitter, conversion into volume sound waves, and re-conversion back into acoustic waves, allowing for the detection of coatings and medium levels through signal evaluation by a receiver, utilizing Lamb or Rayleigh waves and mode conversion techniques.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional non-destructive testing methods are used, then testing of accessible surfaces is effective, but detection of coatings on inaccessible surfaces is not possible or limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by placing transducers on the outer surface of a hollow structure (accessible side) to detect coatings on the inner surface (inaccessible side). Acoustic waves are excited in the structure wall, converted to sound waves in the medium, reflected from the inner surface, and reconverted to acoustic waves that propagate back to receivers on the outer surface. This allows coating detection on surfaces that are otherwise inaccessible for direct testing.
Solution Approach 2:
The structure wall itself acts as an intermediary medium that transmits acoustic energy from the outer surface to the inner surface and back. The acoustic waves excited in the structure serve as intermediaries to carry information about the coating on the inaccessible inner surface to the receivers on the accessible outer surface, enabling indirect detection.
2Measurement precision
If direct surface access is required for coating detection, then measurement precision is high, but device complexity and operational difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The testing system is designed to be universal by using acoustic wave excitation and reception that can detect coatings on both accessible and inaccessible surfaces through the same basic apparatus. The system can adapt to different structural configurations (hollow elements, conduits, containers) without requiring fundamental changes to the testing methodology, reducing overall system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If acoustic waves are excited in the structure, then coating detection is enabled, but energy conversion losses occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes phase transitions of acoustic energy as it converts between different wave modes: acoustic waves in the structure wall convert to sound waves in the liquid medium, reflect, and reconvert to acoustic waves. This phase transition approach allows efficient energy transfer between media while enabling detection of coating properties through the conversion process itself.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables non-destructive testing of structures by effectively detecting coatings and medium levels, providing detailed information on coating properties and medium conditions without direct access, applicable to various materials including non-piezoelectric ones like metal and glass.
Implementation Method 1
transmitter (3) for exciting acoustic waves in the structure
Implementation Method 2
converting at least a part of the energy associated with the acoustic waves excited in the structure into volume sound waves of the medium
Implementation Method 3
reconverting at least a part of the energy associated with the volume sound waves into acoustic wave energy of the structure thereby generating acoustic waves in the structure
Implementation Method 4
receiver (4) for receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for investigating a structure and a structure for receiving and/or conducting a liquid or soft medium, the method comprising the steps of:a) exciting acoustic waves in the structure by means of at least one transmitter,b) converting at least a part of the energy associated with the acoustic waves (A) excited in the structure into volume sound waves of the medium,c) reconverting at least a part of the energy associated with the volume sound waves into acoustic wave energy of the structure thereby generating acoustic waves in the structure,d) receiving acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter by at least one receiver, ande) verifying whether a coating is present on a surface of the structure and/or if a coating is present determining properties of the coating by evaluating a signal generated by the receiver upon receipt of acoustic waves evoked by the transmitter and/or verifying whether a level of the medium (5) is below a predetermined value.