Component Heating Sub-System for Laser Shearography
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laser shearography testing systems face challenges in uniformly and safely heating components, leading to potential damage and inadequate detection of far-field irregularities due to uneven surface heating methods.
Innovation Solution
A component heating sub-system that passes an electric current through the component to achieve internal and uniform heating, using resistivity to generate heat uniformly across the component, with heat sensors and a heating control unit to manage the heating process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If surface heating methods (heat lamps or heat blankets) are used to heat the object, then the object can be heated to provide thermal excitation for testing, but the heating is uneven causing temperature gradients and potential damage to the object
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of heating the object from the outside surface using heat lamps or blankets, the patent inverts the approach by applying electrical current directly to the object to generate heat internally through its own resistivity. This causes the object to heat itself uniformly from within, eliminating the temperature gradients and surface overheating problems caused by external surface heating methods.
2Measurement precision
If surface heating methods are used to heat the object, then thermal excitation can be achieved, but the loaded state may not accurately reflect characteristics of the entirety of the object
Solution Approach 1:
The object serves itself by using its own electrical resistivity to generate the heating effect. When electrical current passes through the object, the object's inherent resistivity converts electrical energy into thermal energy uniformly throughout its structure. This self-heating mechanism ensures that the entire object experiences consistent thermal excitation, providing an accurate loaded state that truly reflects the characteristics of the entirety of the object for detection purposes.
3Temperature
If excessive heating is applied to adequately heat the entirety of the object through surface heating, then uniform heating may be achieved, but the object becomes susceptible to damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical/external heating system (heat lamps or heat blankets) with an electrical system that utilizes the object's own resistivity. By substituting external thermal sources with internal electrical heating, the system achieves effective heating of the entire object without concentrating excessive heat at the surface, thereby eliminating the risk of surface damage while maintaining heating effectiveness throughout the object.
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
This method ensures safe and uniform heating, reducing the risk of damage and enhancing the detection of irregularities by providing consistent thermal excitation across the inspected part.
Implementation Method 1
Resistivity of the component causes the component to internally and uniformly heat as the electric current passes through the component
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A laser shearography testing system (100) for non-destructively testing a component includes a component (106) heating sub-system (120) coupled to the component (106). The component (106) heating sub-system (120) excites the component (106) into a loaded state by passing an electric current through the component (106). A resistivity of the component (106) causes the component (106) to internally and uniformly heat as the electric current passes through the component (106).