Conduit Aberration Detection via Fluid Thermal Correlation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods are ineffective for detecting aberrations within the internal conduits of workpieces, particularly in small or labyrinthine structures, as they require direct access to the surface and are not applicable to internal surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a fluid delivery device, sensor, and processor that passes fluid through the conduit, measures conditions, and correlates temperature changes with mechanical excitations to identify aberrations within the conduit, distinguishing between internal and external anomalies based on thermal and sonic transit times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional inspection devices are used, then surface aberrations can be detected, but internal conduit aberrations cannot be detected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration detection capabilityVSAvoidaccess to internal surfaces

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces fluid as an intermediary medium to transmit thermal energy from external excitation sources to internal conduit surfaces. The fluid circulates through the conduit, absorbing and carrying thermal signatures from aberrations back to external sensors, enabling indirect detection of internal defects without direct physical access to the conduit interior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical/optical inspection methods (borescopes, direct visual inspection) with a thermal-field-based system. Instead of mechanically accessing internal surfaces, the system uses thermal diffusion through fluid to convey information about internal aberrations to external sensors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If fluid temperature is increased to detect aberrations, then detection sensitivity improves, but false positives from external heat sources increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaberration detection sensitivityVSAvoidfalse positive interference

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic thermal excitation to the workpiece and uses synchronized temporal analysis to distinguish between transient external heat sources and sustained internal aberration signatures. By exciting the system periodically and analyzing the periodic response, the system can filter out non-periodic external interference while detecting periodic thermal signatures from internal defects

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback through fluid circulation to continuously monitor thermal conditions within the conduit. The fluid carries thermal information from internal surfaces back to external sensors, creating a feedback loop that enables real-time detection and differentiation of internal versus external thermal sources based on the timing and pattern of thermal return

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

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 timely and efficient detection of internal conduit aberrations, such as cracks, by differentiating between internal and external anomalies through precise temperature and timing analysis, improving detection accuracy and reliability.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor having an input and an output, the input arranged proximate to output end of conduit to measure one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

a workpiece exciter situated to excite workpiece and a processor having an input connected to the output of sensor, the processor having a correlator to correlate any changed of the one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input of sensor with an excitement of workpiece by sensor

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic wave propagation: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS9157878B2System and method for detecting aberrations in a conduit

Publication Date: 2015.10.13 THERMAL WAVE IMAGING INC

AI summary

A system for detecting aberrations within a workpiece having a conduit with an input end and an output end is disclosed. The system comprises a fluid delivery device arranged proximate to input end of conduit to pass fluid into input end of the conduit, the fluid delivery device having one or more fluid controllers that control one or more conditions of the fluid passed thereby, a sensor having an input and an output, the input arranged proximate to output end of conduit to measure one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input, a workpiece exciter situated to excite workpiece and a processor having an input connected to the output of sensor, the processor having a correlator to correlate any changed of the one or more conditions of the fluid experienced by input of sensor with an excitement of workpiece by sensor.