Deformable Coupling Element for High-Frequency Acoustic Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for coupling sound transducers to workpieces with non-flat surfaces, such as rounded sections, result in low acoustic power transmission and limited sound spectrum evaluation due to small contact areas and interference from point-by-point coupling, making it unsuitable for detecting high-frequency structure-borne noise.
Innovation Solution
A deformable coupling element with a deformable sheath and transmission bodies, such as spherical or polyhedral metal spheres, that forms a large contact area with the workpiece, allowing for efficient transmission of high-frequency sound signals across a broad spectrum, including the high MHz range, by nesting against the surface and forming multiple sound transmission paths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If point-by-point coupling is used for sound transducer on rounded workpiece surfaces, then the sound transducer can be coupled to non-flat surfaces, but the contact area is small resulting in low acoustic power transmission
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a deformable coupling element made of elastomeric material that can flex and conform to rounded workpiece surfaces, transforming the point-by-point contact into a larger area coupling while maintaining adaptability to non-flat geometries
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element is designed to be deformable and adaptable, allowing it to dynamically conform to different surface geometries (rounded sections, corners, steps, edges) rather than maintaining a fixed rigid shape, thereby optimizing contact area for each surface type
2Adaptability or versatility
If point-by-point coupling is used, then the sound transducer can contact rounded surfaces, but the sound spectrum is limited and falsified by interference signals
Solution Approach 1:
The elastomeric coupling element provides a compliant interface that distributes contact pressure and reduces localized interference signals, enabling more accurate broadband sound spectrum measurement compared to rigid point contact
3Area of stationary object
If flat coupling is attempted on round or stepped workpieces, then maximum contact area could be achieved, but the contact surfaces are not complementary making coupling impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The deformable coupling element can adapt its shape to match various workpiece surface geometries (rounded sections, corners, steps, edges), effectively creating a complementary interface that enables large-area coupling on non-flat surfaces that would be incompatible with rigid flat couplings
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling element's physical parameters (shape, contact area, pressure distribution) can change to match the workpiece surface characteristics, transforming an incompatible flat coupling scenario into a compatible conformal coupling
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
The deformable coupling element significantly increases the energy yield and allows for reliable detection and evaluation of high-frequency structure-borne noise, improving process monitoring by transmitting acoustic power effectively and reducing interference, enabling the detection of weak signals indicative of anomalies like fine cracks during workpiece treatment.
Implementation Method 1
The coupling element (1) is deformable, at least in certain sections, whereby it can be brought in contact substantially positively with the body (4)
Implementation Method 2
a sound transducer for detecting and/or producing high-frequency structure-borne noise
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a coupling element for acoustically coupling a sound transducer to a body for transmitting high-frequency structure-borne noise from the sound transducer to the body and/or from the body to the sound transducer, wherein the coupling element includes a deformable contact region for positively contacting the body.