Drive Shaft Testing With Magnetic Ultrasonic Coupling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasonic testing methods for drive shafts with high aspect ratios or complex geometries face challenges in maneuvering transmitters and receivers due to their independent movement requirements, making it difficult to detect internal defects effectively.

Innovation Solution

The method employs magnetic or ferromagnetic elements on ultrasonic transmitter and receiver members that are attracted to each other, allowing them to move together along the shaft surface, facilitating the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals for defect detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If ultrasonic transmitter and receiver are moved separately along the shaft surface, then independent positioning is achieved, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of moving transmitter and receiverVSAvoidcomplexity of separate movement mechanisms

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the transmitter and receiver onto a single movable member, eliminating the need for separate movement mechanisms. This single member can be moved along the shaft surface while both ultrasonic transmission and reception functions are maintained, thereby reducing device complexity and improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a magnetic coupling mechanism as an intermediary to transfer motion from the transmitter member to the receiver member. The magnetic field acts as a mediator that transmits mechanical motion without direct physical contact, enabling synchronized movement while maintaining functional independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If magnetic elements are used to couple transmitter and receiver members, then synchronized movement is achieved, but magnetic interference with ultrasonic signals may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesynchronized movement stabilityVSAvoidmagnetic interference with ultrasonic signals

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the magnetic coupling system into distinct functional zones: the magnetic elements are positioned on the movable member away from the ultrasonic transducer elements. This spatial segmentation ensures that the magnetic field for motion coupling does not interfere with the ultrasonic signal path, while still achieving synchronized movement stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If flexible members are used to conform to shaft surface, then adaptability to complex geometries is improved, but structural rigidity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to shaft geometriesVSAvoidstructural rigidity of members

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamically adjustable members that can change their stiffness characteristics. The members are designed to be flexible during placement and movement to conform to various shaft geometries, but maintain sufficient rigidity during ultrasonic testing to ensure stable signal transmission. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between flexibility and rigidity based on operational requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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 efficient detection of internal defects in drive shafts with high aspect ratios and complex geometries by ensuring seamless movement of transmitter and receiver members, providing accurate 2D projections of flaws.

Implementation Method 1

at least one of the first and second members have at least one magnetic element and the other of the first and second members have at least one of a magnetic element or a ferromagnetic metallic element which is attracted to magnets, and moves one of the first and second members along the surface of the part such that magnetic attraction causes the other of the first and second members to move along the opposed surface of the part with the one of the members

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectMagnetic attraction: Magnetism

Implementation Method 2

A controller causes an ultrasonic signal to be sent from the transmitter through the part to be tested

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic vibration: Ultrasonic Vibration

Data Source

PatentUS12379282B2Method for testing drive shafts and other bodies

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 GOODRICH CORP

AI summary

A method of testing a part includes placing a first member on a part to be tested. A second member is placed on an opposed surface of the part. One of the members has an ultrasonic transmitter and the other has an ultrasonic receiver. At least one of the members has at least one magnetic element and the other has at least one of a magnetic element or a ferromagnetic metallic element which is attracted to magnets. One of the members moves along the surface of the part such that magnetic attraction causes the other to move along the opposed surface of the part with the one of the members. A controller causes an ultrasonic signal to be sent from the transmitter through the part to be tested which is received by the receiver and then analyzed by an ultrasonic testing machine.