Contactless Photothermal Surface Testing Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing contactless photothermal testing methods using lasers or flash lamps are costly, hazardous, and inefficient due to energy loss and spatial constraints, making them unsuitable for widespread, non-destructive surface testing.

Innovation Solution

A device with an annular excitation source and a reflection device that bundles excitation radiation and directs it through a truncated-cone-shaped funnel to a testing area, combined with an infrared detector positioned through the same opening, minimizing energy loss and allowing for compact construction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If laser excitation is used for photothermal testing, then directionality and energy density are improved, but cost and hazard increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy densityVSAvoidhazard

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces expensive, hazardous laser sources with inexpensive flash lamps that have short pulse durations. The flash lamps are used only for the brief moment needed to heat the surface, then are turned off, eliminating the continuous hazard and cost associated with laser systems while maintaining sufficient energy density for the testing application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

2Ease of manufacture

If flash lamps are used for excitation, then cost is reduced, but energy density and spatial precision deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecostVSAvoidenergy density

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reflective housing as an intermediary component that receives radiation from the flash lamp and redirects it to the testing area. This mediator concentrates the otherwise spatially widespread flash lamp radiation into the specific region of interest, achieving high energy density at the target location while maintaining the low cost advantage of using flash lamps instead of lasers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If excitation and detection are on the same side, then accessibility is improved, but energy loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidenergy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The reflective housing serves as a mediator that enables excitation and detection to occur on the same side of the surface while minimizing energy loss. The housing reflects excitation radiation from the flash lamp through the opening to the testing area and simultaneously reflects infrared radiation from the heated surface back to the detector, achieving both accessibility and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Power

If multiple flash lamps are used to increase energy density, then heating capability is improved, but device complexity and spatial extension increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveheating capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

PowerVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple flash lamps into a single integrated unit housed within a common reflective housing. This consolidation achieves the combined heating capability of multiple lamps while presenting a single, compact excitation source to the testing area, thereby reducing device complexity and spatial extension compared to using separate, distributed flash lamp assemblies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 solution enables efficient, cost-effective, and robust contactless surface testing with reduced heat losses and spatial constraints, allowing for precise and homogeneous illumination of the testing area.

Implementation Method 1

a radiation source (1) which emits excitation radiation (2) onto a surface (6) to be tested

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

an infrared detector (14) which detects the infrared radiation (9) emitted from the heated surface

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS9201016B2Device for the contactless and nondestructive testing of surfaces

Publication Date: 2015.12.01 WINTERTHUR INSTR

AI summary

A device for the contactless and nondestructive testing of a surface by measuring the infrared radiation thereof has one or more incoherent electromagnetic radiation sources (1) and a detector (14) arranged on a detection axis (9), wherein the radiation sources (1) are arranged at a radial distance from the detection axis (9), at a distance from a testing area (7). In this arrangement, a pulsed or intensity-modulated excitation radiation (2) can be generated by these radiation sources (1) and applied to the surface (6) to be tested in the testing area (7) at an inclination to the detection axis (9) in the testing area (7). The detection radiation emitted by a measuring area (8) of the surface (6) to be tested can be fed to the detector (14), wherein the detector (14) is arranged on the detection axis (9) further away spatially from the testing area (7) than the radiation sources (1). Furthermore, an imaging device (10, 12) is provided on the detection axis (9) for creating an image of the testing area (7) on the measuring area of the detector (14) that is arranged between the radiation sources (1).