Waveguide for Non-Destructive Wooden Pole Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for assessing the structural integrity of wooden utility poles, such as visual inspection and drilling, are inadequate and can compromise the poles' integrity, and existing acoustic signal transmission methods using commercial nails/screws result in inaccurate readings due to resonance issues and damage.
Innovation Solution
A waveguide designed to resonate at a predetermined frequency for optimal ultrasonic signal transmission and reception, featuring a mating portion for interfacing with ultrasonic transducers and a body portion for contact with the specimen, minimizing damage and deformation, and allowing for non-destructive evaluation without penetration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If commercial off-the-shelf metal nails/screws are used to transmit acoustic signals through wooden specimen, then the transmission carrier can be easily inserted into the wooden specimen, but the resonance frequency is not tuned for accurate transmission and resonance variance causes distorted signal reading
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with specific dimensional parameters (length, diameter, wall thickness) that are optimized to resonate at a predetermined frequency matching the ultrasonic transducer. This parameter optimization ensures accurate acoustic signal transmission while maintaining ease of insertion into the wooden specimen.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide is designed to vibrate at a specific resonance frequency when ultrasonic signals are transmitted through it. This controlled mechanical vibration at the predetermined frequency eliminates the resonance variance and distorted readings associated with commercial nails/screws, while the waveguide's physical design allows for easy insertion.
2Stability of the object's composition
If commercial off-the-shelf metal nails/screws are hammered into the wooden specimen, then the transmission carrier can be securely positioned, but the hammering force causes damage or deformation of the nail head that impedes sound propagation
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide is designed with a tapered or rounded insertion end that allows it to be inserted into the wooden specimen with minimal force, avoiding the need for hammering. This preliminary design feature prevents damage to the waveguide head before the acoustic signal transmission begins, ensuring reliable sound propagation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical hammering process with a designed insertion mechanism that requires minimal force. The waveguide's geometry is optimized to enter the wooden specimen smoothly, eliminating the damage caused by hammering while maintaining secure positioning for acoustic signal transmission.
3Measurement precision
If drilling into the utility pole to test wood sample is performed, then more reliable indication of decay can be obtained, but the structural integrity of the pole is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide acts as an intermediary tool that transmits ultrasonic signals through the wooden specimen without requiring physical penetration or drilling. This intermediary approach allows for reliable decay detection while maintaining the structural integrity of the utility pole, as the waveguide can be inserted and removed without compromising the pole's protective layering.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces the mechanical drilling process with ultrasonic signal transmission through a waveguide. This substitution eliminates the need to drill into the utility pole, thereby maintaining its structural integrity and protective layering while still providing reliable indication of internal decay through acoustic signal analysis.
4Ease of operation
If visual inspection method is used to evaluate utility poles, then the inspection process is simple and non-destructive, but it cannot detect internal decay and provides inaccurate evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces simple visual inspection with ultrasonic signal transmission through the waveguide. This substitution maintains the non-destructive nature of the inspection while significantly improving accuracy by using acoustic signals to detect internal decay that is not visible to the human eye.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide serves as an intermediary that enables non-destructive acoustic signal transmission through the wooden specimen. This intermediary approach maintains inspection simplicity while providing accurate detection of internal decay, bridging the gap between simple visual inspection and complex destructive testing.
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 waveguide enhances the accuracy and reliability of structural integrity assessments by reducing signal attenuation and minimizing damage to the poles, providing a more intuitive and protective design for seamless integration with other devices.
Implementation Method 1
resonate at a predetermined frequency to provide energy transmission and reception of acoustic signals
Implementation Method 2
acoustic signals (e.g., ultrasonic/ultrasound)
Implementation Method 3
optimize signal transmission therethrough including reduction in attenuation of transmitted ultrasonic signals
Data Source
AI summary
Non-limiting examples of the present disclosure relate to devices, systems and methods of manufacture for an exemplary waveguide usable for acoustic signal transmission for non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of a specimen (e.g., a wooden specimen) as well as apparatuses usable therewith. An exemplary waveguide comprises a mating portion for interfacing with a transducer horn of an ultrasonic transducer. The mating portion comprises at least a contact well configured to enable a connection between the transducer horn and the waveguide. The waveguide further comprises a body portion that comprises an upper body portion, that has a flat-faced distal end that is usable to establish contact with a surface of the specimen, and a lower body portion that is attached to and extends outwardly from the upper body portion and is further attached to the mating portion. Other technical examples are further described in the present disclosure.