| Class / Patent application number | Description | Number of patent applications / Date published |
|---|
| 374004000 | LEAK OR FLAW DETECTION | 29 |
| 20130077649 | MEASURING THE DAMAGE TO A TURBINE-BLADE THERMAL BARRIER - A method for evaluating damage to a thermal barrier applied to a component made from a metal substrate, the thermal barrier including a sublayer of aluminium and a layer of columnar-structure ceramic material, the sub-layer being positioned between the substrate and the ceramic layer, the method including: a first calibration including selection of a determined number of calibration components that have undergone various degrees of damage, exposing them for a given length of time to radiation, measuring temperature obtained at the surface after the given length of time and establishing a curve connecting an increase in temperature to damage, and a second measuring the damage to the thermal barrier of the component including exposure to the radiation for the length of time, measuring the temperature obtained, and relating the increase in temperature to the calibration curve in order, from the curve, to extract the level of damage. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130058373 | FAULT DIAGNOSIS DEVICE FOR TEMPERATURE SENSOR - A fault diagnosis device conducts a fault diagnosis in a temperature sensor. At starting an internal combustion engine, a thermal equilibrium condition may be established and temperature deviations of temperatures detected by at least two reference temperature sensors from each other may be equal to or less than a predetermined value, with the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors being greatly deviated from one detected by a temperature sensor being diagnosed. In this case, if the temperatures detected by the reference temperature sensors do not drop by a predetermined temperature or more from starting the engine until a predetermined time elapses, the fault diagnosis device determines that the temperature sensor being diagnosed is faulty. | 03-07-2013 |
| 20110170572 | METHOD OF TESTING SPIRAL WOUND MODULES BY THERMAL IMAGING - Various methods for testing spiral wound modules by thermal imaging are described. In a preferred embodiment, the method(s) includes flowing a gas between a scroll face and permeate collection tube of a spiral wound module and detecting temperature differences on the scroll face. Temperature differentials on the scroll face may be captured as a thermal image. The location(s) of temperature differentials on the scroll face can be correlated to defects in the module. In preferred embodiments, the subject test methods are non-destructive and can be applied to spiral wound modules in either a dry or wet condition. | 07-14-2011 |
| 20080310476 | Thermographic Method and Device for Determining the Damaged State of a Part - Disclosed is a method for determining the degree to which parts, especially parts that are exposed to loads ( | 12-18-2008 |
| 20090161720 | PASSIVE THERMAL IMAGE GLASS BREAKAGE DETECTOR - A system and method for detecting glass breakage using thermal imaging is provided. The system includes an infrared image detector for acquiring an infrared image of a monitored area, and a signal processor for processing the acquired images to determine removal of a glass door or window based on a comparison of the thermal signature of the acquired image against the thermal signature of a reference image. Specifically, signal processor subtracts the reference image data from the acquired image data, which results in a substantially uniform image when the acquired image matches the reference image. On the other hand, the image resulting from the subtraction exhibits significant non-uniformity when the acquired image does not match the reference image, as would be the case if the pane of glass of a door or window were broken, removed or opened. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20120134385 | TEMPERATURE CALCULATION BASED ON NON-UNIFORM LEAKAGE POWER - A system may include determination of a spatial power map associated with an integrated circuit based on an architecture of the circuit, generation of a spatial thermal map associated with the integrated circuit based on the spatial power map, and determination of a spatial leakage power map based on the spatial thermal map. In some aspects, a system includes determination of a temperature of an integrated circuit, comparison of the temperature with a thermal divergence temperature, determination that the temperature of the integrated circuit is primarily due to leakage power, and disabling of power to the integrated circuit. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20110249700 | METHOD FOR DETECTING DEFECT IN MATERIAL AND SYSTEM FOR THE METHOD - A defect on the surface or in the surface layer of a moving material can be detected by using a method comprising steps of: heating the surface of the material, obtaining thermal image data of the surface of the material using an infrared thermography camera while the surface of the material is being heated up at the heating step or being cooled down after heating, and detecting the defect by calculating Laplacian with respect to temperature of the surface represented by the thermal image data. When the thermal image data is obtained while the material is being heated up, a heating device and the camera is arranged so that thermal energy emitted from the heating device is reflected by the material to come into the camera. | 10-13-2011 |
| 20100158068 | BLEED LEAKAGE DETECTION SYSTEM AND METHOD - A bleed leakage detection system includes an arrangement of thermostats that are capable of detecting the place where the bleed air leakage is occurring (e.g., the failed junction in bleed air duct work). The exemplary illustrative non-limiting implementation provides a bleed leakage detection system with continuous monitoring of thermostat sensor wiring during flight and thermostat self-test function (“Initiated Built In Test”—“IBIT”). The IBIT self-testing can be initiated before the aircraft takes off or optionally, during periodic self testing that may be run during predetermined periods such as overnight when the aircraft is not being flown. By the continuous monitoring the pilot is alerted when a bleed leakage has occurred or when the bleed leakage detection system has failed. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100091812 | METHOD FOR AUTOMATED TESTING OF A MATERIAL JOINT - In a method for automated, contactless and non-destructive testing of a material joint ( | 04-15-2010 |
| 20110310923 | METHOD FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING OF AT LEAST PARTIALLY OPEN HOLLOW COMPONENTS OR SYSTEM COMPONENTS FOR TIGHTNESS IN SERIES PRODUCTION - A method for non-destructive testing of open hollow components for tightness supplies a gas under pressure into the component and cools the component in a punctiform manner. Detecting a leak out of the component using a thermographic camera and using a computer connected downstream of the thermographic camera to visualise the leak, follows. The precise location of each leak is thus detected. | 12-22-2011 |
| 20120287960 | Leak detection apparatus for aircraft bleed air systems - A leak detection apparatus for aircraft bleed air systems includes a supporting spacer positioned within the shroud and supported upon the bleed air duct of the aircraft. A sleeve supported on the exterior of the shroud further supports a plenum having generally cylindrical sensor tubes through which sensor wire sets pass. A director positioned within the shroud above the bleed air duct is coupled to a generally cylindrical accumulator which in turn is in communication with the plenum. Appropriate apertures are provided to vent and direct bleed air from the shroud interior to the sensor wire sets and thereafter vent outwardly into cooler ambient air. The sensor wire sets respond to the temperature of the bleed air leakage to trigger alarm apparatus. | 11-15-2012 |
| 374005000 | With heating or cooling of specimen for test | 18 |
| 20130077650 | Thermographic Test Method and Testing Device for Carrying Out the Test Method - A thermographic test method locally resolves detection and identification of defects near the surface in a test object. A surface area of the test object is heated up. A series of thermographic images following one after another at a time interval is recorded within a heat propagation phase, each image representing a local temperature distribution in a surface region of the test object recorded by the image. Positionally correctly assigned temperature profiles are determined from the images, each positionally correctly assigned temperature profile being assigned to the same measuring region of the test object surface. Variations over time of temperature values are determined from the temperature profiles for a large number of measuring positions of the measuring region. These variations are evaluated on the basis of at least one evaluation criterion indicative of the heat flow in the measuring region. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20120219034 | METHOD OF DETECTING WRINKLES IN A FIBER REINFORCED LAMINATED STRUCTURE AND AUXILIARY DEVICE FOR PERFORMING THERMAL SCANS OF A FIBER REINFORCED LAMINATED STRUCTURE - A method of detecting wrinkles in a fiber reinforced laminated structure is provided. In this method, the structure is locally heated or cooled, the location of the heating or cooling being moved along a defined path, the temperature of the structure is measured at a measuring location being different from the location of the heating or cooling, the measuring location being moved along the same path as the location of the heating or cooling, and wrinkles are detected from temperature anomalies found along the defined path. | 08-30-2012 |
| 20090238235 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DEFECT DETECTION IN A COLD PLATE - Method and apparatus are provided for detecting a defect in a cold plate, configured for cooling an electronics component. The method includes: establishing a first fluid flow through the cold plate, the first fluid flow being at a first temperature; impinging a second fluid flow onto the interface surface, the second fluid flow being at a second temperature, the first temperature and the second temperature being different temperatures; obtaining an isotherm mapping of the interface surface of the cold plate while the first fluid flow passes through the cold plate and the second fluid flow impinges onto the interface surface; and using the isotherm mapping to determine whether the cold plate has a defect. In one embodiment, an infrared-transparent manifold is employed in impinging the second fluid flow onto the interface surface, and the isotherm mapping of the interface surface is obtained through the infrared-transparent manifold. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090046758 | Induction Thermography Test Stand - The induction thermography test stand has at least two inductors arranged angled relative to one another, at least in sections, and at least one alternating current source for powering the inductors with alternating currents which differ in terms of their frequency and/or phase such that a current with a temporally changing direction can be induced in a test module. With a method for determining flaws in test modules using induction thermography, a current with a temporally changing direction is induced in the test module. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20130121368 | DEVICE EVALUATING THERMOMECHANICAL FATIGUE OF A MATERIAL - A system for cooling and holding a testpiece in an effective manner while the testpiece is subjected locally to high heat flux. The testpiece includes an inside face extended by parallel strips that leave between them channels for passing a cooling fluid, and parallel fins of an intermediate part are inserted between the strips. | 05-16-2013 |
| 20130128914 | THERMAL TEST APPARATUS AND METHOD - Thermal test apparatus comprising a specimen supported by a fixture, a thermal shroud comprising a flexible insulating fabric forming an enclosure around at least a portion of the specimen, and a temperature controlled air supply connected to an opening formed in the enclosure for delivering a supply of temperature controlled air into the enclosure. Also, a method of conducting a thermal test. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20100118912 | QUALITY CONTROL OF THE FRIT FOR OLED SEALING - A method of finding defects in sealing material formed as a frame line on a glass plate includes irradiating the frame line of sealing material. A temperature of the irradiated sealing material is measured and a change of the temperature caused by a nonuniformity in sealing material is detected. Another aspect features a method of hermetically sealing a thin film device between glass plates. Sealing material is dispensed on a cover glass plate in the form of a frame line cell. The sealing material is pre-sintered onto the cover glass plate and cooled. A laser beam is moved around the frame line on the sealing material. A temperature of the sealing material contacted with the laser beam is measured. A change in the temperature (ΔT) caused by a nonuniformity in the sealing material is measured. Further aspects include a feedback process, infrared imaging and use of delta temperature data to increase sensitivity of temperature measurement data. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100086003 | DETECTING DEFECTS DURING LASER WELDING - A method for detecting defect in a weld seam during laser welding. The method includes performing a two-dimensionally locally resolved detection of radiation that is emitted by a solidified molten mass that is adjacent to a liquid melting bath. The method also includes determining at least one characteristic value for heat dissipation in the solidified molten mass by evaluating the detected radiation along at least one profile-section of the solidified molten mass, and detecting a defect in the weld seam by comparing the at least one characteristic value with at least one reference value. | 04-08-2010 |
| 20090046759 | Nondestructive Residential Inspection Method - This invention provides an apparatus for nondestructive residential inspection and various methods for using a thermal imaging apparatus to inspect residential building components. More specifically, this invention provided a method to rapidly inspect a residential building for moisture in basement walls, uninsulated building components, misaligned structural members or small animal intestation. | 02-19-2009 |
| 20090003407 | Nondestructive Residential Inspection Method and Apparatus - This invention provides an apparatus for nondestructive residential inspection and various methods for using a thermal imaging apparatus coupled to inspect exterior residential components, interior residential component, for mold. More specifically, this invention provided a computerized method to facilitate inspecting a residential building. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20080304539 | ELECTROMAGNETICALLY HEATING A CONDUCTIVE MEDIUM IN A COMPOSITE AIRCRAFT COMPONENT - Nondestructive examination is performed on a composite aircraft component including a composite body and a conductive medium. The conductive medium is substantially more conductive than the composite body. The nondestructive examination includes applying an electromagnetic field that penetrates the composite body and heats the conductive medium, and creating a thermal image of the conductive medium to reveal conductivity information about the conductive medium. | 12-11-2008 |
| 20090245321 | CHARACTERIZATION OF FLAWS IN COMPOSITES IDENTIFIED BY THERMOGRAPHY - A method for identifying types of flaws in a composite object includes: a) rapidly heating the surface of the object; b) recording pixel intensities in a sequence of IR images; c) determining temperature-versus-time data for each of the pixels from the IR images; and d) determining what type of flaw if any corresponds to each of the pixels using the temperature-versus-time data determined in step (c). A contrast curve derived from the temperature-versus-time data may be used in determining what type of flaws if any corresponds to each of the pixels. The contrast curve may be determined by subtracting a synthetic reference curve from a temperature time curve from the temperature-versus-time data. The types of flaws may be determined from size and/or shapes of peaks in the contrast curves. Some flaws are delaminations, layers of porosity, and uniformly distributed porosity. | 10-01-2009 |
| 20080259991 | Apparatus and method incorporating an indicator chamber for elevated temperature pressure vessel or weld testing - In a method and system for testing the integrity of pressure vessels, or welds on flanges or the like, at elevated temperatures, a pressurized mixture of a gaseous environmentally safe composition is formed within an indicator chamber in a housing receiving a pressurized gas and containing a surface in the chamber upon which is placed an indicator composition including a marker component, whereby the marker component is carried by the carrier gas from within the chamber and through a conduit to the pressure vessel or weld area. The carrier gas and the indicator or marker component are injected in an area between the inner and outer weld of a terminal flange welded to a tubular pipe section or casing. The pressurized composition includes a marker component or sub-composition which is detected by a detection apparatus which scans the pressure vessel area to be tested, or weld area. The pressure of the gas may also be monitored to observe losses in pressure indicative of flaws in the pressure vessel area or welds. The integrity of the pressure vessel or welds is tested at elevated temperature permitting remedial repairs to be made without reheating the work area of the pressure vessel or on a tubular pipe or casing. | 10-23-2008 |
| 20090116533 | Method and apparatus for testing and evaluating machine components under simulated in-situ thermal operating conditions - A method and apparatus is described for enabling the testing and evaluation of industrial machine components and, in particular, gas turbine engine components, under simulated in-situ thermal operating conditions for effectively evaluating new component designs and repair techniques. A specimen machine component/part is placed in a test chamber and cyclically heated and cooled while being monitored to obtain information regarding the initiation and propagation of a crack within the structure of the component. Information regarding the number of heating and cooling cycles sustained by the component until crack initiation and information indicating the rate of crack propagation are acquired and compared over multiple heating-cooling cycles to evaluate components and repair techniques. In one example implementation, the component is monitored during cyclic heating-cooling for spontaneous acoustic emissions and acoustic emission waveform data is recorded and analyzed to determine crack initiation and/or propagation. | 05-07-2009 |
| 20120063485 | THERMAL ENDURANCE TESTING APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES - Apparatus and methods for testing the thermal endurance of a glass substrate of a photovoltaic module are provided. The apparatus generally includes, in one embodiment, a testing chamber defining an interior space having an interior atmosphere. A refrigeration unit is operably positioned with the testing chamber to control the interior atmosphere's temperature. A mounting system is positioned within the interior space of the testing chamber and configured to hold the photovoltaic module while exposing the glass substrate of the photovoltaic module. An edge cooling system is positioned in relation to the mounting system such that the photovoltaic module held by the mounting system has a first side edge in contact with the edge cooling system. A light system is also positioned within the interior space of the testing chamber to illuminate the glass substrate of the photovoltaic module. | 03-15-2012 |
| 20120170610 | Method and System for Detection of Fluid Invasion in An Annular Space of Flexible Pipe - A system and method are provided for detecting fluid invasion of an annular space in a pipe structure. The system includes a thermal element and a temperature sensing element placed in the vicinity of each other in the annular space of the pipe structure. A thermal signal is generated by the thermal element. The temperature sensing element is connected to a monitor that monitors and processes the thermal signal. As the thermal signal changes when conducted through different types of fluids, the invasion of an annular space by seawater that normally contains oil or gas may be reliably detected. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20110007774 | Thermography Inspection of Surface Discontinuities - A method for detecting surface discontinuities in a test specimen. The method includes applying a one or more substances including a detection medium to the test specimen wherein the detection medium enters at least one surface discontinuity in the test specimen. The specimen surface is monitored for discontinuity signatures produced by the detection medium. The monitoring includes monitoring the detection medium to detect a temperature differential indicative of a surface discontinuity in the test specimen wherein the discontinuity signatures include a warm signature emitted by the detection medium that has entered the surface discontinuity. | 01-13-2011 |
| 20080240201 | METHOD FOR EVALUATING SOLDER JOINT PORTION - A method for evaluating a solder joint portion by means of which a part and a substrate are joined to each other includes a preparation process for preparing the substrate including the solder joint portion, a thermal shock process for applying thermal shock to the solder joint portion multiple times, and an evaluation process for obtaining a change of a crystal grain size in the solder joint portion caused by the application of the thermal shock so as to evaluate a lifespan of the solder joint portion based on the change of the crystal grain size obtained. | 10-02-2008 |
