Patent ID: 9557303
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: G01N

Claim:
1. A method of testing a valve while in use, said valve having a top and a valve body, said testing to determine if said valve is operating properly by comparing against standard waveforms for said valve, said method comprising the following steps: (a) first attaching a top probe of first piezoelectric devices to said top; (b) second attaching a lower probe of second piezoelectric devices to said valve body; said top probe being generally opposite said lower probe on said valve body; (c) sending a first start signal from a phased array acquisition control to a sending multiplexer to create first parallel signals; (d) feeding said first parallel signals to a sending pulser with delays to create first phased pulse signals; (e) connecting said first phased pulse signals to either (1) said top probe, or (2) said lower probe to generate first phased array sequential scanning signals in said valve; (f) receiving first reflected signals back where said first phased array sequential scanning signals were generated to give first reflected phase pulse signals; (g) converting said first reflected phase pulse signals in a receiving multiplexer into first reflected energy pulses; (h) changing said first reflected energy pulses in a receiver with delays into first reflected delayed energy pulses; (i) summing said reflected delayed energy pulses in a scanner to get a first reflected energy sum; (j) repeating steps (c) through (i), but from the other of (1) said top probe or (2) said lower probe given in step (e), to get a second reflected energy sum; (k) comparing said first reflected energy sum and said second reflected energy sum in said phased array acquisition control with said standard waveforms to determine if said valve is operating properly.