Patent ID: 7131333
Filing Date: 2006-11-07
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for ultrasonic scanning of an object in a scanning station, the scanning station having upper and lower chambers, the upper chamber being positioned above the lower chamber and vertically spaced therefrom, the method comprising: moving the object between the upper and lower chambers; insonifying the object with ultrasound from an ultrasonic transducer having an ultrasound emitting surface; supplying a coupling fluid to the upper chamber so that coupling fluid flows through one or more holes in the bottom of the upper chamber to the upper surface of the object, thereby filling the space between the ultrasound emitting surface of the ultrasonic transducer and the object; applying suction from the lower chamber to hold the object in place while it is insonified; and sensing ultrasound reflected from the object, wherein applying suction from the lower chamber comprises positioning the part above a first opening in a lower chamber; and operating a blower coupled to a second opening in the lower chamber to remove fluid from the lower chamber.