Patent ID: 6804992
Filing Date: 2004-10-19
Classification: G01M,G01N,H04B

Abstract:
A method for processing ultrasonic signals to locate faulty components in a system having upstream and downstream locations using a portable ultrasonic measuring device, comprising the steps of:performing a visual inspection of a device in the system to ensure that the component is closed; measuring ultrasonic energy levels at multiple upstream locations at fixed distances from the device to establish baseline ultrasonic energy values for the component while the system is operational; measuring ultrasonic energy at locations downstream from the device; comparing a first measured downstream ultrasonic value to the baseline ultrasonic energy values; measuring a second downstream ultrasonic energy if the first measured downstream ultrasonic energy value is greater than the baseline ultrasonic energy values; comparing the second measured downstream ultrasonic energy to the first measured downstream ultrasonic energy; and removing a downstream source of ultrasonic energy if the second measured downstream ultrasonic energy is greater than the first measured downstream ultrasonic energy to determine whether the device is faulty.