Patent ID: 7783100
Filing Date: 2010-08-24
Classification: G01B,G01N

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for inspecting and analyzing welded structures comprising: a laser for directing at least one beam of light at a weld bead formed on at least two workpieces joined by said weld in a predetermined manner to define at least one visible profile line, said at least one profile line extending along at least a portion of each workpiece and along a full dimension of said weld bead; a camera directed at said weld bead for capturing an image of said at least one laser light beam forming said at least one profile line and generating a usable image signal based on said image; and a preprogrammed microprocessor assembly configured for: locating at least one profile line on said image; locating said weld bead along said at least one profile line; determining a dimension of said weld bead defined along said at least one profile line; comparing said length of said weld bead with a predetermined dimension set point to determine the quality of said weld bead; locating a first straight portion of said at least one profile line extending for a predetermined distance without curving on said image to identify a first workpiece portion; determining a weld start point by determining where said first straight portion of said at least one profile line begins to curve; defining a first weld dimension line extending tangent to said at least one profile line at said weld start point; locating a second straight portion of said at least one profile line extending for a predetermined distance without curving on said image to identify a second workpiece portion; determining a weld bead endpoint by determining where said second straight portion of said at least one profile line begins to curve; and defining a second weld dimension line extending tangent to said at least one profile line at said weld bead endpoint, wherein said first and second weld bead lines intersect at a weld bead midpoint.