Patent ID: 7389693
Filing Date: 2008-06-24
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. A method for non-destructively inspecting a composite structure with a single ultrasonic transducer, said method comprising: determining a calibration amplitude of ultrasonic transmissions emitted by the single ultrasonic transducer to a reflector in a fluid-filled immersion tank and received back at the single ultrasonic transducer; inserting the composite structure into the fluid-filled immersion tank between the reflector and the single ultrasonic transducer; scanning the composite structure with the single ultrasonic transducer to measure ultrasonic amplitudes for sound waves traveling through the composite structure, reflecting off the reflector plate and then traveling back through the structure to the single ultrasonic transducer; correcting the measured ultrasonic amplitudes using the calibration amplitude and other measured transmission losses; utilizing the corrected ultrasonic amplitudes to generate at least one of a digital image showing porosity or a porosity measurement of the composite structure.