Patent ID: 6585146
Filing Date: 2003-07-01
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An apparatus for non-destructive evaluation of a weld in a sample, comprising:a heater that heats a surface of the sample; a heat-detecting camera that collects temperature data from the sample over a selected time period; and a computer coupled to the heat-detecting camera to monitor a time-temperature characteristic from the temperature data and to compare the time-temperature characteristic with a predetermined standard indicating weld quality wherein the sample has a first surface and a second surface, and wherein the heater is disposed opposite the first surface and the heat-detecting camera is disposed opposite the second surface wherein the heater heats the first surface of the sample and the heat-detecting camera monitors the temperature of the second surface, and wherein the computer measures a time interval between the initiation of the heating and the time at which at least a portion of the second surface reaches a predetermined temperature level wherein an image generated by the heat-detecting camera is made of a plurality of pixels, and wherein the computer generates a histogram representing a thermal flux through the weld region.