Patent ID: 6415665
Filing Date: 2002-07-09
Classification: B29C

Abstract:
A noninvasive probe for monitoring materials processing in a screw driven extruder comprising:a plurality of ultrasonic transducers arranged in a line parallel with an axis of a barrel of the extrduer, forming a linear phased array operable to provide a B-scan profile of material between the barrel and a screw within the barrel over at least some portion of the length of the screw, wherein each of said plurality of ultrasonic transducers are operable to transmit an ultrasonic signal on a signal path intersecting an inner sidewall of the barrel and material between the inner sidewall of the barrel and an outer surface of the screw, wherein information about the state of the material intersected by said ultrasonic signal is ascertainable from an elapsed time between reception of a first reflection of said ultrasonic signal and reception of a second reflection of said ultrasonic signal, said first reflection resulting when said ultrasonic signal exits the inner sidewall of the barrel and said second reflection resulting when said ultrasonic signal reaches one of the outer surface of the screw and partially solid material.