Abstract:
This invention refers to a device and method that permits the evaluation of the quality of the coating applied in the hollow interior of a part, via non-destructive, electro-chemical testing. This device allows the hollow interior of the part to be isolated and sealed from the rest of the part, allowing the electrolyte solution to only be in contact with the hollow interior of the part being tested.

Description:
[0001]    This application is based upon and claims priority from U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 61/930,054, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    Applicants&#39; invention relates to a device for the non-destructive testing of the quality of the coating in the interiors of parts and method for using same. 
       BACKGROUND INFORMATION 
       [0004]    Currently, there are no methods available for testing the quality of coating application for the hollow interior of parts that are non-destructive. For example, X-Rays and Eddy Current tests require cutting the part to access the interior and examine the required area. This leaves the tested part useless. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The following described device and method presents an option for non-destructive testing of the coating for the hollow interior of any part. This device and method allows one to use electro-chemical testing; for example, electrochemical impedance Spectroscopy, linear resistance to polarization, etc. This allows verifying the quality of the coating via non-destructive testing. 
         [0006]    With this device and method, it will allow applying the linear resistance to polarization test for the hollow interior of the part. This test is a very inexpensive, fast, and non-destructive way to determine the quality of the coating. It also allows one to determine any defects in the hollow, interior coated part, identifying and preventing future possible failures of the part in service. 
         [0007]    With this device and method, it will allow applying electrochemical impedance Spectroscopy for the hollow interior of the part. This test is time consuming, but a non-destructive way to determine the porosity, discontinuity, and contaminants of the coating in the hollow interior of the part. This device allows the hollow interior of the part to be isolated and sealed from the rest of the part, allowing the electrolyte solution to only be in contact with the hollow interior of the part being tested. 
         [0008]    The electro-chemical techniques just described require a device which will allow the correct and easy utilization of an electro-chemical cell that isolates the hollow interior from the part itself. It will allow the electrolyte solution to be in contact with the hollow interior of the part. The device allows the correct configuration of the 3 electrodes of an electro-chemical cell in the isolated hollow interior of the part. Connecting the 3 electrodes to a potentiostat/galvanostat will allow one to apply the different electro-chemical non-destructive tests to determine the quality of the coating in the hollow interior part. Subsequent to the testing, this same part can be used as designed for service, being totally unaffected by the device and methods described herein. The described device and method verify the quality of the coating in the hollow interior part in a non-destructive manner, thereby allowing the use of the same part for future service. This device and method allows parts to be tested for the quality of coating in the hollow interior of the part before released to service, providing confidence that defects in the hollow interior of the part are minimized when the part goes to service. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the present invention with electrodes. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0013]    Referring to the figures,  FIG. 1  is a three dimensional view of the testing apparatus  100 . The testing apparatus  100  has a upper plate  10  and a bottom plate  12 . Each of the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates have non-contact surfaces ( 10   b  and  12   b ) and contact surfaces ( 10   a  and  12   a ). The contact surfaces ( 10   a  and  12   a ) are held generally parallel to, and facing, each other. The upper  10  and bottom  12  plates are held on opposing sides of a test part  200  using one or more fastening devices  14 . The upper plate  10  has an aperture  18  that allows the positioning of the electrodes ( 202  and  204 ). The bottom plate  12  will hold and isolate the hollow interior of the part  200 . The bottom plate  12  will also make electrical contact with the part  200  being tested. 
         [0014]    The testing apparatus  100  seals the hollow interior of the test part  200  from the rest of the part  200  to allow an electrolyte solution to be placed in contact with the hollow interior portion being tested. This permits electro-chemical, non-destructive testing to be performed in the hollow interior of the part  200 . These tests can include, without limitation, linear resistance to polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The device  100  is integrated with an upper plate  10  that contains a hole  18 , allowing electrodes to pass through the upper plate  10  and contact the electrolyte solution. This permits the correct configuration of the electro-chemical cell to perform the test. One, or more, fastening devices  14  compress the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates to hold and seal the part  200  subject to testing. The aperture  18  can be placed in line with the hollow portion of the test part  200  so as to allow testing to be conducted on the hollow interior portion of the test part  200  isolated from the remainder of said test part  200 . 
         [0015]    The exterior of the part  200  being tested is connected with an electrical contact to close the system for an electro-chemical test. The fastening device(s)  14  hold, compress, and seal the tested part  200  between the two plates ( 10  and  12 ). The fastening device(s)  14  are distributed in such a fashion as to allow a good seal to occur between the plates ( 10  and  12 ) and the part  200 . 
         [0016]    The bottom plate  12  may have a sealing material  16 . Once the tested part  200  is secured between the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates secured by one or more of the fastening devices  14 , the electrodes inserted through the hole  18  of the upper plate  10  and contact the solution in the hollow interior of the part  200 . 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the device  100 , which includes both the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates. There is a sealing material  16  between the tested part  200  and the contact surface  12   a  of the bottom plate  12 . The fastening devices  14  can be seen holding the upper  10  and lower  12  plates in place. In between the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates is the exterior of the part  200  being tested. The electrical contact surface for the exterior of the tested part  200  is also shown. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a top view of the device, the non-contact surface  10   b  of the upper plate  10  being visible with the fastening devices  14  shown at the corners of the upper plate  10 . It is anticipated however, that the upper plate  10  could be of varying shapes and thus the fastening devices  14  would be placed so as to seal the test part  200  between the plates ( 10  and  12 ). In the central portion of the upper plate  10 , there is a hole  18  for the electrodes ( 202  and  204 ) to pass through and contact the solution (not shown). Except for in the aperture  18  and the interior of the test part  200 , the solution (not shown) is held out of contact of the test part  200  by the upper plate  10 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a three dimensional view of the device assembly  100 . It is holding a cylindrical part  200  between the upper  10  and bottom  12  plates. Electrodes ( 202  and  204 ) are inserted in the hole  18  in the central portion of the upper plate  10 , passing through to be in contact with the solution. 
         [0020]    Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claims will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.