Patent ID: 8581975

Claim:
A pulsed thermography apparatus for testing a powdermetallic component, the apparatus comprising: a power source coupled to the powdermetallic component and operative to provide an electric current within the powdermetallic component, wherein said powdermetallic component when heated by said electric current emits infrared radiation that varies according to temperature; a timing unit coupled to said power source; a switch operative to control the electric current; a first contact and a second contact coupled to said power source, the powdermetallic component being disposed between and electrically coupled to said first contact and said second contact, said first contact and said second contact each sized and configured to provide substantially uniform current flow into the powdermetallic component; a press drive system coupled to at least said first contact and operative to provide biasing force against said at least said first contact to maintain constant and consistent electrical connectivity between said at least said first contact and the powdermetallic component; an infrared camera optically coupled to the powdermetallic component and configured to record an image thereof, said image based on the infrared radiation emitted therefrom, said infrared camera further coupled to said function generator, wherein said function generator is operative to control the recording of said image by said infrared camera; and a signal processing system coupled to said infrared camera and operative to receive said recorded image therefrom, said signal processing system further coupled to said power source, wherein said signal processing system receives said recorded image from said infrared camera and processes said recorded image to detect flaws in the powdermetallic component based on thermal response recorded over time.