Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-29
2001-04-24
Williams, Hezron (Department: 2856)
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
C073S04050A, C073S660000, C073S661000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06220098
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
1. Field of the Invention
In general, the present invention relates to a device for detecting and monitoring ultrasonic sound waves. In particular, the present invention relates to a portable ultrasonic monitoring instrument that utilizes multiple sensors which can be interchangeably installed into a sensor socket to obtain measurements such as ultrasonic sound wave strength and surface temperature that are useful in detecting machinery defects and equipment failures.
2. Background of the Invention
The normal frequency range for human hearing is roughly 20 to 20,000 hertz. Ultrasonic sound waves are sound waves that are above the range of human hearing and, thus, have a frequency above about 20,000 hertz. Any frequency above 20,000 hertz may be considered ultrasonic. Most industrial processes, including almost all sources of friction, create some ultrasonic noise. For example, leaks in pipes, machinery defects and electrical arcing produce ultrasonic sound waves that have a frequency that is too high for the human ear to detect. In the past, analog ultrasonic sensors have been used in industrial settings to sense these ultrasonic sound waves. To monitor the ultrasonic sound waves produced by operating machinery, an operator would use an ultrasonic sensor to obtain a reading indicating the strength of the ultrasonic sound waves near the machine. If the ultrasonic sound levels generated by one machine were larger than those produced by another similar machine, the operator would investigate further to determine if a problem existed with the noisy machine. If the ultrasonic sound levels were approximately equal to those produced by a properly functioning machine, the operator would assume the machine was properly functioning and simply proceed to the next machine. Some of the prior art ultrasonic sensors used to monitor machines were semi-permanently mounted on individual machines so that ultrasonic readings could be obtained by simply checking the output of the ultrasonic sensors. However, other ultrasonic detectors were portable to allow the operator to monitor many machines. These portable ultrasonic detectors were especially useful in locating small leaks in pipes carrying pressurized gasses. Because ultrasonic sound waves attenuate very rapidly, the location of the sound waves is usually the location of the leak. Therefore, in order to locate a leak, the user simply moved the ultrasonic detector over the surface until the strength of the ultrasonic sound waves rapidly increased. The user then investigated further by placing soapy water on the location where it was suspected that there was a leak. If a leak was present, bubbles would form in the soapy water where the gas was escaping.
These analog ultrasonic instruments suffer from many drawbacks. For example, the analog instruments do not provide a quantitatively referenced power level of the signal to the user. Instead, the analog ultrasonic units simply provide a relative indication of the ultrasonic sound waves' strength in one location compared to another location. Typically, this information is provided to the user by a needle on a dial with an adjustable volume. The volume is set so that the needle is at a reference point when an ultrasonic measurement is taken in a particular location. If the needle rises above that point when a reading is taken in another location, the ultrasonic noise level is higher at the second location than the reference point and vice versa This is undesirable because it makes it difficult to compare readings taken at one point in time to readings taken at a later point in time. Also, prior art analog instruments did not employ analog to digital converters or microprocessors, making it difficult for them to perform advanced signal analysis techniques on the ultrasonic electrical signals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention solves the foregoing problems by providing an automated ultrasonic monitoring system that utilizes multiple sensors to detect ultrasonic sound waves. The sensors can be removably installed in a sensor socket. Each sensor contains encoded identification information that allows the ultrasonic monitoring system to recognize the type of sensor installed in the socket and configure itself to operate with the sensor. This ability to recognize new sensors allows the ultrasonic monitoring system to be upgraded by simply developing new sensors and installing new firmware to identify the new sensors. Thus, the present invention is a substantial improvement over the prior art.
In accordance with the present invention, a portable ultrasonic sound and temperature detection and analysis device for measuring surface temperatures and detecting ultrasonic sounds produced by sources such as leaks in pipes, arcing, electrical corona and machinery defects is provided. The ultrasonic device comprises an elongate housing for enclosing the ultrasonic device. The elongate housing further has a grip that is designed to provide a handle that allows a user to carry and point the ultrasonic device like a pistol. A barrel shaped portion is attached to the grip at one end. A trigger which is used to control the functioning of the ultrasonic device is located at the junction of the barrel shaped portion and the grip.
The invention uses a set of sensors to produce ultrasonic electrical signals. The set of sensors includes at least a temperature sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and a combination temperature and ultrasonic sensor. A plurality of electrical contact pads are located on a cylindrical base portion of each sensor in the set of sensors. Identification and configuration information concerning the type of sensor is encoded on each sensor in the set of sensors. An identification circuit receives and analyzes the identification and configuration information from the sensor installed in the sensor socket and configures the ultrasonic monitoring device to operate with the sensor installed in the sensor socket. The sensor socket is located in the barrel shaped portion of the ultrasonic device and is designed to interchangeably receive a sensor from the set of sensors. The sensor socket has a cylindrical shaped cavity with walls and a bottom portion for receiving the sensor from the set of sensors. A set of pins located in the bottom portion of the sensor socket provide electrical contacts between the plurality of electrical contacts on the sensor installed in the sensor socket and the ultrasonic device. A pair of spaced apart L-shaped grooves are located in the walls of the cylindrical shaped cavity. Each of the L-shaped grooves has an open receiving portion that begins at the rim of the cylindrical shaped cavity and extends a distance down the cavity walls to an ending position and a leg portion that extends perpendicularly from the ending position of the open receiving portion. A pair of protrusions are fixedly attached to the sides of each of the sensors in the set of sensors. The protrusions are shaped and positioned to be received in the L-shaped grooves in a manner that removably secures the sensor in the sensor socket. Installation guide means prevent a sensor from the set of sensors from being improperly installed in the sensor socket. Focusing means may be used to focus the area from which the sensors can receive ultrasonic vibrations.
The ultrasonic monitoring device is preferably powered by a rechargeable power supply located in the grip of the elongate housing that provides a power supply voltage and a ground voltage to the ultrasonic device. A battery charger jack located underneath the barrel shaped portion of the elongate housing receives a voltage that is used to recharge the rechargeable power supply.
The present invention further includes a variable frequency sine wave oscillator that produces local oscillator frequency signals. A mixer receives the ultrasonic electrical signals from the sensor installed in the sensor socket and the local oscillator frequency signals from the variable frequency sine wave oscillator and heterodynes the ultrasonic electrical signal
Johnson William S.
Piety Kenneth R.
Robinson James C.
Van Voorhis James B.
CSI Technology, Inc.
Luedeka Neely & Graham P.C.
Miller Rose M.
Williams Hezron
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