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Title: Feasibility study using non-contact ultrasonic sensors for assessing reservoir fill state

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/176800· OSTI ID:176800

The change out of reservoirs in weapon systems can pose a significant safety threat if the reservoir has inadvertently transferred its contents. While the possibility of this occurring is very remote, the consequence can be extremely severe. There is therefore a need for equipment and procedures to determine the gas containment status before the component is removed from the weapon during normal maintenance procedures. The objective of this project was to demonstrate the feasibility of using ultrasonics to detect a change in stress states of a filled and unfilled reservoir. Electromagnetic-acoustic transducers (EMATs) and laser ultrasonics (LU), two non-contact ultrasonic techniques, were examined. A second approach which measures the changes in modal resonances was also explored. This report summarizes the experimental results from an initial feasibility study aimed at demonstrating the use of acoustics to determine the gas containment status of GTS reservoirs.

Research Organization:
Sandia Labs., Livermore, CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC04-94AL85000
OSTI ID:
176800
Report Number(s):
SAND-96-8202; ON: DE96003922; TRN: 96:001122
Resource Relation:
Other Information: PBD: Dec 1995
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English