Method and apparatus for acoustic plate mode liquid-solid phase transition detection

Patent · Tue Feb 23 00:00:00 EST 1993

OSTI ID:6292354

Blair, D S; Freye, G C; Hughes, R C; Martin, S J; Ricco, A J

A method and apparatus for sensing a liquid-solid phase transition event is provided which comprises an acoustic plate mode detecting element placed in contact with a liquid or solid material which generates a high-frequency acoustic wave that is attenuated to an extent based on the physical state of the material in contact with the detecting element. The attenuation caused by the material in contact with the acoustic plate mode detecting element is used to determine the physical state of the material being detected. The method and device are particularly suited for detecting conditions such as the icing and deicing of wings of an aircraft. In another aspect of the present invention, a method is provided wherein the adhesion of a solid material to the detecting element can be measured using the apparatus of the invention.

• Assignee: Dept. of Energy, Washington, DC (United States)
• Patent Number(s): US 5187980; A
• Application Number: PPN: US 7-531492
• OSTI ID: 6292354
• Resource Relation: Patent File Date: 31 May 1990
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

42 ENGINEERING
36 MATERIALS SCIENCE
47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION
MATERIALS
PHASE STUDIES
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
DESIGN
SOLIDS
ADHESION
ACOUSTICS
AIRCRAFT
ATTENUATION
DETECTION
FREEZING
ICE
LIQUIDS
MEASURING METHODS
PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS
SOUND WAVES
FLUIDS
420500* - Engineering- Materials Testing
360602 - Other Materials- Structure & Phase Studies
440800 - Miscellaneous Instrumentation- (1990-)