Title: System and methods to determine and monitor changes in microstructural properties

Abstract

A system and methods with which changes in microstructure properties such as grain size, grain elongation, texture, and porosity of materials can be determined and monitored over time to assess conditions such as stress and defects. An example system includes a number of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasonic waves towards a target region on a specimen, a voltage source configured to excite the first and second ultrasonic transducers, and a processor configured to determine one or more properties of the specimen.

Inventors:

Turner, Joseph A

Issue Date:

2014-11-18

Research Org.:

Univ. of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE (United States)

Sponsoring Org.:

USDOE

OSTI Identifier:

1164038

Patent Number(s):

8887572

Application Number:

12/984,291

Assignee:

Board of Regents of the University of Nebraska (Lincoln, NE)

Patent Classifications (CPCs):

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01L - MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE

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G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01N - INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

G01N2291/105 - two or more emitters, two or more receivers
G01N29/4445 - {Classification of defects}
G01N2291/2623 - Rails
G01N2291/102 - one emitter, one receiver
G01N29/2418 - {using optoacoustic interaction with the material, e.g. laser radiation, photoacoustics
G01N2291/02881 - Temperature
G01N29/04 - Analysing solids
G01N29/12 - by measuring frequency or resonance of acoustic waves {

G - PHYSICS G01 - MEASURING G01L - MEASURING FORCE, STRESS, TORQUE, WORK, MECHANICAL POWER, MECHANICAL EFFICIENCY, OR FLUID PRESSURE

G01L1/255 - {using acoustic waves, or acoustic emission

B - PERFORMING OPERATIONS B61 - RAILWAYS B61K - OTHER AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT FOR RAILWAYS

B61K9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way

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DOE Contract Number:  

FG02-01ER45890

Resource Type:

Patent

Country of Publication:

United States

Language:

English

Subject:

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE; 42 ENGINEERING; 71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSICS