Process control system using polarizing interferometer
Abstract
A system for nondestructively measuring an object and controlling industrial processes in response to the measurement is disclosed in which an impulse laser generates a plurality of sound waves over timed increments in an object. A polarizing interferometer is used to measure surface movement of the object caused by the sound waves and sensed by phase shifts in the signal beam. A photon multiplier senses the phase shift and develops an electrical signal. A signal conditioning arrangement modifies the electrical signals to generate an average signal correlated to the sound waves which in turn is correlated to a physical or metallurgical property of the object, such as temperature, which property may then be used to control the process. External, random vibrations of the workpiece are utilized to develop discernible signals which can be sensed in the interferometer by only one photon multiplier. In addition the interferometer includes an arrangement for optimizing its sensitivity so that movement attributed to various waves can be detected in opaque objects. The interferometer also includes a mechanism for sensing objects with rough surfaces which produce speckle light patterns. Finally the interferometer per se, with the addition of a second photon multiplier is capable of accuratelymore »
- Inventors:
- Issue Date:
- OSTI Identifier:
- 5284265
- Patent Number(s):
- 5286313
- Application Number:
- PPN: US 7-785787
- Assignee:
- Surface Combustion, Inc., Maumee, OH ()
- DOE Contract Number:
- FC07-89ID12830
- Resource Type:
- Patent
- Resource Relation:
- Patent File Date: 31 Oct 1991
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
- Subject:
- 32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; CONTROL SYSTEMS; INTERFEROMETERS; INDUSTRIAL PLANTS; PROCESS CONTROL; DESIGN; NONDESTRUCTIVE TESTING; PHOTOMULTIPLIERS; SIGNAL CONDITIONERS; CONTROL; ELECTRONIC CIRCUITS; MATERIALS TESTING; MEASURING INSTRUMENTS; PHOTOTUBES; PULSE CIRCUITS; TESTING; 320303* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Equipment & Processes
Citation Formats
Schultz, T J, Kotidis, P A, Woodroffe, J A, and Rostler, P S. Process control system using polarizing interferometer. United States: N. p., 1994.
Web.
Schultz, T J, Kotidis, P A, Woodroffe, J A, & Rostler, P S. Process control system using polarizing interferometer. United States.
Schultz, T J, Kotidis, P A, Woodroffe, J A, and Rostler, P S. Tue .
"Process control system using polarizing interferometer". United States.
@article{osti_5284265,
title = {Process control system using polarizing interferometer},
author = {Schultz, T J and Kotidis, P A and Woodroffe, J A and Rostler, P S},
abstractNote = {A system for nondestructively measuring an object and controlling industrial processes in response to the measurement is disclosed in which an impulse laser generates a plurality of sound waves over timed increments in an object. A polarizing interferometer is used to measure surface movement of the object caused by the sound waves and sensed by phase shifts in the signal beam. A photon multiplier senses the phase shift and develops an electrical signal. A signal conditioning arrangement modifies the electrical signals to generate an average signal correlated to the sound waves which in turn is correlated to a physical or metallurgical property of the object, such as temperature, which property may then be used to control the process. External, random vibrations of the workpiece are utilized to develop discernible signals which can be sensed in the interferometer by only one photon multiplier. In addition the interferometer includes an arrangement for optimizing its sensitivity so that movement attributed to various waves can be detected in opaque objects. The interferometer also includes a mechanism for sensing objects with rough surfaces which produce speckle light patterns. Finally the interferometer per se, with the addition of a second photon multiplier is capable of accurately recording beam length distance differences with only one reading. 38 figures.},
doi = {},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Tue Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 1994},
month = {Tue Feb 15 00:00:00 EST 1994}
}