摘要:
A method of magnetically fabricating a particle filled polymer having improved mechanical, electrical, or thermal surface characteristics. Finely divided ferrite particles are first mixed into a hardenable, liquid polymeric material. Next, the particles are magnetically oriented within the material along a selected pattern characterized by a gradient of increasing particle density toward a surface of the material. The polymeric material is then cured into a hardened state in order to affix the pattern of particles therein. The particles may be coated with a hardening material, such as diamond, and attracted to the surface of the material in order to impart desired wear and erosion resistance to the resulting composite. Alternatively, the particles may be coated with a electrically or thermally conducting material, such as silver, and magnetically pulled into intimate contact with one another to impart a high level of electrical or thermal conductivity to the resulting composite. The large particulate surface area provided by the magnetically obtained particle contact allows high levels of electrical or thermal conductivity to be obtained with the mixing of only small amounts of particulate matter to the polymer.
摘要:
An electromagnetic tagging system is provided for remotely detecting and locating polymeric and other non-conductive structures situated behind barriers, such as underground plastic pipes or containers. The system comprises a fluctuating magnetic field source, a pattern of tags embedded in discrete regions of the wall of the polymeric structure, each tag including an amorphous magnetic metal target for generating a Barkhausen response when exposed to the fluctuating magnetic field source, and a portable detection circuit movable along the ground or other control surface for remotely detecting the Barkhausen response. The amorphous magnetic material in each tag is preferably in the form of a plurality of elongated particles having aspect ratios of at least 3 to 1 and arranged end-to-end. The pattern that the tags are arranged in provide information concerning the identity, orientation, or extent of the structure, and the portable detection circuit is capable of detecting at least two of the tags simultaneously as it is moved over the surface of the ground so that the patterns of the tags may be easily determined.
摘要:
A robotic sampling device (32) for cutting part of a tube wall (12) for sampling, containing a cutting head (36), a retrieval assembly (38) and a drive mechanism (40), is used to cut a window or hole (60) in the tube wall (12) and retrieve the tube wall sample (56), where the sample can be mounted onto a separate tube for testing the physical properties of the cut wall portion, and where a video probe (62) and the like can be passed through the window (60) to monitor conditions near the support plates (14) and tube sheets (16).
摘要:
Both a system and a method are provided which allows an eddy current probe to accurately determine both the proximity and dimensions of non-conductive structures which are normally invisible to such probes. The system comprises a portable target medium that is movable into a known position with respect to the non-conductive structure, and that includes a conductive material that couples strongly with a fluctuating magnetic field, and a movable eddy current probe that emanates a fluctuating magnetic field and which generates a signal indicative of the magnitude of the interaction between the field and the portable target medium from which the distance between the two may be computed. The system may be used to determine the proximity of non-conductive structures such as plastic pipes that have been buried under ground, as well as the dimensions of such non-conductive structures. When the system is applied to measure the dimensions of such a structure, the portable target medium assumes a form that is flexibly conformable to one of the walls of the structure and which is placed in abutting relationship thereto. The eddy current probe is then scanned against an opposing wall of the structure, whereby the width of the structure may be computed by measuring the strength of the interaction between the probe and the medium. In addition to measuring the dimensions of non-conductive structures, the system may be used to measure the dimensions of non-magnetic structures when the target medium includes a strongly magnetic material.
摘要:
Both a system and method are provided for remotely heating a polymeric material to a selected temperature. The system generally comprises particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed throughout the polymeric material to form a composite, wherein the particulate material has a Curie temperature that corresponds to the selected heating temperature, and a source of microwave energy for remotely applying a beam of microwave energy to the polymeric composite material. Preferably, the particulate ferromagnetic material comprises only about 2 percent of the total composite by weight. The polymeric material may be compliant, thermosettable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material dispersed therein may advantageously be above the curing temperature of the polymer, such that the beam from the source of microwave energy may be used to remotely join surfaces or construct joints in composite structures. Alternatively, the polymeric material may be a meltable plastic, and the Curie temperature of the particulate ferromagnetic material may be chosen to be above the temperature of fusion of the polymer to create a polymeric composite which is magnetically separable from other polymers within a solid waste facility, and which may be melted down for recycling purposes. In a variation of this embodiment, a heat actuatable degradation chemical may be dispersed through the polymeric material along with the ferro-magnetic material to create a plastic composite which is selectively degradable by the remote application of microwave energy.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for securing or attaching a rotor blade with a turbine rotor cavity by disposing an expanding material between the blade root and the cavity walls. The expanding material comprises a naturally occurring mineral which expands to a great degree when exposed to elevated temperatures. The expanding material may be provided in the form of shims made directly from the expanding material or made from a composition of the expanding material and a binder such as a polymer or elastomer. Alternatively, the expanding material may be provided in the form of a liquid vehicle applied to surfaces of the cavity walls. The expanding material is located at specific positions within the cavity to urge certain surfaces of the blade root against certain surfaces of the cavity walls. In this manner, the blade can be forced into a tight fit and an aligned position, with respect to the rotor, upon expansion of the expanding material.
摘要:
A system and method for nondestructively inspecting and monitoring materials that indicates the structural integrity of the material is disclosed. The inspection method includes the following steps. First, the material to be subsequently monitored, is tagged by dispersing a small amount of finely divided particles throughout the material. The tagged material is then applied in accordance with its application, such as adhesive material to two pieces to be joined to form an adhesive joint. When the adhesive joint or other material is to be inspected, the tagged particles are activated to cause an inherent structural resonance in the tagged material. The activation and structural resonance of the material is then monitored and measured with a probe. Finally, the structure resonance of the material is related to the structural integrity of the adhesive joint, the matrix-reinforcement interface integrity of a composite material, or the state of cure of a resin. The tagged particles may be ferromagnetic particles and the probe either an electromagnetic field coil and an actuator or an electromagnetic field coil and an acoustic emission probe. The tagged particles may be piezoelectric particles and the probe either an electric field and an acelerometer or an electric field and an acoustic emission probe. Alternately, the tagged particles may be acoustic impedance mismatch particles and the probe is an ultrasonic inspection probe.
摘要:
An improved eddy current probe system and method for simultaneously detecting different types of flaws at different depths within a metallic wall, such as a section of Inconel tubing, is disclosed herein. The system comprises a current generator for generating alternating currents of substantially different frequencies, a probe head including first, second and third concentrically arranged coils in separate communication with the current generator, shielding material disposed between the coils for preventing cross talk between each coil and the pulsating magnetic field of the coils adjacent to it, and a detector circuit which may include an inductive bridge for providing an electrical output representative of the impedance changes in the respective coils. In operation, each of the coils conduct currents having substantially different frequencies, the highest frequency being conducted by the smallest-diametered coil and the lowest frequency being conducted by the largest-diametered coil. The different levels of magnetic field penetration provided by the coils as it is helically moved around the inside surface of a section on Inconel tubing not only allows the probe system to detect diverse kinds of flaws such as cracks, pits, or regions of thinning, but also flaws located at different depths throughout the tube wall. In the method of the invention, a computer is used to adjust the frequencies of the alternating currents conducted through the coils during the scanning operation in order to maximize the impedance changes in each coil, thereby maximizing the resolution of the probe system.
摘要:
A process provides a method for attaching a turbine blade to a blade support such as a rotor or rotor disc of a turbine. The root portion of the blade is formed to a shape approximately that of a groove in the surface of the rotor or rotor disc and the root portion of the blade is inserted within the groove. A composition comprising a particulate compound selected from the group consisting of a ceramic, graphite metal, metal alloy and mixtures thereof is positioned between the root portion of the blade and steeples, located one on either side of the groove.
摘要:
Rapid nondestructive testing of a ferromagnetic workpiece for creep damage is carried out by placing an eddy current coil adjacent to the workpiece, passing an alternating current through the coil, measuring the eddy current response as influenced by the workpiece, and comparing the current measurement to a current calibrated to known creep damage for the given ferromagnetic material. Correlations of the eddy current response to creep rate and time to failure are generated from creep rupture tests performed on specimens of the given material subjected to varying conditions of time, temperature and stress. Qualitative tests can also be performed to identify the point of greatest creep damage by passing the eddy current coil over the workpiece to find the location of the lowest eddy current response. Conventional creep damage tests can then be performed at that location if desired.