Victor H Kelly

Author:

Victor J. Kelly

ISBN #:

0310351812

US Patent:

20080236285, Oct 2, 2008

Filed:

Mar 27, 2007

Appl. No.:

11/727600

Inventors:

Michael K. McInerney - Champaigne IL, US
Sean W. Morefield - Champaign IL, US
Vincent F. Hock - Mahomet IL, US
Victor H. Kelly - West Chester PA, US
John M. Carlyle - Yardley PA, US

International Classification:

G01N 29/07
G01H 5/00

US Classification:

73597, 73596

Abstract:

A device and method to nondestructively measure bulk stress in a member by employing an acoustic source, preferably an ultrasonic source, a processor, and a uniquely configured acoustic sensor package. The sensor package is configured to transmit both a longitudinal wave signal and a shear wave signal into the member. The processor is configured to capture reflections of the two impressed signals along a principal stress axis of the member and calculate the roundtrip time of the two signals. Knowing the length of the member along a principal stress axis, from the roundtrip times of the two signals, two velocities are calculated. By employing an equation that calculates bulk stress as a function of these shear and longitudinal wave velocities, a measure of bulk stress is calculated via the processor. The device measures bulk stress of a member that offers limited access in its permanent installation, such as dam reinforcements.