Non-destructive testing and imaging

Abstract

A method of non-destructive testing includes non-destructively testing an object over a range of test levels, directing coherent light onto the object, directly receiving the coherent light substantially as reflected straight from the object, and capturing the reflected coherent light over the range of test levels as a plurality of digital images of the object. The method also includes calculating differences between pixel values of a plurality of pairs of digital images of the plurality of digital images, and adding the pixel value differences of the plurality of pairs of digital images to yield at least one cumulative differential image.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of, and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 659,466, filed Sep. 10, 2003, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,934,018 issued Aug. 23, 2005 and a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 066,672, filed Feb. 25, 2005 both of which are hereby incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention pertains to the field of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and its application to a variety of substrates and the ability to illuminate and capture reflected light efficiently from these substrates. In particular the invention pertains to such testing of tires, and utilizes a computer to display image test data.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]For many years the standard practice for calibrating shearographic / holographic tire testing machines has been ASTM F1364-92. This test method describes the construction and use of a calibration device for demonstrating the anomaly detection...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a method and apparatus for non-destructive testing of objects using coherent light. The method involves shining light onto an object, capturing the reflected light as it is reflected from the object, and calculating the differences between pixel values of pairs of images. These differences are then added to create a cumulative differential image. The apparatus includes a light source, an imaging device, and a memory for storing the images and a computer-executable program. The technical effect of this patent is the ability to non-destructively test objects and detect any anomalies or defects using coherent light.

Problems solved by technology

While some systems for shearography have an output such as the display of computerized systems of the '874 patent, many of the systems utilized are such that they have an output of highly sensitive film which is extremely costly and requires a special viewing device.

Further, film based shearographic tire testing machines (and individual tire tests) are typically very expensive therefore a limited number are utilized in the industry within individual plants.

Thus each point on the object generates two rays and the result is an interference image formed by the optical interference of two laterally displaced images of the same object.

Images