Sonoscan, Inc.

Other

Nordson Corporation

Diversified Optical Corp.

Sonosean, Inc.

Lawrence W Kessler

Michael G Oravecz

John Billone

Thomas Kleinschmidt

Louis R Fantozzi

Dan Micek

Igor N Komsky

Richard Draxler

Daniel W Micek

Joachim Minkwitz

Lei Pen

Bryan Schackmuth

Zhiqi Guo

Daniel M Erickson

Donald E Yuhas

Zhiqu Guo

Thomas E Adams

Bryan P Schackmuth

Igor Komsky

A scanning acoustic microscope includes a transducer mounted below a particular elevation and configured to produce ultrasonic energy, a coupling fluid source configured to introduce coupling fluid between the transducer and the particular elevation. Ultrasonic energy is directed upwardly through coupling fluid disposed between and the transducer and a first surface of a part to be inspected, wherein the part is disposed at the particular elevation and wherein a second surface of the part is not contacted by coupling fluid during inspection.

Scanning acoustic microscope with an inverted transducer and bubbler functionality

A single channel scanning acoustic microscope that increases the throughput of the acoustic imaging system by connecting a multi-transducer assembly in parallel to a single channel electronic circuit. The single channel scanning acoustic microscope includes multiple transducers configured to generate a time delay for individual ultrasonic waves generated by each transducer, wherein a pulse generator simultaneously sends a pulse signal to the multi-transducer assembly.

Single channel scanning acoustic microscope with multiple focused ultrasonic transducers

A scanning acoustic microscope comprises a structure including a loading portion and a scanning portion, a transducer disposed in the scanning portion and operable to develop ultrasonic energy, and a controller. A driver is responsive to the controller and is capable of moving the transducer along a scan path with respect to a first plurality of parts disposed in the scanning portion as a second plurality of parts are being loaded into the loading portion.

Acoustic micro imaging device with a scan while loading feature

A scanning acoustic microscope includes a transducer mounted in a cup below a particular elevation capable of producing ultrasonic energy and a coupling fluid source disposed below the particular elevation, which is configured to introduce coupling fluid into the cup. Ultrasonic energy is directed upwardly through coupling fluid disposed between and contacting the transducer and a first surface of a part to be inspected. The part is disposed at the particular elevation such that a second surface of the part is not contacted by coupling fluid during testing.

A scanning acoustic microscope, includes an ultrasonic transducer, a data storage memory, a display, a scanner assembly, and a controller. The controller is adapted to cause the motor to move the transducer along a path with respect to a sample, and cause the ultrasonic transducer to emit a pulse of acoustic energy towards the sample at each point in a plurality of points along the path. In addition, the controller is adapted to cause the ultrasonic transducer to receive a set of reflection signals that correspond to each of the pulses emitted therefrom. The sets of reflection signals are used to generate an image of a profile of the sample and an image representative of acoustic impedance features in the interior of the sample. The image of the profile of the sample shows a variation in height across a surface of the sample.

Scanning acoustic microscope with profilometer function

A scanning acoustic microscope includes a transducer mounted in a cup below a particular elevation and a coupling fluid source disposed below the particular elevation and which is adapted to introduce coupling fluid into the cup. A controller is operable to control the transducer and the coupling fluid source during testing such that ultrasonic energy can be directed upwardly through coupling fluid disposed between and contacting the transducer and a first surface of a part to be inspected. The part is disposed at the particular elevation and a second surface of the part is not contacted by coupling fluid during testing.

A scanning acoustic microscope including an ultrasonic transducer and a balanced linear motor assembly is disclosed. The balanced linear motor assembly includes a counterweight that is mounted for movement along a linear path that is parallel to the first linear path on which the transducer travels. The counterweight has a mass that is generally equal to the mass of the rotor and the transducer. The counterweight is being adapted to be moved, when the scanning acoustic microscope is used to interrogate a sample, along the second linear path at the same time that the rotor and transducer are being moved along the first linear path to allow the transducer to accelerate and decelerate without creating vibration.

Acoustic micro imaging device having at least one balanced linear motor assembly

Method and apparatus useful in the inspection of a target comprises scanning the target with a pulsed acoustic beam, sensing the pulsed beam after it has been modified by interaction with the target, producing a time-domain signal indicative of the modifications, processing the time-domain signal to produce a frequency domain representation of the modifications, and producing an image-wise display of the frequency domain representation of the modifications. In one execution disclosed, the frequency domain representation is altered and then reconverted to a time domain signal before display.

Frequency domain processing of scanning acoustic imaging signals

An improved scanning station and method for a tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope has a vacuum system which at least assists in immobilizing loosely held parts in the trays during insonification by an ultrasonic beam generator.

Tray-fed scanning microscope system and method primarily for immobilizing parts during inspection

Tray-fed scanning acoustic microscope system and method for immobilizing parts during inspection

A method for enhancing information derived from acoustically inspected samples comprises deriving an acoustic image of a sample, and generating a visual superposition of one or more additional images. The additional images are selected from the group consisting of an optical image, a second acoustic image in a different sized field of view form said acoustic image, an infrared image, an X-ray image, and an electron beam image.

Acoustic micro imaging method providing improved information derivation and visualization

A method and apparatus for non-destructive ultrasonic inspection in which a plurality of integrated circuits or other electronic components laid out in a fixed pattern on a liquid-permeable tray are moved along an inspection path through a scanning station. In the scanning station the electronic components are repetitively scanned by an ultrasonic beam from a transmitter/receiver moving rapidly back and forth across the inspection path; an ultrasonic coupling liquid (usually water) continuously flows along the beam path; the coupling liquid also flows along the surfaces of the electronic components opposite the beam path. The tray of electronic components is air dried as it emerges from the scanning station. Both reflected and 'through' ultrasonic signals can be collected to disclose any anomalies present in the electronic components. A screen may be used to assure retention of the electronic components in the desired pattern on a tray.

Method and apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of electronic components

A controlled-immersion inspection mechanism gradually immerses a planar pattern of integrated circuits or other articles into a tank filled with water to a given level; across the tank there are two spaced parallel guide tracks along which two carriages, connected by a platform, move from an entry position above the water to an inspection position. In the inspection position the platform supports the articles, in an orderly array, for scanning inspection by a focussed energy beam, preferably an ultrasonic beam. A platform drive drives the platform between its entry and inspection positions. A mesh or other removable cover that permits water to flow but stabilizes article positions may cover the articles during immersion; the mesh is usually removed before scanning.

Growing community of inventors

Buffalo Grove, IL, United States of America

Lawrence W Kessler