Martin Marietta Energy Systems, Inc.

Stephen R Maddox

Don W Bible

Carl W Sohns

Richard I Crutcher

A portable microwave instrument for evaluating characteristics of a structural member includes a source of microwave energy, a transmitter coupled to the source of microwave energy for transmitting a microwave signal at the structural member, and a receiver positioned on the same side of the structural member as the transmitter and being disposed to receive a microwave signal reflected by the structural member. A phase angle difference is determined between the transmitted microwave signal and the received microwave signal using a signal splitter and a balanced mixer. The difference in phase angle varies in accordance with differences in size, shape and locations of constituent materials within the structural member.

Growing community of inventors

Loudon, TN, United States of America

Stephen R Maddox