Phillip V Mitchell

Title: Innovations by Phillip V Mitchell

Introduction

Phillip V Mitchell is a notable inventor based in Simi Valley, CA (US). He has made significant contributions to the field of ultrasound detection and inspection systems. With a total of 4 patents to his name, his work showcases innovative approaches to non-destructive testing.

Latest Patents

One of his latest patents is a "System and method for detecting ultrasound using time-delay." This ultrasound detection system is designed to be relatively insensitive to rough workpiece surfaces, suppress low-frequency noise, and provide high sensitivity without the need for active stabilization. The system utilizes an optical probe beam that is reflected and phase modulated by a workpiece surface being vibrated by ultrasound. A time-delay interferometer optically interferes the phase-modulated probe beam with a time-delayed replica of itself, generating optical interference fringes that move in accordance with the workpiece surface velocity. The interference fringes are detected by a non-steady-state photo-electromotive-force (NSS-photo-EMF) detector, which generates an output signal when the frequency of fringe motion exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Another significant patent is the "Laser-ultrasonic non-destructive, non-contacting inspection system." This system is designed for both on-line and off-line inspection of a workpiece. It utilizes an optical acoustic wave generation and detection system with relatively high spatial resolution, significantly reducing the effects of parasitic acoustic coupling. An array of acoustic waves is generated in the workpiece by a short pulse optical transmitter beam, tailored to focus the acoustic waves at an inspection site. The acoustic waves probing the inspection site are detected by reflecting an optical read-out beam from the workpiece surface and optically interfering it with an optical reference beam. The geometry of the optical read-out beam is specifically chosen to detect only the acoustic waves arriving from the inspection site, while canceling out waves from other sources.

Career Highlights

Phillip V Mitchell has had a distinguished career at Hughes Aircraft Company, where he has applied his expertise in developing advanced inspection systems. His innovative work has contributed to enhancing the reliability and efficiency of non-destructive testing methods.

Collaborations

Throughout his career, Phillip has collaborated with notable colleagues, including Thomas R O'Meara and David M Pepper. These collaborations have further enriched his contributions to the field of ultrasound detection and inspection technologies.