Ultrasonic measurement device

Abstract

A wear measurement device for measuring wear of a machine component includes a probe configured to generate and send an ultrasonic wave through the component, generate a first signal upon sending the ultrasonic wave, and generate a second signal upon receiving the reflected wave. The device also includes a display configured to provide a visible output to a user of the device and a controller coupled to the probe and the display and comprising a memory and a processor. The processor is configured to receive the first and second signals and to, immediately upon receiving the signals, determine a measurement of the component based on the signals, determine a percent worn value for the component based on the measurement and stored component data, and cause the display to provide the percent worn value as a visible output.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A wear measurement device for measuring wear of a machine component, the device comprising:
 a probe configured to:
 generate and send an ultrasonic wave through the component; 
 generate a first signal upon sending the ultrasonic wave; and 
 generate a second signal upon receiving the reflected wave; 
   a display configured to provide a visible output to a user of the device; and   a controller coupled to the probe and the display and comprising a memory and a processor, the processor being configured to receive the first and second signals and to, immediately upon receiving the signals:
 determine a measurement of the component based on the signals; 
 determine a percent worn value for the component based on the measurement and stored component data; and 
 cause the display to provide the percent worn value as a visible output. 
   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the component data is stored in the memory of the device. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 based on the percent worn value, determine a remaining useful life for the component; and   cause the display to provide the remaining useful life as a visible output.   
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 a global positioning system configured to determine location information for the component and send the location information to the controller;   wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on the location information.   
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 3 , wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on hours of operation and use application of the component. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 based on the percent worn value, determine an estimated service interval for the component; and   cause the display to provide the estimated service interval as a visible output.   
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller is configured to transmit data to a remote storage device for storing the data, and wherein the data includes at least one of the measurement of the component and the percent worn value. 
     
     
         8 . A computer-implemented method for determining wear of a machine component, the method comprising:
 causing a probe of a measurement device to generate and send an ultrasonic wave through the component by sending a signal to the probe; and   immediately upon receipt of the reflected wave at the probe:
 determining a measurement of the component based on receipt of the reflected wave at the probe; 
 determining a percent worn value for the component based on the measurement and stored component data; and 
 causing a display of the measurement device to provide the percent worn value as a visible output. 
   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining a remaining useful life for the component based on the percent worn value; and   causing the display to provide the remaining useful life as a visible output.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 receiving location information for the component;   wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on the location information.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on hours of operation and use application of the vehicle. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 determining an estimated service interval for the component based on the percent worn value; and   causing the display to provide the estimated service interval as a visible output.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 transmitting data to a remote storage device for storing the data;   wherein the data includes at least one of the measurement of the component and the percent worn value.   
     
     
         14 . A processing circuit for determining wear of a machine component, the processing circuit comprising:
 a memory comprising data related to the component; and   a processor coupled to the memory and configured to cause a probe to generate and send an ultrasonic wave by sending a signal to the probe and to, immediately upon receipt of the reflected wave at the probe:
 determine a measurement of the component based on receipt of the reflected wave at the probe; 
 determine a percent worn value for the component by comparing the measurement to the stored component data; and 
 cause a display to provide the percent worn value as a visible output. 
   
     
     
         15 . The processing circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to store the measurement and the percent worn value on the memory. 
     
     
         16 . The processing circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine a remaining useful life for the component based on the percent worn value; and   cause the display to provide the remaining useful life as a visible output.   
     
     
         17 . The processing circuit of  claim 16 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 receive location information for the component;   wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on the location information.   
     
     
         18 . The processing circuit of  claim 16 , wherein the remaining useful life is determined based on hours of operation and use application of the vehicle. 
     
     
         19 . The processing circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 determine an estimated service interval for the component based on the percent worn value; and   cause the display to provide the estimated service interval as a visible output.   
     
     
         20 . The processing circuit of  claim 14 , wherein the processor is further configured to:
 transmit data to a remote storage device for storing the data;   wherein the data includes at least one of the measurement of the component and the percent worn value.