AUTOMATIC ULTRASONIC TESTING APPARATUS TO EVALUATE THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF LEAD-ACID BATTERY TERMINAL POSTS

摘要

An ultrasonic testing apparatus for on or offline evaluation of the structural integrity of lead-acid battery terminal posts in battery manufacturing. The apparatus includes: means for controlling the reception, gate keeping (14), positioning (15), guiding (13) and transporting of lead-acid batteries (21) across the different operation stations of the apparatus; means for application of ultrasonic coupling medium (17) on the surface of the battery terminal posts; means for the engaging and disconnection of ultrasonic coupler devices to the battery terminal posts; means for transmitting ultrasonic waves from transducers (25) through the body of the lead-acid battery post; means for detecting and analyzing, the structural integrity of the terminal posts by a reflected echo; means for deciding the rejection or the acceptability of lead-acid batteries; and means for separating the failed batteries towards a rejects position. The main elements and functions of the apparatus can be adapted to any lead-acid battery manufacturing line.