Flaw detection method and apparatus for fuel cell components

摘要

Various embodiments provide systems and methods for detecting defects in components of a fuel cell. Embodiment methods and systems include directing acoustic energy into the component, detecting acoustic energy from the component, analyzing a characteristic of the detected acoustic energy, and based on the analyzing, determining the presence or absence of a defect in the component.

主权项

1. A method for testing a fuel cell component, comprising:
directing acoustic energy into the component, wherein directing acoustic energy comprises stimulating the component at a resonance frequency of the component; detecting acoustic energy from the component, wherein detecting the acoustic energy comprises detecting a resonance response of the component; analyzing a characteristic of the detected acoustic energy, wherein analyzing a characteristic comprises measuring a damping of an amplitude of the detected resonance response; and based on the analyzing, determining a presence or absence of a defect in the component, which comprises determining the presence of a defect when a measured damping value exceeds a pre-determined maximum damping deviation value from a reference value.