AUTOMATED METHOD OF ULTRASONICALLY SCANNING CUTTERS WHILE ON THE BIT FOR CRACK DETECTION

摘要

An apparatus and method for determining a condition of a cutter coupled to a drill bit is disclosed. A support is configured to dispose the drill bit and the cutter at a selected location. A positioning device positions an ultrasonic transducer relative to the drill bit. The ultrasonic transducer and generates an ultrasonic pulse. A reflection of the ultrasonic pulse at a reflective surface of the cutter is obtained at the ultrasonic transducer. A processor receives the reflected pulse and forms an image of the reflective surface of the cutter using the reflected ultrasonic pulse while the cutter is coupled to the drill bit.