The provided apparatus for automated nondestructive inspection of a metal structure having a surface comprises an ultrasonic nondestructive inspection unit, a nondestructive inspection unit based on magnetic flux leakage method, an eddy-current nondestructive inspection unit, a control unit connected to the ultrasonic nondestructive inspection unit, the nondestructive inspection unit based on the magnetic flux leakage method and the eddy-current nondestructive inspection unit for sending control signals to carry out inspection of the metal structure, and a navigation unit connected to the control unit, wherein the navigation unit determines a position of said apparatus relative to the metal structure, determines a state of the surface of the metal structure and sends signals into the control unit. The nondestructive inspection unit based on magnetic flux leakage method changes a magnetic field induction generated by this unit from a minimum value close to zero value to a predetermined maximum value.

An inspection device inspects a joint-type outer joint member of a constant velocity universal joint that includes a cup section having a bottomed cylindrical shape and track grooves in an inner periphery thereof for torque transmitting elements, and a shaft section extending from a bottom of the cup section. The inspection device inspects the outer joint member, which is obtained through melt-welding on a cup member forming the cup section and a shaft member forming the shaft section. The inspection device includes a surface inspection unit to inspect for a defect which appears on a surface of the outer joint member due to welding, an internal inspection unit to inspect for an internal defect of a welded portion, and a recording unit to record an inspection result of the inspection. The inspection device is configured to efficiently perform in-line total inspection for the melt-welded joint-type outer joint member.

Provided is a method for inspecting at least a portion of a downhole conveyance device. The method, in one embodiment, includes providing a downhole conveyance device, and providing an ultrasonic defect inspection system adjacent the downhole conveyance device. The method, in this embodiment, further includes detecting defects in the downhole conveyance device using the ultrasonic defect inspection system, wherein the detecting includes transmitting ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic defect inspection system toward the downhole conveyance device, and obtaining defect data by sensing disruptions in the reflected ultrasonic waves caused by defects in the downhole conveyance device.

A device (1) including an ultrasonic measuring unit (7) that sends an ultrasonic signal (S1) into a structure (2) and measures the amplitude of the ultrasonic signal (S2) reflected by the structure (2), a processing unit for determining the thickness of the interposition mastic (3) from the measurements of the ultrasonic measuring unit (7) and with the aid of a propagation model of the interposition mastic (3) which provides a thickness value of the interposition mastic (3) depending on the propagation time of the ultrasonic signal in the interposition mastic (3) as well as auxiliary data, and a processing unit for deducing a conformity or a lack of conformity of said interposition mastic (3) and the presence of cuttings from the thickness of the interposition mastic (3), the device (1) carrying out a conformity checking that is accurate, fast and reliable without having to disassemble the structure (2).

An automated system for non-destructively evaluating spot welds that includes at least one matrix phased array probe; a fixture adapted to be mounted on a robot or other mechanical actuator, wherein the fixture is further adapted to retain the at least one matrix phased array probe; and an enclosure that includes at least one input for connecting to the at least one matrix phased array probe, ultrasonic phased array transmitting and receiving circuitry in electrical communication with the at least one input, at least one data processor running software that includes at least one algorithm for processing data received from the probe and generating discrete specifications of evaluated welds, wherein the discrete specifications further include pass indications or fail indications regarding weld acceptability; and at least one output for outputting the discrete specifications of evaluated welds.

This invention provides a method and device for nondestructive testing of an anchor bolt. Said method and device make it possible to quantitatively test the soundness of an anchor bolt affixed to a foundation via an adhesive anchor. In this method for nondestructive testing of an anchor bolt, in which the soundness of an anchor bolt affixed to a foundation via an adhesive anchor is tested, a section of the anchor bolt that is exposed from the surface of the foundation is hit so as to produce an impact noise, a signal waveform corresponding to said impact noise is received and subjected to frequency analysis so as to obtain frequency information for said signal waveform, and the soundness of the anchor bolt is nondestructively, quantitatively tested on the basis of said frequency information.

This invention discloses a system to automate a non-destructive test (NDT) for measuring stress or stress change developed within an object during a certain time period by using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) and ultrasound technique. The system comprises a ground control station (GCS), UAVs and reference positioning modules as its basis. Given a test plan containing test points over a surface of a test object in 3D point coordinates, UAVs can fly autonomously to the points and perform ultrasound measurements on them with a single or a plurality of ultrasound transducers in an automated manner. Moreover, after receiving trigger signals from the GCS, a UAV can also perform the flight and the measurement synchronously with other UAVs. After a measurement, an acquired ultrasound echo signal is taken with another echo signal acquired at a different time point to compute stress or stress change.

A probe arrangement for a testing system includes a base carrier that defines a longitudinal direction, which can be oriented parallel to a testing direction, and a transverse direction, which can be oriented perpendicularly to the testing direction. The base carrier carries a plurality of probe holders which are arranged next to one another in a row in the transverse direction. Each probe holder has a first probe region, which is equipped with at least one first probe, and a second probe region, which is equipped with at least one second probe. Each probe region defines an effective testing width such that, during relative movement of the test subject with respect to the probe arrangement along the testing direction through the probe region, a testing track having the effective testing width can be tested in a gap-free manner. The first probe region and the second probe region are arranged so as to be offset in relation to one another parallel to the longitudinal direction and parallel to the transverse direction such that a first testing track covered by the first probe region transitions on one side in a gap-free manner into a second testing track covered by the second probe region of the same probe holder, and transitions on the opposite side in a gap-free manner into a second testing track covered by a second probe region of a directly adjacent probe holder.

Systems and methods of determining a tension of an anchor embedded in a dam are described. A dynamic impulse response of the dam is empirically obtained in such that a portion of the empirical dynamic impulse response is dominated by a dynamic behavior of the anchor. Furthermore, a set of modeled impulse responses that map to a set of tension values for the anchor are obtained. Next, a closest matching modeled impulse response from the set of modeled impulse responses that is a closest match to the portion of the empirical dynamic impulse response that is dominated by the dynamic behavior of the anchor is determined. Finally, a tension value from the set of tension values is selected, which is the closest match to the portion of the dynamic impulse response dominated by the dynamic behavior of the anchor. As such, the tension value of the anchor can be determined.

An ultrasonic non-destructive testing method and device for rail applications uses a plurality of phased array transducers to inspect aluminothermit weld defects located in a head portion, a web portion, an ankle portion, and a toe portion of a weld of a rail section. The method includes: scanning the head portion of the weld including: a first phased array transducer positioned above the weld and a second phased array transducer positioned a distance from the first phased array transducer to provide inclined access to the weld; and scanning the toe portion of the weld including: positioning pairs of third, fourth, and fifth phased array transducers on a surface of the toe portion, such that the pairs of third, fourth and fifth phased array transducers are disposed symmetrically with one of the pair on each side of the toe portion.