An ultrasonic inspection probe assembly includes a flexible ultrasonic transducer array located between a backing block and a face layer. The flexible ultrasonic transducer array can be located in the opening of a flexible ultrasonic transducer array frame.

A method for reconstructing a three-dimensional surface of a part using an ultrasonic matrix sensor including scanning the three-dimensional surface using a matrix sensor at different measurement points located at the intersection of scanning rows and of increment rows at each measurement point, acquiring a temporal row image representing a reflected wave amplitude received by each element from a selected row of the matrix sensor and acquiring a temporal column image representing a reflected wave amplitude received by each element from a selected column of the matrix sensor, constructing a two-dimensional row image for each scanning row on the basis of the temporal row images constructing a two-dimensional column image for each increment row on the basis of the temporal column images, and constructing a three-dimensional image on the basis of the two dimensional row images and of the two-dimensional column images.

Methods and systems for computing distance data for a structure. A scan surface that represents an inspection area of the structure is identified. A plurality of sample points on an outer surface identified from a model of the structure and a corresponding plurality of projected points on an inner surface identified from the model of the structure are generated using the scan surface, a first geometric representation of the outer surface, and a second geometric representation of the inner surface. Distance data is computed using the plurality of sample points and the corresponding plurality of projected points. The distance data identifies a distance between a point pair formed by a sample point of the plurality of sample points and a corresponding projected point of the corresponding plurality of projected points.

An ultrasonic probe assembly includes an ultrasonic probe having a housing, an ultrasonic sensor, at least one magnet, and rotatable joint portions. The housing extends along a longitudinal axis between first and second ends and includes a base surface. The sensor is secured adjacent a housing base surface configured to emit ultrasonic signals and receive ultrasonic echoes reflected from a target. The magnet is secured within the housing and configured to apply a magnetic force urging the base surface into contact with a surface of the target. The magnetic force frictionally maintains the housing at a stationary position with respect to the target surface. A first rotatable joint portion is positioned on a first lateral side of the housing. A second rotatable joint portion is positioned on a second lateral side of the housing, opposite the first lateral side.

An ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe and an analyzer. The probe includes a flexible delay line and an ultrasonic transducer array at a first delay line end. A second delay line end can contact a target. The analyzer can receive ultrasonic echoes from the ultrasonic transducers representing amplitude of ultrasonic signals reflected from the target as a function of time from transmission. The analyzer determines a maximum amplitude of the echoes received by each transducer, scale the maximum amplitudes based upon a greatest maximum amplitude, and bin the scaled maximum amplitudes. The analyzer assigns each bin a color and generate a C-scan based upon the scaled amplitudes. Each C-scan pixel can correspond to at least one transducer, and the relative position of each C-scan pixel can correspond to the relative position of the ultrasonic transducer represented by the pixel. Each pixel can be displayed with its assigned color.

A system and method passively normalize an ultrasonic dry coupled wheel probe as the probe traverses a surface of a structure to inspect the structure, such as a flat structure or a curved pipe. At least a pair of arms are configured to passively maintain normalization of the probe in a detection direction normal to the surface.

An ultrasonic inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe and an analyzer. The probe includes a flexible delay line and an ultrasonic transducer array at a first delay line end. A second delay line end can contact a target. The analyzer can receive ultrasonic echoes from the ultrasonic transducers representing amplitude of ultrasonic signals reflected from the target as a function of time from transmission. The analyzer determines a maximum amplitude of the echoes received by each transducer, scale the maximum amplitudes based upon a greatest maximum amplitude, and bin the scaled maximum amplitudes. The analyzer assigns each bin a color and generate a C-scan based upon the scaled amplitudes. Each C-scan pixel can correspond to at least one transducer, and the relative position of each C-scan pixel can correspond to the relative position of the ultrasonic transducer represented by the pixel. Each pixel can be displayed with its assigned color.

The present invention provides an acoustic coupling interface (1) for use between a flexible ultrasound transducing device (2) and a curved object (3) to be examined. The interface (1) is in the form of a sheet (4) having a bending flexibility that permits the sheet (4) to form a continuous contact with said curved object (3) during operation of the flexible ultrasound transducing device (2). Further, the sheet (4) comprises a bulk material (5) and a plurality of acoustic waveguiding structures (6) arranged in said bulk material (5), wherein the plurality of acoustic waveguiding structures (6) is for providing bidirectional coupling of ultrasound signals (7) emitted by the ultrasound transducing device (2).

An ultrasonic tester includes an ultrasonic sensor that applies ultrasound to a test object; a casing that holds the ultrasonic sensor immersed in a contact medium that allows the ultrasound to propagate therethrough, the casing including a test object-facing opening Further, there is circuitry configured to, when the test object-facing opening of the casing is passing an opening of the test object in a test direction of the test object, control a moving speed of the casing such that a region of contact between the test object and the contact medium entering the opening of the test object is kept within the opening of the test object.

Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic inspection probe for inspecting parts. The ultrasonic inspection probe comprises a probe body that comprises an ultrasonic array and a plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of ultrasound elements, each selectively operable to generate an ultrasonic beam and each fixed relative to the plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic inspection probe also comprises an interface plate, comprising a body attachment surface, removably attachable to the plate attachment surface of the probe body, and a part inspection surface, shaped to complement a shape of one of the parts.