G01N29/26

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC INSPECTION OF TURBINE BLADES

A nondestructive method for a volumetric examination of a blade root of a turbine blade while the turbine blade is installed in a turbine shaft of a steam turbine includes attaching a bracket to the turbine blade, the bracket conforming to the geometry of the turbine blade, positioning an ultrasonic phased array probe within a slot formed in the bracket to enable the probe to translate along the geometry of the turbine blade to a desired position for generation of a scan of a portion of the blade root, generating a scan of the desired position by directing ultrasonic waves via the ultrasonic phased array probe, and capturing reflected ultrasonic waves by a receiver to generate the scan and comparing the scan to a reference scan of the blade root to determine defects within the blade root.

ULTRASOUND BEAMFORMING SYSTEM AND METHOD BASED ON ANALOG RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY ARRAY
20180003819 · 2018-01-04 ·

An ultrasound beamformer architecture performs the task of signal beamforming using a matrix of analog random access memory cells to capture, store and process instantaneous samples of analog signals from ultrasound array elements and this architecture provides significant reduction in power consumption and the size of the diagnostic ultrasound imaging system such that the hardware build upon this ultrasound beamformer architecture can be placed in one or few application specific integrated chips (ASIC) positioned next to the ultrasound array and the whole diagnostic ultrasound imaging system could fit in the handle of the ultrasonic probe while preserving most of the functionality of a cart-based system. The ultrasound beamformer architecture manipulate analog samples in the memory in the same fashion as digital memory operates that can be described as an analog store—digital read (ASDR) beamformer. The ASDR architecture provides improved signal-to-noise ratio and is scalable.

Linkage device, transceiver module and plane stress field measuring device and method capable of achieving synchronous adjustment of distance and angle

Disclosed are a linkage device, a transceiver module and a plane stress field measuring device and method capable of achieving synchronous adjustment of distance and angle, and relates to the field of ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The existing technical means for measuring plane stress in the field of ultrasonic testing has the shortcomings that the same testing is only applicable for single materials and the deflection angles of transmitting and receiving transducers are inconsistent. In the application, the linkage device designed by comprising a distance adjusting screw, an angle adjusting screw, a left connecting rod, a right connecting rod, a shaft column and a column lock is adopted, and based on the linkage device, the transceiver module designed by comprising a receiving end wedge, a receiving probe, a transmitting end wedge and a transmitting probe is additionally arranged; based on the transceiver module, the measuring device designed by comprising a pulse transmitting device, an amplifying device and a data acquisition device is additionally arranged, and the stress measuring method applicable for the stress measuring device is provided; and the distance and deflection angle between the receiving probe and the transmitting probe of the detection are adjusted according to a tested part. The application applies to stress measurement in the manufacturing process of mechanical components.

Linkage device, transceiver module and plane stress field measuring device and method capable of achieving synchronous adjustment of distance and angle

Disclosed are a linkage device, a transceiver module and a plane stress field measuring device and method capable of achieving synchronous adjustment of distance and angle, and relates to the field of ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The existing technical means for measuring plane stress in the field of ultrasonic testing has the shortcomings that the same testing is only applicable for single materials and the deflection angles of transmitting and receiving transducers are inconsistent. In the application, the linkage device designed by comprising a distance adjusting screw, an angle adjusting screw, a left connecting rod, a right connecting rod, a shaft column and a column lock is adopted, and based on the linkage device, the transceiver module designed by comprising a receiving end wedge, a receiving probe, a transmitting end wedge and a transmitting probe is additionally arranged; based on the transceiver module, the measuring device designed by comprising a pulse transmitting device, an amplifying device and a data acquisition device is additionally arranged, and the stress measuring method applicable for the stress measuring device is provided; and the distance and deflection angle between the receiving probe and the transmitting probe of the detection are adjusted according to a tested part. The application applies to stress measurement in the manufacturing process of mechanical components.

ACOUSTIC MODEL ACOUSTIC REGION OF INFLUENCE GENERATION

Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting an ultrasonic-based inspection. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving a plurality of scan plan parameters associated with generating an image of at least one flaw within a specimen based on acoustic echo data obtained using full matrix capture (FMC); applying the plurality of scan plan parameters to an acoustic model, the acoustic model configured to determine a two-way pressure response of a plurality of inspection modes based on specular reflection and diffraction phenomena; generating, by the acoustic model based on the plurality of scan plan parameters, an acoustic region of influence (AROI) comprising an acoustic amplitude sensitivity map for a first inspection mode amongst the plurality of inspection modes; and generating, for display, a first image comprising the AROI associated with the first inspection mode for capturing or inspecting the image of the at least one flaw.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME VISUALIZATION OF DEFECTS IN A MATERIAL

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME VISUALIZATION OF DEFECTS IN A MATERIAL

The present disclosure provides a system and method for real-time visualization of a material during ultrasonic non-destructive testing. The system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) capable of showing a three-dimensional (3-D) image of a composite laminate constructed of a series of two-dimensional (2-D) cross sections. The GUI is capable of displaying the 3-D image as each additional 2-D cross section is scanned by an ultrasonic testing apparatus in real time or near real time, including probable defect regions that contain a flaw such as a hole, crack, wrinkle, or foreign object within the composite. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the system includes an artificial intelligence capable of highlighting defect areas within the 3-D image in real time or near real time and providing data regarding each defect area, such as the depth, size, and/or type of each defect.

Staggered Magnet Array (SMA) Based Electromagnetic Acoustic Transducer (EMAT)

A staggered magnet array (SMA) based electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) system and method for controlling the direction of the ultrasonic waves in the electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) using staggered magnet array (SMA) configurations, is disclosed herein. The EMAT device proposed herein comprises at least one conductive racetrack coil and at least two magnet arrays wherein the magnet array comprises of permanent magnets, where each magnet is oriented according to a specific configuration to produce ultrasonic waves in order to form an ultrasonic beam by shifting the position of the magnet arrays up or down creating a SMA configuration.

Additive manufacturing system with ultrasonic inspection and method of operation

An additive manufacturing system includes an ultrasonic inspection system integrated in such a way as to minimize time needed for an inspection process. The inspection system may have an ultrasonic phased array integrated into a build table for detecting defects in each successive slice of a workpiece and such that each slice may be re-melted if and when defects are detected.

Apparatus and method for improved corrosion thinning detection

An apparatus for performing ultrasonic evaluation of a portion of a pipe includes a frame assembly and a plurality of ultrasonic sensors disposed in the frame assembly. The frame assembly includes a frame which is structured to cooperatively engage an outer surface of the pipe. The frame has a curved surface which is curved about an axis which, when the frame is engaged with the pipe, generally coincides with the central longitudinal axis of the pipe. The curved surface is generally defined by a radius which is generally equal to an outer radius of the pipe. The plurality of ultrasonic sensors are disposed in the frame assembly a fixed distance from the curved surface.