Oblique flaw detection using ultrasonic transducers
First Claim
1. A method for performing a pulse-echo test on a cylindrically-shaped object having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis that intersects and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
- positioning an ultrasonic transducer having an axis so that the transducer axis is parallel to a first plane that is defined by the longitudinal axis and the radial axis; and
actuating the transducer so as to emit an ultrasonic beam onto an outer surface of the object, the emitted beam being at an angle from the transducer axis such that a second plane defined by the emitted beam and the transducer axis is parallel to the first plane.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object'"'"'s outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing.
28 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A method for performing a pulse-echo test on a cylindrically-shaped object having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis that intersects and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasonic transducer having an axis so that the transducer axis is parallel to a first plane that is defined by the longitudinal axis and the radial axis; and actuating the transducer so as to emit an ultrasonic beam onto an outer surface of the object, the emitted beam being at an angle from the transducer axis such that a second plane defined by the emitted beam and the transducer axis is parallel to the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for performing a pulse-echo test on a cylindrically-shaped object having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis that intersects and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the method comprising:
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positioning an ultrasonic transducer so that it is offset from a first plane that is defined by the longitudinal axis and the radial axis; and actuating the transducer so as to emit an ultrasonic beam onto an outer surface of the object, the emitted beam being at an angle from, and defining a second plane with, an axis of the transducer such that the second plane is parallel to the first plane.
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16. An ultrasonic inspection system for performing pulse-echo testing of a cylindrically-shaped object, the object having a longitudinal axis and a radial axis that intersects and is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the system comprising:
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a rotary testing unit comprising (a) a longitudinal axis about which the rotary testing unit rotates, (b) an outer wall, and (c) an inner wall, the rotary testing unit being configured to receive the object along the longitudinal axis; at least one ultrasonic transducer having an axis and being coupled to the inner wall of the rotary testing unit such that the transducer axis is parallel to a first plane that is defined by the longitudinal axis and the radial axis; and an actuator configured to actuate the at least one transducer so as to emit an ultrasonic beam onto an outer surface of the object, the emitted beam being at an angle from the transducer axis such that a second plane defined by the emitted beam and the transducer axis is parallel to the first plane. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification