Ultrasonic probe system for the bore-side inspection of tubes and welds therein
First Claim
1. An ultrasonic probe system for the bore-side inpsection of small tubes and welds therein comprising a two-channel probe adapted to be rotated at a selected speed within a tube to be inspected and to be moved axially along said tube a selected amount for each revolution of said probe, said probe including a cylindrical body member, a first transmitter-receiver ultrasonic transducer mounted within said body member, a deep recess provided in the forward end of said body member, said first transducer facing axially and forwardly into said recess, a reflector mounted within said recess and aligned with said first transducer for receiving ultrasound therefrom and directing it into the wall of said tube at a desired angle, said reflector also receiving ultrasound reflected from said tube and directing it back to said first transducer, said body member further provided with a small notch oriented at 90°
- and rearward from with respect to said recess, a second ultrasnic receiver transducer mounted in said body memberwith the face thereof projecting into said notch for receiving ultrasonic signals from the inside wall of said tube, a ridge positioned between said recess and said notch which serves as a baffle between said respective transducers, said body member further provided with a separated pair of spring loaded biasing means for maintaining said ridge baffle against the inside wall of a tube being inspected, said system further including a first ultrasonic signal generator and receiver unit, an ultrasonic signal receiver unit, rotary joint means for coupling said respective units to said respective first and second transducers, recorder means, a longitudinal potentiometer actuated by axial movement of said probe, a rotation potentiometer actuated by rotary movement of said probe, said respective potentiometers providing respective X and Y inputs to said recorder means, and means for amplifying the received ultrasound outputs of said ultrasound units feeding them to said recorder means, whereby any flaws and/or defects on the outer and inner surfaces of said tube to be inspected are recorded by said recorder means.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A probe system is provided for the bore-side inspection of tube-to-header welds and the like for small diameter tubes. The probe head of the system includes an ultrasonic transmitter-receiver transducer, a separate ultrasonic receiver, a reflector associated with the transducer to properly orient the ultrasonic signal with respect to a tube wall, a baffle to isolate the receiver from the transducer, and means for maintaining the probe head against the tube wall under investigation. Since the probe head must rotate to inspect along a helical path, special ultrasonic signal connections are employed. Through the use of the probe, flaws at either the inner or outer surfaces may be detected.
25 Citations
8 Claims
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1. An ultrasonic probe system for the bore-side inpsection of small tubes and welds therein comprising a two-channel probe adapted to be rotated at a selected speed within a tube to be inspected and to be moved axially along said tube a selected amount for each revolution of said probe, said probe including a cylindrical body member, a first transmitter-receiver ultrasonic transducer mounted within said body member, a deep recess provided in the forward end of said body member, said first transducer facing axially and forwardly into said recess, a reflector mounted within said recess and aligned with said first transducer for receiving ultrasound therefrom and directing it into the wall of said tube at a desired angle, said reflector also receiving ultrasound reflected from said tube and directing it back to said first transducer, said body member further provided with a small notch oriented at 90°
- and rearward from with respect to said recess, a second ultrasnic receiver transducer mounted in said body memberwith the face thereof projecting into said notch for receiving ultrasonic signals from the inside wall of said tube, a ridge positioned between said recess and said notch which serves as a baffle between said respective transducers, said body member further provided with a separated pair of spring loaded biasing means for maintaining said ridge baffle against the inside wall of a tube being inspected, said system further including a first ultrasonic signal generator and receiver unit, an ultrasonic signal receiver unit, rotary joint means for coupling said respective units to said respective first and second transducers, recorder means, a longitudinal potentiometer actuated by axial movement of said probe, a rotation potentiometer actuated by rotary movement of said probe, said respective potentiometers providing respective X and Y inputs to said recorder means, and means for amplifying the received ultrasound outputs of said ultrasound units feeding them to said recorder means, whereby any flaws and/or defects on the outer and inner surfaces of said tube to be inspected are recorded by said recorder means.
- View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
Specification