Bore probe for tube inspection with guided waves and method therefor
First Claim
1. A system of using guided ultrasonic waves for inspection of defects in tubing using a transducer for generating the guided waves at any one of several parameters of phase velocity, Cph and frequency, f, to operate at a specific point on a dispersion curve of a specific ultrasonic guided wave mode within said tubing, said transducer being tuned to a said phase velocity, by:
- providing as a part of said transducer an annular array of radiating elements substantially concentric with and spaced from each other along the same direction as the direction of propagation of said guided waves;
means for generating by said elements of said transducer a said guided wave of any selected one of said several parameters of phase velocity;
whereby the structure of said wave may be readily changed for effective detection, location analysis, classification, and sizing.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Guided ultrasonic waves are used for the detection of defective tubes in a heat exchanger or steam generator by using a transducer which generates a guided wave at predetermined parameters of phase velocity and frequency to operate at a point on a dispersion curve which minimizes leakage of ultrasonic energy to fluid surrounding the tube. Various techniques of generating ultrasonic waves of various phase velocities such as a comb type filter allow phase velocity points on a dispersion curve to be freely selected.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A system of using guided ultrasonic waves for inspection of defects in tubing using a transducer for generating the guided waves at any one of several parameters of phase velocity, Cph and frequency, f, to operate at a specific point on a dispersion curve of a specific ultrasonic guided wave mode within said tubing, said transducer being tuned to a said phase velocity, by:
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providing as a part of said transducer an annular array of radiating elements substantially concentric with and spaced from each other along the same direction as the direction of propagation of said guided waves; means for generating by said elements of said transducer a said guided wave of any selected one of said several parameters of phase velocity; whereby the structure of said wave may be readily changed for effective detection, location analysis, classification, and sizing. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification