Phased array ultrasonic NDT system for tubes and pipes
First Claim
1. A system for the non-destructive testing of tubes comprising one or more ultra-sonic modules each of said modules comprising:
- (1) one or mare ultrasonic probes comprising a plurality of phased array ultrasonic elements;
(2) an acoustic coupling fluid contained within a column extending downwardly from the probe; and
(3) a boot for effecting an interface between said module and a tube having a tube wall to be tested, wherein the ultrasonic elements are deployed in the shape of a conical section having an included cone angle with the elements positioned side-by-side in an arcuate array to provide a phased array probe, whereby a plurality of phased array beams maybe directed from each of said one or more probes into an entry zone on an outer surface of said tube wall, said beams arriving at the entry zone from a range of bearing angles along conically oriented paths.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
One or more phased array ultrasonic probes in the shape of conical section arcs, or an entire conical section ring, emit beams at a fixed incident angle with respect to the outer surface of a tube or pipe under inspection. At any given moment, these beams strike the tube at a single small entry zone from number of different directions. After being refracted at the inspection angle corresponding to the fixed angle of incidence, defects having longitudinal, transverse and oblique orientations are detected in the three-dimensional volume of the tube wall. The number of entry zones required for complete coverage of the outer surface of the tube is a function of the size of the tube, the speed at which it passes through the inspection station and the rate of rotation of the tube.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A system for the non-destructive testing of tubes comprising one or more ultra-sonic modules each of said modules comprising:
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(1) one or mare ultrasonic probes comprising a plurality of phased array ultrasonic elements;
(2) an acoustic coupling fluid contained within a column extending downwardly from the probe; and
(3) a boot for effecting an interface between said module and a tube having a tube wall to be tested, wherein the ultrasonic elements are deployed in the shape of a conical section having an included cone angle with the elements positioned side-by-side in an arcuate array to provide a phased array probe, whereby a plurality of phased array beams maybe directed from each of said one or more probes into an entry zone on an outer surface of said tube wall, said beams arriving at the entry zone from a range of bearing angles along conically oriented paths. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A system for the non-destructive testing of a tube having a tube wall to detect the presence of defects within said wall, including one or more modules each comprising:
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(a) one or more ultrasonic phased array probes, each including a first plurality of ultrasonic elements;
(b) means to supply electrical signals to the ultrasonic elements to cause said ultrasonic elements to emit ultrasonic, phased array beams that respectively form a focal point;
(c) an acoustic coupling fluid contained within a column extending from said one or more probes to the foot of said column;
(d) acoustic coupling means extending between the foot of said column and a portion of the tube wall that serves as an ultrasonic entry zone for accessing the tube wall; and
(e) means to receive defect-reflected sound returning from the entry zone on said tube wall to detect defects within the tube wall, wherein said first plurality of ultrasonic elements are arcuately deployed side-by-side to each other in a 1-dimensional arcuate array, in the shape of a portion of the circumferential surface of an imaginary cone, and wherein said elements provide ultrasonic beams that are directed to strike an outer surface of said tube at said entry zone from a plurality of approaching bearing angles, at an angle of incidence that will permit said beams to penetrate within the tube wall of said tube positioned beneath the acoustic coupling means. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of non-destructive testing for defects in the wall of a tube as an inspected member to be inspected comprising:
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(a) presenting the wall of such tube to a phased array (PA) ultrasonic probe system at an inspection station;
(b) causing the inspected member to be rotated continuously while said member is moving past said inspection station;
(c) including at the inspection station at least one ultrasonic phased array probe having ultrasonic elements that provide a plurality of focused ultrasonic beams which are directed at an entry zone on an outer surface of the tube wall that accesses an inspection volume within said tube wall, said beams arriving at the entry zone at a constant inspection angle along a plurality of conically oriented paths;
(d) causing said beams to enter the inspection volume within the wall of the tube whereby sonic reflections are created by defects within the inspection volume; and
(e) detecting said reflections with an arcuately deployed array of ultrasonic sensors positioned to receive such reflections. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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Specification