Ultrasonic probe deployment device for increased wave transmission and rapid area scan inspections

DWPI Title: Portable ultrasonic probe deployment device for inspecting material located on inspection surface, has vacuum ports that remove excess water from inspection surface and are arranged proximal to fore and aft ends of housing
Abstract: An ultrasonic probe deployment device in which an ultrasound-transmitting liquid forms the portion of the ultrasonic wave path in contact with the surface being inspected (i.e., the inspection surface). A seal constrains flow of the liquid, for example preventing the liquid from surging out and flooding the inspection surface. The seal is not rigid and conforms to variations in the shape and unevenness of the inspection surface, thus forming a seal (although possibly a leaky seal) around the liquid. The probe preferably is held in place to produce optimum ultrasonic focus on the area of interest. Use of encoders can facilitate the production of C-scan area maps of the material being inspected.
Use: Portable ultrasonic probe deployment device for inspecting material such as bonded joints with uneven surfaces, and narrow joint width located on inspection surface.
Advantage: The encoder records and relates the position of the device as it is moved along the scan direction. This allows for the production of C-Scan type of color-coded maps that show the presence and allow the measurement of flaws and defects, or otherwise show changes in the material. The area ultrasonic arrays are used to increase the scanning speed or to provide redundant measurements. The encoder devices incorporated into the probe holder assembly can allow for complete area mapping of an inspection surface. This facilitates the production of C-scan color-coded maps that show the presence of flaws or other changes in the material. The vacuum ports are used to remove excess liquid that flows onto the inspection surface. The seal can include channels between these areas to provide for a controlled/reduced amount of fluid flow in the ultrasonic inspection device, so that the turbulence is decreased and the fidelity of the ultrasonic inspection signal is increased. The width of the device can be minimized to accommodate narrow adhesive bonds by incorporating ultrasonic transducers of the near wall design, eliminating vacuum ports from the sides of the probe deployment device, and moving wheels, encoders etc. to the front and back of the device~s housing. The small and compliant devices can be realized that allow for rapid inspection of bonded joints and provide output representative of two dimensional images that can be readily and rapidly interpreted by an inspector. The ultrasonic coupling is typically achieved by applying a gel to the inspection surface or by continuously spraying water on the surface. The continuous, uniform and reliable water column is provided to couple the ultrasonic wave between the inspection surface and the ultrasonic probe. The resulting inspections are of higher quality and can be completed faster than current alternatives. The device can be transferred from one inspection article to another without significant loss of water coupling from the water column directly below the ultrasonic probe. The probe placement within the housing can be adjusted to optimize the distance between the inspection site and the ultrasonic probe. This adjustment allows users to accurately and repeatably focus the ultrasonic waves at a particular depth/region for maximum sensitivity and resolution. The position encoder synchronizes movement of the device with the ultrasonic data acquisition, thus allowing the generation of area images which are generally easier for a field inspector to interpret compared to A or B-Scan ultrasonic signals.
Novelty: The ultrasonic probe deployment device (100) has a latex permeable membrane (140) that is attached to a bottom side of polycarbonate housing (110). The permeable membrane divides a cavity (160) into a non-contact chamber (162) and a contact chamber (164) contained by a seal such as a polyurethane foam or rubber gasket (150). The permeable membrane permits flow of water from non-contact to contact chambers. The vacuum ports (175) which extend to an inspection surface (190) and remove excess water from inspection surface are arranged proximal to fore and aft ends of housing.
Filed: 3/10/2009
Application Number: US2009401321A
Tech ID: SD 10649.0
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-NA0003525 awarded by the United States Department of Energy/National Nuclear Security Administration. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
Data from Derwent World Patents Index, provided by Clarivate
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