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US 10,241,087 B2Granted
Device for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces with improved handling and method
AssigneeGE Sensing & Inspection Technologies GmbH
InventorRalf Ratering
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The present embodiments relate to a device for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces. The device comprises an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic test probe being configured for generating and coupling ultrasonic signals into a workpiece or/and for receiving ultrasonic signals from the workpiece. Furthermore, an electronic control unit is provided. The ease of operation is improved as a whole by a special configuration of the test probe and the control unit. Furthermore, the embodiments relate to a method for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces.
Claims19
A device for the non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces, comprising:
- an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer, the ultrasonic transducer including at least two individual segments configured to generate ultrasonic signals having predetermined ultrasound parameters into a workpiece and to receive ultrasonic signals from the workpiece;
- an electronic control unit;
- and
- an input unit, which is disposed on the ultrasonic test probe and includes an operating lever that is pivotable in at least one of a first plane and a second plane with respect to a defined rest position, the first plane being different from the second plane;
- wherein the input unit is configured to detect a change in an input parameter of the operating lever including at least a deflection angle of the operating lever from the rest position in the first or second plane, to generate a control command based upon the detected input parameter change, and to transmit the control command to the electronic control unit;
- and
- wherein the electronic control unit is configured to convert a received control command to phase-accurately control the segments of the ultrasonic transducer based upon the detected input parameter change to effect change of an ultrasound parameter of the generated ultrasonic signals.
4 more elements
A method for non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces, comprising:
- generating, by an ultrasonic test probe including an ultrasonic transducer having at least two individual segments, ultrasonic signals with predetermined ultrasound parameters;
- detecting, by an input unit disposed on the ultrasonic probe, a change in an input parameter of an operating lever of the input unit from a defined rest position;
- generating, by the input unit, a control command based upon the detected input parameter change;
- and
- controlling, by the electronic control unit, the segments of the ultrasonic transducer in a phase-accurate manner based upon a received control command to effect a change in an ultrasound parameter of the generated ultrasonic signals;
- wherein, when the input parameter change comprises a change in a deflection angle of the operating lever from the defined rest position in a first plane, the electronic control unit controls the segments of the ultrasonic transducer to effect a change in an insonification angle of the generated ultrasonic signals;
- and
- wherein, when the input parameter change comprises a change in a deflection angle of the operating lever from the defined rest position in a second plane, the electronic control unit controls the segments of the ultrasonic transducer to effect a change in a transverse angle of the generated ultrasonic signal.
5 more elements
A method for non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces, comprising:
- generating, by an ultrasonic test probe including an ultrasonic transducer having at least two individual segments, ultrasonic signals with predetermined ultrasound parameters;
- detecting, by an input unit disposed on the ultrasonic probe, a change in an input parameter of an operating lever of the input unit from a defined rest position;
- generating, by the input unit, a control command based upon the detected input parameter change;
- and
- controlling, by the electronic control unit, the segments of the ultrasonic transducer in a phase- accurate manner based upon a received control command to effect a change in an ultrasound parameter of the generated ultrasonic signals;
- wherein the input parameter change comprises a change in an angle of rotation of the operating lever from the rest position, and the electronic control unit controls the segments of the ultrasonic transducer to effect a change in a focusing depth of the generated ultrasonic signals.
3 more elements
A method for non-destructive ultrasound testing of workpieces, comprising:
- generating, by an ultrasonic test probe including an ultrasonic transducer having at least two individual segments, ultrasonic signals with predetermined ultrasound parameters;
- detecting, by an input unit disposed on the ultrasonic probe, a change in an input parameter of an operating lever of the input unit from a defined rest position;
- generating, by the input unit, a control command based upon the detected input parameter change;
- and
- controlling, by the electronic control unit, the segments of the ultrasonic transducer in a phase- accurate manner based upon a received control command to effect a change in an ultrasound parameter of the generated ultrasonic signals;
- receiving, by the electronic control unit, a conversion factor between an input parameter and a predetermined ultrasound parameter of the generated ultrasonic signal;
- and
- controlling, by the electronic control unit, the segments of the ultrasonic transducer based upon the received control command and the received conversion factor to effect a change in the controlled ultrasound parameter.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.