Probe-securing apparatus

An apparatus for supporting multiple probes during performance of an ultrasonic test of a structural material, the apparatus comprising:

• a base plate including:
• a cavity that is configured to receive at least a portion of the structural material;
• a first flange;
• and
• a second flange;
• a first pneumatic cylinder disposed proximate a first side of the cavity, the first flange, and substantially parallel to a plane defined by the base plate, the first pneumatic cylinder comprising:
• a first body coupled to the base plate proximate the first side of the cavity,
• a first rod that extends in a first direction into an area defined by the cavity, and
• a first bracket that is configured to detachably couple a first ultrasonic probe to a distal end of the first rod, the first bracket further configured to position the first ultrasonic probe against a first surface of the structural material during the ultrasonic test;
• and
• a second pneumatic cylinder disposed proximate a second side of the cavity opposite the first side of the cavity, the second flange, and substantially parallel to the plane defined by the base plate, the second pneumatic cylinder comprising:
• a second body coupled to the base plate proximate the second side of the cavity,
• a second rod that extends in a second direction opposite the first direction and into the area defined by the cavity, and
• a second bracket that is configured to detachably couple a second ultrasonic probe to a distal end of the second rod, the second bracket further configured to position the second ultrasonic probe against a second surface of the structural material opposite the first surface,
• wherein the first pneumatic cylinder and the second pneumatic cylinder are configured to simultaneously apply a controlled amount of force to the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe, respectively, to maintain acoustic contact with the structural material during the ultrasonic test.

A method associated with performing an ultrasonic test of a structural material using an apparatus that is configured to secure a plurality of ultrasonic probes during a data collection phase of the ultrasonic test, the method comprising:

• positioning the structural material within a cavity disposed along an outer edge of a base plate of the apparatus, the cavity comprising a first side, a second side opposite the first side, a third side extending between the first and second sides, and an open side opposite the third side, such that the cavity defines a three-sided, open-ended region configured to receive the structural material;
• configuring a first actuator of the apparatus that is coupled to a first ultrasonic probe to apply a controllable amount of force to the first probe, the amount of force associated with obtaining a first measurement from the first probe;
• configuring a second actuator of the apparatus that is coupled to a second ultrasonic probe to apply the controllable amount of force to the second probe, the amount of force associated with obtaining a second measurement from the second probe;
• and
• simultaneously maintaining contact between the first probe and a first surface of the structural material and between the second probe and a second surface of the structural material opposite the first surface while causing a movement of the apparatus along a portion of the structural material, the movement associated with generating ultrasonic data during the data collection phase of the ultrasonic test.