# US 2017/0284973 A1 · Ultrasonic bar and tube end testing with linear axis robot > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0284973 A1 - Document ID: US20170284973A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/468,212 - Filed: 2017-03-24 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-04-01 - Assignees: General Electric Company - Applicants: General Electric Company - Inventors: Stephan Falter; Alexander Felix Fiseni; Stephan Schmitz; Daniel Koers; Matthias Erhard Schwabe - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170284973A1 ## CPC - G01N 29/225: {Supports, positioning or alignment in moving situation} - G01N 29/223: {Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation (mounting transducers per se G10K11/004)} - G01N 29/24: Probes {(transducers for acoustic waves B06B, G10K; for measuring G01H)} - G01N 29/262: {by electronic orientation or focusing, e.g. with phased arrays (phased arrays per se G10K11/34)} - G01N 29/265: by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material - G01N 29/27: by moving the material relative to a stationary sensor - G01N 29/28: providing acoustic coupling {, e.g. water (impedance matching G10K11/02)} - G01N 29/4445: {Classification of defects} - G01N 2291/2634: cylindrical from outside - G01N 2291/2638: Complex surfaces - G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q) ## Abstract An inspection system for performing an inspection of an end region of a part is provided. The inspection system includes a robotic assembly positioned along a side of the part. The inspection system includes an ultrasonic probe coupled to the robotic assembly and positioned in proximity to the end region of the part. The ultrasonic probe is moved by the robotic assembly along a path to inspect the end region of the part. During the inspection, the ultrasonic probe transmits a signal towards the end region of the part and receives a reflected signal from the end region of the part. The inspection system provides, as a single system, for inspection of both a body of the part and the end region of the part. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An inspection system for performing an inspection of an end region of a part, the inspection system comprising: a robotic assembly positioned along a side of the part; and an ultrasonic probe coupled to the robotic assembly and positioned in proximity to the end region of the part, the ultrasonic probe configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a path to inspect the end region of the part, wherein, during the inspection, the ultrasonic probe is configured to: transmit a signal towards the end region of the part; and receive a reflected signal from the end region of the part. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a phased array probe. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, wherein an angle of inclination of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the end region of the part is configured to be adjusted by the robotic assembly. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a plurality of axes. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the path along which the ultrasonic probe is moved adapts to a geometry of the end region of the part. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, wherein the path along which the ultrasonic probe is moved comprises a pre-programmed path. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, comprising a fluid delivery structure coupled to the robotic assembly, the fluid delivery structure configured to deliver a fluid to the end region of the part. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The inspection system of claim 1, including a programmable logic controller that is set to provide harmonization between the position of the ultrasonic probe and the geometry of the part. ### Claim 9 An inspection system for performing an inspection of an end region of a part, the inspection system comprising: a robotic assembly positioned along a side of the part; and an ultrasonic probe coupled to the robotic assembly and positioned in proximity to the end region of the part, the ultrasonic probe configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a plurality of axes with respect to the end region of the part, an angle of inclination of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the end region of the part configured to be adjusted by the robotic assembly, wherein, during the inspection, the ultrasonic probe is configured to receive a reflected signal from the end region of the part. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The inspection system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a phased array two-dimensional matrix probe. ### Claim 11 An inspection system for performing an inspection of a part that has a body and an end region, the inspection system comprising: a robotic assembly positioned along a side of the part; and an ultrasonic probe coupled to the robotic assembly and selectably positionable in proximity to the body and the end region of the part, the ultrasonic probe configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a path to inspect the body and the end region of the part, wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to: during a portion of the inspection associated with the body: transmit a signal within the body of the part; and receive a reflected signal from within the body of the part, and during a portion of the inspection associated with the end region: transmit a signal towards the end region of the part; and receive a reflected signal from the end region of the part. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a phased array probe. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein an angle of inclination of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the end region of the part is configured to be adjusted by the robotic assembly. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a plurality of axes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein the path along which the ultrasonic probe is moved adapts to a geometry of the end region of the part during the portion of the inspection associated with the end region. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein the path along which the ultrasonic probe is moved comprises a pre-programmed path. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, comprising a fluid delivery structure coupled to the robotic assembly, the fluid delivery structure configured to deliver a fluid to the end region of the part. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, including a programmable logic controller that is set to provide harmonization between the position of the ultrasonic probe and the geometry of the part. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The inspection system of claim 11, wherein the ultrasonic probe is configured to be moved by the robotic assembly along a plurality of axes with respect to the end region of the part during the portion of the inspection associated with the end region, an angle of inclination of the ultrasonic probe with respect to the end region of the part configured to be adjusted by the robotic assembly during the portion of the inspection associated with the end region. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The inspection system of claim 19, wherein the ultrasonic probe comprises a phased array two-dimensional matrix probe.