Immersible ultrasonic probe for nondestructive examination and imaging in harsh and high temperature media and method of making
AssigneeBattelle Memorial Institute
InventorsAaron A. Diaz, Michael R. Larche, Royce A. Mathews, Gerald J. Posakony
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Abstract
Immersible ultrasonic probes and methods of making are disclosed that provide nondestructive examination, imaging, and assessment of submerged targets in various liquid media including corrosive and optically opaque media at harsh conditions. In one embodiment the probe is a phased-array ultrasonic testing probe that includes an array of piezoelectric elements configured to transmit ultrasonic signals at selected frequencies through an opaque medium that enables nondestructive examination, characterization, and imaging of targets in the opaque medium.
Claims20
An immersible ultrasonic device for nondestructive examination of submerged targets, comprising:
- an immersible housing assembly comprising a first and second housing member with a fluid-tight seal weld therebetween enclosing a transducer device comprising an array of piezoelectric elements therein configured to generate and transmit ultrasonic signals from the immersible housing assembly to interrogate targets submerged in a selected medium.
A method of fabricating an immersible ultrasonic inspection device for nondestructive examination of submerged targets in selected media, comprising the step of:
- forming an immersible housing assembly comprising enclosing a transducer device comprising an array of piezoelectric elements therein between a first housing member and a second housing member and welding the first and second housing member together to form a fluid tight seal therebetween;
- wherein the transducer is configured to generate and transmit ultrasonic signals from the immersible housing assembly to interrogate submerged targets in a selected medium.
A method of non-destructive examination of submerged targets in selected media, comprising the step of:
- submerging a ultrasonic probe into a selected medium comprising a transducer device comprising an array of piezoelectric elements bonded to a metal faceplate within an immersible housing assembly using a high temperature metal solder or foil defining an acoustically matched metal interface therebetween;
- and
- delivering an ultrasonic signal from the transducer device through the metal faceplate to interrogate submerged targets in the selected medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.