Reference standard for evaluation of a non-destructive inspection device and associated system and method

A non-destructive inspection (NDI) system for evaluating components, the system comprising:

• an NDI device comprising:
• a probe configured to interact with a reference standard;
• and
• a control system operatively connected to the probe, the control system configured to analyze data collected during a scanning operation between the probe and the reference standard;
• and
• the reference standard comprising:
• an elongated tool comprising a first end, a second end, and an outer surface extending between the first end and the second end, wherein the outer surface comprises:
• an outer inspection surface defining a constant radius;
• and
• an outer testing surface forming a remainder of the outer surface contiguous with the outer inspection surface;
• a plurality of alignment marks positioned on the outer inspection surface adjacent to the first end of the elongated tool;
• first inset parallel surfaces inset relative to the outer testing surface, the first inset parallel surfaces extending from the first end towards the second end of the elongated tool and having a first length;
• a pair of parallel inspection lines extending longitudinally along the outer testing surface and positioned within an inspection arc defined along a circumference of the outer testing surface;
• an angled distortion line extending between and intersecting the pair of parallel inspection lines at an angle relative to the pair of parallel inspection lines;
• a plurality of radial index marks arranged circumferentially about and extending longitudinally along the outer testing surface, the plurality of radial index marks being parallel to each other and equally spaced apart;
• and
• a plurality of lateral index marks arranged axially along the outer testing surface and extending laterally across the outer testing surface, the plurality of lateral index marks being parallel to each other and equally spaced apart.

A method for evaluating a non-destructive inspection (NDI) system using a reference standard, the method comprising:

• scanning a probe of an NDI device along an outer inspection surface of an elongated tool;
• verifying alignment of the probe using a plurality of alignment marks positioned adjacent to a first end of the elongated tool;
• assessing horizontal linearity of the NDI device using first inset parallel surfaces, inset relative to an outer testing surface of the elongated tool;
• evaluating arc coverage of the NDI device using a pair of parallel inspection lines extending longitudinally along the outer testing surface and positioned within an inspection arc defined along a circumference of the outer testing surface;
• detecting distortion in scan data of the NDI device using an angled distortion line extending between and intersecting the pair of parallel inspection lines at an angle relative to the pair of parallel inspection lines;
• verifying radial indexing spatial resolution of the NDI device using a plurality of radial index marks arranged circumferentially about and extending longitudinally along the outer testing surface;
• and
• verifying axial index spatial resolution of the NDI device using a plurality of lateral index marks arranged axially along the outer testing surface and extending laterally across the outer testing surface.