# US 4,391,143 A · Ultrasonic probe for inspecting double-wall tube

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- Number: US 4,391,143 A
- Document ID: US4391143A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 06/268,424
- Filed: 1981-05-29
- Granted: 1983-07-05
- Earliest claimed: 1981-05-29
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
- Inventors: Kenneth V. Cook; Robert A. Cunningham, Jr.; Horace T. Murrin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US4391143A

## CPC

- G01N 29/26: Arrangements for orientation or scanning {by relative movement of the head and the sensor (mechanical steering of sound transducers or their beams G10K11/35)}
- G01N 29/223: {Supports, positioning or alignment in fixed situation (mounting transducers per se G10K11/004)}
- G01N 29/265: by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
- G01N 2291/044: Internal reflections (echoes), e.g. on walls or defects
- G01N 2291/045: External reflections, e.g. on reflectors
- G01N 2291/105: two or more emitters, two or more receivers
- 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 ultrasonic probe for inspecting the interface between the walls of a double-wall tube comprises a cylindrical body member having two cavities axially spaced apart thereon. The probe is placed in the tube and ultrasonic energy is transmitted from a transducer in its body member to a reflector in one of its cavities and thence into the inner wall of the tube. A second transducer in the probe body member communicates with the second cavity through a collimation passage in the body member, and the amount of ultrasonic energy reflected from the interface between the walls of the tube to a second reflector through the collimation passage to the second transducer depends upon the characteristics of said interface.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ultrasonic probe assembly for inspecting a double-wall structure, comprising:
a body member having first and second cavities extending inwardly from its periphery and spaced apart from each other axially of one side thereof, the portion of said body member disposed between said first and second cavities constituting a baffle wall blocking direct transmission of ultrasonic energy therebetween;
a first transducer mounted within said body member and operative to (1) transmit ultrasonic energy into said first cavity and (2) sense ultrasonic energy;
a first reflector mounted within said first cavity and aligned with said first transducer so as to receive ultrasonic energy therefrom and reflect it to said double-wall structure at a predetermined angle, said first reflector also receiving ultrasonic energy reflected back from said double-wall structure and reflecting it to said first transducer;
a second transducer mounted within said body member and operative to sense ultrasonic energy, said second transducer being spaced from said second cavity on the side thereof remote from said first cavity;
an aperture in said body member extending from said second cavity to said second transducer;
a tubular collimator insert mounted within said aperture; and
a second reflector mounted within said second cavity and arranged to receive ultrasonic energy reflected from the end of said collimator insert adjacent thereto and reflect it through said collimator insert to said second transducer.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly of claim 1 wherein the reflection face of said second reflector is inclined at an angle of 55.degree. relative to the longitudinal axis of said body member.