Inspection of non axi-symmetric elongate bodies
AssigneeGuided Ultrasonics (Rail) Ltd.
InventorDavid N. Alleyne
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Abstract
Apparatus for inspecting a non axi-symmetric elongate body includes at least one exciter array having a plurality of wave exciters that can be coupled to an exterior surface of the elongate body. A driver unit generates driving signals to excite the wave exciters. Each driving signal for a respective wave exciter in the array is weighted with respect to driving signals to the other wave exciters in the array such that a specific guided acoustic wave mode is excited. A receiving unit includes a plurality of wave receivers for receiving reflected guided acoustic waves. An analysis unit analyzes received waves to assess a condition of the non axi-symmetric elongate body.
Claims18
Apparatus for inspecting a non axi-symmetric elongate body comprising:
- at least one exciter array having a plurality of wave exciters operable to couple to an exterior surface of said elongate body;
- a driver unit operable to generate driving signals to excite said plurality of wave exciters wherein each driving signal to a respective wave exciter of said array is weighted with respect to driving signals to other wave exciters in said array such that at least one guided acoustic wave mode is excited;
- a receiving unit having a plurality of wave receivers capable of receiving reflected guided acoustic waves;
- and
- an analysis unit operable to analyze received waves to assess a condition of said non axi-symmetric elongate body.
A method of inspecting a non-axi-symmetric elongate body comprising the steps of:
- driving a plurality of wave exciters coupled to said elongate body with driver signals, each driver signal to a respective wave exciter being weighted with respect to driving signals to other wave exciters such that at least one guided acoustic wave mode is excited;
- receiving reflected guided acoustic waves;
- and
- analysing said received waves to assess a condition of said elongate body.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.