Ultrasonic testing method and ultrasonic testing device using this

An ultrasonic testing method for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a transmitter to generate a plate wave in a test piece and receiving at a receiver the plate wave passed through the test piece to inspect the test piece along a propagation path of the plate wave, comprising the steps of:

• emitting the plate wave at the forward route from the transmitter and receiving a reflection of the plate wave reflected by a target region of the test piece with the receiver, the transmitter and the receiver both arranged for transmitting or receiving the ultrasonic wave or the plate wave across a gaseous substance;
• mounting the transmitter and the receiver on a probe holding mechanism respectively which have support legs placed directly on a surface of the test piece, which is selected from aerospace devices, composite materials, and lengthened materials having curves, bends, or branches, and are arranged movable in relation to the test piece so that the transmitter or the receiver can remain held at a desired angle to the surface of the test piece;
• holding the support legs in direct contact with the surface of the test piece at a location off the propagation path of both the forward route of the plate wave and the reflection of the plate wave so that the transmitter and the receiver are suspended by the support legs to bridge, with no direct contact, over the propagation path of both the forward route of the plate wave and the reflection of the plate wave while the probe holding mechanism is arranged for moving the transmitter and the receiver simultaneously in relation to the test piece;
• and
• passing the plate wave emitted from the transmitter, reflected by the target region of the test piece, and propagated towards the receiver beneath the transmitter or the receiver located on the way of the propagation path while transmitting the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter or receiving the reflection of the plate wave with the receiver.

An ultrasonic testing device having a transmitter for emitting an ultrasonic wave towards a test piece to generate a plate wave in the test piece and a receiver for receiving the plate wave passed through the test piece, whereby the test piece can be inspected along a propagation path of the plate wave by the receiver receiving the plate wave, comprising:

• a probe holding mechanism for holding the transmitter and the receiver respectively which are arranged for transmitting or receiving the ultrasonic wave or the plate wave across a gaseous substance, the probe holding mechanism having support legs placed directly on a surface of the test piece, which is selected from aerospace devices, composite materials, and lengthened materials having curves, bends, or branches, and arranged movable in relation to the test piece so that the transmitter or the receiver can remain held at a desired angle to the surface of the test piece;
• a supporting frame provided to which the probe holding mechanism is mounted so that the transmitter and the receiver can move simultaneously in relation to the test piece;
• and
• a pressing member provided for urging the support legs of the probe holding mechanism by pressure directly against the surface of the test piece downwardly of the supporting frame at a location off the propagation path of the plate wave so that the transmitter and the receiver are suspended by the support legs to bridge, with no direct contact, over the propagation path of the plate wave.

An ultrasonic testing device having a transmitter for emitting an ultrasonic wave towards a test piece to generate a plate wave in the test piece and a receiver for receiving the plate wave passed through the test piece, whereby the test piece can be inspected along a propagation path of the plate wave by the receiver receiving the plate wave, comprising:

• a probe holding mechanism for holding the transmitter and the receiver respectively which are arranged for transmitting or receiving the ultrasonic wave or the plate wave across a gaseous substance, the probe holding mechanism having support legs placed directly on a surface of the test piece, which is selected from aerospace devices, composite materials, and lengthened materials having curves, bends, or branches, and arranged movable in relation to the test piece so that the transmitter or the receiver can remain held at a desired angle to the surface of the test piece, the support legs of the probe holding mechanism being located as spaced from each other at least along the propagation path of the plate wave;
• a supporting frame provided to which the probes holding mechanism is mounted so that the transmitter and the receiver can move simultaneously in relation to the test piece;
• a rocking mechanism provided between the probe holding mechanism and the supporting frame for rocking the transmitter and the receiver on the axis which extends at a right angle to at least the propagation path of the plate wave in relation to the supporting frame;
• and
• a pressing member provided for urging the support legs of the probe holding mechanism by pressure directly against the surface of the test piece downwardly of the supporting frame at a location off the propagation path of the plate wave so that the transmitter and the receiver are suspended by the support legs to bridge, with no direct contact, over the propagation path of the plate wave.