Oblique flaw detection using ultrasonic transducers
AssigneeMagnetic Analysis Corporation
InventorJohn Venczel
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Ultrasonic transducers and methods for detecting oblique flaws in cylindrically-shaped objects using pulse-echo testing are provided. By mounting one or more transducers on a rotary tester for testing manufactured objects such as tubes and bars, offsetting each transducer horizontally from its position if it were to emit a beam that is perpendicular to the object's outer surface, and actuating the transducer so as to emit an angled beam, oblique surface flaws and internal flaws may be reliably detected without reducing inspection speed, significantly adding to transducer cross-talk, or requiring significant additional hardware or processing.
Claims30
A method for inspecting an object, comprising:
- causing a transducer to emit a beam toward a surface of the object, wherein:
- a position of the transducer is at an offset and an angle relative to the object, the offset is based at least in part on the angle, and
- the emitted beam contacts the surface at oblique angles, such that a refracted beam travels through a portion of the object along a substantially spiral path when the transducer emits the beam;
- and
- determining whether a flaw exists in the object.
A system for inspecting an object, comprising:
- a transducer configured to emit a beam toward a surface of the object, wherein:
- a position of the transducer is at an offset and an angle relative to the object, the offset is based at least in part on the angle, and
- the emitted beam contacts the surface at oblique angles, such that a refracted beam travels through a portion of the object along a substantially spiral path when the transducer emits the beam;
- and
- a flaw detector configured to determine whether a flaw exists in the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.