Presented by Henry E. CookThree Rivers Technical Conference 2010August 3rd & 4th, 2010 - Elk River, MN

Ultrasonic Testing (UT) uses high frequency sound energy to conduct examinations and make measurements. Ultrasonic inspection can be used for flaw detection/evaluation, dimensional measurements, material characterization, and more.

High frequency sound waves are introduced into a material and they are reflected back from surfaces or flaws.

Reflected sound energy is displayed versus time, and inspector can visualize a cross section of the specimen showing the depth of features that reflect sound.

f

plate

crack

0 2 4 6 8 10

initial pulse

crackecho

back surfaceecho

Oscilloscope, or flaw detector screen

Ultrasonic Inspection (Pulse-Echo)

Data PresentationUltrasonic data can be collected and displayed

in a number of different formats. The three most common formats are know in the NDT world as A-scan, B-scan and C-scan

Each presentation mode provides a different way of looking at and evaluating the region of material being inspected.

Modern computerized ultrasonic scanning systems can display data in all three presentation forms simultaneously.

SplitScanA and B-Scan

C-Scan

C-Scan

Present State of UltrasonicsMany ultrasonic flaw detectors have a trigonometric

function that allows for fast and accurate location determination of flaws when performing shear wave inspections.

Cathode ray tubes, for the most part, have been replaced with LED or LCD screens. These screens, in most cases, are extremely easy to view in a wide range of ambient lighting. 

Transducers can be programmed with predetermined instrument settings. The operator only has to connect the transducer and the instrument will set variables such as frequency and probe drive.

Present State of UltrasonicsAlong with computers, motion control and robotics

have contributed to the advancement of ultrasonic inspections.

Computers can be programmed to inspect large, complex shaped components, with one or multiple transducers collecting information.  Automated systems typically consisted of an scanning system, and recording system for a printout of the scan.

  The resultant C-scan provides a plan or top view of the component. Scanning of components is considerably faster than contact hand scanning, the coupling is much more consistent. 

The scan information is collected by a computer for evaluation, transmission to a customer, and archiving.

Present State of Ultrasonics

Present State of Ultrasonics

Present State of Ultrasonics

Portable Flaw Imaging

SpecificationsThree 32 bit microprocessors

Manual PRF Control: Allows the operator to manually adjust the pulse repetition frequency (PRF) from 1 Hz to 5KHz in 5 Hz increments.

Extended Range: 0.112" to 800“

Time Of Flight (TOF) or Amplitude Measurements

DAC & DAG

Specifications

BB, 0.5, 1.0, 2.25. 5.0, 10MHz tuning incorporating HiQ, LowQ Digital Band Pass Filtering

DAC & DAG

Selectable Tunable Square Wave Pulser/ Spike Pulser: Allows the operator to tune the pulse width of the square wave pulser to optimize transducer performance.

BB, 0.5, 1.0, 2.25. 5.0, 10MHz tuning incorporating HiQ, LowQ Digital Band Pass Filtering

SpecificationsA, B and C-Scan imaging native

Supports manual scanners, inexpensive, light weight Li-ion battery powered semi-automated scanners as well as the capability to support fully automated stepper or servo operated high speed, high resolution scanners via Systems external "Drive Box" interface.

SD Card: Up to 32GB user removable Flash Card

I/O: USB 2.0 Connectivity 

Battery Operation

SpecificationsBattery Powered, Cantilever Arm Scanner is an innovation permitting the operator to work on a line entirely AC Power free for up to 6 hours per charge. This scanner is a controlled motion scanner connecting directly to the RAPTOR itself and a speed controlled battery pack.

SpecificationsStringScan - Precision Flexible Arm Manual Mini-Scanner affords a pre-tensioned fluid motion incorporating a zero backlash string motors and when used a Imaging Flaw Detector converts triangulated motion to X-Y coordinent motion. Accuracy and repeatability to 0.040“.

SpecificationsOther scanner configurations supported

Imaging Capabilities.Live RF Demonstrating IP Block Gate and Threshold Triggering during capture of C-Scan

Imaging Capabilities.Spreadsheet View of Corrosion Sample. In this view, the software displays the maximum number of data cells it can with actual data values

Imaging Capabilities.Standard "Zoom" view of  the mini 'C' Scan in the upper right corner will show the outline of the zoomed view

Imaging Capabilities.This is a 3 view 'C' & Dual axis 'B' scan example of a pipe with actual corrosion. Thickness displayed at cross hair intersection

Imaging Capabilities.3D high resolution "wire frame" view of corrosion sample

Imaging Capabilities.Color Palette histogram of erosion sample. Higher values of a given color represent more data around that particular thickness or amplitude data

Conclusion.A new category of Ultrasonic Flaw Detectors

offering full imaging capability in a standard hand held flaw detector.

High performance flaw detector offering features and functionality including C-Scan, Dual Axis B-Scan, 3D, Pan & Zoom, Spreadsheet review.