Scribd
Upload
124 views

Introduction To Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology Applications 216-220

This document discusses phased array ultrasonic testing for non-destructive testing. It summarizes: 1) Three Olympus phased array instruments - the Tomoscan III PA, QuickScan PA, and OmniScan PA - comparing their data format, weight, portability, power supply, and price. 2) Procedures for on-site checking of phased array pulser-receiver boards and checking the active elements of phased array probes. 3) The use of ray tracing software to model phased array ultrasound testing and optimize inspection parameters.

Uploaded by

Kevin Huang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
124 views

Introduction To Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology Applications 216-220

This document discusses phased array ultrasonic testing for non-destructive testing. It summarizes: 1) Three Olympus phased array instruments - the Tomoscan III PA, QuickScan PA, and OmniScan PA - comparing their data format, weight, portability, power supply, and price. 2) Procedures for on-site checking of phased array pulser-receiver boards and checking the active elements of phased array probes. 3) The use of ray tracing software to model phased array ultrasound testing and optimize inspection parameters.

Uploaded by

Kevin Huang
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 5

Table 5-1 Technical performance of Olympus phased array instruments. (Cont.

)
Tomoscan III PA QuickScan PA OmniScan PA
Data file format: RDTIFF RDTIFF Special RDTIFF; data can be
analyzed in TomoView
Weight: < 20 kg (44.1 lbs) Custom < 20.5 kg (45.2 lbs) < 4 kg (8.82 lbs)
Portability: yes no yes
Power supply: mains mains Battery: 15 V or mains
Price: $$$ $$ $

Figure 5-6 Olympus Tomoscan III PA (left) and QuickScan PA (right). These show the
instruments in a typical configuration and installation.

5.2 On-Site Equipment Checking

Phased array pulser-receiver boards can be checked using an arrow-point


generator with a Hypertronics BQUS002 connector (see Figure 5-7), for
example.

198 Chapter 5
Figure 5-7 Hypertronics BQUS002 connector for pulse-echo setups (left) and BQUS009
connector for pitch-and-catch setups (right).

The normal operation of the pulser/receivers is displayed by a double arrow


pattern with no white discontinuities (see Figure 5-8, left).

Figure 5-8 S-scan display for checking the pulser/receivers functionality: normal (left);
malfunctioning pulsers and receivers (white strips, right). (Standard Olympus array acceptance
procedure.)

5.3 Active Element Integrity Checking

Individual elements active in a specific group of focal laws are checked using
a linear scan. Depending on probe pitch and probe type, the operator may use
a small screwdriver with a 0.5 mm to 0.8 mm diameter or a 0.5 mm
mechanical pencil lead refill. Slowly move the screwdriver/lead refill in front
of each element and watch for ultrasonic signals. Each active element should
produce a reflection when the screwdriver is placed in front of it. Depending
on the application, a phased array probe may work properly even if 10% to
25% of its active elements are damaged (see Figure 5-9).16

Applications 199
a b

c d

Figure 5-9 Linear scanning for element/electrical connection integrity: (a) principle; (b) focal
laws for a 32-element probe; (c) S-scan display of a linear phased array probe with 10 “dead”
elements; (d) uncorrected S-scan using linear array.

5.4 Ray Tracing

Ray tracing and data plotting on component geometries (see Figure 5-10) are
very useful tools for:

• Assessing the coverage area


• Setting up the focal laws and ultrasound range
• Optimizing the scanning parameters (scan axis, index axis, orientation,
and resolution)
• Evaluating the mode-converted zones and the wedge skew angle
• Achieving advanced imaging (merged data, multiple scan displays,
pattern recognition)
• Locating defects relative to important features, such as weld fusion lines
• Reporting
Ray tracing may be part of the technical justification for procedure
qualification. Ray tracing packages are now commercially available in low-
cost or high-end versions. Often, such packages “solve” inspection problems
with minimal cost and effort, and can be highly beneficial.

200 Chapter 5
Courtesy of NDT Soft, UK

Figure 5-10 Example of ray tracing and data plotting of phased array inspection on nozzle
weld.

5.5 Aerospace

This section covers various types of inspections used in the aerospace


industry. More information can be found in references 10 and 17.

5.5.1 Inspection of Titanium Billets


More information about the inspection of titanium billets can be found in
references 12 and 17.

a) NDT problem
• Detecting and sizing hard-alpha and ceramic inclusions in titanium
billets with diameters from 7.5 cm to 35 cm (3 in. to 14 in.)

b) Other requirements
• Coupling check

Applications 201
• Fully automated system
• Fine mechanical adjustment
• Customized user interface

c) Ultrasonic challenge
• Coarse-grain microstructure
• Small defects (0.4 mm to 0.8 mm)

d) Phased array solution


• Use a 12-ring annular array probe using Fresnel zones, with a total
aperture of 80 mm and the DDF feature in immersion and/or a
113-element rho-theta probe (see Figure 5-11).

Figure 5-11 Five-MHz annular array (top) and rho-theta probe (bottom) used for titanium billet
inspection.

e) Description of the solution


• Use a single-segmented elliptical-annular phased array probe to
cover a large range of diameters.
• DDF keeps the beam very narrow (5 mm to 125 mm depth).
• The same phased array probe can generate two beams for large
diameter billets.

202 Chapter 5

You might also like