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Phased Array UT Platform for Customizing Dedicated and Automated NDT application

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13 views

Phased Array UT Platform for Customizing Dedicated and Automated NDT application

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15000182852
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Phased Array UT Platform for Customizing Dedicated and Automated

NDT Applications
Gavin Dao 1, Remi Lallement 1 Dominique Braconnier 2
1
Advanced OEM Solutions; Cincinnati, USA
Phone: (513)488-1302, e-mail: [email protected]
2
The Phased Array Company; West Chester, USA
Phone: (513)785-0801, e-mail: [email protected]

Abstract
Small form factor, excellent signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), fast data throughput and an easy to integrate electronics
are just some of the important aspects for automated phased array inspection systems. Furthermore, a software
application programming interface (API) is crucial for creating a dedicated and simple software front end. This
paper will present how a family of phased array ultrasonic modules can meet the demands of the most unique
and innovative industrial and research based phased array applications.

Keywords: Phased Array UT, Ultrasonic Testing, AUT, FMC, Full-Matrix Capture, TFM, Total Focus Method

1. Introduction
As technology improves Phased Array Ultrasound (PAUT) for Non-Destructive Testing
(NDT) continues to be challenged by new applications and the growing need to inspect faster
and more accurately. PAUT software applications are difficult to standardize due to the
various industry needs, materials and part geometry. A large portion of the inspection system
is the software driving the acquisition, analysis and automation. It would be difficult to have
one locked down software application capable of managing all possible applications. There is
a need for the ability to customize the software to fit the need and an open platform hardware
capable of supporting 3rd party and custom software, where techniques like Full-Matrix
Capture (FMC) and Total Focus Method can be implemented or further investigated.

2. OEMPA
OEMPA, pronounced by reading the letters O-E-M-P-A, is based on an OEM (Original
Equipment Manufacturer) concept, and more specifically an OEM Phased Array Module that
industrial users (e.g. Systems Integrators or NDT Equipment Manufacturers) can customize or
create a solution to fit the exact application that is being targeted. (2) Naturally, the OEM
concept fits well with the needs of Researchers that require an open and advanced data
acquisition unit with Phased array features.

3. Phased Array Ultrasonic Acquisition


OEMPA is a PC-based phased array ultrasonic acquisition module with the following
configurations: 16/16, 32/32, 16/128, 32/128, 64/64, and 128/128.
Figure 1: OEMPA 128/128 and OEMPA 64/46 with Data Acquisition Laptop

These options provide an integrator the ability to cover more than one application without
over-spending on the number of channels. Integrators can invest on a one-time software
interfacing period and be able to easily plug-and-play a different hardware configuration to
meet a different application.
There are many advantages to having a PC based scalable hardware platform. In this type of
setup the Phased Array Acquisition unit sends digitized acquisition data to the PC via an
Ethernet connection using the TCP/IP protocol. Ethernet is an easy way to interface a device
with a tablet, laptop or desktop PC and also provides a robust and flexible means for remote
control from almost anywhere.

4. OEM Concept
OEMPA can be rebranded and integrated into an end-solution, whether it is a dedicated
portable device for a particular niche inspection or large scale automated inspection system.
NDT experts that now have the opportunity to offer a solution to their local market that is
unique and an improvement based on their experience and know-how. The actual electronic
modules as seen below can be provided so that OEMPA can be placed in a unique enclosure
more suited for the application. The board on the top houses the pulsing analog circuitry, each
of the four boards in the middle contain 16 parallel receive channel and the bottom board
manages the data communication and some of the signal processing. This type of board stack
creates a complete 64 parallel pulse/receive phased array module.

Figure 3. Bare OEMPA 64/64 Module

5. Small Size for Automation


The form factor plays an important role in integration. The small size allows one to place the
acquisition unit closer to the transducer. Traditionally, advanced phased array acquisition
units have been large in form factor due to the high channel count. Depending on the
application (e.g. tank crawlers, girth weld inspection, sub-sea ROVs… etc.) umbilical cables
are in the range of tens of meters long. Not only is the length an issue, but the cables can get
thick due to the high channel count of phased array. The reliability of the constant movement
and flexing of the cable also becomes an issue causing spares to be needed.
6. Hardware Internals
OEMPA includes many advanced features allowing it to be integrated into automated systems
yet still maintain the small form factor, low power, and cost effectiveness. Some features
worth mentioning are extremely low noise per channel, Dynamic Depth Focusing (DDF),
Distance Amplitude Correction (DAC), up to 2048 cycles and more in some special cases, up
to 20kHz Pulse Repeti-tion Frequency (PRF), gates, filtering, and interface echo-tracking.
OEMPA has the flexibility to easily create mul-tiple groups of focal laws. This is useful in the
scenario of running multiple scans, for example linear scans
Figure 5. Visualization of Timeslot
at different angles and to be able to visualize this on multiple B-scan views coming from the
same probe. An-other scenario could be in the case of driving more than one probe from one
OEMPA module using a probe split-ter. As seen in the diagram below, a cycle is the identifier
of a grouping of parameters for one particular focal law within a Time Slot and the
corresponding acquired A-scan. From the perspective of the hardware it is sequenc-ing
through cycles, and the software application would be free to assign the data to the desired
grouping when creating a B-scan visualization window.

7. References
[1] G. Dao and R. Ginzel, “New customizable phased array UT instrument opens door for furthering research and better industrial
implementation,” AIP Conf. Proc., vol. 1581, pp. 164, 2014.
[2] S. Gleeson, G. Dao, and J. K. Na, “In-situ weld quality inspection with matrix phased array (MPA) ultrasonic technology,” AIP Conf.
Proc., vol. 1581, Issue 1, pp. 95-99, 2014.

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