An acoustic inspection probe assembly can include or use a digital imaging camera to acquire images of a region under inspection. Respective acquired images can be stitched together to form a composite, such as to provide a composite that encompasses an area larger than an individual image amongst the respective acquired images. The composite can be aligned spatially or temporally (or both) with data or imaging corresponding to another non-destructive testing (NDT) modality, such as acoustic inspection or eddy current inspection.
Configurations for sensor or coil assembly for performing eddy current (EC) testing are described. The sensor assembly can be fabricated using a printed-circuit board (PCB) construction, such as comprising a flex-circuit including dielectric and metallization layers. Adjacent coil elements can include an overlapping portion, where the currents of the overlapping portion cancel each other resulting in conceptually a larger coil, which can be used to support various reception or transmission configurations.
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
Various approaches can be used for performing eddy current inspection of a structure. Probe assembly configurations described herein can include a modular architecture, such as including an interface board, one or more multiplexer assemblies, and one or more sensor (e.g., coil element array) assemblies. Use of a modular approach facilitates rapid prototyping, fabrication, debug, or repair (or combinations thereof) because a respective interface board or multiplexer (or both) can be commonly shared across multiple probe assembly configurations. The sensor assembly can be modified, or a new sensor assembly mechanical configuration can be used, such as re-using an existing multiplexer and interface board configuration.
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
An acoustic inspection probe assembly can include an acoustic coupling wedge structure that is configured to pivot (e.g., rotate) about at least one axis, such as to enable the wedge structure to follow a contour of a curved surface to maintain a specified orientation of the wedge structure relative to the surface (e.g., to preserve normal incidence). The wedge may rotate in an undesirable manner at or near an edge of an object under inspection. This can preclude obtaining full coverage over the surface of the object under inspection, particularly when a gantry or robotic manipulator is used to automate a scan operation. The present subject matter can include use of a lock to selectively inhibit rotation of the wedge structure, such as at or near an edge of an object under test. In this manner, a specified wedge orientation can be maintained.
A non-destructive test apparatus can include a scanner assembly configured to encode movement in, for example, one or two directions. The scanner assembly comprising a carriage comprising one or more respective wheels oriented to rotate in a circumferential scan direction, the carriage housing or otherwise guiding a transducer probe assembly. A first encoder can be configured to generate a first signal representative of displacement of the carriage in the first direction, and the scanner assembly can also include 2024/059948 at least one wheel can be oriented to rotate in an indexing direction, where a second encoder is configured to generate a second signal representative of displacement of the carriage in the second direction in response to rotation of the at least one wheel oriented to rotate in second direction. An operator interface on-board the scanner assembly can receive user input and contemporaneously present a status indication to guide inspection.
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
Techniques for ultrasonic inspection with different beam skews arranged in a group are described. For example, the techniques described herein can group a plurality of different beam skews in a single group as part of the same channel, leading to simpler handling and calibration. The techniques also describe a new scan image showing the different beam skews together so that the analyst can select and switch between the different beam skews easily.
Techniques for detecting and sizing a feature in a non-destructive testing (NDT) image of an object under inspection. In some examples, the techniques introduce a two-step approach that combines machine learning with a precise sizing algorithm. For example, a machine learning model is initially trained to perform a rough detection of features within the imaging data. This model is capable of identifying potential areas of interest, thereby providing a preliminary outline of the features. Subsequently, a deterministic sizing algorithm is applied to refine these outlines, ensuring accurate measurement of the feature dimensions. This approach not only enhances the precision of feature sizing but also allows for greater flexibility in adapting to various imaging scenarios. By leveraging the strengths of both machine learning and deterministic algorithms, the techniques offer a comprehensive solution for improving the accuracy and reliability of feature detection and sizing in NDT images.
A correlation-based approach can be used to enhance acoustic time-of-flight determination, such as for thickness measurement or associated mapping. For example, a cross-correlation, or more specifically, numerical approaches to implement an autocorrelation operation, can be used on an acquired acoustic echo signal time series. This can help to provide a time translation that is invariant with respect to initial (e.g., interface) echo and backwall echo absolute time indices. Such an approach does not require an initial synchronization gate to be set or a detection gate to be set for identification of backwall echoes. In general, the approaches described herein can be referred to as "semi-supervised," such as where a user is not required to manually enter all inspection parameters such as those related to time-gating.
A flexible probe "cushion" or "waterbed" configuration, where a flexible probe support houses a fluid (e.g., a substantially incompressible liquid), can help to conform a non-destructive test (NDT) inspection probe to a surface of an object under test. For example, force applied to a liquid (e.g., water) filling a polymer probe support can allow deformation and conformity of a face of the probe support to an object under test. A flexible eddy current array (ECA) sensor assembly can be supported at a face of the probe support assembly and can also be deformed to conform to curvature or irregularity in the surface of the object under test.
Various approaches can be used for performing acoustic scanning of a structure. A probe assembly can include a liquid delay line structure providing an acoustic delay to couple an acoustic transducer of the probe assembly to an object under test. According to the present teachings, a polymer structure and, optionally, a membrane can be used instead of a liquid delay line structure. A solid polymer slab can provide an acoustic delay line and can facilitate acoustic inspection of structures without requiring liquid couplant handling. For example, this allows inspection of structures in freezing conditions or inspection of surfaces that are hot enough that they would boil or otherwise degrade liquid couplant.
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
Various approaches can be used for performing acoustic scanning of a structure. A probe assembly can include a liquid delay line structure providing an acoustic delay to couple an acoustic transducer of the probe assembly to an object under test. According to the present teachings, a polymer structure and, optionally, a membrane can be used instead of a liquid delay line structure. A solid polymer slab can provide an acoustic delay line and can facilitate acoustic inspection of structures without requiring liquid couplant handling. For example, this allows inspection of structures in freezing conditions or inspection of surfaces that are hot enough that they would boil or otherwise degrade liquid couplant.
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
13.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING IMAGING USING MACHINE LEARNING
A machine learning approach (e.g., using a neural network) may be provided with sparse acquisition data, such as FMC data or partial FMC acoustic data, from an acquisition as an input and may be used to generate output imagery, such as a flaw map (e.g., an image including features or regions labeled as flaws), without requiring intermediate TFM beamforming. For example, such an approach may include application of a model to acquired FMC data to generate an image directly, once the model has been established (e.g., trained). Such a model may generate a flaw map incorporating acoustic information from multiple propagation modes contemporaneously. A flaw map generated using such an approach may be easier to interpret than imaging provided using TFM or PCI beamforming.
Techniques for controlling an alignment of a non-destructive test (NDT) inspection probe are described. The techniques include receiving laser profile data from a laser profiling sensor corresponding to a weld location and surface properties of an object under non-destructive testing and receiving image data from an image sensor corresponding to the weld location. The laser profile data and the image sensor may be fused to generate fused data corresponding to the weld location. A control signal is generated to adjust a robotic manipulator of the NDT probe based on the fused data.
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G01B 11/24 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring contours or curvatures
G01B 21/20 - Measuring arrangements or details thereof, where the measuring technique is not covered by the other groups of this subclass, unspecified or not relevant for measuring contours or curvatures, e.g. determining profile
Various approaches can be used for performing eddy current inspection of a structure. Sensor configurations described herein can include flex circuits comprising multiple EC sensor elements. The flex circuit can conform to a region of a structure under test, such as a desired portion of a profile, and such as supported by spacers to maintain a desired stand-off distance between the object under test and the probe assembly. Techniques herein can be used to establish inspection configuration data defining activation or deactivation of respective EC sensors in a probe assembly. For example, a graphical user interface (GUI) can be used to provide graphical feedback concerning one or more attributes of testing, such as indicia of a test probe location or other attributes.
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
Apparatus and techniques as shown and described herein can be used to provide non-destructive inspection using a scanner assembly that can have one or more arms that can be used to position a probe assembly such that full inspection coverage of a structure can be achieved in a semi-automated or automated manner using as few as a single scanner assembly. Such apparatus and techniques can include a scanner assembly having multiple arms and corresponding probe assemblies, such as can be used to perform acoustic inspection of a longitudinal weld structure.
Apparatus and related techniques described herein can include or use a non- destructive inspection probe assembly comprising pivoting support arms that can adapt to different radii of an object under test while maintaining a specified probe height from a surface of the object under test.
A phase-based approach can be used for one or more of acquisition, storage, or subsequent analysis, e.g., A-scan reconstruction or Total Focusing Method imaging, in support of acoustic inspection. For example, binarization or other quantization technique can be used to compress a data volume associated with time-series signal acquisition. A representation of phase information from the time-series signal can be generated, such as by processing the binarized or otherwise quantized time-series signal. Using the representation of the phase information, a phase summation technique can be used to perform one or more of A-scan reconstruction, such as for pulse-echo A-scan inspection, or a TFM imaging technique can be used, as illustrative examples. In such a phase summation approach, time-series representations of phase data can be summed, such as where each time-series can be delayed (or phase rotated) by an appropriate delay value and then aggregated.
The present subject relates generally to acoustic inspection probe guidance or tracking, such as facilitating free-hand scanning of an acoustic probe assembly for performing acoustic inspection. For example, using an acoustic inspection probe assembly, an acoustic telemetry signal can be transmitted, such as separately from acoustic pulses or echoes used for acoustic inspection. Using at least one electroacoustic receiver, the acoustic telemetry signal can be received and using the received representation of the acoustic telemetry signal, at least one of (1) a position of the acoustic probe assembly relative to a reference position or (2) an orientation of the acoustic probe assembly in relation to a reference orientation can be determined. An indicium can be provided to a user indicative of at least one of (1) the determined position or (2) the determined orientation.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
A method for reconstruction of ultrasonic testing data comprises obtaining compressed data representative of a plurality of ultrasound signals acquired from ultrasonic testing of a test object, applying a trained machine learning model to the compressed data to reconstruct a plurality of amplitude values associated with the plurality of ultrasound signals and generate a plurality of reconstructed amplitude signals having the plurality of reconstructed amplitude values associated therewith, and outputting the plurality of reconstructed amplitude signals.
Coded emission (e.g., where a pulse sequence is transmitted corresponding to a specified code) can be used for respective acoustic transmission events for non- destructive testing. Enhanced A-scans can be assembled by convolving a specific finite-impulse-response filter profile with a time-domain representation of received acoustic echo data. Such an approach can be used to enhance dynamic range or signal-to-noise ratio, or to permit use of a lower analog gain to avoid saturation of a receive signal processing chain from features such as front wall echoes.
In a non-destructive inspection system, an iris structure can be used to provide access to an interior of a couplant chamber, in a manner that can reduce or minimize loss of couplant from the chamber. The iris structure can be mechanically actuated by the object under test, such as displacing one or more arms that are linked to respective blades in the iris structure that define a variable opening. At least one acoustic inspection probe assembly can be used to generate acoustic transmissions or receive acoustic echo signals, where the at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly is acoustically coupled to the object under test through a couplant liquid housed by the couplant chamber.
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
A non-destructive probe assembly, such as an eddy current array (ECA) sensor probe assembly, can include a flexible cushion. The flexible cushion can include or can support respective eddy current sensors, such as to facilitate inspection of an object under test having a curved surface. The flexible cushion can include one or more rib structures to allow deformation along a specified axis, and such rib structures can be arranged to suppress deformation along another axis. During inspection, the probe assembly can traverse a surface of the object under test including deforming a portion of flexible cushion of the ECA sensor assembly to maintain contact between an active surface of the ECA sensor assembly and the object under test. Such an approach can inhibit or suppress lift-off of the ECA sensor even when being used to inspect curved surfaces.
B33Y 80/00 - Products made by additive manufacturing
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
28.
AUTO TRAJECTORY CORRECTION FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST
Apparatus and techniques described herein can be used to compensate for variation in flatness or other surface features of a planar or nearly-planar test specimen, such as facilitating acoustic inspection. According to examples herein, compensation can be performed such as to maintain a parallel orientation of a non-destructive test probe relative to a surface of a test specimen or to maintain a specified distance between the test probe and the surface, or both. Such an approach can include use of multiple probe elements such as to contemporaneously acquire data indicative of a surface profile of the test specimen (such as using a time-of-flight determination), and to perform an inspection acquisition. In this manner, a probe trajectory can be adjusted (e.g., updated) during an acquisition to enhance inspection productivity versus other approaches.
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01N 29/07 - Analysing solids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
29.
REDUCTION OF CROSSTALK IN ROW-COLUMN ADDRESSED ARRAY PROBES
Techniques for reducing or eliminating cross talk in row-column addressed array (RCA) probes are described. A diode can be connected in series to piezo-composite element in each pixel of the RCA to prevent cross talk. A resistor can also be provided in parallel to the piezo-composite element for discharging purposes and providing DC paths for the forward and backward bias voltages to the diodes. Thus. RCA probes using the techniques disclosed herein can use sub-apertures for, among other things, inspecting longitudinal and transverse flaws, and for more efficient local focusing for an acoustic camera without significant cross talk interference.
H10N 39/00 - Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one piezoelectric, electrostrictive or magnetostrictive element covered by groups
30.
ENHANCED COVERAGE LOCAL IMMERSION FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT)
An acoustic test probe assembly can include a multi-layer structure at or near an interface between the acoustic test probe assembly and a test specimen. For example, a gasket or seal arrangement can be used to establish a closed couplant-filled region between a membrane formed by the multi-layer structure and the test specimen. Excess couplant can be recovered around a perimeter of the closed couplant-filled region such as using ports or other features where suction can be applied to recover couplant, such as reducing or minimizing couplant losses while providing immersion at the interface between probed.
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
A presentation of data indicative of a non-destructive test (NDT) acquisition can be established as described herein. Establishing such a presentation can include receiving acoustic echo data elicited by respective transmissions of acoustic pulses, transforming the acoustic echo data to obtain a complex-valued representation of the acoustic echo data, the complex-valued representation comprising phase and amplitude data, applying a beamforming technique to the complex-valued representation to obtain magnitude values corresponding to respective pixel or voxel locations in an image, and to obtain data indicative of phase values corresponding to the respective pixel or voxel locations in the image, and assigning color values to the respective pixel or voxel locations using the magnitude values and the phase values, the color values selected from a color space using a respective lightness parameter corresponding to a respective magnitude value and at least one respective hue parameter corresponding to a respective phase value.
An adaptable inspection fixture configuration can be used to support Non-Destructive Test (NDT). Such adaptability can include use of two or more separate inspection probe assemblies. along with multiple available mechanical degrees of freedom to permit inspection of a variety of different cross-sectional profiles for inspection of bar or other structures.
G01N 29/27 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the material relative to a stationary sensor
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
33.
Adaptive ultrasonic inspection for volumetric flaws
Acoustic evaluation of a target can be performed using an array of electro-acoustic transducers. For example, a technique for such evaluation can include generating acoustic transmission events using different transmitting apertures, the apertures defined by corresponding zones along the array, the zones including multiple electro-acoustic transducer elements. In response to the respective acoustic transmission events. respective acoustic echo signals are received. Representations of the respective received acoustic echo signals are coherently summed. The coherently summing includes applying determined nominal element delay factors to the respective representations to approximate a virtual probe normal to a nominal shape of a surface of a structure being inspected. A pixel or voxel value is corresponding to a specified spatial location within the structure being inspected is generated using the coherently summed representations.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
34.
COMPRESSIVE SENSING FOR PHASED-ARRAY ACOUSTIC INSPECTION
A compressive sensing-based technique can be used to reduce a count of channels needed to collect analog signals from a multi-element PAUT probe, such as with a Plane Wave Imaging (PWI) acquisition approach where multiple elements are excited contemporaneously for transmission. Such an approach makes it possible to considerably simplify the hardware architecture of instrumentation, such as reducing complexity of wiring of the probe assembly or related interconnects. A portion or an entirety of an analog front end (AFE) can be embedded in the probe itself. Use of the present teachings can include reconstruction of received signals corresponding to the individual elements of the probe, with as few as a single analog channel used for receiving. As an example, as few as a single pulser can be used in transmission and as few as single analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be used in reception.
A challenge presented by acoustic imaging techniques, such as generated using a TFM beamforming approach, is that such images do not necessarily provide a representation corresponding to a physical flaw geometry or location. Another challenge is that such imaging does not necessarily appear congruent with a corresponding radiograph of the structure under test. An image-to-image translation approach can be used, such as to perform inversion or otherwise process beamforming output imaging data, to provide flaw identification or mapping in a manner that more closely corresponds to the actual physical location or geometry of corresponding flaws. Such an approach can also (or instead) be used to perform surface profile identification.
Various techniques are described for unsupervised thickness measurements and corrosion estimations in materials using an ultrasound inspection system utilizing non- destructive testing (NDT) methods. The system uses cepstral analysis to analyze a spectral power of an acoustic data signal acquired after an ultrasound probe assembly emits ultrasonic wave to identify distinct frequency contents associated with multiple echoes. Cepstral analysis allows the system to distinguish between different types of echoes, such as those from the front-wall and back-wall of the material and from any defects present within the material.
An electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) can be used in a variety of applications, such as those involving higher temperatures. No couplant or wedge is required, and such transducers are less affected by surface coatings and condition of objects under test. Such transducers can be configured to operate continuously at extreme temperatures, and such transducers can be made more robust because an active surface in contact with a test specimen does not have to transmit acoustic waves. For example, because acoustic excitation occurs in the test specimen, the wear plate can be made of very hard materials such as a ceramic material. Shielding between transducer coil elements can facilitate reduction to lift-off induced variation in resolution or such shielding can facilitate finer coil-to-coil pitch, as illustrative examples.
G01N 29/14 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object using acoustic emission techniques
Row-column addressing techniques can be applied to eddy current (EC) coil elements to reduce the number of multiplexers in a two-dimensional EC probe. Individual coil elements can then be controlled to provide more robust EC inspection capabilities. Leakage current issues can be addressed by using diodes and biasing techniques.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
41.
EDDY CURRENT (EC) DEFECT VIEW AND DEFECT CLASSIFICATION
A presentation can be generated and displayed indicative of an eddy current (EC) inspection result. For example, an amplitude value or a phase value associated with the eddy current measurement signal can be presented in a graphical manner, such by aligning an indicium of the amplitude value or the phase value with a shape representative of an object under test, the indicium corresponding to a location on or within the shape where the eddy current measurement signal was obtained. In another example, a visual attribute of a displayed indicium of an amplitude value or phase value can be assigned based on a class of defect, such as using different colors corresponding to different defect classes as defined by regions in an impedance plane. Use of attribute to identify defect can be performed either separately, or in combination with alignment of the indicium with the shape.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
42.
EDDY CURRENT (EC) DEFECT VIEW AND DEFECT CLASSIFICATION
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
43.
MATRIX CAPTURE APPROACH FOR EDDY CURRENT (EC) INSPECTION
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
45.
FLAW CLASSIFICATION DURING NON-DESTRUCTIVE TESTING
Flaw detection information, acquired by one or more NDT modalities, can be applied to a trained machine learning model to automatically associate a detected flaw with a cluster of similar flaws. Then, a flaw identification output can be generated based on the association, such as indicted the flaw and an associated probability. In this manner, the described techniques can automatically classify and identify each detected flaw and, in some cases, no flaw conditions. These techniques can shorten the time between part rejection and flaw diagnosis and allow for automated process control.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
A machine-implemented technique as described herein can include construction of eddy current sensor measurements using a matrix capture acquisition approach applied to data obtained using an eddy current array (ECA) probe. Such measurements can be established or selected to provide EC inspection results for coverage of different flaw orientations, such as providing firmware or software configurability of detection orientation. Use of a matrix capture approach can also be used to perform lift-off sensing and associated compensation without requiring use of a separate lift-off sensing element. A matrix capture approach allows for inspection and lift-off sensing modalities that differ from the physical arrangement of sensors used for performing the acquisition, such as providing inspection results corresponding to novel sensor constructions.
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
47.
ESTIMATION OF ACOUSTIC INSPECTION MEASUREMENT ACCURACY
An acoustic inspection system, such as an ultrasound inspection system, can determine an estimate of an a priori accuracy of a measurement using a determined lower bound on an indicium of dispersion of the measurement, such as a variance, and then display the determined estimate of the a priori accuracy to the user.
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques to accurately size flaws using acoustic inspection without expending significant computing resources and time. Examples described herein include techniques to convert amplitude-based inspection images, such as TFM or phased array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) images, into sizing images based on Acoustic Influence Maps (AIMs).
Non-destructive testing of an elongate object can include using an adaptable apparatus to support objects having different cross-sectional profiles. For example, an adaptable inspection fixture can support inspection probes for acoustic or eddy current inspection, as illustrative examples. Generally, the apparatus comprises opposing portions which are pivotable and connected by a linkage to maintain the opposing portions in a specified orientation relative to each other while permitting independent rotational orientations of each respective opposing portion such as to accommodate test objects. For example, the opposing portions can be substantially parallel across multiple configurations. Optionally, the apparatus can maintain a specified orientation of one or more radius probes with respect to an object under test.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01N 29/27 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the material relative to a stationary sensor
50.
PROBE ALIGNMENT AND SURFACE FOLLOWING FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT)
A non-contact sensing approach can be used to adjust a position or orientation (or both) of a non-destructive test (NDT) probe assembly relative to a surface of an object under test. Such sensing can include use of respective range sensors (e.g., laser- based range sensors or acoustic sensors, or combinations thereof). For example, an NDT acquisition, such as an acoustic inspection acquisition, can include use of a machine-implemented (e.g., automated) technique. In such a technique, sensed data can be acquired, indicative of at least one of a location or an orientation of a surface relative to a surface of an object under test such as a curved surface. In response, a representation of a correction (e.g., one or more "offset" values) can be determined to steer at least one of a location or an orientation of the probe assembly.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
In acoustic inspection, if a probe assembly fails to maintain a controlled lateral position relative to a structure such as a weld being inspected, as the probe assembly is translated along a scan axis, a nearby flaw could be missed or mistaken for an earlier-observed feature. Apparatus and techniques described herein can assist in tracking the lateral displacement of a probe assembly relative to a region of interest such as an edge or centerline of a weld. Such a technique can, for example, be used to gate the received ultrasonic data or to update a presentation to a user, such as for updating an overlay (e.g., a weld template) and ruler position in an S-scan or other image representation.
Acoustic inspection productivity can be enhanced using techniques to perform compression of acquired acoustic data, such as data corresponding to elementary A-scan or other time-series representations of received acoustic echo data. In various approaches described herein, time-series data can be decimated for efficient storage or transmission. A representation of the time-series data can be reconstructed, such as by using a Fourier transform-based up-sampling technique or a convolutional interpolation filter, as illustrative examples. The techniques described herein can be used for a variety of different acoustic measurement techniques that involve acquisition of time-series data (e.g., A-Scan data). Such techniques include Full Matrix Capture (FMC) applications, plane wave imaging (PWI), or PAUT, as illustrative examples.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
54.
MULTI-PURPOSE LOW-FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT ARRAY (ECA)
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
55.
MULTI-PURPOSE LOW-FREQUENCY EDDY CURRENT ARRAY (ECA)
Configurations for sensor or coil assembly for performing eddy current (EC) testing are described. The sensor assembly can be fabricated using a printed-circuit board (PCB) construction, such as comprising a flex-circuit including dielectric and metallization layers. Adjacent coil elements can include an overlapping portion, where the currents of the overlapping portion cancel each other resulting in conceptually a larger coil, which can be used to support various reception or transmission configurations.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
A phase-based approach can be used for one or more of acquisition, storage, or subsequent analysis of acquired acoustic imaging data. Such a phase-based approach can include coherent summation of normalized or quantized representations of A-Scan data corresponding to phase information. Such an approach can be referred to as a "phase coherence imaging" (PCI) beamforming technique. Amplitude filtering can be applied to phase-coherence imaging, such as to weight features in such imaging associated with scattering to enhance defect contrast or suppress noise, or both.
Various approaches can be used for performing eddy current inspection of a structure. Probe assembly configurations described herein can include a modular architecture, such as including an interface board, one or more multiplexer assemblies, and one or more sensor (e.g., coil element array) assemblies. Use of a modular approach facilitates rapid prototyping, fabrication, debug, or repair (or combinations thereof) because a respective interface board or multiplexer (or both) can be commonly shared across multiple probe assembly configurations. The sensor assembly can be modified, or a new sensor assembly mechanical configuration can be used, such as re-using an existing multiplexer and interface board configuration.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
59.
Probe position encoding by ultrasound image correlation
Data indicative of displacement of an acoustic probe assembly (or motion of an imaging aperture associated therewith) can be extracted from acquired acoustic echo data to perform motion tracking without requiring a separate mechanical motion sensor. As an illustrative example, a deterministic noise pattern associated with a particular probe location can be identified and motion of the noise pattern can be used to provide an estimate of probe assembly motion. Such an estimate can be used to facilitate imaging corresponding to multiple probe locations in support of acoustic non-destructive testing (NDT) such as in relation to Phased Array Ultrasound Test (PAUT).
G01S 7/52 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
G06V 10/98 - Detection or correction of errors, e.g. by rescanning the pattern or by human interventionEvaluation of the quality of the acquired patterns
61.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT) FLAW AND ANOMALY DETECTION
A non-destructive test apparatus can include a probe assembly configured to acquire inspection data using an acoustic technique. The probe assembly can be communicatively coupled with at least one processor circuit, the processor circuit configured to apply a machine learning model as shown and described herein. For example, such a machine learning model can be used to detect a flaw or other feature when the machine learning model is applied to acoustic imaging data constructed using the acoustic inspection data acquired using the probe assembly. Approaches are also disclosed herein for performing data assessment, such as to evaluate whether acquired imaging data deviates from characteristics of a reference image population, or to evaluate a quality of flaw annotations applied to imaging data, or combinations thereof.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G06V 10/82 - Arrangements for image or video recognition or understanding using pattern recognition or machine learning using neural networks
G06V 10/98 - Detection or correction of errors, e.g. by rescanning the pattern or by human interventionEvaluation of the quality of the acquired patterns
62.
CONTEMPORANEOUS FIRING SCHEME FOR ACOUSTIC INSPECTION
Acoustic evaluation of a target can be performed using an array of electro-acoustic transducers. For example, a technique for such evaluation can include generating pulses for transmission by respective ones of a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers in a transducer array to contemporaneously establish respective acoustic beams corresponding to at least two different acoustic beam steering directions for an acquisition, the pulses comprising at least a first sequence having pulses of defining a profile having a first polarity, the first sequence corresponding to a first beam steering direction (e.g., angle or spatial beam direction), and a second sequence having pulses defining a profile having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second sequence corresponding to a second beam steering direction. In response to transmission of the pulses, respective acoustic echo signals can be received and aggregated to form an image of a region of interest on or within the target.
Techniques for compensating the sensitivity variations induced by lift-off variations for an eddy current array probe. The techniques use the eddy current array probe coils in two separate ways to produce a first set of detection channels and a second set of lift-off measurement channels without the need to add coils 5 dedicated to the lift-off measurement operation.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/60 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating electrostatic variables
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
64.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT) SCANNER AND OPERATOR INTERFACE
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
65.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT) SCANNER AND OPERATOR INTERFACE
A non-destructive test apparatus can include a scanner assembly configured to encode movement in, for example, one or two directions. The scanner assembly comprising a carriage comprising one or more respective wheels oriented to rotate in a circumferential scan direction, the carriage housing or otherwise guiding a transducer probe assembly. A first encoder can be configured to generate a first signal representative of displacement of the carriage in the first direction, and the scanner assembly can also include at least one wheel can be oriented to rotate in an indexing direction, where a second encoder is configured to generate a second signal representative of displacement of the carriage in the second direction in response to rotation of the at least one wheel oriented to rotate in second direction. An operator interface on-board the scanner assembly can receive user input and contemporaneously present a status indication to guide inspection.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
An eddy current probe assembly for analyzing an article is provided. The eddy current probe assembly includes a housing, an eddy current probe disposed on or within the housing, and a barrier layer. The housing has a coolant passage that extends into the housing and forms a loop within the housing. The coolant passage allows for coolant flow through the housing. The eddy current probe thermally couples with a first portion of the coolant passage at a first surface of the eddy current probe. The barrier layer is on a second surface of the eddy current probe opposite the first surface of the eddy current probe.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
G01N 27/9093 - Arrangements for supporting the sensorCombinations of eddy-current sensors and auxiliary arrangements for marking or for rejecting
67.
SMALL-FOOTPRINT ACQUISITION SCHEME FOR ACOUSTIC INSPECTION
Generally, in a non-destructive test application, a compressed representation of an acoustic echo signal acquired by a non-destructive test (NDT) probe assembly can be received, such as via a network. The compressed representation can include data indicative of changes in phase values of the acoustic echo signal. Using the compressed representation, a time-domain representation of an instantaneous phase signal can be constructed from the compressed representation. The constructed instantaneous phase signal can be used in constructing at least one of an uncompressed acoustic echo signal representation or an image. As an illustration, amplitude values of sampled acoustic echo signals can be suppressed in the compressed representation, reducing data volume associated with transmitting a representation of the acquired acoustic echo signal.
An ultrasound probe is capable of detecting flaws in an object in a non-destructive manner. The probe includes a row-column addressed (RCA) array with a plurality of row and column electrodes. The probe can perform volumetric inspection of an object using the RCA array in different transmission and reception configurations.
Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques for enhancing images taken from non-destructive inspection techniques, such as acoustic inspection. A source 3D data may be acquired representing an object. Rather than displaying the source 3D data, signal processing may be employed to enhance the flaws or defects in the source 3D data. A geometry template of the object may be created using the source 3D data. The source 3D data may be compared to the geometry template, and based on the comparison, an enhanced 3D image may be generated.
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/14 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object using acoustic emission techniques
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
Techniques for ultrasonic inspection with different beam skews arranged in a group are described. For example, the techniques described herein can group a plurality of different beam skews in a single group as part of the same channel, leading to simpler handling and calibration. The techniques also describe a new scan image showing the different beam skews together so that the analyst can select and switch between the different beam skews easily.
Techniques for ultrasonic inspection with different beam skews arranged in a group are described. For example, the techniques described herein can group a plurality of different beam skews in a single group as part of the same channel, leading to simpler handling and calibration. The techniques also describe a new scan image showing the different beam skews together so that the analyst can select and switch between the different beam skews easily.
Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques for gathering inspection data (e.g., c-scan) from a plurality of probes, such as ECA probes. Each probe may generate inspection data obtained from different in-plane probe orientations on a surface, such as providing indications from disturbances or flaws located in different in-plane directions relative to a probe sensitivity axis. The inspection data may then be combined while indications at different orientations may be preserved and then merged to generate a composite. Pattern recognition using templates defining flaws or abnormalities may then be performed to determine the type of indication, e.g., detrimental flaw or non-detrimental abnormality.
G01N 27/9093 - Arrangements for supporting the sensorCombinations of eddy-current sensors and auxiliary arrangements for marking or for rejecting
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
73.
Acoustic imaging techniques using machine learning
A computerized method of image processing using processing circuitry to apply a previously trained machine learning model in a system for non-destructive testing (NDT) of a material is described. The method can include acquiring acoustic imaging data of the material, the acoustic imaging data acquired at least in part using an acoustic imaging modality, generating an acoustic imaging data set corresponding to an acoustic propagation mode, applying the previously trained machine learning model to the acoustic imaging data set, and generating an image of the material depicting a probability of a flaw per pixel or voxel based on the application of the previously trained machine learning model.
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/14 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object using acoustic emission techniques
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
74.
EDDY CURRENT (EC) INSPECTION CONFIGURATION SYSTEM AND TECHNIQUE
Various approaches can be used for performing eddy current inspection of a structure. Sensor configurations described herein can include flex circuits comprising multiple EC sensor elements. The flex circuit can conform to a region of a structure under test, such as a desired portion of a profile, and such as supported by spacers to maintain a desired stand-off distance between the object under test and the probe assembly. Techniques herein can be used to establish inspection configuration data defining activation or deactivation of respective EC sensors in a probe assembly. For example, a graphical user interface (GUI) can be used to provide graphical feedback concerning one or more attributes of testing, such as indicia of a test probe location or other attributes.
G01N 27/904 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents with two or more sensors
Apparatus and techniques as shown and described herein can be used to provide non-destructive inspection using a scanner assembly that can have one or more arms that can be used to position a probe assembly such that full inspection coverage of a structure can be achieved in a semi-automated or automated manner using as few as a single scanner assembly. Such apparatus and techniques can include a scanner assembly having multiple arms and corresponding probe assemblies, such as can be used to perform acoustic inspection of a longitudinal weld structure.
A couplant feeding circuit is provided. The couplant feeding circuit has a first set of walls extending from a bottom surface and a second set of walls extending from the bottom surface and between the first set of walls. A membrane extends between the first and second set of walls such that the first and second set of walls along with the membrane form a couplant cavity. The couplant feeding circuit also has a couplant port disposed in one of the first or second set of walls that allows routing of couplant to the couplant cavity. Moreover, the couplant feeding circuit also has a vacuum port disposed in one of the first or second set of walls that allows removal of at least a portion of the couplant from the couplant cavity. Furthermore, the couplant port and the vacuum port form a closed loop within the couplant feeding circuit.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/11 - Analysing solids by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
The present subject relates generally to acoustic inspection probe guidance or tracking, such as facilitating free-hand scanning of an acoustic probe assembly for performing acoustic inspection. For example, using an acoustic inspection probe assembly, an acoustic telemetry signal can be transmitted, such as separately from acoustic pulses or echoes used for acoustic inspection. Using at least one electroacoustic receiver, the acoustic telemetry signal can be received and using the received representation of the acoustic telemetry signal, at least one of (1) a position of the acoustic probe assembly relative to a reference position or (2) an orientation of the acoustic probe assembly in relation to a reference orientation can be determined. An indicium can be provided to a user indicative of at least one of (1) the determined position or (2) the determined orientation.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01S 5/18 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
A phase-based approach can be used for one or more of acquisition, storage, or subsequent analysis, e.g., A-scan reconstruction or Total Focusing Method imaging, in support of acoustic inspection. For example, binarization or other quantization technique can be used to compress a data volume associated with time-series signal acquisition. A representation of phase information from the time-series signal can be generated, such as by processing the binarized or otherwise quantized time-series signal. Using the representation of the phase information, a phase summation technique can be used to perform one or more of A-scan reconstruction, such as for pulse-echo A-scan inspection, or a TFM imaging technique can be used, as illustrative examples. In such a phase summation approach, time-series representations of phase data can be summed, such as where each time-series can be delayed (or phase rotated) by an appropriate delay value and then aggregated.
A presentation of data indicative of a non-destructive test (NDT) acquisition can be established as described herein. Establishing such a presentation can include receiving acoustic echo data elicited by respective transmissions of acoustic pulses, transforming the acoustic echo data to obtain a complex-valued representation of the acoustic echo data, the complex-valued representation comprising phase and amplitude data, applying a beamforming technique to the complex-valued representation to obtain magnitude values corresponding to respective pixel or voxel locations in an image, and to obtain data indicative of phase values corresponding to the respective pixel or voxel locations in the image, and assigning color values to the respective pixel or voxel locations using the magnitude values and the phase values, the color values selected from a color space using a respective lightness parameter corresponding to a respective magnitude value and at least one respective hue parameter corresponding to a respective phase value.
Techniques for reducing or eliminating cross talk in row-column addressed array (RCA) probes are described. A diode can be connected in series to piezo-composite element in each pixel of the RCA to prevent cross talk. A resistor can also be provided in parallel to the piezo-composite element for discharging purposes and providing DC paths for the forward and backward bias voltages to the diodes. Thus, RCA probes using the techniques disclosed herein can use sub-apertures for, among other things, inspecting longitudinal and transverse flaws, and for more efficient local focusing for an acoustic camera without significant cross talk interference.
A presentation of data indicative of a non-destructive test (NDT) acquisition can be established as described herein. Establishing such a presentation can include receiving acoustic echo data elicited by respective transmissions of acoustic pulses, transforming the acoustic echo data to obtain a complex-valued representation of the acoustic echo data, the complex-valued representation comprising phase and amplitude data, applying a beamforming technique to the complex-valued representation to obtain magnitude values corresponding to respective pixel or voxel locations in an image, and to obtain data indicative of phase values corresponding to the respective pixel or voxel locations in the image, and assigning color values to the respective pixel or voxel locations using the magnitude values and the phase values, the color values selected from a color space using a respective lightness parameter corresponding to a respective magnitude value and at least one respective hue parameter corresponding to a respective phase value.
An acoustic inspection system, such as an ultrasound inspection system, can determine an estimate of an a priori accuracy of a measurement using a determined lower bound on an indicium of dispersion of the measurement, such as a variance, and then display the determined estimate of the a priori accuracy to the user.
The present subject relates generally to acoustic inspection probe guidance or tracking, such as facilitating free-hand scanning of an acoustic probe assembly for performing acoustic inspection. For example, using an acoustic inspection probe assembly, an acoustic telemetry signal can be transmitted, such as separately from acoustic pulses or echoes used for acoustic inspection. Using at least one electroacoustic receiver, the acoustic telemetry signal can be received and using the received representation of the acoustic telemetry signal, at least one of (1) a position of the acoustic probe assembly relative to a reference position or (2) an orientation of the acoustic probe assembly in relation to a reference orientation can be determined. An indicium can be provided to a user indicative of at least one of (1) the determined position or (2) the determined orientation.
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/265 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning by moving the sensor relative to a stationary material
G01S 5/18 - Position-fixing by co-ordinating two or more direction or position-line determinationsPosition-fixing by co-ordinating two or more distance determinations using ultrasonic, sonic, or infrasonic waves
84.
AUTO TRAJECTORY CORRECTION FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST
Apparatus and techniques described herein can be used to compensate for variation in flatness or other surface features of a planar or nearly-planar test specimen, such as facilitating acoustic inspection. According to examples herein, compensation can be performed such as to maintain a parallel orientation of a non-destructive test probe relative to a surface of a test specimen or to maintain a specified distance between the test probe and the surface, or both. Such an approach can include use of multiple probe elements such as to contemporaneously acquire data indicative of a surface profile of the test specimen (such as using a time-of-flight determination), and to perform an inspection acquisition. In this manner, a probe trajectory can be adjusted (e.g., updated) during an acquisition to enhance inspection productivity versus other approaches.
Techniques for reducing or eliminating cross talk in row-column addressed array (RCA) probes are described. A diode can be connected in series to piezo-composite element in each pixel of the RCA to prevent cross talk. A resistor can also be provided in parallel to the piezo-composite element for discharging purposes and providing DC paths for the forward and backward bias voltages to the diodes. Thus, RCA probes using the techniques disclosed herein can use sub-apertures for, among other things, inspecting longitudinal and transverse flaws, and for more efficient local focusing for an acoustic camera without significant cross talk interference.
Examples of the present subject matter provide techniques for compressive sampling of acoustic data. A probe may sample in a compression mode, such that the entire matrix is not sampled at full-time resolution or spatial resolution. Therefore, the initial amount of data captured by the probe is reduced, allowing for lower density hardware (e.g., fewer analog-to-digital conversion channels or related analog front-end hardware) to be used at a lower data rate.
An adaptable inspection fixture configuration can be used to support Non-Destructive Test (NDT). Such adaptability can include use of two or more separate inspection probe assemblies, along with multiple available mechanical degrees of freedom to permit inspection of a variety of different cross-sectional profiles for inspection of bar or other structures.
G01N 27/9093 - Arrangements for supporting the sensorCombinations of eddy-current sensors and auxiliary arrangements for marking or for rejecting
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
88.
NON-DESTRUCTIVE INSPECTION ADAPTABLE HEAD FOR MULTIPLE PROFILES
An adaptable inspection fixture configuration can be used to support Non-Destructive Test (NDT). Such adaptability can include use of two or more separate inspection probe assemblies, along with multiple available mechanical degrees of freedom to permit inspection of a variety of different cross-sectional profiles for inspection of bar or other structures.
G01N 37/00 - Details not covered by any other group of this subclass
G01N 27/9093 - Arrangements for supporting the sensorCombinations of eddy-current sensors and auxiliary arrangements for marking or for rejecting
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
89.
ENHANCED COVERAGE LOCAL IMMERSION FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT)
An acoustic test probe assembly can include a multi-layer structure at or near an interface between the acoustic test probe assembly and a test specimen. For example, a gasket or seal arrangement can be used to establish a closed couplant-filled region between a membrane formed by the multi-layer structure and the test specimen. Excess couplant can be recovered around a perimeter of the closed couplant-filled region such as using ports or other features where suction can be applied to recover couplant, such as reducing or minimizing couplant losses while providing immersion at the interface between probed.
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
90.
ENHANCED COVERAGE LOCAL IMMERSION FOR NON-DESTRUCTIVE TEST (NDT)
An acoustic test probe assembly can include a multi-layer structure at or near an interface between the acoustic test probe assembly and a test specimen. For example, a gasket or seal arrangement can be used to establish a closed couplant-filled region between a membrane formed by the multi-layer structure and the test specimen. Excess couplant can be recovered around a perimeter of the closed couplant-filled region such as using ports or other features where suction can be applied to recover couplant, such as reducing or minimizing couplant losses while providing immersion at the interface between probed.
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
91.
COMPRESSION USING PEAK DETECTION FOR ACOUSTIC FULL MATRIX CAPTURE (FMC)
A compression technique can be used for processing or storage of acquired acoustic inspection data. For example, data indicative of peak values of an A-scan time-series can be stored to provide a compressed representation of such time-series data. A representation of the original A-scan data can be reconstructed, such as using the data indicative of the peak values, and a digital filter. Such an approach can dramatically reduce a volume of data associated an acoustic acquisition, such as a Full Matrix Capture (FMC) acquisition to be used for Total Focusing Method (TFM) beamforming and related imaging.
Data indicative of displacement of an acoustic probe assembly (or motion of an imaging aperture associated therewith) can be extracted from acquired acoustic echo data to perform motion tracking without requiring a separate mechanical motion sensor. As an illustrative example, a deterministic noise pattern associated with a particular probe location can be identified and motion of the noise pattern can be used to provide an estimate of probe assembly motion. Such an estimate can be used to facilitate imaging corresponding to multiple probe locations in support of acoustic non-destructive testing (NDT) such as in relation to Phased Array Ultrasound Test (PAUT).
Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting an ultrasonic-based inspection. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving a plurality of scan plan parameters associated with generating an image of at least one flaw within a specimen based on acoustic echo data obtained using full matrix capture (FMC); applying the plurality of scan plan parameters to an acoustic model, the acoustic model configured to determine a two-way pressure response of a plurality of inspection modes based on specular reflection and diffraction phenomena; generating, by the acoustic model based on the plurality of scan plan parameters, an acoustic region of influence (AROI) comprising an acoustic amplitude sensitivity map for a first inspection mode amongst the plurality of inspection modes; and generating, for display, a first image comprising the AROI associated with the first inspection mode for capturing or inspecting the image of the at least one flaw.
G01N 29/00 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
G01N 29/44 - Processing the detected response signal
G01N 29/46 - Processing the detected response signal by spectral analysis, e.g. Fourier analysis
G01S 7/52 - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/00 - Systems using the reflection or reradiation of acoustic waves, e.g. sonar systems
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
94.
PROBE POSITION ENCODING BY ULTRASOUND IMAGE CORRELATION
Data indicative of displacement of an acoustic probe assembly (or motion of an imaging aperture associated therewith) can be extracted from acquired acoustic echo data to perform motion tracking without requiring a separate mechanical motion sensor. As an illustrative example, a deterministic noise pattern associated with a particular probe location can be identified and motion of the noise pattern can be used to provide an estimate of probe assembly motion. Such an estimate can be used to facilitate imaging corresponding to multiple probe locations in support of acoustic non-destructive testing (NDT) such as in relation to Phased Array Ultrasound Test (PAUT).
Techniques for compensating a TFM delay computation live (e.g., during acquisition) as a function of the measured thickness along the scan axis of a probe of an acoustic inspection system. At various scan positions, the acoustic inspection system can measure the thickness of the object under test. With the measured thickness, the acoustic inspection system can compute the delays used for the TFM computation to reflect the actual thickness at that particular scan position of the probe.
G01N 29/28 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details providing acoustic coupling
96.
ADAPTIVE ULTRASONIC INSPECTION FOR VOLUMETRIC FLAWS
Acoustic evaluation of a target can be performed using an array of electro-acoustic transducers. For example, a technique for such evaluation can include generating acoustic transmission events using different transmitting apertures, the apertures defined by corresponding zones along the array, the zones including multiple electro-acoustic transducer elements. In response to the respective acoustic transmission events, respective acoustic echo signals are received. Representations of the respective received acoustic echo signals are coherently summed. The coherently summing includes applying determined nominal element delay factors to the respective representations to approximate a virtual probe normal to a nominal shape of a surface of a structure being inspected. A pixel or voxel value is corresponding to a specified spatial location within the structure being inspected is generated using the coherently summed representations.
G01N 29/06 - Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy
G01N 29/22 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object Details
G01N 29/26 - Arrangements for orientation or scanning
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
97.
CONTEMPORANEOUS FIRING SCHEME FOR ACOUSTIC INSPECTION
Acoustic evaluation of a target can be performed using an array of electro-acoustic transducers. For example, a technique for such evaluation can include generating pulses for transmission by respective ones of a plurality of electro-acoustic transducers in a transducer array to contemporaneously establish respective acoustic beams corresponding to at least two different acoustic beam steering directions for an acquisition, the pulses comprising at least a first sequence having pulses of defining a profile having a first polarity, the first sequence corresponding to a first beam steering direction (e.g., angle or spatial beam direction), and a second sequence having pulses defining a profile having a second polarity opposite the first polarity, the second sequence corresponding to a second beam steering direction. In response to transmission of the pulses, respective acoustic echo signals can be received and aggregated to form an image of a region of interest on or within the target.
An eddy current probe assembly for analyzing an article is provided. The eddy current probe assembly includes a housing, an eddy current probe disposed on or within the housing, and a barrier layer. The housing has a coolant passage that extends into the housing and forms a loop within the housing. The coolant passage allows for coolant flow through the housing. The eddy current probe thermally couples with a first portion of the coolant passage at a first surface of the eddy current probe. The barrier layer is on a second surface of the eddy current probe opposite the first surface of the eddy current probe.
G01N 27/90 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of electric, electrochemical, or magnetic means by investigating magnetic variables for investigating the presence of flaws using eddy currents
99.
Acoustic profiling techniques for non-destructive testing
An acoustic inspection system can be used to generate a surface profile of a component under inspection, and then can be used to perform the inspection on the component. The acoustic inspection system can obtain acoustic imaging data, e.g., FMC data, of the component. Then, the acoustic inspection system can apply a previously trained machine learning model to an encoded acoustic image, such as a TFM image, to generate a representation of the profile of one or more surfaces of the component. In this manner, no additional equipment is needed, which is more convenient and efficient than implementations that utilize additional components that are external to the acoustic inspection system.
Using various techniques, a position of a probe assembly of a non-destructive inspection system, such as a phase array ultrasonic testing (PAUT) system, can be determined using the acoustic capability of the probe assembly and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor, e.g., including a gyroscope and an accelerometer, without relying on a complex encoding mechanism. The IMU sensor can provide an estimate of a current location of the probe assembly, which can be confirmed by the probe assembly, using an acoustic signal. In this manner, the data acquired from the IMU sensor and the probe assembly can be used in a complementary manner.
