Use of ultrasonic arrays for piping inspection

Robert S. Frankle

doi:10.1117/12.259167

14 November 1996 Use of ultrasonic arrays for piping inspection

Robert S. Frankle

Proceedings Volume 2947, Nondestructive Evaluation of Utilities and Pipelines; (1996) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.259167
Event: Nondestructive Evaluation Techniques for Aging Infrastructure and Manufacturing, 1996, Scottsdale, AZ, United States

Abstract

Ultrasonic inspection is frequently used to detect defects in structures during manufacturing, maintenance, and service. Traditionally the inspection is performed by manually or robotically scanning the surface with a single ultrasonic transducer. A flexible ultrasonic transducer array represents an innovative solution to many of the problems associated with traditional ultrasonic inspections. The flexible array consists of hundreds of ultrasonic pulser-receivers in a 2D arrangement that can be tailored to the geometry of the part to be inspected. The inspection is performed by placing the array on the inspection surface and activating each pulser-receiver in turn under computer control. Advantages of the flexible array include ease of use, rapid automated inspection, vacuum coupling to the surface, and ability to conform to curved surfaces. Since the array elements are at fixed locations, the inspection results can always be displayed as easy to interpret C-scan images. This paper describes the flexible ultrasonic array inspection systems and discusses potential piping inspection applications.

Citation Download Citation

Robert S. Frankle "Use of ultrasonic arrays for piping inspection", Proc. SPIE 2947, Nondestructive Evaluation of Utilities and Pipelines, (14 November 1996); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.259167

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available