Adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube-sheet fillet welds

Abstract

The present invention discloses an adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds, comprising a chamber cover, a chamber body, and a roller frame. The chamber cover is disposed above the chamber body and is slidably connected to the chamber body, enabling the chamber cover to slide horizontally relative to the chamber body and drive the chamber body to rotate vertically. A slot is defined in the chamber body, in which a probe wedge and a piezoelectric chip are disposed and compressed by a gland. The roller frame is fixed to the side of the gland facing away from the chamber body, with a spring disposed between the roller frame and the gland, and a roller mounted in the roller frame. The present invention solves problems such as the probe not being in close contact with the inner wall of the pipe, poor contact, unstable operation, poor coupling, signal loss or drift, and inaccurate positioning during scanning.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the technical field of non-destructive testing, and in particular relates to a phased array ultrasonic testing probe chamber. Background Art

[0002] Tube-to-tube-sheet fillet welds are the primary welded structure in shell-and-tube heat exchangers and reactors. These welds are a weak link in the equipment and prone to leakage, necessitating nondestructive testing. X-ray testing was previously the preferred method, but in recent years, phased array ultrasonic testing has been developed for tube-to-tube-sheet fillet weld testing.

[0003] During phased array inspection of tube-to-tube-sheet fillet welds, the probe is placed into the probe chamber, which is then lowered into the tube. The probe chamber is filled with water as a couplant and rotated by a motor. Ultrasonic waves emitted by the probe scan the entire circumference of the fillet weld, receiving echo signals that are processed by a computer to form an image, completing the inspection. The probe chamber holds the probe, stores the couplant water, and drives the probe's rotation, a crucial component for scanning and signal acquisition.

[0004] Due to application limitations, phased array inspection systems for tube and tube-sheet fillet welds are typically handheld. Because the axis cannot be fixed, it can easily deflect during rotational scanning of fillet welds, resulting in unstable contact between the probe and the pipe inner wall, sometimes too close and sometimes too far. This poor contact between the probe and the pipe wall can lead to poor coupling, signal loss, or drift, compromising inspection quality. Therefore, the probe must maintain close contact with the pipe inner wall, ensuring stable operation. However, the currently used rigid probe housing cannot address this issue. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an adaptively balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic detection of tube and tube sheet fillet welds, so as to solve the problems of rigid probe chambers used in prior art phased array detection systems for tube and tube sheet fillet welds, such as poor coupling leading to signal loss and signal drift caused by the probe fitting tightly or loosely against the inner wall of the tube.

[0006] To achieve the above object, the technical solution adopted by the present invention is:

[0007] An adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds, comprising a chamber cover, a chamber body, and a roller frame, wherein:

[0008] The bin cover is arranged above the bin body, and the bin cover and the bin body are slidably connected. The bin cover can slide in the horizontal direction relative to the bin body, and the bin cover can drive the bin body to rotate in the vertical direction;

[0009] A slot is provided in the chamber body, in which a probe wedge and a piezoelectric wafer are placed and compressed by a gland;

[0010] The roller frame is fixed on the side of the pressure cover facing away from the bin body, a spring is arranged between the roller frame and the pressure cover, and a roller is installed in the roller frame.

[0011] Furthermore, the bin cover and the bin body are connected by a slide groove structure. The bin cover includes a top surface and two symmetrical side surfaces. The inner walls of the two side surfaces are provided with slide rails, and the outer wall of the bin body in contact with the two side surfaces is provided with corresponding slide grooves.

[0012] Furthermore, a water inlet is provided in the warehouse body, and the water inlet is connected to a water pipe joint.

[0013] Furthermore, a cable is led out from the top of the probe wedge, and the cable is fastened by a gland.

[0014] Furthermore, a rotating shaft is vertically mounted on the roller frame, and the roller is mounted on the rotating shaft. The roller can rotate relative to the roller frame along with the rotating shaft.

[0015] Beneficial effects: Compared with the prior art, the advantages of the present invention are:

[0016] 1. The cover and the body of the bin are designed to slide relative to each other, ensuring that the probe does not separate from the pipe wall when the scanning device's rotating shaft deflects.

[0017] 2. The bin body and roller frame are connected by springs, and the two fulcrums of the probe and roller are 180 degrees apart to achieve symmetrical balance. This ensures that the probe and the inner wall of the pipe should always remain in close contact during the scanning process to achieve good contact. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the split structure of the adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the structure of the adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds of the present invention;

[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic structural diagram of another angle of the adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds of the present invention;

[0021] In the figure, 1-bin cover, 2-first screw, 3-bin body, 4-Glen head, 5-water pipe joint, 6-piezoelectric chip, 7-pressure cover, 8-probe wedge, 9-roller frame, 10-roller, 11-third screw, 12-fourth screw, 13-rotating shaft, 14-spring, 15-second screw, 16-slide rail, 17-slide groove, 20-tube, 30-tube plate. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] The present invention will be further explained below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] First, some professional terms involved in the present invention are explained:

[0024] Phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds: Tube and tube sheet fillet welds are the main welded structure of shell-and-tube heat exchangers and reactors. This structure is the weak link in the equipment and is prone to leakage, so non-destructive testing is required. Phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds is an advanced non-destructive testing technology newly invented in recent years.

[0025] Probe Chamber: During phased array testing of tube and tube-plate fillet welds, the probe is placed in the probe chamber, which is then placed inside the tube. The chamber is filled with water as a coupling agent and rotated by a motor. The probe emits ultrasonic waves that scan the entire fillet weld and receives echo signals. Computer processing generates an image, completing the inspection. The probe chamber holds the probe, stores the coupling agent water, and drives the probe's rotation to complete the scan and signal acquisition.

[0026] Adaptive balanced probe chamber: During the rotating probe scanning process of fillet welds, the probe must always maintain close contact with the pipe inner wall, ensuring smooth operation. If the probe is not in close contact, the operation will be unstable, resulting in poor coupling, signal loss, and inaccurate positioning. Therefore, an adaptive balancing structure is required to ensure close contact and good contact between the probe and the pipe inner wall.

[0027] like Figure 1 The figure shows an adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to the present invention, comprising a chamber cover 1, a chamber body 3, and a roller frame 9, wherein:

[0028] The bin cover 1 is arranged above the bin body 3. The bin cover 1 includes a top surface and two symmetrical side surfaces. The top surface is used to connect with the motor drive shaft. The inner walls of the two side surfaces are provided with slide rails 16. The outer walls of the bin body 3 that contact the two side surfaces are provided with corresponding slide grooves 17. The bin cover 1 and the bin body 3 are connected by a slide groove structure composed of the slide rails 16 and the slide grooves 17. The bin cover 1 can slide in the horizontal direction relative to the bin body 3, and the bin cover 1 can drive the bin body 3 to rotate in the vertical direction; a water injection port is provided in the bin body 3, and the water injection port is connected to the water pipe connector 5 for injecting water into the contact surface between the probe wedge and the pipe wall.

[0029] A slot is provided in the chamber body 3 , in which a probe wedge 8 and a piezoelectric chip 6 are arranged and compressed by a pressure cover 7 ; a cable is led out from the top of the probe wedge 8 and is fastened by a gland 4 .

[0030] The roller frame 9 is fixed on the side of the pressure cover 7 facing away from the silo 3. A spring 14 is provided between the roller frame 9 and the pressure cover 7. A rotating shaft 13 is vertically installed on the roller frame 9. The roller 10 is installed on the rotating shaft 13. The roller 10 can rotate relative to the roller frame 9 along with the rotating shaft 13.

[0031] A threaded hole is respectively formed on the two side surfaces of the compartment cover 1 , and a first screw 2 and a second screw 15 are screwed into the two threaded holes.

[0032] The pressure cover 7 is fixed to the bin body 3 by four third screws 11. The roller frame 9 is fixed to the pressure cover 7 by two fourth screws 12.

[0033] During the rotation of the probe chamber, the probe and roller contact the inner wall of the pipe at support points 180 degrees apart. The spring force presses the probe against the pipe's inner wall, ensuring close contact and smooth operation during the inspection and scanning process. Even if the scanning device axis deflects, this contact is not affected. This solves problems such as loose contact between the probe and the pipe wall, unstable operation, poor coupling, signal loss or drift, and inaccurate detection positioning during the inspection process.

[0034] The above is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications should also be regarded as within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. An adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds, characterized by: It comprises a bin cover (1), a bin body (3), and a roller frame (9), wherein: The bin cover (1) is arranged above the bin body (3), and the bin cover (1) and the bin body (3) are connected in a sliding manner. The bin cover (1) can slide in the horizontal direction relative to the bin body (3), and the bin cover (1) can drive the bin body (3) to rotate in the vertical direction; A slot is provided in the chamber body (3), in which a probe wedge (8) and a piezoelectric chip (6) are arranged and compressed by a gland (7); The roller frame (9) is fixed on the side of the pressure cover (7) facing away from the bin body (3), a spring (14) is provided between the roller frame (9) and the pressure cover (7), and a roller (10) is installed in the roller frame (9); The roller (10) and the probe in the probe chamber are in contact with the inner wall of the pipe at support points 180 degrees apart, and the probe is pressed against the inner wall of the pipe under the elastic force of the spring (14), achieving symmetrical balance.

2. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bin cover (1) and the bin body (3) are connected via a slide groove structure. The bin cover (1) comprises a top surface and two symmetrical side surfaces. The inner walls of the two side surfaces are both provided with slide rails (16). The outer wall of the bin body (3) in contact with the two side surfaces is provided with corresponding slide grooves (17).

3. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 2, characterized in that: A threaded hole is provided on each of the two side surfaces of the bin cover (1), and a first screw (2) and a second screw (15) are screwed into the two threaded holes.

4. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A water inlet is provided in the bin body (3), and the water inlet is connected to a water pipe joint (5).

5. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A cable is led out from the top of the probe wedge (8), and the cable is fastened by a Glenn head (4).

6. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gland (7) is fixed to the bin body (3) via a plurality of third screws (11).

7. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: The roller frame (9) is fixed to the pressure cover (7) via a plurality of fourth screws (12).

8. The adaptive balanced probe chamber for phased array ultrasonic testing of tube and tube sheet fillet welds according to claim 1, characterized in that: A rotating shaft (13) is vertically mounted on the roller frame (9), and the roller (10) is mounted on the rotating shaft (13). The roller (10) can rotate relative to the roller frame (9) along with the rotating shaft (13).

Images