A logic type ultrasound probe array system and method based on comparison and gating

Abstract

The present invention provides a logic-type ultrasonic probe array system and method based on comparison and gating, including an ultrasonic instrument, an ultrasonic probe array, a gating control array and a comparator array, wherein: the ultrasonic instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasonic probe array; the ultrasonic probe array receives ultrasonic echo signals of each channel; the comparator array compares multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the gating logic array through the serial number; the gating control array receives multiple ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the serial number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals. The present invention does not sacrifice the repetition frequency of the ultrasonic flaw detection system, which means that it will not affect production efficiency and accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of ultrasonic probes, and in particular to a logic-type ultrasonic probe array based on comparison and gating. Background Art

[0002] With the development of industrial technology, ultrasonic probe arrays are increasingly used in industrial ultrasonic flaw detection systems. The present invention is based on a comparator array and a gate control array. The same type of multi-channel signals in the ultrasonic probe array are synthesized into one signal according to the principle of maximum amplitude. While greatly reducing the number of actual instrument channels in the industrial ultrasonic flaw detection system, it does not reduce the flaw detection production efficiency and accuracy.

[0003] The invention patent with the patent document CN 106821414 A discloses a method and device for controlling the operation of a channel and a probe. A method for controlling the operation of a channel including at least one transducer comprises: comparing the voltage corresponding to the current flowing into the channel with the alarm value voltage; and controlling the operation of the channel based on the comparison result. The implementation method of the above scheme is to use a summing circuit to process multiple channels, that is, all channels in the circuit have an impact on the final output. And the patent document uses a summing method to find out whether there is an abnormal leakage current generated by a problematic probe. If there is a leakage current, it will be reflected in the abnormal increase of the summation result. In this way, turning off the problematic probe can avoid interference and is used for equipment problem diagnosis, but it cannot achieve equipment design optimization.

[0004] The invention patent with patent document CN 103115968 A discloses a signal processing method and device for an ultrasonic detector. The collected data is cached in a first memory according to the screen resolution and the detection range of the ultrasonic detection system, and then the value in the first memory is compared with the extreme value collected by the previous transmission stored in the second memory. If it is larger than the extreme value collected by the previous transmission, it is used as a new extreme value to cover and replace the original data, otherwise the original extreme value data is kept unchanged, and this cycle continues until the host computer reads it. After the reading is completed, the memory is cleared to complete a data compression. The compression algorithm compresses data by saving the extreme value between every two frames. At the same data transmission rate, the data that is most likely to be a damage signal is retained, thereby reducing missed detection. It can be used for online real-time display of the scanned workpiece during high-speed scanning, and can display the largest echo collected by the ultrasonic transducer in the frame in real time. The above scheme is a signal processing method applied to one channel, which is the same channel to obtain the maximum value at different times. The purpose and purpose is to prevent the loss of the maximum value by using a method similar to sampling and holding when the acquisition frequency is insufficient. It is not possible to solve the detection of multiple channels with one channel.

[0005] The invention patent CN102944301A discloses a digital peak detection method and system for ultrasonic signals based on the variable distance segmentation method. The method of the present invention adopts a two-stage variable distance uniform segmentation rule, and the detection module designed by the method includes a two-stage variable distance uniform segmenter, a feature point filter, a maximum comparator and a minimum comparator. The ultrasonic signal acquisition and display system includes a high-speed AD, an FPGA functional module, and an industrial computer based on a PXI bus. The detection module of the present invention not only inherits the peak detector's accurate capture characteristics of peak point information under dynamic conditions, but also has an adjustment accuracy that can reach one sampling point, and the display range is free from the limitation of integer multiple sampling steps and can be of any length. The present invention is based on FPGA programmable technology, and can realize function modification and expansion without changing the hardware. However, the above scheme is not for multiple probe arrays. Summary of the invention

[0006] In view of the defects in the prior art, an object of the present invention is to provide a logic-type ultrasound probe array system and method based on comparison and gating.

[0007] According to the present invention, a logic-type ultrasound probe array system based on comparison and gating includes an ultrasound instrument, an ultrasound probe array, a gating control array, and a comparator array, wherein:

[0008] The ultrasound instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasound probe array;

[0009] The ultrasonic probe array receives ultrasonic echo signals from each channel;

[0010] The comparator array compares the multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the gating logic array through the serial number;

[0011] The gating control array receives multiple ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the sequence number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals.

[0012] Preferably, the ultrasonic instrument receives the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude.

[0013] Preferably, the comparator array sends the sequence number to the ultrasound instrument.

[0014] Preferably, when the ultrasonic instrument is in a maintenance state, the ultrasonic instrument activates the forced gating function through a forced gating enable signal.

[0015] Preferably, the ultrasonic instrument sends a set forced gating number to the gating control array, the gating control sets the electronic switch of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the forced gating number to turn on, and the electronic switches of other channels to turn off, and outputs the signal of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the set forced gating number in real time.

[0016] A logic-based ultrasound probe array method based on comparison and gating provided by the present invention comprises the following steps:

[0017] Pulse sending step: the ultrasound instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasound probe array;

[0018] Receiving step: the ultrasonic probe array receives the ultrasonic echo signals of each channel;

[0019] Comparison control step: the comparator array compares the multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the selection logic array through the serial number;

[0020] Signal sending step: the gate control array receives multiple ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the sequence number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals.

[0021] Preferably, the ultrasonic instrument receives the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude.

[0022] Preferably, the comparator array sends the sequence number to the ultrasound instrument.

[0023] Preferably, when the ultrasonic instrument is in a maintenance state, the ultrasonic instrument activates the forced gating function through a forced gating enable signal.

[0024] Preferably, the ultrasonic instrument sends a set forced gating number to the gating control array, the gating control sets the electronic switch of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the forced gating number to turn on, and the electronic switches of other channels to turn off, and outputs the signal of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the set forced gating number in real time.

[0025] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0026] 1. The present invention adopts the maximum value output principle. Among all channels, only the channel with the largest amplitude is output, and the other channels will not affect the output;

[0027] 2. The present invention combines multiple channel signals into one signal, which can reduce the input channel to one channel while maintaining the original high detection frequency, which is beneficial to the optimization of equipment design;

[0028] 3. The present invention adopts a logic array structure based on comparison and selection, which solves the problem of excessive number of channels occupied by traditional ultrasonic probe arrays without reducing the production efficiency and accuracy of flaw detection;

[0029] 4. The present invention is a processing method for multiple channels, where multiple channels obtain the maximum value at the same time, and select and output the maximum value. One channel is used to solve the detection of multiple channels, and the detection repetition frequency will not be reduced. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the detailed description of non-limiting embodiments made with reference to the following drawings:

[0031] Figure 1 A system schematic diagram of a logic-type ultrasound probe array system based on comparison and gating provided by the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] The present invention is described in detail below in conjunction with specific embodiments. The following embodiments will help those skilled in the art to further understand the present invention, but are not intended to limit the present invention in any form. It should be noted that, for those of ordinary skill in the art, several changes and improvements can also be made without departing from the concept of the present invention. These all belong to the protection scope of the present invention.

[0033] like Figure 1 As shown, according to the logic-type ultrasonic probe array system and method based on comparison and gating provided by the present invention, the system mainly includes an ultrasonic instrument, an ultrasonic probe array, a gating control array and a comparator array, wherein, after the ultrasonic instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasonic probe array, the ultrasonic probe array receives the ultrasonic echo signals of each channel. Since each array element of the ultrasonic probe array is functionally similar and all perform flaw detection according to the amplitude equivalent comparison method, it is considered to synthesize each signal into one signal according to the principle of maximum amplitude, thereby reducing the actual number of instrument channels of the industrial ultrasonic flaw detection system and greatly reducing the complexity of the system.

[0034] First, the comparator array is used for comparison, and the channel echo signal obtained is the channel x with the largest amplitude. The comparator array can be built with electronic devices such as comparators, operational amplifiers, and ideal diodes. It has two functions:

[0035] 1. Compare channels with each other through the electronic comparator array to obtain the channel number x with the current maximum amplitude, and use this number x to control the selection logic array. The selection logic array will turn on the electronic switch of the channel and turn off the electronic switches of other channels, thereby outputting the signal of channel x in real time.

[0036] 2. After obtaining the channel number x of the current maximum amplitude, the channel number x is sent to the ultrasonic instrument at the same time, so that the instrument can know which channel the current signal output corresponds to through this channel number x and display it.

[0037] In the maintenance state, when the ultrasonic instrument needs to check and diagnose the array element channel y in the ultrasonic probe array, the ultrasonic instrument can activate the forced gating function through the forced gating enable signal. After the function is activated, the ultrasonic instrument can send the forced gating sequence number y to the gating control array, and the gating control array will force the electronic switch of the y channel to open and the electronic switches of other channels to close, thereby outputting the signal of the y channel in real time.

[0038] The present invention also provides a logic-type ultrasonic probe array method based on comparison and gating, comprising a pulse sending step: the ultrasonic instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasonic probe array; a receiving step: the ultrasonic probe array receives the ultrasonic echo signals of each channel; a comparison control step: the comparator array compares the multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the gating logic array through the serial number; a signal sending step: the gating control array receives multiple ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the serial number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals.

[0039] The logic type ultrasonic probe array based on comparison and gating provided by the present invention receives echo signals of each channel at all times when it is working. By comparing the array and gating the control array, it can be ensured that the signal output to the ultrasonic instrument is always the maximum amplitude of all channels.

[0040] When the maximum amplitude changes between channels, the comparison array and the strobe control array can switch between channels in real time and simultaneously send the channel number corresponding to the current signal output to the instrument.

[0041] In this way, each time the ultrasonic instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasonic probe array, the maximum value of each channel will be displayed in real time in chronological order before the next initial excitation pulse. No matter which array element in the probe array has a defect that exceeds the threshold in the equivalent comparison method, the defect can be captured without omission.

[0042] Different from the traditional multi-channel repetition frequency time-sharing method (frequency division method), this logic-based ultrasonic probe array based on comparison and selection will not sacrifice the repetition frequency of the ultrasonic flaw detection system, which means that it will not affect production efficiency and accuracy.

[0043] In the description of the present application, it should be understood that the terms "up", "down", "front", "back", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside", etc., indicating orientations or positional relationships, are based on the orientations or positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing the present application and simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the referred device or element must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be understood as a limitation on the present application.

[0044] The above describes the specific embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the above specific embodiments, and those skilled in the art can make various changes or modifications within the scope of the claims, which does not affect the essence of the present invention. In the absence of conflict, the embodiments of the present application and the features in the embodiments can be combined with each other arbitrarily.

Claims

1. A logic-based ultrasound probe array system based on comparison and gating, characterized in that: The invention comprises an ultrasonic instrument, an ultrasonic probe array, a gating control array and a comparator array, wherein: The ultrasound instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasound probe array; The ultrasonic probe array receives ultrasonic echo signals from each channel; The comparator array compares the multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the gating logic array through the serial number; The gating control array receives a plurality of ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the sequence number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals; When the ultrasonic instrument is in maintenance status, the ultrasonic instrument activates the forced gating function through a forced gating enable signal; the ultrasonic instrument sends the set forced gating sequence number to the gating control array, and the gating control sets the electronic switch of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the forced gating sequence number to turn on, and the electronic switches of other channels to turn off, and outputs the signal of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the set forced gating sequence number in real time.

2. The logic-based ultrasound probe array system based on comparison and gating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic instrument receives the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude.

3. The logic-based ultrasound probe array system based on comparison and gating according to claim 1, characterized in that: The comparator array sends the sequence number to the ultrasound instrument.

4. A logic-based ultrasound probe array method based on comparison and gating, characterized in that: The steps include: Pulse sending step: the ultrasound instrument sends an initial excitation pulse to the ultrasound probe array; Receiving step: the ultrasonic probe array receives the ultrasonic echo signals of each channel; Comparison control step: the comparator array compares the multiple ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasonic probe array, obtains the serial number of the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude, and controls the selection logic array through the serial number; Signal sending step: the gate control array receives multiple ultrasonic echo signals, turns on the ultrasonic echo signal corresponding to the sequence number and sends it to the ultrasonic instrument, and turns off the remaining ultrasonic echo signals; When the ultrasonic instrument is in maintenance status, the ultrasonic instrument activates the forced gating function through a forced gating enable signal; the ultrasonic instrument sends the set forced gating sequence number to the gating control array, and the gating control sets the electronic switch of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the forced gating sequence number to turn on, and the electronic switches of other channels to turn off, and outputs the signal of the ultrasonic channel corresponding to the set forced gating sequence number in real time.

5. The logic-based ultrasound probe array method based on comparison and gating according to claim 4, characterized in that: The ultrasonic instrument receives the ultrasonic echo signal with the largest amplitude.

6. The logic-based ultrasound probe array method based on comparison and gating according to claim 4, characterized in that: The comparator array sends the sequence number to the ultrasound instrument.

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