Flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for non-open cavity detection of composite materials

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of nondestructive testing technology, and in particular to a flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials. The outer shell of the flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe is a cavity structure with openings on both sides, and two sound-transmitting columns are movably arranged at the openings on both sides of the outer shell, respectively. The ultrasonic array chip is arranged on the sound-transmitting column and is arranged close to one side inside the outer shell, and the elastic component is arranged between the two sound-transmitting columns to keep the sound-transmitting column away from the outer shell. Maintain tension outward. By simultaneously scanning from two opposite incident surfaces of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material, ultrasonic scanning and detection of two opposite parts of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material can be achieved without replacing different scanning tools or probes. One scan can simultaneously complete ultrasonic rapid scanning and detection of the opposite sides of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure, which significantly improves the detection efficiency and reliability of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of nondestructive testing, and in particular to a flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe for testing a non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure. Background Art

[0002] The non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure is a very important structural form, and the quality requirements for the non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure are very high. In order to ensure the quality of the non-open inner cavity, it is necessary to perform 100% non-destructive testing on the non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure. At present, ultrasonic testing is the main method for testing the non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure. In order to achieve the coverage detection of the non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure, ultrasonic scanning and testing of each part is required.

[0003] Please refer to Figure 1 The non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure is a typical space with closed sides. During ultrasonic testing, it is necessary to scan each side of the non-open inner cavity by moving the single-crystal ultrasonic probe to achieve 100% non-destructive testing. The current ultrasonic testing method is: using manual scanning, manually moving the single-crystal ultrasonic probe, and scanning the four sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure in turn, thereby achieving coverage testing of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure. However, the testing efficiency is low, the labor intensity is high, the test results are greatly affected by the technical status and subjective factors of the tester, and are prone to missed detection; the test results cannot be recorded and visualized, which in turn affects the reliability of the test results, and the degree of automation of ultrasonic testing is low.

[0004] As an improvement, ultrasonic automatic scanning detection is adopted. The currently more commonly used detection method is: through the design of a special scanning mechanism, the ultrasonic transducer is used to scan the four sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure in turn. However, different scanning tools need to be replaced to realize the automatic scanning of the left side 10A, the right side 10B, the upper side 10C and the lower side 10D of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure, and the detection efficiency is low; at the same time, the frequent replacement of different scanning tools during the scanning process is easy to introduce inconsistency and interference of the ultrasonic signal, thereby affecting the reliability of the detection result; the geometric space of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure is very limited, and it is difficult for the automatic scanning tooling to enter the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure, and it is difficult to realize reliable detection of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure. Summary of the invention

[0005] (1) Technical issues to be solved

[0006] The embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials structures, which solves the technical problems of low detection efficiency of non-open inner cavities of composite materials structures and poor reliability and accuracy of ultrasonic detection of non-open inner cavities of composite materials structures.

[0007] (2) Technical solution

[0008] An embodiment of the present invention proposes a flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe for detecting a non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure, comprising: a sound-transmitting column, an ultrasonic array chip, a shell and an elastic component. The shell is a cavity structure with openings on both sides. The two sound-transmitting columns are movably arranged at the openings on both sides of the shell, respectively. The ultrasonic array chip is arranged on the sound-transmitting column and is arranged close to one side inside the shell. The elastic component is arranged between the two sound-transmitting columns to keep the sound-transmitting column away from the shell and outwardly maintain tension.

[0009] Furthermore, the elastic component includes a guide block, a spring and a guide rod. The two guide blocks are respectively connected to the ultrasonic array chips on the two sound-transparent columns and are respectively movably arranged in the outer shell. The guide block is provided with a guide hole for installing the spring. The spring is arranged in the guide hole. One end of the guide rod is inserted into the guide hole of the guide block and abuts against the spring, and the other end is inserted into the guide hole of the other guide block and abuts against the other spring.

[0010] Furthermore, guide heads are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the guide block, and the guide heads are clearance-matched with guide grooves provided in the shell so that the guide heads can slide back and forth in the guide grooves.

[0011] Furthermore, an acoustic pad is provided between the ultrasonic array chip and the guide block, and the thickness of the acoustic pad is 5 to 20 mm.

[0012] Furthermore, the ultrasonic array chip includes n piezoelectric chips, and the calculation formula of n is:

[0013]

[0014] Wherein, w is the width of the piezoelectric chip, L is the side length of the reinforcing rib of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure, and Δw is the distance between two adjacent piezoelectric chips.

[0015] Furthermore, the length of the piezoelectric chip is 8 to 20 mm, and the width of the piezoelectric chip is 0.8 to 3 mm.

[0016] Furthermore, an electrode connection wire is welded on the upper surface of the piezoelectric chip, and the connection wire is electrically connected to a connection socket arranged on the shell.

[0017] Furthermore, the outer shell includes an upper connecting plate, a lower connecting plate, a front connecting plate and a rear connecting plate, the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate are arranged opposite to each other, the two ends of the upper connecting plate are respectively connected to the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate by screws, the two ends of the lower connecting plate are respectively connected to the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate by screws, the connecting seat is arranged on the front connecting plate, and the front connecting plate is also provided with a threaded hole for connecting to an external scanning mechanism.

[0018] (3) Beneficial effects

[0019] In summary, the present invention can be used to simultaneously scan from two opposite incident surfaces of a non-open inner cavity of a composite material, and there is no need to replace different scanning tools or probes, so as to realize ultrasonic scanning detection of two opposite parts of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material. The detection efficiency is high and the labor intensity is low, which is conducive to reducing the influence of the technical status and subjective factors of the inspector on the detection results, and is not prone to missed detection. One scan can simultaneously complete the ultrasonic rapid scanning detection of the opposite sides of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure, which significantly improves the detection efficiency and reliability of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the drawings required for use in the embodiments of the present invention are briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative work.

[0021] Figure 1 It is a structural schematic diagram of a non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure.

[0022] Figure 2 The present invention is a structural schematic diagram of a flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe used for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials.

[0023] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the three-dimensional structure of the guide block.

[0024] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Schematic diagram of the explosion of the shell.

[0025] In the figure: 10, non-open inner cavity of composite material structure; 10A, left side; 10B, right side; 10C, upper side; 10D, lower side; 1, ultrasonic array chip; 2, acoustic pad; 3, guide block; 4, spring; 5, guide rod; 6, outer shell; 7, sound-transmitting column; 8, connecting line; 9, connecting seat; 30, guide hole; 31, guide head; 60, upper connecting plate; 61, lower connecting plate; 62, front connecting plate; 63, rear connecting plate; 64, threaded hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The following is a further detailed description of the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and examples. The detailed description of the following embodiments and the accompanying drawings are used to exemplarily illustrate the principles of the present invention, but cannot be used to limit the scope of the present invention, that is, the present invention is not limited to the described embodiments, and covers any modification, replacement and improvement of parts, components and connection modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0027] It should be noted that, in the absence of conflict, the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other. The present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with the embodiments.

[0028] Please refer to Figure 2 The embodiment of the present invention provides a flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting a non-open inner cavity of a composite material structure, comprising: a sound-transmitting column 7, an ultrasonic array chip 1, a housing 6 and an elastic component.

[0029] The shell 6 is a cavity structure with openings on both sides. The two sound-transmitting columns 7 are movably arranged at the openings on both sides of the shell 6. The sound-transmitting columns 7 are made of sound-transmitting materials. The ultrasonic array chip 1 is arranged on the sound-transmitting columns 7 and is arranged close to one side of the shell 6 for generating and receiving ultrasonic waves. One side of the sound-transmitting column 7 is connected to one side of the ultrasonic array chip 1 by acoustic glue, and the other side of the sound-transmitting column 7 is in acoustic contact with the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure to be detected by liquid coupling agent for ultrasonic wave propagation. The elastic component is arranged between the two sound-transmitting columns 7 to keep the sound-transmitting column 7 away from the shell 6 and outwardly tensile, thereby ensuring that the sound-transmitting column 7 is always in contact with the surface of the reinforcement rib to be detected during the scanning process of the probe. Only a small amount of coupling agent is needed to form a stable acoustic coupling between the two, ensuring the stable transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals during the scanning process, thereby improving the reliability of ultrasonic detection.

[0030] By using the flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe to scan the two opposite incident surfaces of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material, ultrasonic scanning and detection of the two opposite parts of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material can be achieved without replacing different scanning tools or probes. The detection efficiency is high and the labor intensity is low. It is beneficial to reduce the influence of the technical status and subjective factors of the inspector on the detection results, and it is not easy to miss the detection. One scan can simultaneously complete the ultrasonic rapid scanning and detection of the opposite sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure, which significantly improves the detection efficiency and reliability of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure.

[0031] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 3 In some embodiments, the elastic component includes a guide block 3, a spring 4 and a guide rod 5. The two guide blocks 3 are respectively connected to the ultrasonic array chips 1 on the two sound-transmitting columns 7 and are respectively movably arranged in the housing 6. The guide block 3 is provided with a guide hole 30 for installing the spring 4. The spring 4 is arranged in the guide hole 30. One end of the guide rod 5 is inserted into the guide hole 30 of the guide block 3 and abuts against the spring 4, and the other end is inserted into the guide hole 30 of another guide block 3 and abuts against the other spring 4. The spring 4 and the guide hole 30 are clearance-matched, and the guide rod 5 and the guide hole 30 are also clearance-matched, and the maximum length of the spring 4 is less than the depth of the guide hole 30, so as to prevent the guide rod 5 from being misplaced and unable to be inserted into the guide hole 30. When in use, the guide block 3 is squeezed inward by an external force, and the squeezing force is transmitted by the guide rod 5, so that the springs 4 on both sides are compressed at the same time and maintain a certain outward tension. The guide rods 5 may be four groups, which are symmetrically arranged in four directions of the guide block 3 , and the guide holes 30 and the springs 4 match them, which is conducive to more uniform force on the guide block 3 .

[0032] Please refer to Figure 3 In some embodiments, guide heads 31 are respectively provided at the upper and lower ends of the guide block 3, and the guide head 31 is clearance-matched with the guide groove provided in the shell 6, so that the guide head 31 can slide back and forth in the guide groove, making the guide block 3 slide more smoothly relative to the shell 6.

[0033] In some embodiments, an acoustic pad 2 is arranged between the ultrasonic array chip 1 and the guide block 3, and the thickness of the acoustic pad 2 is 5 to 20 mm. The acoustic pad 2 can improve the acoustic damping characteristics of the ultrasonic array chip 1 to generate a high-quality ultrasonic signal, wherein the ultrasonic array chip 1 is glued to one side of the acoustic pad 2, and the other side of the acoustic pad 2 is glued to the guide block 3.

[0034] In some embodiments, the ultrasonic array chip 1 includes n piezoelectric chips, and the calculation formula of n is:

[0035]

[0036] Wherein, w is the width of the piezoelectric chip, L is the side length of the reinforcing rib of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure, and Δw is the spacing between two adjacent piezoelectric chips. Since the ultrasonic array chip 1 is composed of n piezoelectric chips and covers the entire cross section of the reinforcing rib of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure to be detected, the probe does not need to scan along the cross section of the reinforcing rib, and can realize ultrasonic scanning of the entire cross section of the reinforcing rib. Compared with the single chip probe that needs to scan along the cross section of the reinforcing rib, the detection efficiency is significantly improved.

[0037] In some embodiments, the length of the piezoelectric chip is 8 to 20 mm, and the width of the piezoelectric chip is 0.8 to 3 mm. The thickness of the piezoelectric chip is determined according to the required frequency, and the frequency is determined according to the thickness and material properties of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure to be inspected and the defect detection requirements, and the general frequency is selected between 5 and 10 MHz.

[0038] In some embodiments, an electrode connection wire 8 is welded on the upper surface of the piezoelectric wafer, and the connection wire 8 is electrically connected to a connection socket 9 provided on the housing 6. The connection of instruments and equipment is carried out through the connection socket 9, and the wiring is convenient and simple.

[0039] Please refer to Figure 4 In some embodiments, the housing 6 includes an upper connecting plate 60, a lower connecting plate 61, a front connecting plate 62 and a rear connecting plate 63, the front connecting plate 62 and the rear connecting plate 63 are arranged opposite to each other, the two ends of the upper connecting plate 60 are connected to the front connecting plate 62 and the rear connecting plate 63 respectively by screws, the two ends of the lower connecting plate 61 are connected to the front connecting plate 62 and the rear connecting plate 63 respectively by screws, the connecting seat 9 is arranged on the front connecting plate 62, and the front connecting plate 62 is also provided with a threaded hole 64 for connecting with an external scanning mechanism. When in use, the external scanning mechanism pulls the flexible ultrasonic dual array probe to move in a certain direction through the threaded hole 64, so that the flexible ultrasonic dual array probe can scan the left and right sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure. When it is necessary to scan the upper and lower sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure, it is only necessary to rotate the flexible ultrasonic dual array probe 90 degrees to scan the upper and lower sides of the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure.

[0040] Example:

[0041] An ultrasonic array chip 1 with n=16 and 32 chips is selected, the length of each chip is 8, 10, and 20 mm, the width w of each chip is 1, 3, and 5, the frequency is 5 MHz and 7.5 MHz, Δw is 0.5 mm, and the ultrasonic array chip 1 is symmetrically distributed on the left and right sides. A series of flexible ultrasonic dual-array scanning and detection tests are completed for a non-open inner cavity 10 of a composite material structure with a height of 90 mm and a width of 60 mm. The test results show that the flexible ultrasonic dual-array probe can be used to perform effective ultrasonic coverage scanning and detection on the non-open inner cavity 10 of the composite material structure to be detected, and the expected ultrasonic rapid scanning effect is achieved.

[0042] It should be clear that the various embodiments in this specification are described in a progressive manner, and the same or similar parts between the various embodiments can be referred to each other, and each embodiment focuses on the differences from other embodiments. The present invention is not limited to the specific steps and structures described above and shown in the figures. In addition, for the sake of brevity, a detailed description of known methods and technologies is omitted here.

[0043] The above is only an embodiment of the present application and is not limited to the present application. For those skilled in the art, the present application may have various changes and variations without departing from the scope of the present invention. Any modification, equivalent substitution, improvement, etc. made within the spirit and principle of the present application should be included in the scope of the claims of the present application.

Claims

1. A flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials, characterized in that: include: A sound-transmitting column, an ultrasonic array chip, a shell and an elastic component, wherein the shell is a cavity structure with openings on both sides, the two sound-transmitting columns are movably arranged at the openings on both sides of the shell, the ultrasonic array chip is arranged on the sound-transmitting column and is arranged close to one side in the shell, and the elastic component is arranged between the two sound-transmitting columns to keep the sound-transmitting column away from the shell and maintain tension outward; the elastic component includes a guide block, a spring and a guide rod, the two guide blocks are respectively connected to the ultrasonic array chips on the two sound-transmitting columns and are movably arranged in the shell, the guide block is provided with a guide hole for installing the spring, the spring is arranged in the guide hole, one end of the guide rod is inserted into the guide hole of the guide block and abuts against the spring, and the other end is inserted into the guide hole of the other guide block and abuts against the other spring; the upper and lower ends of the guide block are respectively provided with guide heads, and the guide head is clearance-matched with the guide groove arranged in the shell, so that the guide head slides back and forth in the guide groove.

2. The flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: An acoustic pad is arranged between the ultrasonic array chip and the guide block, and the thickness of the acoustic pad is 5 to 20 mm.

3. The flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials according to claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic array chip includes n piezoelectric chips, and the calculation formula of n is: Wherein, w is the width of the piezoelectric chip, L is the side length of the reinforcing rib of the non-open inner cavity of the composite material structure, and Δw is the distance between two adjacent piezoelectric chips.

4. The flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials according to claim 3, characterized in that: The length of the piezoelectric chip is 8-20 mm, and the width of the piezoelectric chip is 0.8-3 mm.

5. The flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials according to claim 4, characterized in that: The upper surface of the piezoelectric chip is welded with an electrode connecting wire, and the connecting wire is electrically connected to a connecting seat arranged on the shell.

6. The flexible ultrasonic dual array probe for detecting non-open inner cavities of composite materials according to claim 5, characterized in that: The shell includes an upper connecting plate, a lower connecting plate, a front connecting plate and a rear connecting plate, the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate are arranged opposite to each other, the two ends of the upper connecting plate are connected to the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate respectively by screws, the two ends of the lower connecting plate are connected to the front connecting plate and the rear connecting plate respectively by screws, the connecting seat is arranged on the front connecting plate, and the front connecting plate is also provided with a threaded hole for connecting with an external scanning mechanism.

Images