Transducer assembly, ultrasonic continuous monitoring system and method

Abstract

The application discloses a transducer assembly, an ultrasonic continuous detection system and a method, wherein the transducer assembly comprises at least two transducers which are connected through connecting ropes, and the bottom front end of each transducer is provided with a tongue-shaped guide slide plate, so that the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer is arc-shaped. The multiple transducers are connected through the connecting ropes to form a flexible connection transducer assembly, so that the interference between the transducers can be avoided; the tongue-shaped guide slide plate is arranged at the bottom front end of the transducer, so that the bottom ring edge of the transducer can be cut into an arc surface, the function of a snowboard is similar, the transducer forms an integral whole which is convenient to slide, and the uneven resistance of the surface of the measured medium can be reduced. The transducer assembly with the structure can be stably used in continuous and rapid ultrasonic detection of a medium with a rough and uneven surface, so that the continuous and rapid detection is realized while the precision is ensured.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of ultrasonic nondestructive testing technology for large structural components, and particularly to a transducer assembly, an ultrasonic continuous testing system and method. Background Technology

[0002] Large metal structures or reinforced concrete structures are widely used in engineering, requiring internal hazard detection during production, construction, and maintenance. For small-scale metal structures or welds, including those measured by ultrasound, the surface of the tested medium is smooth, allowing for continuous non-destructive testing using small megahertz-level ultrasonic transducers. However, for the aforementioned large medium structures, ultrasonic testing requires larger, more powerful transducers. Due to the less smooth surface, and considering the inconvenience of continuous constant-speed movement of the transducer, difficulty in ensuring direction, challenges in continuous coupling, bottom wear, frictional noise interference, and changes in the transducer's geometric position during real-time data acquisition, continuous movement and rapid signal acquisition of ultrasonic transducers on slightly rough surfaces are not permitted. Currently, there is no precedent for using ultrasonic transducers for continuous data acquisition on hard, rough surfaces.

[0003] Unlike ground-penetrating radar (GPR), ultrasonic testing can avoid electromagnetic interference from structural components such as reinforcing bars, using ultrasonic waves at tens of kilohertz to megahertz levels for precise detection with extremely high resolution. To improve the accuracy and depth of detecting hidden dangers within large-scale concrete structures, such as high-speed rail track slabs, bridge beams, and concrete structures like piles, piers, and columns, it is essential to use high-power transducers for high-density ultrasonic data acquisition on the surface of these structures. To achieve this, current technologies employ dense array transducers for data acquisition, a typical example being the Russian CS company's A1040MIRA concrete ultrasonic tomography scanner. When such equipment is used to inspect large concrete structures, individual transducers or components move as a whole from one geometric position to the next, completing data acquisition at a fixed point. This method cannot achieve rapid, continuous detection while the transducer is moving, resulting in low efficiency. For large-scale structures, especially when inspections urgently need to be completed within a limited timeframe, such as during high-speed rail maintenance windows for track slabs, existing point-by-point inspection methods are often inadequate.

[0004] Ultrasonic testing of internal defects in large structural components requires a coupling agent. While grease-based coupling agents can maintain transducer coupling for a long time, they easily contaminate the structural components and are inconvenient to clean. Water is the best choice as a coupling agent, but it is prone to runoff, especially when multiple transducers are moved; the front transducers may drag away surface water, deteriorating the coupling environment of the rear transducers. Maintaining the coupling environment of the transducers during movement is also crucial for data acquisition.

[0005] Therefore, for large structural components, in the field of ultrasonic non-destructive testing, whether longitudinal waves or transverse waves are used for testing, or single-point, line array, or area array detection modes are used, there is an urgent need for an efficient and reliable data acquisition mode to achieve high-precision detection; the ability to operate quickly and continuously is the most ideal data acquisition method in this field. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides a transducer assembly, an ultrasonic continuous detection system, and a method to solve the problem that existing technologies cannot achieve high-precision continuous and rapid detection of media with rough and uneven surfaces.

[0007] In a first aspect, a transducer assembly is provided, comprising at least two transducers connected by a connecting rope, wherein each transducer has a tongue-shaped guide plate at its bottom front end, such that the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer is arc-shaped.

[0008] Multiple transducers are connected by connecting ropes to form a flexible transducer assembly, which avoids interference between the transducers. A tongue-shaped guide plate is installed at the bottom front of the transducer, making the outer edge of the transducer's bottom curved, similar to a ski, forming a smooth, gliding whole and reducing the resistance from uneven surfaces of the measured medium. This transducer assembly can be smoothly used for continuous and rapid ultrasonic testing of media with rough surfaces, ensuring accuracy while achieving continuous and rapid testing.

[0009] Furthermore, the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate is flush with the bottom of the transducer, and the front end of the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate slopes upward to form an arc surface. Setting the front end of the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate as an arc surface can improve the ability to glide smoothly and stably.

[0010] Furthermore, each of the transducers is provided with a horn-shaped liquid guide, the bottom of which is flush with the bottom of the transducer; the horn-shaped liquid guide has openings at both the front and rear ends of the transducer, and the opening at the front end of the transducer is larger than the opening at the rear end of the transducer.

[0011] By incorporating a horn-shaped liquid guide with a larger front opening than rear opening, the couplant dispersed by the preceding transducer is gathered and collected at the bottom of the corresponding transducer, ensuring a stable coupling environment. After the transducer passes, the rear end of the horn-shaped liquid guide continues to gather the couplant to the middle of the path of the next transducer, ensuring a stable coupling environment for that transducer as well. This horn-shaped liquid guide avoids the problem of preceding transducers dragging away surface couplant, which can degrade the coupling environment of subsequent transducers. When transducer assemblies are used for continuous and rapid detection, this design ensures that each transducer maintains a good coupling environment during operation, improving detection accuracy.

[0012] Furthermore, the opening size at the front end of the transducer is larger than the diameter of the transducer. Designing the opening size at the front end of the transducer to be larger than the diameter of the transducer allows the coupling agent that has been squeezed to both sides by the preceding transducer to be re-converged and gathered. The opening at the rear end of the transducer can also concentrate the coupling agent as much as possible in the middle of the path of the following transducer, ensuring the coupling environment of the following transducer.

[0013] Furthermore, it also includes a damper, which is connected to the rear end of the transducer at the tail position via a connecting rope.

[0014] Furthermore, the damper includes a counterweight slider and a damper slide plate with a rudder function, wherein the counterweight slider is disposed on the damper slide plate.

[0015] By setting a damper, the instability of travel speed and state caused by the change of frictional damping during the sliding process of small transducers can be avoided. At the same time, the damping slide plate has the function of a rudder to ensure the stability of the transducer's travel direction, thereby ensuring the stability of the continuous and rapid detection process and the transducer's positional accuracy.

[0016] Furthermore, the damper slide plate is a strip slide plate or a damping pulley.

[0017] Secondly, an ultrasonic continuous detection system is provided, including a host computer, an ultrasonic acquisition and control module, an ultrasonic instrument, a traction device, and at least one transducer assembly as described above.

[0018] The host computer, the ultrasonic acquisition and control module, and the ultrasonic instrument are connected in sequence. The ultrasonic instrument is connected to the transducer assembly, and the traction device is connected to the transducer assembly via a pull rope.

[0019] The host computer is used to control the operation status of the system. At least one set of transducer components constitutes a detection array, and the traction device provides traction force to move the detection array on the surface of the medium being measured. While the traction device is working, the ultrasonic acquisition and control module synchronously controls the ultrasonic instrument to perform ultrasonic data acquisition, thereby enabling high-precision continuous and rapid detection of rough and uneven media.

[0020] Furthermore, at least one set of transducer assemblies constitutes an ultrasonic detection array of single line, multi line, or area array.

[0021] Thirdly, a continuous ultrasonic detection method is provided, based on the aforementioned continuous ultrasonic detection system, comprising the following steps:

[0022] Spray coupling agent onto the surface of the medium to be tested;

[0023] The traction device drives the transducer assembly to move at a preset speed.

[0024] At the same time, the host computer issues a command to enable the ultrasonic acquisition and control module to control the ultrasonic instrument to work synchronously, and to control the transducer assembly to excite and acquire ultrasonic data at a preset frequency or at equal intervals.

[0025] Beneficial effects

[0026] This invention proposes a transducer assembly, an ultrasonic continuous detection system, and a method, which have the following advantages:

[0027] (1) By setting a tongue-shaped guide plate on each transducer, the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer can be arc-shaped, reducing the resistance of the uneven surface of the measured medium, ensuring that the transducer assembly can be used smoothly for the detection of the medium with a rough surface, and realizing high-precision continuous and fast ultrasonic detection.

[0028] (2) By setting a horn-shaped liquid guide on each transducer, the coupling agent that has been displaced and dispersed by the preceding transducer can be gathered and collected to the bottom of the transducer corresponding to the horn-shaped liquid guide, thus ensuring the coupling environment of the transducer; after the transducer passes, the rear end of the horn-shaped liquid guide continues to gather the coupling agent to the middle of the subsequent transducer's path, thus ensuring the coupling environment of the subsequent transducer; thereby ensuring that each transducer can maintain a good coupling environment during the process and improving the detection accuracy;

[0029] (3) By setting a damper, the instability of travel speed and state caused by the change of friction damping during the sliding process of small transducers can be avoided. At the same time, the damping slide plate has the function of a rudder to ensure the stability of the transducer's travel direction, thereby ensuring the stability of the continuous and rapid detection process and the position accuracy of the transducer.

[0030] (4) It can achieve high-precision ultrasonic rapid and continuous acquisition at a detection speed of more than 1,000 meters per hour, which solves the problem of detection of large structural components such as metal structures and concrete structures. It has high detection efficiency and has broad application prospects in the field of engineering detection. Attached Figure Description

[0031] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0032] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the ultrasonic continuous detection system provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 2 This is a side view of the transducer assembly provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0034] Figure 3 This is a flowchart of the detection operation provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the inspection operation on bridge piers or columns provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 5 The data obtained from actual ultrasonic measurements on a high-speed railway track slab is provided in this embodiment of the invention.

[0037] In the diagram: 1-Transducer assembly, 2-Traction device, 3-Ultrasonic instrument, 4-Ultrasonic acquisition and control module, 5-Host computer, 6-Traction ear, 7-Counterweight slider, 8-Damper slide plate, 9-Pull rope, 10-Connecting rope, 11-Transducer, 12-Tongue-shaped guide plate, 13-Horn liquid guide, 14-Damper, 21-Motor, 22-Motor control module. Detailed Implementation

[0038] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this invention will be described in detail below. Obviously, the described embodiments are merely some embodiments of this invention, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this invention, all other implementation methods obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0039] For large structural components, existing ultrasonic nondestructive testing methods all employ point-by-point inspection, resulting in low efficiency. This is particularly inadequate for scenarios requiring rapid testing within a limited timeframe. Therefore, this invention provides a transducer assembly, a continuous ultrasonic testing system, and a method to enable high-precision, continuous, and rapid testing of rough, uneven surfaces using a large-size, high-power ultrasonic transducer.

[0040] Before describing the technical solution of the present invention in detail, the feasibility of the technical solution of the present invention will be explained first:

[0041] Given the structure of the medium to be tested, such as a concrete structure, the longitudinal wave velocity of the ultrasonic wave is 4500 m / s, and the transverse wave velocity is 2500 m / s. The reflection wave method is used to detect potential hazards within a depth of approximately 1 m. The hazard reflects the transverse wave, and the round-trip time of the reflected wave is:

[0042] t = 2 × 1 / 2500 < 1 (ms);

[0043] That is, the ultrasonic instrument takes only 1ms to transmit and acquire a set of data; the transducer assembly travels at a speed of 1800m / h (this speed is very fast for ultrasonic testing instruments!), so the distance traveled in 1ms is:

[0044] S=1×1800 / 3600 / 1000=0.5(mm);

[0045] That is, within 1 ms, the ultrasonic transducer assembly moved 0.5 mm, which is a very small distance.

[0046] If the ultrasonic acquisition instrument emits and acquires a set of data every 50ms, the transducer assembly moves the following distance:

[0047] D=50*1800 / 3600 / 1000=2.5(cm);

[0048] It can acquire ultrasonic data at a speed of 1.8 km / h, and can collect a set of ultrasonic data at a distance of 2.5 cm. The data density or spatial sampling rate of ultrasonic detection is very high, which provides data guarantee for high-resolution and efficient detection.

[0049] Overall, for each set of ultrasonic data tests, the ultrasonic transducer traveled 0.5mm on the surface of the tested medium. This distance is negligible for ultrasonic testing, and the spatial distance error is almost negligible. During this period, the sliding or movement of the transducer assembly on the medium surface generates interference noise, but the noise frequency is low, far below the frequency of ultrasound (above 50KHz). Practice has proven that the data is very good.

[0050] If the longitudinal wave reflection method is used, the time required to detect anomalies at a depth of 1 meter is shorter, and the distance the ultrasonic transducer travels for each sampling point is also shorter. Therefore, the feasibility of the principle for achieving rapid and continuous detection proposed in this invention has been theoretically explored. The technical solution of this invention is described below.

[0051] This invention provides a transducer assembly 1, such as... Figure 1 , Figure 2 As shown, it includes at least two transducers 11, which are connected by a connecting rope 10. Each transducer 11 has a tongue-shaped guide plate 12 at its bottom front end (corresponding to the transducer's travel direction) so that the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer 11 is arc-shaped.

[0052] Multiple transducers 11 are connected by connecting ropes 10 to form a flexible transducer assembly 1, which avoids interference between the transducers. By fixing a tongue-shaped guide plate 12 to the bottom front end of the transducer 11, the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer 11 can be made into an arc surface, similar to the function of a ski, forming a smooth sliding whole with the transducer 11, which can reduce the resistance of the uneven surface of the measured medium. The transducer assembly 1 with this structure can be smoothly used for continuous and rapid ultrasonic testing of media with rough and uneven surfaces, ensuring accuracy while achieving continuous and rapid testing.

[0053] Preferably, the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate 12 is flush with the bottom of the transducer 11, and the front end of the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate 12 is curved. Setting the front end of the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate 12 as curved can improve the ability to glide smoothly and stably.

[0054] In this embodiment, the connecting rope 10 is made of a non-stretchable flexible material, including flexible thin steel wire, cotton rope, polymer plastic rope, etc. The bottom of the transducer 11 is made of abrasion-resistant material, including ceramic, alloy steel, etc.

[0055] As a preferred embodiment of the invention, each transducer 11 is provided with a horn-shaped liquid guide 13, the bottom of which is flush with the bottom of the transducer 11; the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 is provided with openings at both the front and rear ends of the transducer 11, and the opening at the front end of the transducer 11 is larger than the opening at the rear end of the transducer 11.

[0056] By designing the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 with a front opening larger than its rear opening, the coupling agent dispersed by the preceding transducer 11 can be gathered and collected to the bottom of the corresponding transducer 11, ensuring a good coupling environment for the transducer 11. After the transducer 11 passes, the rear end of the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 continues to gather the coupling agent to the middle of the path of the subsequent transducer 11, transferring excess coupling agent backward to ensure a good coupling environment for the subsequent transducer 11. The horn-shaped liquid guide 13 avoids the problem of the preceding transducer 11 dragging away the surface coupling agent, which would deteriorate the coupling environment of the subsequent transducer 11. When the transducer assembly 1 is used for continuous rapid detection, it ensures that each transducer 11 maintains a good coupling environment during the process, improving detection accuracy. Water can be used as the coupling agent during detection without contaminating the medium structure.

[0057] In this embodiment, the opening size of the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 at the front end of the transducer 11 is larger than the diameter of the transducer 11; the opening size of the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 at the rear end of the transducer 11 is smaller than the diameter of the transducer 11. Designing the opening size at the front end of the transducer 11 to be larger than its diameter allows the coupling agent squeezed to both sides by the preceding transducer 11 to be re-converged and gathered. The opening size at the rear end of the transducer 11 to be smaller than its diameter allows the coupling agent to be concentrated as much as possible in the middle of the path of the following transducer 11, ensuring a good coupling environment for the following transducer 11.

[0058] In specific implementation, the horn-shaped liquid guide 13 is located at the lower part of the transducer 11. The horn-shaped liquid guide 13 can be a single piece, directly clamped to the transducer 11, or it can be composed of two symmetrical components, which are symmetrically bonded to both sides of the transducer 11. The horn-shaped liquid guide 13 can be made of rubber.

[0059] Considering the limited mass of the transducer 11, the bottom frictional resistance changes significantly when dragged on a rough surface, making it difficult for the flexible transducer assembly 1 to move smoothly and at a constant speed. To ensure the transducer 11 moves at a constant speed and stably, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a damper 14 is also included. The damper 14 is connected to the rear end of the transducer 11 at the tail position via a connecting rope 10. The damper 14 includes a counterweight slider 7 and a damper slide plate 8 with a rudder function, with the counterweight slider 7 disposed on the damper slide plate 8.

[0060] By incorporating damper 14, instability in the travel speed and state of the small-sized transducer 11 caused by changes in frictional damping during gliding can be avoided. In particular, the damper slide plate 8 has a rudder function to ensure the stability of the transducer's travel direction. Damper 14 simultaneously possesses the functions of frictional damping and rudder, thereby ensuring the stability and accuracy of the continuous and rapid detection process.

[0061] Preferably, the damper slide plate 8 is a strip slide plate or a damping pulley, which can generate a rudder function; the counterweight slider 7 is made of high-density material.

[0062] Based on the transducer assembly 1 provided in the above embodiments, this embodiment of the invention also provides an ultrasonic continuous detection system, such as... Figure 1 As shown, it includes a host computer 5, an ultrasonic acquisition and control module 4, an ultrasonic instrument 3, a traction device 2, and at least one transducer assembly 1 as described in the above embodiments;

[0063] The host computer 5, the ultrasonic acquisition and control module 4, and the ultrasonic instrument 3 are connected in sequence for communication. The ultrasonic instrument 3 is connected to the transducer assembly 1, and the traction device 2 is connected to the transducer assembly 1 through the pull rope 9.

[0064] At least one transducer assembly 1 constitutes a detection array, and the traction device 2 provides traction force to move the detection array on the surface of the medium being tested. While the traction device 2 is working, the ultrasonic acquisition and control module 4 synchronously controls the ultrasonic instrument 3 to work and acquire ultrasonic data, thereby enabling high-precision continuous and rapid detection of rough and uneven media.

[0065] The host computer 5 is used to control the operating status of the system. It can control the start and stop of the traction device 2, speed control, and stroke control. The host computer 5 can also control the ultrasonic instrument 3 through the ultrasonic acquisition control module 4, enabling the switching of the transducer 11's transmit and receive functions, starting and stopping the ultrasonic instrument 3's ultrasonic transmission, and starting and stopping the ultrasonic instrument 3's multi-channel ultrasonic acquisition. In implementation, the host computer 5 can be a computer, a microcontroller, an FPGA, or other programmable controller; the host computer 5 can also be integrated with the ultrasonic instrument 3.

[0066] At least one transducer assembly 1 constitutes a single-line, multi-line, or area array ultrasonic detection array. Single-line detection, multi-line detection, or area array detection can be selected according to actual needs. Correspondingly, the ultrasonic instrument 3 can be selected as a single-transmitter single-receiver, one-transmitter multiple-receiver, or multiple-transmitter multiple-receiver ultrasonic signal acquisition instrument to realize the data storage of multiple ultrasonic signals for the interpretation of hidden dangers within the structure of the tested medium. It should be noted that during ultrasonic data acquisition, ultrasonic data can be acquired at equal time intervals (i.e., at a preset frequency); or it can be acquired at equal distance intervals. The unit distance can be triggered by the stroke of the traction device 2 or the auxiliary ranging wheel to synchronize the ultrasonic instrument 3 for ultrasonic data acquisition; achieving high-density spatial data acquisition while ensuring data acquisition accuracy.

[0067] The traction device 2 can be a winch motor or other device that can provide stable traction force, such as an electric trolley, remote-controlled / intelligent robot, etc. The traction device 2 provides traction force and moves the transducer assembly 1 by pulling the pull rope 9. Preferably, a linear laser is also provided in the retraction direction of the pull rope 9 of the traction device 2. When activated, the laser is aimed in the retraction direction to guide the transducer assembly 1 into place.

[0068] like Figure 1 As shown, in this embodiment, the traction device 2 preferably uses a winch motor 21, which can be implemented by a stepper motor, servo motor, or programmable motor. The host computer 5 controls the start, stop, forward and reverse rotation, speed, and stroke of the winch motor 21 through the motor control module 22. The host computer 5 can communicate with the motor control module 22, the ultrasonic acquisition control module 4, and the ultrasonic instrument 3 via wired or wireless means.

[0069] Based on the ultrasonic continuous detection system provided in the above embodiments, this invention also provides an ultrasonic continuous detection method, implemented based on the above ultrasonic continuous detection system, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the steps include:

[0070] S1: Select the detection route for the medium to be tested;

[0071] S2: Clean the detection route and spray coupling agent (such as water) onto the surface of the medium to be tested;

[0072] S3: Set the operating parameters, including the traction device speed, ultrasonic data acquisition frequency, etc.

[0073] S4: Place transducer assembly 1 at the starting point of the detection route;

[0074] S5: The traction device 2 drives the transducer assembly 1 to move at a preset speed;

[0075] S6: At the same time, the host computer 5 sends a command to make the ultrasonic acquisition and control module 4 control the ultrasonic instrument 3 to work synchronously, and control the transducer assembly 1 to excite and acquire ultrasonic data according to the preset frequency or equal interval.

[0076] S7: When the transducer assembly 1 reaches the end of the detection route, the traction device 2 stops, and the ultrasonic instrument 3 ends the signal acquisition for this detection route.

[0077] S8: Move the entire system to the next detection route and continue the detection process as described above.

[0078] To deepen the understanding of the technical solution of the present invention, the technical solution of the present invention will be further explained below with reference to two examples.

[0079] Example 1

[0080] See Figure 1 , Figure 2 During the maintenance window (midnight to 3 am) of high-speed railway operation, structural defects under the track slab are detected. A dual-transmitter ultrasonic data acquisition system is used, employing three 100kHz longitudinal wave transducers and a dual-transmitter ultrasonic signal acquisition instrument. A laptop computer acts as the host computer, communicating wirelessly with the ultrasonic acquisition control module via Bluetooth. This module sends acquisition and stop commands to the ultrasonic signal acquisition instrument. The laptop also communicates with the motor control module via wired USB, sending rotation speed, forward / reverse direction commands, and start / stop commands to the programmable motor. A 24V 1kW programmable stepper motor is used as the winch motor.

[0081] Tungsten carbide alloy is used as the base of the transducer. A tongue-shaped guide plate is glued to the bottom edge of each transducer in the forward direction, and the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate is flush with the bottom of the transducer. Two traction ears are provided in the lower middle part of each transducer in the forward and backward directions. Rubber material is selected as the horn-shaped liquid guide, which is clamped to the lower middle part of the transducer. A 2Kg square lead block is used as the counterweight module of the damper. Two parallel silicon steel sliding strips are arranged at the bottom in the forward direction as damping slide plates, which also have a rudder function. Φ0.25mm diameter fine steel wire is used as the pull rope and connecting rope to connect the motor reel to the first transducer and to each transducer. The damper is hung on the rear traction ear of the third transducer.

[0082] The following procedure begins the testing operation: Select the first testing route on the track slab, with a route length of 5.6m -> Clean the testing route, spraying water as a coupling agent -> Turn on the system -> Set parameters: sampling interval 0.25us, spatial sampling distance 2cm, single sampling length 1.5ms, calculating the speed and number of rotations of the programmable motor (transducer assembly movement distance) -> The motor control module controls the programmable motor to reverse -> Release the pull rope to release the flexibly connected transducer assembly along the testing route -> The flexibly connected transducer assembly reaches the starting point of the testing route, i.e., the track slab edge line 5.6m away from the programmable motor -> The motor control module controls the programmable motor to rotate forward and simultaneously starts the ultrasonic instrument for continuous data acquisition -> The transducer assembly moves to the end of the testing route -> The programmable motor stops, and the ultrasonic instrument ends signal acquisition for this testing route -> Move the entire system to the next testing route to continue the testing operation. After all testing tasks are completed during the maintenance window, the equipment is stored and taken offline.

[0083] Actual collected data such as Figure 5 As shown. The horizontal axis represents the spatial position of the transducer, in cm; the vertical axis represents the ultrasonic wave reception time, in µs. After data acquisition, the ultrasonic detection data is processed using reflection wave analysis software to analyze the nature and condition of potential hazards under the track slab.

[0084] Example 2

[0085] See Figure 4 The ultrasonic testing operation is carried out on the column. The system structure of the ultrasonic test is different from that of Example 1 in that it uses a transducer with one transmitter and one receiver and the corresponding ultrasonic signal acquisition instrument.

[0086] During the inspection, the center of gravity of the damper, which also serves as a guide, is offset from the column surface by setting the distance and angle between the programmable motor wheel and the column surface. This causes the pull rope to form an angle with the vertical direction, providing adhesion for the transducer assembly to the concrete surface. In this example, the damping slide plate uses a damping pulley as a rudder.

[0087] During the testing process, the couplant of the transducer is replenished by continuous water supply from top to bottom; and by using gravity, continuous ultrasonic data can be acquired during the upward or downward movement of the flexibly connected transducer assembly.

[0088] It is understood that the same or similar parts in the above embodiments can be referred to each other, and the contents not described in detail in some embodiments can be referred to the same or similar contents in other embodiments.

[0089] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it is understood that the above embodiments are exemplary and should not be construed as limiting the present invention. Those skilled in the art can make changes, modifications, substitutions and variations to the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic continuous detection system, characterized in that, It includes a host computer, an ultrasonic acquisition and control module, an ultrasonic instrument, a traction device, and at least one transducer assembly; The transducer assembly includes at least two transducers connected by a connecting rope. Each transducer has a tongue-shaped guide plate at its bottom front end, so that the front end of the bottom outer edge of the transducer is arc-shaped. Each of the transducers is provided with a horn-shaped liquid guide, the bottom of which is flush with the bottom of the transducer; the horn-shaped liquid guide has openings at both the front and rear ends of the transducer, and the opening at the front end of the transducer is larger than the opening at the rear end of the transducer. The opening size at the front end of the transducer is larger than the diameter of the transducer; the opening size at the rear end of the transducer is smaller than the diameter of the transducer. The horn-shaped liquid guide has a three-section structure: the front section is a horn-shaped structure, the middle section is an expansion section corresponding to the outer periphery of the transducer, and the rear section is a contraction section. The design of the horn-shaped liquid guide with a larger opening at the front end than at the rear end gathers and collects the coupling agent that has been displaced and dispersed by the preceding transducer to the bottom of the corresponding transducer, ensuring the coupling environment of the transducer. After the transducer passes, the rear end of the horn-shaped liquid guide continues to gather the coupling agent to the middle of the path of the subsequent transducer, transferring the excess coupling agent backward to ensure the coupling environment of the subsequent transducer. The horn-shaped liquid guide is located at the lower part of the transducer waist. The horn-shaped liquid guide is a whole piece, directly clamped to the transducer, or the horn-shaped liquid guide is composed of two symmetrical components, which are symmetrically bonded to both sides of the transducer. The host computer, ultrasonic acquisition and control module, and ultrasonic instrument are sequentially connected for communication. The ultrasonic instrument is connected to the transducer assembly, and the traction device is connected to the transducer assembly via a pull rope.

2. The ultrasonic continuous detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate is flush with the bottom of the transducer, and the front end of the bottom of the tongue-shaped guide plate is inclined upward to form an arc surface.

3. The ultrasonic continuous detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that, The transducer assembly also includes a damper, which is connected to the rear end of the transducer at the tail position via a connecting rope.

4. The ultrasonic continuous detection system according to claim 3, characterized in that, The damper includes a counterweight slider and a damper slide plate with rudder function, wherein the counterweight slider is disposed on the damper slide plate.

5. The ultrasonic continuous detection system according to claim 4, characterized in that, The damper slide plate is a strip slide plate or a damping pulley.

6. The ultrasonic continuous detection system according to claim 1, characterized in that, At least one set of transducer assemblies constitutes an ultrasonic detection array, which may be a single-line, multi-line, or surface array.

7. A method for continuous ultrasonic detection, characterized in that, Based on the ultrasonic continuous detection system according to any one of claims 1-6, the steps include: Spray coupling agent onto the surface of the medium to be tested; The traction device drives the transducer assembly to move at a preset speed. At the same time, the host computer issues a command to enable the ultrasonic acquisition and control module to control the ultrasonic instrument to work synchronously, and to control the transducer assembly to excite and acquire ultrasonic data at a preset frequency or at equal intervals.

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