A system and method for x-ray non-destructive testing in a confined space

Abstract

This invention belongs to the field of nondestructive testing (NDT) equipment technology, and is a system and method for X-ray NDT in confined spaces. It includes an automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray NDT, a control cabinet, and a horizontal-emitting X-ray NDT device. The control cabinet integrates a controller to manage the entire testing system. The automated auxiliary fixture is used for clamping and rotating large, flexible, thin rectangular plates to be tested. The transmitter and receiver of the horizontal-emitting X-ray NDT device are located on opposite sides of the large, flexible, thin rectangular plate. The controller also integrates testing software, which controls the automated auxiliary fixture to achieve clamping and automated auxiliary testing of the large, flexible, thin rectangular plate, indirectly expanding the effective testing area of ​​the X-ray NDT device. This effectively increases the testing area and clamping range of the horizontal-emitting X-ray NDT device without affecting testing accuracy.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of non-destructive testing equipment technology, and more specifically to an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces. Background Technology

[0002] X-ray nondestructive testing refers to a method that, without damaging or affecting the structure and performance of the object being tested, uses X-rays to irradiate the object. Different materials and structures produce X-rays of varying intensities, and imaging technology converts the received X-rays into image information. This allows for the inspection and testing of the object's structure, condition, and the type, quantity, location, size, distribution, and changes in defects. It is primarily used in fields such as aviation, aerospace, shipbuilding, and automotive.

[0003] X-rays emitted by X-ray non-destructive testing (NDT) equipment can be harmful to humans. Therefore, these equipment are typically placed in a lead-lined chamber for human protection. The lead-lined chamber is generally slightly larger than the X-ray NDT equipment, with approximately 1 meter of empty space in both length and width, just enough for personnel to walk around and for mounting the product to be inspected. Inspecting large, flexible, thin-sheet structures in this confined space presents limitations such as difficulty in mounting, a small inspection area, and the inability to automate the process. To address this, handheld X-ray NDT instruments are often used, but these suffer from cumbersome procedures, low automation, low efficiency, and high radiation hazard.

[0004] Currently, auxiliary equipment for X-ray nondestructive testing mainly serves to assist in transport or improve and optimize X-ray flaw detection functions. For example, the utility model patent CN205675047U, entitled "An Auxiliary Device for Flaw Detection of a Nondestructive Testing X-ray Machine," consists of a walking device, an X-ray machine positioning device mounted on the walking device, an X-ray machine lifting and rotating device, and a climbing device symmetrically located at the lower end of the walking device. It can quickly fix the nondestructive testing X-ray machine onto the base of this utility model. The height can be adjusted by 2 degrees using an adjustable height limit slider, and the device is then secured by upper and lower limit clips. It is suitable for various models of nondestructive testing X-ray machines. The length of the lifting bolts and hydraulic cylinder push rods can be adjusted to the angle to be inspected. The X-ray machine can also be rotated according to the height of the pipe to meet inspection requirements and reduce workload. While this patented auxiliary testing equipment conveniently realizes the movement and angle adjustment of X-ray nondestructive testing equipment, it cannot solve the problems of mounting and automated auxiliary testing of large, thin plate structures, which differs from the function and technical principle of this invention patent. For example, patent CN114813565A discloses "a multi-level driven non-destructive testing auxiliary system." The auxiliary driving component includes a driving tube body and a drive mechanism. The driving tube body is sleeved on a cable. Multiple driving rings are rotatably connected to the driving tube body at equal intervals. Each driving ring has multiple unit driving wheel assemblies, which are connected to a power structure via a gear structure. The power output from the power structure drives the gear structure to rotate, causing the unit driving wheel assemblies to rotate, thus rotating the driving ring. The driving ring drives the driving tube body to move, and the moving driving tube body moves the cable to a specific location. The power of the driving tube body drives the cable to move efficiently, completing multi-level driven auxiliary non-destructive testing with multiple auxiliary driving components. This allows for easy and flexible insertion within equipment with crisscrossing parts. While the auxiliary non-destructive testing equipment described in this patent conveniently achieves efficient cable movement to complete multi-level driven auxiliary non-destructive testing with multiple auxiliary driving components, it cannot solve the problems of mounting and automated auxiliary testing of large, thin plate structures. Therefore, it differs from the scope of application, function, and technical principle of this patent.

[0005] Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automated auxiliary device for X-ray nondestructive testing in confined spaces to meet the practical requirements of horizontal emission X-ray nondestructive testing equipment to inspect large, flexible, thin-plate structures that exceed its own inspection range in confined environments. Summary of the Invention

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to provide an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces, to meet the practical requirements of horizontal emission X-ray non-destructive testing equipment for mounting and automatically testing large flexible thin rectangular plates that exceed its own testing range in confined environments.

[0007] The technical solution of this invention is as follows: This invention proposes a system for X-ray nondestructive testing in confined spaces. The system includes: an automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing, a control cabinet, and a horizontally emitting X-ray nondestructive testing device. The control cabinet integrates a controller for controlling the operation of the entire testing system. The automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing is used to clamp and rotate large, flexible, thin rectangular plates to be tested. The transmitting and receiving ends of the horizontally emitting X-ray nondestructive testing device are located on opposite sides of the large, flexible, thin rectangular plate to be tested. The controller also integrates testing software, which controls the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing to achieve clamping and automated auxiliary testing of the large, flexible, thin rectangular plate, indirectly expanding the effective testing area of ​​the X-ray nondestructive testing device.

[0008] Furthermore, the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing consists of a base assembly, a ring-shaped rotating frame assembly, an axial limit switch, and a circumferential limit switch. The base assembly is placed on the floor of the lead chamber. The ring-shaped rotating frame assembly is fixed to the outer ring of the external gear-type turntable bearing mounted on the base assembly, achieving a rotatable connection with the base assembly. This allows it to rotate around the Z-axis, thereby rotating the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be inspected, which is mounted on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly. In conjunction with the X-ray nondestructive testing equipment, it can achieve auxiliary inspection in the length direction. The circumferential limit switch limits the rotation angle around the Z-axis. An axial limit switch is installed on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly to limit the lifting range of the mounting frame on the semi-ring. The lifting range is the effective clamping width of the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be inspected.

[0009] Furthermore, the testing software receives the position signals of the axial limit switch and the circumferential limit switch of the auxiliary fixture in real time and feeds them back to the controller, adjusting the motion trajectory of the ring frame assembly in the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray non-destructive testing according to the testing requirements.

[0010] Furthermore, the annular rotating frame assembly includes a rotating handwheel, bevel gear, expansion sleeve, drive shaft, L-shaped bracket, dual-axis output commutator, servo motor, column, flexible pin coupling, adapter, cylindrical guide rail, screw screw, lower support frame, screw mounting base, semi-ring lower mounting bracket, quick clamp, industrial felt, semi-ring upper mounting bracket, turntable, and flexible thin rectangular plate. This allows for automatic and manual adjustment of the mounting width. Combined with the quick clamp, it enables the mounting and fixing of flexible thin rectangular plates of different sizes. In conjunction with the rotational motion and the lifting motion of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment's inspection head, it achieves automated auxiliary inspection of large flexible thin rectangular plates. The lower support frame is fixedly connected to the turntable via two cylindrical guide rails and the column, making the lower mounting bracket and turntable a single integrated structure. The servo motor is mounted and fixed on the double-axis output commutator. On the shaft output commutator; the dual-axis output commutator is mounted on the turntable via an L-shaped bracket. The right side of the dual-axis output commutator is connected to the right bevel gear via two flexible pin couplings, the right drive shaft, and the right bevel gear. The left output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator is connected to the left bevel gear via a flexible pin coupling, a shrink sleeve, the left drive shaft, and the left bevel gear. The notch on the left output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator is perpendicular to the notch on the right end of the left drive shaft. The input shaft of the left bevel gear has no relative positional relationship with the notch on the left end of the left drive shaft. The connection method of the shrink sleeve ensures that the height and position of the two adapters can be easily adjusted during installation, facilitating assembly and debugging. The L-shaped bracket has racetrack-shaped notches on the horizontal and vertical planes, which can be used to adjust the installation height of the dual-axis output commutator and its front-to-back installation position along the servo motor axis, ensuring that the drive shaft is coaxial with the two helical gears.

[0011] The upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring is installed on the two side adapters. The two side adapters have built-in bushings that fit onto the cylindrical guide rail. The two side adapters also have built-in screw nuts that connect to the two side spiral screws. Driven by a servo motor or manual rotation, the upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring moves automatically or manually along the cylindrical guide rail via a dual-axis output commutator, drive shaft, bevel gear, and spiral screw. The lower mounting bracket of the semi-ring is fixed on the lower support frame. After adjusting the upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring to a suitable height, a flexible thin rectangular plate is laid in a ring on the surface of the upper and lower mounting brackets of the semi-ring, and positioned by the bosses on the upper and lower mounting brackets of the semi-ring.

[0012] Furthermore, the flexible thin rectangular plate is padded with industrial felt on the inner side and pressed on the outer side by several evenly distributed quick clamps, thereby realizing the clamping, positioning and fastening of the flexible thin rectangular plate and ensuring that its surface is not damaged.

[0013] Furthermore, the flexible thin rectangular plate adopts a hollow mounting method, which can effectively solve the problem of firmly mounting the flexible thin rectangular plate while avoiding the mounting structure from obstructing the testing space during testing, thus affecting the non-destructive testing of the flexible thin rectangular plate and improving the testing quality.

[0014] Furthermore, the bracket mounted on the semi-ring is made of aluminum alloy and is installed in a cantilever structure. Due to the harsh stress conditions, a U-shaped reinforced ring structure is adopted, with vertical ribs added to both sides of the ring to effectively enhance the support rigidity and strength while reducing weight.

[0015] Furthermore, the base assembly includes a leveling support, a base assembly body, a vertical support, a support platform, an external gear turntable bearing, a gear, and a servo motor, used to realize the rotational support and rotational drive of the annular rotating frame assembly; the leveling support is installed below the base assembly body and can adjust the overall levelness of the base assembly to ensure that the rotation axis of the annular rotating frame assembly is in a vertical state; the support platform is fixedly connected to the base assembly body by the vertical support and fastening screws; the inner ring of the external gear turntable bearing is fixedly installed in the circular groove in the middle of the support platform; the servo motor is installed on the support platform; the gear is installed on the output shaft of the servo motor and meshes with the outer ring gear of the external gear turntable bearing, thereby realizing the servo motor drive, gear transmission, and rotation of the outer ring of the external gear turntable bearing. The servo motor is equipped with an absolute encoder and a brake module, which can realize the recording of the rotation angle of the annular rotating frame assembly and the function of stopping rotation.

[0016] Furthermore, the base assembly adopts a modular structure, including a cover plate, steel plate boxes, L-shaped fixing clips, and steel blocks, which provide a weight base for the base assembly, facilitating disassembly and final assembly within the lead chamber. The steel plate boxes are positioned by a stop structure and secured with screws; several steel blocks are stacked sequentially inside the steel plate boxes, which are then covered by the cover plate, which is secured by the L-shaped fixing clips. This structure facilitates assembly and final assembly, making it easy to move in and out of the lead chamber and providing a solid weight base for the entire automated auxiliary equipment.

[0017] Furthermore, the control cabinet mainly consists of a controller, a servo motor driver, and a display. The controller is an industrial computer, which, together with the control program and host computer software, can realize the lifting and moving of the mounting bracket on the semi-ring in the ring rotating frame assembly according to specified requirements, that is, the mounting width is automatically adjusted to accommodate flexible thin rectangular plates of different specifications; it can control the ring rotating frame assembly to rotate according to specified requirements, and can realize automated auxiliary inspection when combined with X-ray non-destructive testing equipment.

[0018] Furthermore, the control program has functions such as power-on self-test, motion parameter setting, motion control, graphical display, parameter memory, detection position memory, defect point position memory, fault alarm, calibration mode, and list export. It realizes human-machine information interaction through the display, and thus better cooperates with X-ray non-destructive testing equipment to realize automated auxiliary testing of flexible thin rectangular plates.

[0019] In another aspect, this invention also proposes a detection method based on the detection system described above. The method's testing process includes: setting mounting width parameters and rotation parameters; mounting a flexible thin rectangular plate; adjusting the flexible thin rectangular plate to the initial detection position point using a ring-shaped rotating frame assembly, i.e., taking the lower right corner A area of ​​the flexible thin rectangular plate as the starting detection area; slowly rotating by a specified angle; and combining the adjustable detection height function and X-ray non-destructive testing function of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment with manual observation of the flexible thin rectangular plate and X-ray non-destructive testing results. This achieves the effect of detecting one area of ​​the flexible thin rectangular plate with each adjustment of its detection position, and records the detection area position. When a defect is found, a defect point can be manually added, and the defect information is automatically noted at the detection position. After the detection of one specification is completed, the parameters are repeatedly set and mounted for flexible thin rectangular plates of other specifications to complete the batch detection of flexible thin rectangular plates of various models and specifications. After the detection is completed, a defect area position information report can be generated, thereby realizing automated auxiliary detection of flexible thin rectangular plates.

[0020] The advantages of this invention are:

[0021] This invention relates to an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces. It enables the mounting of a horizontal emission X-ray non-destructive testing device (PET) within a confined space to inspect flexible thin rectangular plates exceeding its own inspection range. Without compromising inspection accuracy, it effectively increases the inspection area and mounting range of the PTE, assisting in the completion of X-ray non-destructive testing. Its modular design facilitates assembly and disassembly within confined spaces. The rapid clamping structure improves mounting efficiency by approximately five times compared to traditional structures. The hollow mounting method effectively ensures secure mounting of flexible thin rectangular plates while preventing the mounting structure from obstructing the inspection space and affecting the NDT quality. The semi-ring mounting bracket structure effectively increases rigidity and strength. Data acquisition is accurate and reliable, with a user-friendly interface that automatically generates defect information reports and offers convenient control. This equipment significantly improves testing efficiency and has significant practical application value. Attached Figure Description

[0022] Figure 1 This is a spatial layout diagram of an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces.

[0023] Figure 2 A block diagram of an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces;

[0024] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces (including the object to be tested already mounted).

[0025] Figure 4This is a schematic diagram of an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces (excluding the object to be tested already mounted).

[0026] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the base component structure;

[0027] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly structure;

[0028] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the base structure;

[0029] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the mounting bracket structure on the semi-ring;

[0030] Figure 9 A schematic diagram of a human-computer interaction interface;

[0031] Figure 10 This is a flowchart of a comprehensive testing process for an automated auxiliary device used for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces.

[0032] Figure 11 This is a non-destructive testing roadmap.

[0033] In the diagram: 1-Base assembly, 2-Annular rotating frame assembly, 3-Axial limit switch, 4-Circumferential limit switch, 5-Flexible thin rectangular plate, 6-X-ray non-destructive testing equipment, 11-Leveling support, 12-Base assembly, 13-Vertical support, 14-Support platform, 15-External gear turntable bearing, 16-Gear, 17-Servo motor, 121-Cover plate, 122-Steel box, 123-L-shaped fixing clamp, 201-Rotating handwheel, 202-Bevel gear, 2 03-Shrinking sleeve, 204-Drive shaft, 205-L-shaped bracket, 206-Dual-axis output commutator, 207-Servo motor, 208-Column, 209-Elastic pin coupling, 210-Adapter, 211-Cylindrical guide rail, 212-Screw screw, 213-Lower support frame, 214-Screw mounting base, 215-Lower mounting bracket of semi-ring, 216-Quick clamp, 217-Industrial felt, 218-Upper mounting bracket of semi-ring, 219-Turntable. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.

[0035] This application provides an automated auxiliary device for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces (installation space see...). Figure 1 See the block diagram. Figure 2This system mainly includes automated auxiliary fixtures and control cabinets for X-ray non-destructive testing. The components are connected by control cables and controlled by dedicated testing software, enabling the mounting and automated auxiliary testing of large, flexible, thin rectangular plates, indirectly expanding the effective testing area of ​​the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment. Among them:

[0036] The automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing (see...) Figure 3 and Figure 4 The device mainly consists of a base assembly 1, a ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2, an axial limit switch 3, and a circumferential limit switch 4. It is used to clamp and rotate large flexible thin rectangular plates 5 for auxiliary inspection. The base assembly 1 is placed on the floor of the lead chamber. The ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 is fixed to the outer ring 17 of the external gear turntable bearing mounted on the base assembly 1 by screws, thus achieving a rotatable connection with the base assembly 1. It can rotate around the Z-axis to drive the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 mounted on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 to rotate. With the help of X-ray non-destructive testing equipment 6, it can achieve auxiliary inspection in the length direction. The circumferential limit switch 4 is used to limit the rotation angle around the Z-axis. The axial limit switch 3 is installed on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 to limit the lifting range of the mounting frame 209 on the semi-ring, i.e., the effective clamping width.

[0037] The base assembly 1 (see Figure 5 The ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 is mainly composed of a leveling support 11, a base assembly 12, a vertical support 13, a support platform 14, an external gear turntable bearing 15, a gear 16, and a servo motor 17. It is used to provide rotational support and drive for the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2. The leveling support 11 is installed below the base assembly 12 and can adjust the overall levelness of the base assembly 1, ensuring that the rotation axis of the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 is vertical. The support platform 14 is fixedly connected to the base assembly 12 via the vertical support 13 and fastening screws. The inner ring of the external gear turntable bearing 15 is fixedly installed in the circular groove in the middle of the support platform 14. The servo motor 17 is installed on the support platform 14. The gear 16 is installed on the output shaft of the servo motor 17 and meshes with the outer gear of the external gear turntable bearing 15, thereby realizing the servo motor 17 driving and the gear 16 transmitting power to rotate the outer ring of the external gear turntable bearing 15. The servo motor 17 is equipped with an absolute encoder and a brake module, which can record the rotation angle of the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly 2 and prevent rotation.

[0038] The base 12 (see) Figure 7The assembly adopts a modular structure, mainly including a cover plate 121, a steel plate box 122, an L-shaped fixing clip 123, and steel blocks. This structure provides a weight base for the base assembly 1, facilitating disassembly and final assembly within the lead chamber. The steel plate boxes 122 are positioned by a stop structure and secured with screws. Several steel blocks are stacked sequentially inside the steel plate boxes 122, which are then covered by the cover plate 121 and secured with the L-shaped fixing clip 123. This structure facilitates assembly and final assembly, allowing for easy transport in and out of the lead chamber and providing a solid weight base for the entire automated auxiliary equipment.

[0039] The annular rotating frame assembly 2 (see Figure 6The main components include a rotating handwheel 201, a bevel gear 202, a shrink sleeve 203, a drive shaft 204, an L-shaped bracket 205, a dual-axis output commutator 206, a servo motor 207, a column 208, a flexible pin coupling 209, an adapter 210, a cylindrical guide rail 211, a screw 212, a lower support frame 213, a screw mounting base 214, a semi-ring lower mounting frame 215, a quick clamp 216, industrial felt 217, a semi-ring upper mounting frame 218, a turntable 219, and a flexible thin rectangular plate 5. These components allow for automatic and manual adjustment of the mounting width. Combined with the quick clamp 216, they enable the mounting and fixing of flexible thin rectangular plates 5 of different specifications and sizes. In conjunction with the rotational motion and the lifting motion of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment 6's inspection head, they achieve automated auxiliary inspection of large flexible thin rectangular plates 5. The lower support frame 213 is fixedly connected to the turntable 219 via two cylindrical guide rails 211 and a column 208, making the lower support frame 213 and the turntable 219 a single integrated structure. The servo motor 207 is mounted on the dual-axis output commutator 206; the dual-axis output commutator 206 is mounted on the turntable 219 via an L-shaped bracket 205. The right side of the dual-axis output commutator 206 is connected to the right bevel gear 202 via two elastic pin couplings 209 and a right-side drive shaft 204. The drive shaft 204 has notches at both ends that need to be perpendicular to the notches on the right output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator 206 and the input shaft of the bevel gear 202. The left output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator 206 is connected to the left bevel gear via elastic pin couplings 209, a shrink sleeve 203, and a left-side drive shaft 204. The wheel 202 is connected, wherein the notch on the left output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator 206 is perpendicular to the notch on the right end 204 of the left drive shaft, and the input shaft of the left bevel gear 202 has no relative positional relationship with the notch on the left end 204 of the left drive shaft. The connection method of the expansion sleeve 203 ensures that the height and position of the two adapters can be easily adjusted during installation, which is convenient for assembly and debugging. The L-shaped bracket 205 has a racetrack-shaped notch on the horizontal and vertical planes, which can be used to adjust the installation height of the dual-axis output commutator 206 and the front and rear installation position along the axis of the servo motor 207, ensuring that the drive shaft 204 is coaxial with the two helical gears 202. The upper mounting bracket 218 of the semi-ring is mounted on the two side adapters 210. The two side adapters 210 have built-in bushings that fit onto the cylindrical guide rail 211. The built-in lead screw nuts of the two side adapters 210 are connected to the two side spiral lead screws 212. Driven by the servo motor 207 or the rotating handwheel 201, and transmitted through the dual-axis output commutator 206, drive shaft 204, bevel gear 202, spiral lead screw 212, etc., the upper mounting bracket 218 of the semi-ring can be moved automatically or manually along the cylindrical guide rail 211. The lower mounting bracket 215 of the semi-ring is mounted and fixed on the lower support bracket 213.Adjust the upper mounting bracket 218 of the semi-ring to a suitable height, and lay the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 in a ring on the surface of the upper mounting bracket 218 and the lower mounting bracket 215 of the semi-ring. It is positioned by the bosses on the upper mounting bracket 218 and the lower mounting bracket 215 of the semi-ring. The inner side of the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 is padded with industrial felt 217, and the outer side is pressed by several evenly distributed quick clamps 216, thereby realizing the clamping, positioning and fastening of the flexible thin rectangular plate 5, and ensuring that its surface is not damaged. Compared with the traditional bolt fastening structure, the quick clamp 216 structure is more convenient to operate and effectively improves the clamping and fastening efficiency by about 5 times. The hollow clamping method can effectively solve the problem of firmly clamping the flexible thin rectangular plate while avoiding the clamping structure from obstructing the detection space during the inspection, thus affecting the non-destructive testing of the flexible thin rectangular plate and improving the inspection quality.

[0040] The bracket 218 is mounted on the semi-ring (see...) Figure 8 The material is aluminum alloy, and the installation form is a cantilever structure. Due to the harsh stress conditions, a U-shaped reinforced ring structure is adopted, and vertical ribs are added to both sides of the ring to effectively enhance the support rigidity and strength while reducing weight.

[0041] The control cabinet (see) Figure 2 The hardware mainly consists of an industrial control computer, a servo motor driver, and a display. With a dedicated control program and host computer software, the mounting bracket 218 on the semi-ring of the ring rotating frame assembly 2 can be raised and lowered according to specified requirements, that is, the mounting width can be automatically adjusted to accommodate flexible thin rectangular plates 5 of different specifications. The ring rotating frame assembly 2 can be controlled to rotate according to specified requirements. With the help of X-ray non-destructive testing equipment 6, automated auxiliary testing can be achieved.

[0042] The dedicated software (see human-computer interaction interface) Figure 9 It has functions such as power-on self-test, motion parameter setting, motion control, graphical display, parameter memory, detection position memory, defect point position memory, fault alarm, calibration mode, and list export. It realizes human-machine information interaction through the display, and thus better cooperates with X-ray non-destructive testing equipment 6 to realize automated auxiliary testing of flexible thin rectangular plate 5.

[0043] Test process (see test process) Figure 10 The detection route is shown below. Figure 11The process involves setting mounting width and rotation parameters, mounting a flexible thin rectangular plate 5, and adjusting the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 to the initial inspection position point via the ring rotating frame assembly 2. This starts with the lower right corner (area A) of the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 as the initial inspection area. The plate is slowly rotated by a specified angle, utilizing the adjustable inspection height function, X-ray non-destructive testing function, and manual observation of the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 and X-ray non-destructive testing results of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment 6. This achieves the effect of inspecting one area of ​​the flexible thin rectangular plate 5 with each adjustment of its inspection position, and records the inspection area position. Starting from area A, areas ①②③ are inspected sequentially along the arrow direction. When defects are found, defect points can be manually added, and defect information is automatically noted at the inspection location. After inspecting one specification, the parameters are repeated for other specifications of flexible thin rectangular plates 5, completing batch inspection of multiple models and specifications. A defect area location information report is generated after inspection, thus achieving automated auxiliary inspection of the flexible thin rectangular plate 5.

[0044] The automated auxiliary equipment for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces, as disclosed in this invention, can solve the problem of horizontal emission X-ray non-destructive testing equipment testing large, flexible, thin-plate structures beyond its own testing range in a small lead chamber environment. It effectively increases the testing area and mounting range of the horizontal emission X-ray non-destructive testing equipment without affecting the testing accuracy, and assists in the automated completion of X-ray non-destructive testing.

[0045] The above specific embodiments or examples are only used to explain the technical solutions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present application. Parts not described in detail are considered as conventional technical means in the art. Those skilled in the art should understand that, based on the design concept of the present application, it is possible to make adaptive modifications to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments or to make equivalent substitutions for some or all of the technical features. These modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the various embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. A system for X-ray nondestructive testing in confined spaces, characterized in that, The system includes: an automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing, a control cabinet, and a horizontal-emitting X-ray nondestructive testing device; the control cabinet integrates a controller that controls the operation of the entire testing system; the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing is used to clamp and rotate the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be tested; the transmitter and receiver of the horizontal-emitting X-ray nondestructive testing device are located on opposite sides of the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be tested; the controller also integrates testing software, which controls the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray nondestructive testing. The automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray non-destructive testing consists of a base assembly, a ring-shaped rotating frame assembly, an axial limit switch, and a circumferential limit switch. The base assembly is placed on the floor of the lead chamber. The ring-shaped rotating frame assembly is fixed to the outer ring of the external gear-type turntable bearing mounted on the base assembly, achieving a rotatable connection with the base assembly. It can rotate around the Z-axis to drive the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be inspected, mounted on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly, to rotate, thus assisting in length direction inspection in conjunction with the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment. The circumferential limit switch limits the rotation angle around the Z-axis. An axial limit switch is installed on the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly to limit the lifting range of the mounting frame on the semi-ring, which is the effective clamping width of the large flexible thin rectangular plate to be inspected. The annular rotating frame assembly includes a rotating handwheel, bevel gear, expansion sleeve, drive shaft, L-shaped bracket, dual-axis output commutator, servo motor, column, flexible pin coupling, adapter, cylindrical guide rail, screw screw, lower support frame, screw mounting base, semi-ring lower mounting bracket, quick clamp, industrial felt, semi-ring upper mounting bracket, turntable, and flexible thin rectangular plate. It allows for automatic and manual adjustment of the mounting width, and, in conjunction with the quick clamp, enables the mounting and fixing of flexible thin rectangular plates of different sizes. Combined with the rotational motion and the lifting motion of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment's inspection head, it achieves automated auxiliary inspection of large flexible thin rectangular plates. The lower support frame is fixedly connected to the turntable via two cylindrical guide rails and the column, making the lower mounting bracket and turntable a single integrated structure. The servo motor is mounted and fixed on the dual-axis output... The dual-axis output commutator is mounted on the turntable via an L-shaped bracket. The right side of the dual-axis output commutator is connected to the right bevel gear via two flexible pin couplings, the right drive shaft, and the right bevel gear. The left output shaft of the dual-axis output commutator is connected to the left bevel gear via a flexible pin coupling, a shrink sleeve, and the left drive shaft. The notch on the left output shaft is perpendicular to the notch on the right end of the left drive shaft. The input shaft of the left bevel gear has no relative positional relationship with the notch on the left end of the left drive shaft. The shrink sleeve connection ensures easy adjustment of the height and position of the two adapters during installation, facilitating assembly and debugging. The L-shaped bracket has racetrack-shaped notches on both the horizontal and vertical surfaces to adjust the installation height of the dual-axis output commutator and its forward / backward installation position along the servo motor axis, ensuring that the drive shaft is coaxial with the two helical gears. The upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring is installed on the two side adapters. The two side adapters have built-in bushings that fit onto the cylindrical guide rail. The two side adapters also have built-in screw nuts that connect to the two side spiral screws. Driven by a servo motor or manual rotation, the upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring moves automatically or manually along the cylindrical guide rail via a dual-axis output commutator, drive shaft, bevel gear, and spiral screw. The lower mounting bracket of the semi-ring is fixedly installed on the lower support frame. After adjusting the upper mounting bracket of the semi-ring to a suitable height, a flexible thin rectangular plate is laid in a ring on the surface of the upper and lower mounting brackets of the semi-ring, and positioned by the bosses on the upper and lower mounting brackets of the semi-ring. The base assembly includes a leveling support, a base assembly body, a vertical support, a support platform, and an external gear turntable bearing. Gears and servo motors are used to provide rotational support and drive for the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly. A leveling support is installed below the base assembly to adjust the overall levelness of the base assembly, ensuring the rotating shaft of the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly is vertical. The support platform is fixed to the base assembly via vertical supports and fastening screws. The inner ring of the external gear-type turntable bearing is fixedly installed in a circular groove in the center of the support platform. The servo motor is mounted on the support platform. Gears are mounted on the output shaft of the servo motor and mesh with the outer gear of the external gear-type turntable bearing, thus achieving servo motor drive and gear transmission to rotate the outer ring of the external gear-type turntable bearing. The servo motor is equipped with an absolute encoder and a brake module to record the rotation angle of the ring-shaped rotating frame assembly and to prevent rotation.

2. The system for X-ray nondestructive testing in confined spaces as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The testing software receives position signals from the axial and circumferential limit switches of the auxiliary fixture in real time and feeds them back to the controller. The controller then adjusts the motion trajectory of the ring frame assembly in the automated auxiliary fixture for X-ray non-destructive testing according to the testing requirements.

3. The system for X-ray nondestructive testing in confined spaces as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The flexible thin rectangular plate is padded with industrial felt on the inside and pressed on the outside by several evenly distributed quick clamps, thereby realizing the clamping, positioning and fastening of the flexible thin rectangular plate and ensuring that its surface is not damaged.

4. The system for X-ray nondestructive testing in a confined space as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket mounted on the semi-ring is made of aluminum alloy and is installed in a cantilever structure. It adopts a U-shaped reinforced ring structure with additional vertical ribs on both sides of the ring.

5. The system for X-ray nondestructive testing in a confined space as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The base assembly adopts a splicing structure, including a cover plate, a steel box, an L-shaped fixing clip, and a steel block, which are used to provide a weight base for the base assembly, making it easy to disassemble and complete the final assembly in the lead chamber; The steel plate boxes are positioned by a stop structure and fastened with screws; several steel blocks are stacked in sequence inside the steel plate boxes, the steel plate boxes are covered by a cover plate, and the cover plate is fixed by an L-shaped fixing clamp.

6. The system for X-ray nondestructive testing in a confined space as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The control cabinet consists of a controller, a servo motor driver, and a display. The controller is an industrial computer, which, together with the control program and host computer software, enables the mounting bracket on the semi-ring of the ring rotating frame assembly to move up and down according to specified requirements, i.e., the mounting width is automatically adjusted to accommodate flexible thin rectangular plates of different specifications. It also controls the ring rotating frame assembly to rotate according to specified requirements, and is used in conjunction with X-ray non-destructive testing equipment to achieve automated auxiliary testing.

7. A method for X-ray non-destructive testing in confined spaces, wherein the testing method employs the testing system described in any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The detection method is as follows: set the mounting width parameters, rotation parameters, and mount the flexible thin rectangular plate. Adjust the flexible thin rectangular plate to the initial detection position point through the ring rotating frame assembly, that is, take the lower right corner A area of ​​the flexible thin rectangular plate as the starting detection area, slowly rotate it by a specified angle, and combine the adjustable detection height function, X-ray non-destructive testing function, and manual observation of the flexible thin rectangular plate and X-ray non-destructive testing results of the X-ray non-destructive testing equipment to achieve the effect of detecting one area of ​​the flexible thin rectangular plate by adjusting the detection position once, and record the detection area position. When a defect is found, the defect point is manually added, and the defect information is automatically noted at the detection location. After the detection of one specification is completed, the parameters are repeatedly set to load other specifications of flexible thin rectangular plates, and batch detection of flexible thin rectangular plates of various models and specifications is completed. After the detection is completed, a report of defect area location information is generated, thereby realizing automated auxiliary detection of flexible thin rectangular plates.

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