Ultrasonic probe and pre-tightening force detection system for ultra-long bolt
By using an ultrasonic probe with a metal calibration block and a pressure cap structure, the problems of signal instability and coupling agent aging caused by cavitation in the detection of ultra-long bolts were solved, and stable preload detection was achieved.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202520220485.9
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-12-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2035-02-11
AI Technical Summary
Traditional ultrasonic probes suffer from unstable signal propagation due to cavitation when detecting the preload of ultra-long bolts, and the coupling agent is prone to aging and failure, affecting the stability of the detection.
The calibration block and pressure cap structure are made of metal. The blocking structure prevents it from coming off, and a large clamping force is applied to eliminate cavitation. The piezoelectric element emits and receives ultrasonic waves, and the preload is calculated in combination with the preload detection device.
This improves the stability of the ultrasonic probe, avoids the problem of coupling agent aging, and ensures the effective propagation and accurate detection of ultrasonic signals.
Smart Images
Figure CN223741812U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This application belongs to the field of ultrasonic technology, specifically relating to an ultrasonic probe and preload detection system for ultra-long bolts. Background Technology
[0002] In piezoelectric ultrasonic testing, ultrasonic signals cannot propagate through air. The ultrasonic probe and the workpiece must be in close contact for the ultrasonic signal to be transmitted into the workpiece and detect its preload. However, even after careful polishing, the surface of the workpiece always has microscopic unevenness, creating cavities of varying sizes on the contact surface with the ultrasonic probe, which hinders the propagation of the ultrasonic signal.
[0003] Traditional ultrasonic probes typically have a ceramic protective layer that contacts the workpiece. This material is prone to cracking under high pressure. Therefore, a coupling agent is usually used between the ultrasonic probe and the workpiece to help fill air pockets. Ultrasonic probes used for long-term online monitoring usually use polymer adhesive as the coupling agent. As the service life increases, the coupling agent is prone to aging and failure. Moreover, there are differences in the coefficients of thermal expansion between the coupling agent, the workpiece, and the piezoelectric element, making it more likely to delamination failure when used under temperature cycling conditions.
[0004] Therefore, there is a need in this field for an ultrasonic probe with better stability. Utility Model Content
[0005] To address the problems existing in the prior art, an ultrasonic probe and preload detection system for ultra-long bolts are proposed, which can solve the aforementioned problems.
[0006] This application provides the following solutions.
[0007] In a first aspect, this application provides an ultrasonic probe for ultra-long bolts, characterized in that it comprises: a calibration block, a piezoelectric element, and a pressure cap;
[0008] The calibration block is made of metal, and a piezoelectric element is provided at the first end of the calibration block.
[0009] The pressure cap has a through hole, the calibration block is placed inside the through hole, and a blocking structure is provided between the outer wall of the calibration block and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap. The blocking structure is used to prevent the calibration block from coming out of the first opening of the through hole.
[0010] The second opening of the through hole is used to accommodate the workpiece to be measured, so that the workpiece to be measured contacts the second end of the calibration block;
[0011] Piezoelectric elements are used to emit ultrasonic waves and receive the echo signals of the ultrasonic waves in order to measure the preload of the workpiece being tested.
[0012] In some possible embodiments, the outer wall of the calibration block is provided with an annular protrusion, and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap is provided with a recess to accommodate the annular protrusion. The annular protrusion is used to prevent the calibration block from coming out of the first opening of the through hole.
[0013] In some possible embodiments, the first end of the calibration block extends out of the first opening of the through hole, and the outer wall of the calibration block can rotate circumferentially with respect to the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap.
[0014] In some possible embodiments, the first end of the calibration block is provided with a groove, the bottom of the groove is provided with a piezoelectric body, and the inside of the groove is provided with a backing adhesive with a thickness exceeding that of the piezoelectric body.
[0015] In some possible embodiments, the workpiece being tested includes extra-long bolts.
[0016] In some possible embodiments, the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap is provided with a thread matching the extra-long bolt at one end near the second opening;
[0017] When the pressure cap and the screw of the extra-long bolt are tightened together, the calibration block contacts the end face of the screw.
[0018] In some possible embodiments, the calibration block is made of steel.
[0019] In some possible embodiments, the extra-long bolts include electrolytic cell bolts.
[0020] In some possible embodiments, the piezoelectric element is connected to the preload detection device via a signal line;
[0021] Piezoelectric materials are used to emit ultrasonic waves;
[0022] The preload testing device calculates the preload of the workpiece by measuring the ultrasonic wave reflected from the calibration block at the second end of the calibration block and the ultrasonic wave reflected from the workpiece at the end of the workpiece away from the calibration block.
[0023] Secondly, this application provides a preload detection system, which includes a preload detection device and the aforementioned ultrasonic probe;
[0024] The ultrasonic probe is connected to the preload detection device via a signal line.
[0025] In the ultrasonic probe and preload detection system for ultra-long bolts provided in this application embodiment, the metal calibration block can withstand a large clamping force, and a large clamping force can be applied between the calibration block and the workpiece being tested through the pressure cap on the outside of the calibration block, thereby eliminating the cavitation between the calibration block and the workpiece being tested, avoiding the aging problem caused by the use of coupling agent in traditional technology, and improving the stability of the ultrasonic probe in use.
[0026] Other advantages of this application will be explained in more detail with reference to the following description and figures.
[0027] It should be understood that the above description is merely an overview of the technical solution of this application, so as to enable a clearer understanding of the technical means of this application and thus enable its implementation in accordance with the contents of the specification. To make the above and other objects, features, and advantages of this application more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of this application are illustrated below. Attached Figure Description
[0028] By reading the detailed description of the exemplary embodiments below, those skilled in the art will understand the advantages and benefits described herein, as well as other advantages and benefits. The accompanying drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Furthermore, the same reference numerals denote the same parts throughout the drawings. In the drawings:
[0029] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of an ultrasonic probe provided for an embodiment of this application;
[0030] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of another ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0031] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of a reflected wave provided in an embodiment of this application;
[0032] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the preload detection system provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0033] The attached diagram lists the components represented by each number as follows:
[0034] Calibration block 1; annular protrusion 11; groove 12; piezoelectric element 2; pressure cap 3; first opening 31; second opening 32; recess 33; workpiece under test 4; backing adhesive 5; signal line 6; preload detection device 100; ultrasonic probe 200.
[0035] In the accompanying drawings, the same or corresponding reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. Detailed Implementation
[0036] Exemplary embodiments of this application will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. While exemplary embodiments of this application are shown in the drawings, it should be understood that this application can be implemented in various forms and should not be limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to enable a more thorough understanding of this application and to fully convey the scope of this application to those skilled in the art.
[0037] In the description of embodiments of this application, it should be understood that terms such as "comprising" or "having" are intended to indicate the presence of the disclosed features, numbers, steps, actions, components, portions, or combinations thereof in this specification, and do not exclude the possibility of the presence of one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, portions, or combinations thereof. The terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for ease of description to distinguish identical or similar technical features and should not be construed as indicating or implying the relative importance or number of these technical features. Thus, a feature defined by "first," "second," etc., may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, the term "multiple" means two or more.
[0038] Unless otherwise stated, " / " signifies "or," for example, A / B can mean either A or B. "And / or" in this document is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, and B alone. For ease of description, spatial relation terms such as "below," "under," "above," and "upper" may be used here to describe the relationship between one element or feature shown in the accompanying drawings and other elements or features. It will be understood that these spatial relation terms are intended to include directions other than those depicted in the accompanying drawings for devices in use or operation.
[0039] It should also be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments and features described in this application can be combined with each other. This application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments.
[0040] See Figure 1 The figure is a schematic diagram of an ultrasonic probe provided in an embodiment of this application.
[0041] like Figure 1 As shown, the ultrasonic probe for ultra-long bolts provided in this application embodiment includes: a calibration block 1, a piezoelectric element 2, and a pressure cap 3;
[0042] The calibration block 1 is made of metal, and a piezoelectric element 2 is provided at the first end of the calibration block 1.
[0043] The pressure cap 3 is provided with a through hole, the calibration block 1 is disposed inside the through hole, and a blocking structure is provided between the outer wall of the calibration block 1 and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap 3. The blocking structure is used to prevent the calibration block 1 from coming out of the first opening 31 of the through hole.
[0044] The second opening 32 of the through hole is used to accommodate the workpiece 4 to be measured, so that the workpiece 4 to be measured is in contact with the second end of the calibration block 1;
[0045] The piezoelectric element 2 is used to emit ultrasonic waves and receive the echo signals of the ultrasonic waves in order to measure the preload of the workpiece 4 under test.
[0046] It should be noted that the extra-long bolts in this application generally refer to bolts whose length is greater than or equal to 50 times their diameter, or whose length is greater than 3000 mm. In this application, an ultrasonic probe is installed at one end of the workpiece being tested. By accurately measuring the transit time of the sound wave returning from the other end, the path length of the ultrasonic wave can be calculated. When the workpiece being tested is tightened, it is stretched, and the tensile stress also slows down the sound velocity. This application detects that the path of the sound wave within the workpiece becomes longer, and the preload generated by the workpiece can be calculated from the change in path length.
[0047] In the ultrasonic probe provided in this application embodiment, the metal calibration block can withstand a large clamping force, and a large clamping force can be applied between the calibration block and the workpiece under test through the pressure cap on the outside of the calibration block, thereby eliminating the cavitation between the calibration block and the workpiece under test, avoiding the aging problem caused by the use of coupling agent in the traditional technology, and improving the stability of the ultrasonic probe in use.
[0048] like Figure 2 As shown, the outer wall of the calibration block 1 provided in this embodiment may be provided with an annular protrusion 11, and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap 3 is provided with a recess 33 to accommodate the annular protrusion. The annular protrusion 11 is used to prevent the calibration block 1 from dislodging from the first opening 31 of the through hole. In practical applications, the first end of the calibration block in this embodiment may extend out of the first opening of the through hole, and the outer wall of the calibration block 1 and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap 3 may rotate circumferentially, so that when the pressure cap rotates circumferentially, it will not cause the calibration block to rotate simultaneously.
[0049] In this embodiment, a groove may be provided at the first end of the calibration block, and a piezoelectric element 2 is provided at the bottom of the groove 12. A backing adhesive 5 with a thickness exceeding that of the piezoelectric element is provided inside the groove 12. The ultrasonic waves emitted by the piezoelectric element 2 can directly enter the calibration block 1 through the contact surface between the piezoelectric element and the calibration block, and then enter the workpiece 4 under test after passing through the calibration block 1.
[0050] As one possible implementation, the workpiece 4 under test in this embodiment may include an extra-long bolt. The extra-long bolt in this embodiment may include an electrolytic cell bolt, or bolts under other working conditions; this embodiment is not limited thereto. The inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap 3 is provided with a thread matching the extra-long bolt at one end near the second opening 32. When the pressure cap 3 and the screw of the extra-long bolt are tightened together, the calibration block contacts the end face of the screw. It should be noted that by providing a thread matching the extra-long bolt on the inner wall of the pressure cap, this application can apply a large clamping force between the calibration block and the extra-long bolt by tightening the pressure cap and the screw of the extra-long bolt together, significantly reducing cavitation between the calibration block and the extra-long bolt, thereby allowing the ultrasonic waves output by the calibration block to directly enter the extra-long bolt.
[0051] As one possible implementation, the calibration block in this application embodiment can be made of steel. It should be noted that since extra-long bolts are usually made of steel, setting the calibration block to be made of steel in this application can ensure that the coefficient of thermal expansion of the calibration block is consistent with that of the extra-long bolt, and that displacement and deformation between the calibration block and the extra-long bolt are less likely to occur under temperature change conditions.
[0052] Taking an M76 bolt with a length of 7000mm as an example, an ultrasonic probe with a diameter of 20mm is installed at the end of the bolt. The calibration block in the ultrasonic probe is made of carbon steel with a yield strength of 235MPa. The method provided in this application embodiment can apply a clamping force of 7.3 tons to the ultrasonic probe, and the protrusions on the contact surface between the ultrasonic probe and the extra-long bolt can be flattened, achieving a better ultrasonic detection effect.
[0053] In this embodiment, the piezoelectric element 2 is connected to the preload detection device via signal line 6. The piezoelectric element 2 is used to emit ultrasonic waves; the preload detection device calculates the preload of the workpiece 4 by measuring the calibration block reflection wave formed by the ultrasonic wave at the second end of the calibration block 1 and the workpiece reflection wave formed by the ultrasonic wave at the end of the workpiece 4 away from the calibration block.
[0054] like Figure 3 As shown, the ultrasonic waves output by the piezoelectric element form a calibration block reflected wave at the contact surface between the second end of the calibration block and the workpiece under test, and a workpiece reflected wave at the end of the workpiece away from the calibration block. The preload detection device can calculate the propagation time of the sound wave in the workpiece under test based on the calibration block reflected wave and the workpiece reflected wave, thereby determining the preload of the workpiece under test.
[0055] In the ultrasonic probe and preload detection system for ultra-long bolts provided in this application embodiment, the metal calibration block can withstand a large clamping force, and by tightening the external pressure cap of the calibration block with the ultra-long bolt, a large clamping force can be applied between the calibration block and the ultra-long bolt, thereby eliminating cavitation between the calibration block and the ultra-long bolt, avoiding the aging problem caused by the use of coupling agent in traditional technology, and improving the stability of the ultrasonic probe.
[0056] Based on the ultrasonic probe provided in the above embodiments, this application also provides a preload detection system.
[0057] like Figure 4 As shown, the preload detection system provided in this application embodiment includes a preload detection device 100 and an ultrasonic probe 200 as described in the above embodiment; the ultrasonic probe 300 is connected to the preload detection device 100 via a signal line.
[0058] It should be noted that the preload detection system in the embodiments of this application may include various components of the aforementioned ultrasonic probe embodiments and achieve the same effect and function, which will not be repeated here.
[0059] While illustrative embodiments of this application have been detailed and described in the accompanying drawings and foregoing description, they should be considered illustrative rather than restrictive. It should be understood that only certain exemplary embodiments have been shown and described, and all variations and modifications intended to protect within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention are intended to be protected. It should be understood that while the use of terms such as preferred, preferred, or more preferred in the above description to indicate that such described features may be more desirable, it may not be necessary, and implementations without these features may be contemplated, for example, within the scope of the invention defined by the appended claims. When reading the claims, the use of terms such as “a,” “an,” “at least one,” or “at least a portion” is not intended to limit the claim to one item unless specifically stated otherwise in the claim. When the language “at least a portion” and / or “a portion” is used, an item may include a portion and / or the entire item unless specifically stated otherwise.
[0060] While the spirit and principles of this application have been described above with reference to several specific embodiments, it should be understood that this application is not limited to the disclosed specific embodiments, and the division of aspects does not imply that features in these aspects cannot be combined. This application is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
Claims
1. An ultrasonic probe for ultra-long bolts, characterized in that, The application relates to an ultrasonic probe for measuring the pre-tightening force of a workpiece. The probe comprises a calibration block, a piezoelectric body and a pressure cap. The calibration block is made of metal, and a first end of the calibration block is provided with the piezoelectric body. The pressure cap is provided with a through hole, the calibration block is arranged in the through hole, and a blocking structure is arranged between the outer wall of the calibration block and the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap, and the blocking structure is used for blocking the calibration block from being taken out of the first opening of the through hole. A second opening of the through hole is used for accommodating the workpiece to be measured, so that the workpiece to be measured is in contact with a second end of the calibration block. The piezoelectric body is used for emitting ultrasonic waves and receiving echo signals of the ultrasonic waves, so as to measure the pre-tightening force of the workpiece to be measured.
2. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein, The outer wall of the calibration block is provided with an annular protrusion, the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap is provided with a recess for accommodating the annular protrusion, and the annular protrusion is used for blocking the calibration block from being taken out of the first opening of the through hole.
3. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein, The first end of the calibration block protrudes out of the first opening of the through hole, and the outer wall of the calibration block can rotate in a circumferential direction relative to the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap.
4. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein, The first end of the calibration block is provided with a groove, the bottom of the groove is provided with the piezoelectric body, and the inside of the groove is provided with a backing rubber with a thickness larger than that of the piezoelectric body.
5. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein, The workpiece to be measured comprises an ultralong bolt.
6. The ultrasound probe of claim 5, wherein, One end of the inner wall of the through hole of the pressure cap close to the second opening is provided with a thread matched with the ultralong bolt. When the pressure cap and the screw rod of the ultralong bolt are screwed, the calibration block is in contact with the end face of the screw rod.
7. The ultrasound probe of claim 5, wherein, The calibration block is made of steel.
8. The ultrasound probe of claim 5, wherein, The ultralong bolt comprises an electrolytic cell bolt.
9. The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein, The piezoelectric body is connected to a pre-tightening force detection device through a signal line. The piezoelectric body is used for emitting ultrasonic waves. The pre-tightening force detection device calculates the pre-tightening force of the workpiece to be measured by measuring a calibration block reflection wave formed by the ultrasonic waves at the second end of the calibration block and a workpiece reflection wave formed by the ultrasonic waves at the end of the workpiece to be measured away from the calibration block.
10. A preload detection system, characterized by, The pre-tightening force detection system comprises a pre-tightening force detection device and the ultrasonic probe according to any one of claims 1-9. The ultrasonic probe is connected to the pre-tightening force detection device through a signal line.