An ultrasonic probe applied to a wind power hybrid tower

Abstract

The utility model discloses an ultrasonic probe applied to wind power mixed tower, including mounting seat, sleeve and at least one piezoelectric wafer, mounting seat installs in the lower extreme of sleeve, and piezoelectric wafer installs on mounting seat and is in the inner chamber of sleeve, its characterized in that: the quantity of piezoelectric wafer is two, and two piezoelectric wafers are longitudinally arranged side by side, the ultrasonic probe still includes ceramic wear -resisting head and solid backing, and ceramic wear -resisting head installs the front end of mounting seat and exposes setting, solid backing fills the gap formed among sleeve, mounting seat and piezoelectric wafer three and to solid backing will piezoelectric wafer completely cover. This ultrasonic probe can efficiently excite ultrasonic longitudinal wave and transverse wave, and effectively suppress aftershock, shorten pulse width, and need not coupling agent when detecting, and adapt to the detection of wind power mixed tower concrete tower cylinder piece.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of ultrasonic probes, and in particular to an ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers. Background Technology

[0002] A wind turbine hybrid tower is composed of concrete tower segments and steel tower sections. The internal defects of the concrete tower segments are directly related to the overall operational safety of the wind turbine hybrid tower. Therefore, ultrasonic testing is usually required to detect defects such as cracks and pores inside the segments.

[0003] Currently, the industry mostly uses traditional non-metallic ultrasonic probes to inspect the concrete tower segments of wind turbine hybrid towers. However, due to the rough surface of the concrete tower segments and the complex on-site working environment, these traditional non-metallic ultrasonic probes cannot utilize coupling agents for sound energy transmission, and direct friction between the probe tip and the concrete surface easily leads to wear. Secondly, they are difficult to efficiently excite ultrasonic longitudinal and transverse waves for high-attenuation materials like concrete, easily resulting in blind spots and insufficient defect identification accuracy. Furthermore, these probes often use a liquid backing structure, which has limited effect on suppressing the low-frequency oscillations and aftershocks of piezoelectric crystals, and the large pulse width results in insufficient defect discrimination capability when inspecting concrete of different thicknesses, failing to meet the current demand for rapid and accurate defect identification in the concrete tower segments of wind turbine hybrid towers. Utility Model Content

[0004] The technical problem to be solved by this utility model is to provide an ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers. This ultrasonic probe can efficiently generate ultrasonic longitudinal and transverse waves, effectively suppress aftershocks and shorten pulse width, and does not require coupling agent during detection, making it suitable for the detection of concrete tower segments in wind power hybrid towers.

[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the following technical solution is adopted: An ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers includes a mounting base, a sleeve, and at least one piezoelectric crystal. The mounting base is installed at the lower end of the sleeve, and the piezoelectric crystal is installed on the mounting base and located within the inner cavity of the sleeve. The probe is characterized by having two piezoelectric crystals arranged longitudinally side-by-side. The ultrasonic probe also includes a ceramic wear-resistant head and a solid backing. The ceramic wear-resistant head is installed at the front end of the mounting base and exposed. The solid backing fills the gap formed between the sleeve, the mounting base, and the piezoelectric crystal, and completely covers the piezoelectric crystal.

[0006] The aforementioned ultrasonic probe can be mounted on a scanning device to scan the walls of wind turbine hybrid towers. The use of two piezoelectric crystals arranged longitudinally side-by-side allows for more efficient excitation of ultrasonic transverse and longitudinal waves in high-attenuation materials such as concrete. The probe's detection end employs a point-contact ceramic wear-resistant head, suitable for scenarios where coupling agents cannot be used, such as inspecting concrete tower segments in wind turbine hybrid towers. Furthermore, the ceramic wear-resistant head can withstand the frictional wear of the rough surfaces of the concrete tower segments. The solid backing fills the gap between the sleeve, mounting base, and piezoelectric crystals, effectively suppressing the trailing aftershocks of low-frequency oscillations of the piezoelectric crystals and shortening the pulse width. Compared to commonly used liquid backings, it better meets the defect resolution requirements of concrete of varying thicknesses.

[0007] The aforementioned front and back directions are determined by the position of the ultrasonic probe during detection. The position closer to the ultrasonic probe (i.e., the ceramic wear-resistant head) is the front, and the position farther away from the probe is the back.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment, one rear end of each of the two piezoelectric crystals has a forward-sloping chamfer, and the chamfers of the two piezoelectric crystals face the same direction. The chamfers on the piezoelectric crystals allow them to work in conjunction with a solid backing to form an acoustic trap, eliminating reflected waves from the back of the probe. Typically, the piezoelectric crystals are 12mm long and 5mm wide.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the solid backing is formed by mixing and curing epoxy resin and tungsten powder. The solid backing is formed by pouring the epoxy resin and tungsten powder mixture into the gap between the sleeve, mounting base, and piezoelectric wafer, and then curing it. This completely fills the gap and more effectively suppresses the aftershocks of the piezoelectric wafer.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment, the ceramic wear-resistant head is made of 99% alumina ceramic.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic probe further includes sound-insulating foam and a printed circuit board. The sound-insulating foam and the printed circuit board are respectively disposed at the rear of the sleeve, and are stacked sequentially from front to back behind the solid backing. The sound-insulating foam behind the solid backing blocks rearward-scattered sound waves from being transmitted to the rear, preventing noise from the probe during array scanning. Typically, the sleeve's inner cavity includes a front cavity and a rear cavity, which are connected. The diameter of the front cavity is smaller than that of the rear cavity. The piezoelectric crystal is located in the front cavity, while the diameters of the rear cavity, the sound-insulating foam, and the printed circuit board are matched. This arrangement creates a step at the connection between the front and rear cavities. The solid backing fills the entire front cavity, and the sound-insulating foam is directly mounted on the step and in close contact with the solid backing.

[0012] In a further preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic probe further includes a coaxial cable, the signal connection end of which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0013] In a further preferred embodiment, the ultrasonic probe also includes a rear cover, which covers the outer wall of the sleeve and covers the rear opening of the sleeve. The signal connection end of the coaxial cable passes through the rear cover and extends into the sleeve to be electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment, the rear end of the back cover has a rearwardly extending mounting portion, with a notch extending from the rear to the front center. Elastic locking blocks are formed on either side of the notch in the mounting portion, and the rear ends of the two elastic locking blocks each have outwardly extending engaging portions. The mounting portion has a through hole for the coaxial cable to pass through. This design allows the two elastic locking blocks to move closer together towards the notch with only slight force when the ultrasonic probe is installed into the scanning device. After aligning with the holes in the scanning device, they unfold and engage in the scanning device. Typically, the back cover is made of a high-toughness polymer material, such as PEI (polyetherimide), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), or nylon.

[0015] The beneficial effects of this invention are as follows: this ultrasonic probe can efficiently generate ultrasonic longitudinal and transverse waves, effectively suppress aftershocks and shorten pulse width, and does not require coupling agent during detection, making it suitable for the detection of concrete tower segments in wind power hybrid towers. Attached Figure Description

[0016] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the ultrasonic probe in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a cross-sectional view of the ultrasonic probe in an embodiment of this utility model; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the solid backing on the mounting base in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the piezoelectric wafer mounted on the mounting base in an embodiment of this utility model. Detailed Implementation

[0017] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments: like Figure 1-4 An ultrasonic probe for use in wind power towers is shown, comprising a mounting base 1, a sleeve 2, a ceramic wear-resistant head 3, a solid backing 4, and two piezoelectric crystals 5. The mounting base 1 is mounted on the lower end of the sleeve 2, and the piezoelectric crystals 5 are mounted on the mounting base 1 and located in the inner cavity of the sleeve 2, with the two piezoelectric crystals 5 arranged longitudinally side by side. The ceramic wear-resistant head 3 is mounted on the front end of the mounting base 1 and exposed. The solid backing 4 fills the gap formed between the sleeve 2, the mounting base 1, and the piezoelectric crystals 5, and completely covers the piezoelectric crystals 5.

[0018] The aforementioned ultrasonic probe can be mounted on a scanning device to scan the walls of wind turbine hybrid towers. The use of two piezoelectric crystals 5 arranged longitudinally side-by-side allows for more efficient excitation of ultrasonic transverse and longitudinal waves in high-attenuation materials such as concrete. The probe's detection end employs a point-contact ceramic wear-resistant head 3, suitable for scenarios where coupling agents cannot be used, such as inspecting concrete tower segments in wind turbine hybrid towers. Furthermore, the ceramic wear-resistant head 3 can withstand the frictional wear of the rough surfaces of the concrete tower segments. The solid backing 4 fills the gap between the sleeve 2, mounting base 1, and piezoelectric crystal 5, effectively suppressing the trailing aftershocks of low-frequency oscillations of the piezoelectric crystal 5 and shortening the pulse width. Compared to commonly used liquid backings, it better meets the defect resolution requirements of concrete of varying thicknesses.

[0019] The aforementioned front and back directions are determined based on the position of the ultrasonic probe during detection. The position closer to the ultrasonic probe (i.e., the ceramic wear-resistant head 3) is the front, and the position farther away from the probe is the back.

[0020] Each of the two piezoelectric crystals 5 has a forward-sloping chamfer 501 on one rear end, and the chamfers 501 of the two piezoelectric crystals 5 face the same direction. The chamfers 501 on the piezoelectric crystals 5 can cooperate with the solid backing 4 to form an acoustic trap and eliminate reflected waves from the back of the probe. Typically, the piezoelectric crystals 5 are 12mm long and 5mm wide.

[0021] The solid backing 4 is formed by mixing and curing epoxy resin and tungsten powder. After mixing epoxy resin and tungsten powder, the solid backing 4 is poured into the gap formed between the sleeve 2, the mounting base 1 and the piezoelectric crystal 5, and then cured to form the solid backing 4. This completely fills the gap and more effectively suppresses the aftershocks of the piezoelectric crystal 5.

[0022] The ceramic wear-resistant head 3 is made of 99% alumina ceramic.

[0023] The ultrasonic probe also includes sound-insulating foam 6, a printed circuit board 7, a coaxial cable 8, and a rear cover 9. The sound-insulating foam 6 and the printed circuit board 7 are respectively located at the rear of the sleeve 2, and are stacked sequentially from front to back behind the solid backing 4. The rear cover 9 covers the outer wall of the sleeve 2 and covers the rear opening of the sleeve 2. The signal connection end of the coaxial cable 8 passes through the rear cover 9 and extends into the sleeve 2 to electrically connect with the printed circuit board 7. The sound-insulating foam 6 is placed behind the solid backing 4 to block rearward-scattered sound waves from being transmitted to the rear, preventing noise from being generated when the probe is used for array scanning. Typically, the inner cavity of sleeve 2 includes a front cavity and a rear cavity, which are connected. The diameter of the front cavity is smaller than that of the rear cavity. The piezoelectric crystal 5 is located in the front cavity, and the diameters of the rear cavity, the sound insulation foam 6, and the printed circuit board 7 are matched. With this arrangement, a step is formed at the connection between the front cavity and the rear cavity. The solid backing 4 fills the entire front cavity, and the sound insulation foam 6 is directly mounted on the step and in close contact with the solid backing 4.

[0024] The rear end of the back cover 9 has a rearwardly extending mounting portion 901. The mounting portion 901 has a notch 9011 extending from rear to front. Elastic locking blocks 9012 are formed on both sides of the notch 9011 in the mounting portion 901. The rear ends of the two elastic locking blocks 9012 each have outwardly extending engaging portions 90121. The mounting portion 901 has a through hole for the coaxial cable 8 to pass through. This design allows the two elastic locking blocks 9012 to move closer to each other towards the notch 9011 with only slight force when the ultrasonic probe is installed into the scanning device. After aligning with the holes in the scanning device, they unfold and engage in the scanning device. The back cover 9 is made of a high-toughness polymer material, such as PEI (polyetherimide), PEEK (polyetheretherketone), or nylon.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic probe for use in wind turbine towers, comprising a mounting base, a sleeve, and at least one piezoelectric crystal, wherein the mounting base is mounted on the lower end of the sleeve, and the piezoelectric crystal is mounted on the mounting base and located within the inner cavity of the sleeve; characterized in that: The number of piezoelectric crystals is two, and the two piezoelectric crystals are arranged side by side in a longitudinal direction; the ultrasonic probe also includes a ceramic wear-resistant head and a solid backing. The ceramic wear-resistant head is installed at the front end of the mounting base and exposed. The solid backing fills the gap formed between the sleeve, the mounting base and the piezoelectric crystals, and the solid backing completely covers the piezoelectric crystals.

2. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The two piezoelectric wafers have a forward-sloping chamfer on one rear end, and the chamfers of the two piezoelectric wafers face the same direction.

3. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The solid backing is formed by mixing and curing epoxy resin and tungsten powder.

4. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ceramic wear-resistant head is made of 99% alumina ceramic.

5. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe also includes sound-insulating foam and a printed circuit board, which are respectively disposed at the rear of the sleeve and are stacked sequentially from front to back behind the solid backing.

6. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe also includes a coaxial cable, the signal connection end of which is electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

7. An ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 6, characterized in that: The ultrasonic probe also includes a rear cover, which covers the outer wall of the sleeve and covers the rear opening of the sleeve. The signal connection end of the coaxial cable passes through the rear cover and extends into the sleeve to be electrically connected to the printed circuit board.

8. The ultrasonic probe for use in wind power hybrid towers as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The rear end of the back cover is provided with a rearward extending mounting part, and the mounting part has a notch extending from the rear to the front. Elastic blocks are formed on both sides of the notch in the mounting part, and the rear ends of the two elastic blocks are respectively provided with outward extending engaging parts; the mounting part is provided with a through hole for the coaxial cable to pass through.

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