Water reservoir for bar inspection system (BIS)

Abstract

In a non-destructive testing system, an iris structure can be used to provide access to the interior of the couplant chamber in a manner that reduces or minimizes the loss of couplant from the chamber. The iris structure can be mechanically actuated by the object under test, such as by displacing one or more arms connected to each blade within the iris structure that define a variable opening. At least one acoustic test probe assembly can be used to generate acoustic transmissions or receive acoustic echo signals, and at least one acoustic test probe assembly is acoustically coupled to the object under test via the couplant fluid contained by the couplant chamber.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Claim of Priority This patent application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 512,235, filed on July 6, 2023, by Gagnon-Lachance et al., titled "WATER RETAINER FOR NON-CONTACT BAR INSPECTION SYSTEM (BIS)" (Attorney Docket No. 6409.269PRV), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

[0002] This document generally relates to non-destructive testing, and more specifically, to devices and techniques for providing inspection of elongated objects such as bars using a Kaplan reservoir having variable input or outlet openings (or both) established using an iris structure, but is not limited thereto.

Background Art

[0003] Non-destructive testing (NDT) can refer to the use of one or more different techniques for inspecting areas on or within an object, for example, to confirm whether there are defects or malfunctions in the object being inspected, or otherwise to characterize the object being inspected. Examples of non-destructive testing approaches can include the use of an eddy current testing approach where electromagnetic energy is applied to the object and the resulting induced current is detected on or within the object, and the value of the detected current (or related impedance) provides an indication of the structure of the test object such as to indicate the presence of cracks, voids, porosity, or other non-uniformities.

[0004] Another approach for NDT may include the use of acoustic inspection techniques, such as using one or more electroacoustic transducers to irradiate an area on or within the object under test with ultrasound, and detecting and processing the scattered or reflected acoustic energy. Such scattered or reflected energy may be referred to as an acoustic echo signal. Generally, such acoustic inspection schemes involve the use of acoustic frequencies in an ultrasonic range of frequencies, including, for example, pulses having energy within a specified range, which can include values ​​from several hundred kilohertz to several tens of megahertz. [Overview of the project] [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] Acoustic testing, such as ultrasound-based testing, may include focusing or beamforming techniques to assist in constructing data plots or images representing regions of interest within a test specimen. The use of an array of ultrasonic transducer elements may include the use of a phase array beamforming approach and may be referred to as phase array ultrasound testing (PAUT). For example, a delayed-sum beamforming technique may be used, which involves coherently summing the time-domain representations of the received acoustic signals from each transducer element or aperture. A total focusing (TFM) beamforming technique may be used, in which one or more elements in the array (or apertures defined by such elements) are used to transmit acoustic pulses, and other elements are used to receive scattered or reflected acoustic energy, and a matrix of time-series (e.g., A-scan) representations corresponding to a sequence of transmit and receive cycles in which transmission originates from different elements (or corresponding apertures) in the array is constructed. Such a TFM approach in which A-scan data is obtained for each element (or each defined aperture) in the array may be referred to as a “full matrix capture” (FMC) technique.

[0006] In one application, PAUT or other acoustic testing techniques can be used to provide non-destructive testing of elongated structures such as bars (e.g., metal bars such as steel bars). In a bar testing system (BIS), a reservoir (e.g., referred to as a couplant chamber) can contain an acoustic coupling medium or "couplant," generally water, and the active surface of an acoustic probe array is immersed in the couplant along with a portion of the object under test. The object under test is generally inserted into or translated relative to the probe array so that it is inserted into an immersion area where the probe array can acoustically couple with the object under test, either by being inserted into or passing through one or more gates. As illustrated and described herein, the gates forming part of the non-destructive testing system may include iris structures. The inventors recognize, among other things, that iris structures can be used to provide access to the interior of a couplant reservoir in a manner that can reduce or minimize the loss of couplant from the reservoir compared to other approaches. The iris structure can be mechanically actuated by (or otherwise controlled in response to) the object under test, for example, by displacing one or more arms connected to each blade within the iris structure. For example, an actuator ring can rotate in response to a linear displacement by the object under test to displace (e.g., slide or rotate) each blade within the iris structure. Such displacement of the blades can control the diameter of a variable opening (e.g., a variable aperture) through which the object under test can pass to enter or exit the couplant reservoir. The blades can be made of flexible materials, such as metal or polymer materials (or a combination thereof, such as a clad configuration). Such blades can be flexible and deform to conform to the surface of the object under test to help form a seal as the object passes through the iris structure, or otherwise deform to help provide a seal to suppress couplant loss.

[0007] In one embodiment, the non-destructive testing system may include: a couplant chamber for containing couplant fluid; a first gate to the interior of the couplant chamber, the first gate comprising an iris structure defining a variable opening for the passage of a workpiece; and at least one acoustic test probe assembly configured to generate acoustic transmissions or receive acoustic echo signals, the at least one acoustic test probe assembly being acoustically coupled to the workpiece via the couplant fluid. For example, the iris structure may be configured to adjust the size of the variable opening in response to the operation of at least one control arm by the workpiece to conform to the profile of the workpiece. In one embodiment, the iris structure may be configured to increase the size of the variable opening in response to the operation of three (or more) control arms by the workpiece, for example, three control arms configured to center the workpiece.

[0008] In one embodiment, the technique, such as a method, includes performing non-destructive testing, the method including establishing a couplant fluid in a couplant chamber, introducing at least a portion of a workpiece into the couplant chamber through a first gate, the first gate comprising an iris structure defining a variable opening for the workpiece to pass through, and generating or receiving an acoustic transmission, which includes acoustically coupling an acoustic transmission or acoustic echo signal between the at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly and the workpiece via the couplant fluid using at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly. The iris structure can be operated to adjust the variable opening to conform to the profile of the workpiece.

[0009] This summary is intended to provide an overview of the subject matter of this patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive description of the invention. A more detailed description is included to provide further information relating to this patent application.

[0010] In drawings that are not necessarily drawn to an accurate scale, similar numbers may describe similar components in different views. Similar numbers with different letter suffixes may represent different instances of similar components. The drawings, while not limiting, generally illustrate the various embodiments considered in this document. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1A] This specification illustrates examples of non-destructive testing systems that can be used to carry out at least a portion of one or more technologies, as illustrated and described herein. [Figure 1B] An embodiment is illustrated in general terms, including a side view of the figure showing different parts that can be included in a non-destructive testing system, such as a bar inspection system. [Figure 2A] A simplified representation of an iris structure, which can be used to provide a variable opening for a gate assembly included as part of a nondestructive testing system, is generally illustrated, with Figure 2A showing the first state. [Figure 2B] A simplified representation of an iris structure, which can be used to provide a variable opening for a gate assembly included as part of a nondestructive testing system, is generally illustrated, here Figure 2B showing the second state. [Figure 3A] Two generally different figures illustrate a simplified embodiment that includes an iris structure capable of forming part of a gate assembly. [Figure 3B] Two generally different figures illustrate a simplified embodiment that includes an iris structure capable of forming part of a gate assembly. [Figure 3C] An embodiment of a gate assembly incorporating an iris structure (as shown in Figures 3A and 3B) is illustrated in general terms, along with two control arms that can activate the iris structure to change the size of the variable opening when displaced by the object under test. [Figure 4A]Two different figures illustrating another embodiment of a gate assembly with an iris structure are generally illustrated, where the gate assembly may include each arm capable of both centering the object under test and acting on the iris structure using mechanical linkages coupled to their respective actuator rings. [Figure 4B] Two different figures illustrating another embodiment of a gate assembly with an iris structure are generally illustrated, where the gate assembly may include each arm capable of both centering the object under test and acting on the iris structure using mechanical linkages coupled to their respective actuator rings. [Figure 4C] To further illustrate the features that can be included in the gate assemblies of Figures 4A and 4B, exploded views of the gate assemblies of Figures 4A and 4B are provided for general illustration. [Figure 5] This document provides general examples of techniques, such as methods for conducting non-destructive testing, which may include the use of acoustic technology. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0012] This subject relates to apparatus and techniques that can be used to facilitate non-destructive testing. Such testing may include non-contact testing using acoustic techniques, such as quality verification or defect detection related to production screening of elongated objects, such as bar structures. The bar structure may be made of metal (e.g., steel bars), such as having circular, rectangular, or square profiles, in exemplary embodiments. A non-destructive testing system for inspecting bar-shaped structures may be referred to as a bar inspection system (BIS). According to various embodiments described herein, a chamber containing an acoustic coupling medium such as water (e.g., couplant fluid) may include or be used a gate that allows the object to enter and exit while suppressing or minimizing the loss of couplant fluid from the reservoir. The loss of couplant fluid is not merely a concern in terms of cost or couplant volume loss, as some percentage of the lost couplant fluid can be captured and recirculated. However, large turbulence of the couplant fluid from the couplant chamber through the gate, or interference associated with recirculation, may induce bubbles or other fluctuations in the homogeneity of the coupling medium, which may affect the acoustic testing. Therefore, gate structures that can help reduce couplant fluid loss can, more generally, help suppress couplant loss and can also improve inspection throughput or accuracy through the reduction of heterogeneity.

[0013] Figure 1A illustrates generally one embodiment including a non-destructive testing system 100A that can be used to carry out at least one or more of the techniques illustrated and described herein, and Figure 1B illustrates generally one embodiment including a side view of the figure showing different parts that can be included in the non-destructive testing system 100B to provide a bar inspection system. Referring to Figure 1A, the inspection system 100A may include a test instrument 140, such as a portable assembly or a permanent (e.g., cabinet or rack mount) installation. The test instrument 140 can be electrically coupled to a probe assembly 150A, such as using a multi-conductor interconnect 130. The probe assembly 150A may include one or more electroacoustic transducers, such as a transducer array 152, each containing transducers 154A to 154N. The probe assembly 150A can be used to generate acoustic transmissions (e.g., vibroacoustic pulses having a center frequency within the ultrasonic frequency range) or to receive reflections to provide acoustic echo signals in response to acoustic transmissions. The transducer array may follow a linear or curved contour, or it may include an array of elements extending along two axes, such as providing a matrix of transducer elements. The size and pitch of the elements may vary depending on the inspection application.

[0014] A modular probe assembly 150A configuration can be used that allows the test apparatus 140 to be used with various different probe assemblies or “cartridges”. One or more such cartridges can be used to provide circumferential coverage of the profile of a target 158, such as a bar. Generally, the transducer array 152 includes piezoelectric transducers that can be acoustically coupled to a target 158 ​​(e.g., a test specimen or “object of test”) via a coupling medium. As described elsewhere in this document, the coupling medium can include a couplant fluid 156 contained in a reservoir (or “chamber,” and the use of a chamber does not require a completely closed container). The couplant fluid 156 can be present between the probe assembly 150A and the test structure as a coupling medium. For example, the test can be performed using an interface between the probe assembly 150A immersed in the couplant fluid 156 and the target 158.

[0015] The test apparatus 140 may include digital and analog circuit configurations such as a front-end circuit 122 that includes one or more transmission signal chains, reception signal chains, or switching circuit configurations (e.g., transmission / reception switching circuit configurations). The transmission signal chain may include amplifier and filter circuit configurations that provide transmission pulses to be delivered to the probe assembly 150A via the interconnect 130 for ultrasonic irradiation of the target 158, and that image, or otherwise detect, defects 160 on or inside the structure of the target 158 ​​by receiving scattered or reflected acoustic energy extracted in response to ultrasonic irradiation.

[0016] As shown in Figure 1A, the probe assembly 150A and the single transducer array 152 can be positioned between multiple probe assemblies connected to a single test instrument 140, or between multiple transducer arrays 152 that can be used with a single probe assembly 150A. Similarly, the test protocol can be implemented using coordination between multiple test instruments 140 in response to an overall test scheme established, for example, from a master test instrument, or from another remote system such as a computing facility 108, or from a general-purpose computing device such as a laptop 132, tablet, smartphone, or desktop computer. The test scheme may be established in accordance with published standards or regulatory requirements and, as an illustrative example, may be implemented as a production screening or quality inspection process.

[0017] The receiving signal chain of the front-end circuit 122 may include one or more filter or amplifier circuits, along with analog-to-digital conversion equipment, such as digitizing the echo signal received using the probe assembly 150A. The digitization may be carried out coherently to provide multiple channels of digitized data aligned or referenced to one another in time or phase. The front-end circuit may be coupled to and controlled by one or more processor circuits, such as the processor circuit 102 included as part of the test instrument 140. The processor circuit may be coupled to the memory circuit 104 to execute instructions to cause the test instrument 140 to perform one or more of the following: acoustic transmission, acoustic acquisition, processing, or storage of data related to acoustic inspection, or otherwise to perform techniques as illustrated and described herein. The test instrument 140 may be communicably coupled to other parts of the system 100, such as by using a wired or wireless communication interface 120.

[0018] For example, the performance of one or more techniques as illustrated and described herein can be achieved onboard test instrument 140 or using other processing or storage facilities such as using a general-purpose computing device such as computing facility 108 or laptop 132, tablet, smartphone, desktop computer, etc. For example, processing tasks that would be unduly slow if performed on test instrument 140, or if performed beyond the capabilities of test instrument 140, can be performed remotely (e.g., on a separate system) in response to a request from test instrument 140. Similarly, storage of intermediate data such as, for example, an A-scan matrix of imaging data or time series data or other representations of such data can be achieved using a remote facility communicatively coupled to test instrument 140. The test instrument can include a display 110 for presenting configuration information or results, and an input device 112 including one or more of, for example, a keyboard, trackball, function keys or soft keys, mouse interface, touch screen, stylus, etc. for receiving operator commands, configuration information, or responses to queries.

[0019] Referring to Figure 1B, the inspection system 100B can be used to inspect a bar structure as a target 158. For example, an elongated structure such as a bar structure can be transported axially (for example, as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1B) by a first conveyor 172A, via a centering assembly 164A and via a gate assembly 170A into the couplant chamber 162. In an exemplary embodiment, the conveyor 172A may use a gripper or other approach to engage with the target 158 ​​in order to translate the target 158 ​​axially or to rotate the target 158. The couplant chamber 162 can contain a couplant liquid 156 such as water. The couplant chamber 162 may include baffles, filters, or other features such as preventing or suppressing bubble formation. Another centering assembly 164B may be included for centering the target 158 ​​before it passes through one or more acoustic inspection probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C, etc. In one embodiment, system 100B may include a single gate assembly 170A, where target 158 ​​is axially translated into a couplant chamber 162 for inspection and then the same gate assembly 170A can be returned.

[0020] In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the target 158 can be translated through the coupling chamber 162 to be engaged by another centering assembly 164C, and the target 158 can exit the coupling chamber 162 through another gate assembly 170B to pass through another centering assembly 164D and be engaged by another conveyor 172B. By way of illustration, each of the acoustic inspection probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C can provide coverage of different sectors or circumferential regions of the cross-sectional profile of the target 158, and the target can be translated axially to provide coverage along a portion or the entire axial length of the target 158, or each of the acoustic inspection probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C can provide circumferential coverage and the acoustic inspections can be performed in parallel to increase throughput. The use of three acoustic inspection probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C as shown in FIG. 1B is merely illustrative, and other numbers of acoustic inspection probe assemblies can be used. The acoustic inspection probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C can be configured to mechanically float within a specified range of motion, for example, when the probe assemblies 150A, 150B, 150C use wipers, slides, or other features to track the location of the test object as it is indexed or displaced by the test object.

[0021] The first gate assembly 170A and the second gate assembly 170B (if present) may include iris structures as illustrated and described elsewhere in this document. The use of iris structures defining a variable opening (e.g., closed or open to a specified diameter) can help reduce or minimize the loss of the couplant fluid 156 by adapting to different cross-sectional profiles of the test object. It should be noted that the gate assembly 170A or the gate assembly 170B (or both) may include a centering assembly integrated with the gate assembly 170A or the gate assembly 170B. For example, as shown below in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, the centering behavior can be achieved or assisted using control arms positioned at different angular positions around the circumference of the test object.

[0022] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a simplified representation of an iris structure that can be used to provide a variable opening for a gate assembly included as part of a nondestructive testing system, where Figure 2A shows a first state of the iris structure defining a variable opening 290A, and Figure 2B shows a second state of the iris structure defining a variable opening 290B. The iris structure can form part of a gate assembly 270. For illustrative purposes, only a partial set of movable blades 280A–280N of the iris structure is shown. In Figure 2A, the position of the first end in region 284A and the position of the second end of blades 280A–280N in region 282A define the first diameter of the variable opening defined by blades 280A–280N. For illustrative purposes, the first ends of blades 280A–280N can be mechanically engaged with a first actuator ring, such as having a shape similar to ring 274.

[0023] A separate actuator ring can be used to lock the second end opposite to the blades 280A-280N, where the first ring rotates relative to the second ring. For example, as shown in Figure 2B, the first end of the blades 280A-280N in the first region 284B can pivot or translate (or both) to reduce the size of the variable opening, and the second end of the blades 280A-280N in the second region 282B can also pivot or translate (or both). As will be considered in the various embodiments below, the first and second actuator rings (such as having a shape similar to ring 274) can rotate relative to each other, such as when the first ring rotates in a first direction and the second ring rotates in the opposite second direction, or when one ring is static and the other ring rotates. The use of a configuration in which the rings rotate in opposite directions allows the size of the variable opening to vary individually and significantly with respect to the angular displacement of each ring, enabling a more compact linkage or actuator arrangement with shorter linear displacements compared to using a single ring rotation. The use of actuator rings is merely illustrative, and other mechanical configurations can be used to provide pivoting or translational (or both) of the blade.

[0024] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate two generally different views (front and rear) of a simplified embodiment having an iris structure that can form part of a gate assembly 370. In Figures 3A and 3B, the internal components are shown as if the assembly were transparent, and only a single movable blade 380 of the iris is shown to aid in the visualization of the operation and structure of the gate assembly 370. Generally, in the embodiments of this document, the movable blade structure forming the iris can be fabricated from metal (e.g., pressed or cut, including stainless steel or another material), polymer material, or a combination thereof (e.g., clad or layered structure). For example, the blade 380 may include polymer material that is molded, stamped, cut, or additionally manufactured (e.g., including thermoplastic material such as thermoplastic polyurethane that can be three-dimensionally printed). The slot 386 does not need to be included, and the opening and closing of the iris can be achieved using the pivoting or translation of the blade 380, for example, by utilizing the deformation of the blade 380 structure. Similar blades can be positioned at different angular locations around the circumference of the first actuator ring 374A and the second actuator ring 374B to form a complete iris structure.

[0025] In general, the first end 385A of the blade 380 can be engaged with the first actuator ring 374A by means of a pin or other structure that allows the blade 380 to rotate (e.g., pivot). The opposite end 385B of the blade 380 can be engaged with the second actuator ring 374B by means of a configuration that allows the blade 380 to both pivot and translate. For example, the slot 386 can be included as part of the blade 380 or as the second actuator ring 374B (or both). The first actuator ring 374A and the second actuator ring 374B can be actuated (e.g., rotated) using a first tab 392A for the first actuator ring 374A and a second tab 392B for the second actuator ring 374B, respectively. For example, to open the variable opening defined by the iris blade (including blade 380), the first tab 392A and the second tab 392B can be moved in the directions indicated by the respective arrows in Figures 3A and 3B, such as by being actuated by one or more control arms. Actuator ring guide rollers, such as rollers 384A and 384B, can be positioned at various angular positions around the actuator rings 374A and 374B, thereby maintaining the alignment and engagement of the actuator rings 374A and 374B while still allowing rotation. As shown in various embodiments, each actuator ring guide roller can also restrict the movement of tabs 392A and 392B. Tabs 392A and 392B can be biased by springs or by other means to return the iris structure to a closed or minimized state of the variable opening when there is no actuation of one or more control arms (e.g., when no object under test is present). In this way, the closure of the iris structure can be adjusted to different cross-sectional profiles of the test object, or in response to the presence or absence of the test object, thereby suppressing the loss of couplant fluid.

[0026] As a further example, Figure 3C illustrates generally one embodiment of a gate assembly 370 having an iris structure (as shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the complete iris structure in Figure 3C includes blade 380 among other blades) along with two control arms 376A and 376B that can actuate the iris structure to change the size of the variable opening 390 when displaced by the object under test. As shown in Figure 3C, the two control arms 376A and 376B may include rollers 378A and 378B that engage with the object under test and displace inward toward the iris structure and radially outward toward the housing 398. Such displacement can rotate a linkage, such as linkage 379, to actuate the corresponding actuator ring 374B. The use of two control arms is merely illustrative, and other configurations, such as those illustrated and described below, may be used.

[0027] Figures 4A and 4B illustrate two different diagrams of another embodiment of a gate assembly 470 having an iris structure formed from a blade, such as a blade 480. Figure 4C illustrates an exploded view of the gate assembly 470 of Figures 4A and 4B to help illustrate further features that may be included in the gate assembly 470 of Figures 4A and 4B. Referring to Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, the gate assembly 470 may include a centering assembly 464A (as referenced in Figure 4C), which includes a housing 498A and a retaining ring 493A, where the centering assembly 464A includes each arm, such as an arm 476. Multiple arms working together can center the object under test and actuate the iris structure using a mechanical linkage 494 coupled to their respective actuator rings by corresponding tabs 492A and 492B. For example, as shown in Figure 4C, the control arm 476 may be locked to a faceplate 491A. When struck by the object under test, the arm 476 can pivot axially inward and radially outward, displacing the pusher 477 and then the corresponding linkage 494 radially outward.

[0028] The linkage 494 may include a roller 495 that is captureable and sits in a slot defined by the first tab 492A and the second tab 492B (for example, forming a cam slot structure where the linear displacement of the roller 495 is converted into rotation of the actuator ring by the displacement of the first tab 492A and the second tab 492B). Referring particularly to Figure 4A, when the control arm is displaced by the object under test, the linkage 494 is displaced in the direction of the solid arrow (e.g., radially). Such displacement rotates the tabs 492A and 492B in opposite directions, as indicated by the solid arrow, increasing the size of the variable opening 490. Conversely, when the control arm 476 returns towards the center (e.g., biased by spring or other means), the linkage 494 may move in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow, and the tabs 492A and 492B may rotate in the direction indicated by the dashed arrow, reducing the size of the variable opening 490 (or even completely closing the variable opening 490). As described in other embodiments of this specification and as shown in Figure 4C, the rotation of the actuator rings 474A and 474B can pivot (or translate, or both) the blades within the iris structure 471, thereby changing the size of the variable opening 490 through which the object under test can pass.

[0029] In general, in the embodiments of this document, the diameter of the variable opening 490 can be calibrated to be proportional to the displacement of each control arm, so that the opening 490 is large enough to accommodate the object under test but is constrained to avoid forming an annular section in which important couplant is lost. For example, if the blades of the iris structure are flexible, the object under test can come into contact with the iris structure (e.g., interference) to provide a nearly (or completely) watertight fit. Centering or size variations of the object under test can be automatically compensated by the structures shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, such as by adjusting the diameter of the variable opening 490 using the control arms (including control arm 476). A slide 478 or roller may be included at the distal end of arm 476, such as including a wearable pad or hardened metal material in the area that comes into contact with the object under test, such as a bar to be inspected.

[0030] As shown in the diagram of Figure 4C, the gate assembly 470 may include another centering assembly 464B on the opposite side of the gate assembly 470. For example, the centering assembly 464B may include a housing 498B similar to the housing 498A, a retainer ring 493B similar to the retainer ring 493A, a faceplate 491B, and associated internal components (control arms and corresponding pushers). The retaining rings 493A and 493B can hold the actuator ring guide rollers 484A and 484B and can hold the actuator rings 474A and 474B in a captureable manner. The configurations shown in Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C are radially symmetric and show mechanical components duplicated at angular positions separated by 120 degrees from their adjacent counterparts. In this way, the control arms (e.g., control arm 476) can provide centering of the test object (driving the test object toward the centerline, for example, as shown by the dashed lines in Figure 4C). The forces on the linkage and actuator rings 474A and 474B can be distributed using multiple radially symmetric pushers. Such a configuration using three control arms for centering and iris variable aperture control is merely illustrative, and other configurations can be used. For example, as shown in the gate assembly 470 of Figures 4A, 4B, and 4C, the distal centering assembly 464B is mechanically connected to the front centering assembly 464A. Such a linkage is not necessary, and the two centering assemblies 464A or 464B may be independent, such that one of them is not mechanically connected to the other centering assembly or actuator rings 474A and 474B.

[0031] The elements of the gate assembly 470 can be formed from the same or different materials. For example, the actuator rings 474A and 474B can be made of metal such as steel or aluminum, or of a polymer material. Other elements such as the housings 498A and 498B can be made of metal or polymer material. Elements such as the linkage 494 and rollers 495, and the actuator ring guide rollers 484A and 484B can be made of metal, such as using hardened rollers (e.g., case hardened or tool steel), or having a bearing structure (e.g., needle or roller bearing configuration). Such embodiments are merely illustrative examples.

[0032] Figure 5 illustrates in general terms technique 500, such as a method for performing non-destructive testing, which may include the use of acoustic techniques. In 505, a couplant medium can be established, for example, by placing a couplant liquid (e.g., water) inside a couplant chamber. As considered in other embodiments of this document, the couplant chamber can house an acoustic inspection probe assembly that is partially or completely immersable, so that the active surface of the acoustic inspection probe assembly can be acoustically coupled to the object of test via the couplant. In 510, at least a portion of the object of test can be introduced into the couplant chamber. For example, a gate with an iris structure can be used, for example, if the opening of the iris structure is variable and the opening is adjusted to fit the object of test, as illustrated and described in this document. In 515, an acoustic transmission or acoustic echo signal can be received by acoustic coupling between the acoustic inspection probe assembly and the object of test. Such adjustment may include, for example, increasing the size of the variable opening to fit the cross-sectional profile of the object of test. The flexible material used in the blade of the iris structure can accommodate circular or non-circular cross-sectional profiles, for example, while suppressing couplant fluid loss. In 520, optionally, the object under test can be translated to allow inspection of elongated structures such as bars by transporting the object through a region of the couplant chamber housing a static acoustic inspection probe assembly. In an illustrative example, the test in 515 can be repeated for different regions of the object under test or for different rotational orientations of the object under test.

[0033] In general, as shown in this document in 525, the variable opening of the iris structure can be controlled using at least one control arm actuated by the object under test. Other approaches that do not require mechanical linkage between the control arm and the iris structure can be used. For example, displacement of a sensor arm or other sensing techniques can be used to actuate a pneumatic, electrical, or hydraulic actuator that controls the state of the iris structure. The inventors recognize, among other things, that mechanical linkage approaches, such as those illustrated and described in this document, can offer simplicity and maintainability, such as having a modular assembly configuration to facilitate maintenance or replacement of various elements.

[0034] Various notes Each of the above non-limiting embodiments may stand alone or may be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other embodiments or subjects described herein.

[0035] The above detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form part of the detailed description. The drawings illustrate specific embodiments in which the present invention can be carried out. These embodiments are also generally referred to as “Examples.” Such embodiments may include elements in addition to those illustrated or described. However, the inventors also intend embodiments in which only the illustrated or described elements are provided. Furthermore, the inventors also intend examples in which any combination or permutation of those illustrated or described elements (or one or more of their embodiments) is used in reference to a particular embodiment (or one or more of its embodiments) or in reference to other embodiments (or one or more of its embodiments) illustrated or described herein.

[0036] In the event of any conflict in usage between this document and any document incorporated by such reference, the usage described in this document shall prevail.

[0037] In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used to include one or more, independently of any other instances or uses of “at least one” or “one or more,” as is common in patent literature. In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a non-exclusive OR, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B.” In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as plain English synonyms for the terms “comprising” and “wherein,” respectively. Furthermore, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are not limited; that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such terms in a claim is still considered to be within the scope of that claim. Furthermore, in the following claims, terms such as “first,” “second,” and “third” are used merely as labels and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.

[0038] Embodiments of the methods described herein may be machine or computer implements, in part. Some embodiments may include computer-readable or machine-readable media encoded with instructions that can be operated to configure an electronic device to implement the methods described in the above embodiments. Implementations of such methods may include code such as microcode, assembly language code, or higher-level language code. Such code may include computer-readable instructions for implementing various methods. The code may form part of a computer program product. Such instructions may be read and executed by one or more processors, for example, to enable the implementation of operations including the methods. Instructions may be in any preferred form, but are not limited to source code, compiled code, interpreted code, executable code, static code, dynamic code, and so on. Furthermore, in one example, code may be tangibly stored in one or more volatile, non-temporary, or non-volatile tangible computer-readable media during execution or at other times. Examples of such tangible computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, hard disks, removable magnetic disks, removable optical disks (e.g., compact discs and digital video discs), magnetic cassettes, memory cards or sticks, random access memory (RAM), and read-only memory (ROM).

[0039] The above description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. For example, the embodiments (or one or more aspects thereof) described above may be used in combination with one another. Other embodiments may be used, for example, by those skilled in the art when reviewing the above description. The abstract is provided to enable the reader to quickly confirm the nature of the technical disclosure. The abstract is submitted with the understanding that it is not to be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above "Modes for Carrying Out the Invention," various features may be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as meaning that any disclosed features not claimed are essential to any claim. Rather, the subject matter of the invention may lie in fewer features than all the features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Accordingly, the following claims are incorporated into the detailed description as examples or embodiments, and each claim exists independently as a separate embodiment, and such embodiments are intended to be able to be combined with one another in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined by referring to the appended claims, together with the entire scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

Claims

1. A non-destructive testing system, A couplant chamber for containing couplant liquid, A first gate to the interior of the couplant chamber, wherein the first gate has an iris structure that defines a variable opening for allowing the object to pass through, A non-destructive testing system comprising: at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly configured to generate an acoustic transmission or to receive an acoustic echo signal, wherein the at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly is acoustically coupled to the object under test via the couplant liquid.

2. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 1, wherein the iris structure is configured to adjust the size of the variable opening in response to the movement of at least one control arm by the object under test to conform to the profile of the object under test.

3. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 2, wherein the iris structure is configured to increase the size of the variable opening in response to the operation of the three control arms by the object under test.

4. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 3, comprising the three control arms configured to position the object to be tested in the center.

5. The nondestructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the iris structure is biased to close the variable opening in the absence of the object to be tested passing through the variable opening, thereby suppressing the loss of the couplant liquid from the couplant chamber.

6. The non-destructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the iris structure comprises a movable blade, and the movable blade defines the variable opening.

7. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 6, wherein the movable blade comprises a polymer material.

8. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the movable blade is configured to pivot so as to change the size of the variable opening.

9. The first end of the movable blade is locked to the first ring, and the second end of the movable blade is locked to the second ring. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 8, wherein the first ring is configured to rotate relative to the second ring.

10. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 9, wherein the first ring and the second ring each rotate in opposite directions to each other.

11. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the first end or the second end of the movable blade can be translated relative to the first ring or the second ring using a slot structure.

12. The non-destructive testing system according to claim 11, wherein the movable blade comprises the slot structure.

13. A non-destructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, comprising a centering assembly configured to align the object to be tested with a center line passing through the variable opening and an acoustic inspection area near the acoustic inspection probe assembly in the couplant chamber.

14. A non-destructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, comprising a conveyor configured to move the object to be tested in the axial direction.

15. A nondestructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, comprising a second gate having a different iris structure at the end of the couplant chamber opposite the first gate, wherein the first and second gates are configured to minimize the loss of the couplant fluid as the object under test is introduced, moves through the first and second gates, and exits the first and second gates.

16. The nondestructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the at least one acoustic testing probe assembly is configured to levitate within a specified range of motion and track the location of the object under test.

17. The non-destructive testing system according to any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the object to be tested comprises a metal bar.

18. A method for performing non-destructive testing, wherein the method is Establishing the couplant liquid within the couplant chamber, Introducing at least a portion of the object to be tested into the couplant chamber through a first gate, wherein the first gate comprises an iris structure that defines a variable opening for the object to pass through. Including generating an acoustic transmission or receiving an acoustic echo signal, which involves acoustically coupling the acoustic transmission or acoustic echo signal between the at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly and the object under test via the couplant liquid using at least one acoustic inspection probe assembly, A method wherein the iris structure operates to adjust a variable opening to conform to the profile of the object being tested.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the iris structure operates to adjust the size of the variable opening in response to the operation of at least one control arm by the object under test.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, wherein opening and closing the iris structure includes pivoting each of the movable blades comprising the iris structure, the movable blades defining the variable opening.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 20, comprising using a centering assembly to align the object under test with a center line passing through the variable opening and an acoustic inspection area near the acoustic inspection probe assembly in the couplant chamber.

22. The method according to claim 21, wherein the central assembly operates the iris structure to control the variable opening.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 22, comprising transporting at least a portion of the object to be tested through a second gate having a separate iris structure at the end of the couplant chamber opposite the first gate, wherein the first and second gates suppress the loss of the couplant liquid as the object to be tested is introduced, moves through the first and second gates, and exits the first and second gates.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18 to 23, wherein the object to be tested comprises a metal bar.

25. A method for performing acoustic non-destructive testing on a metal bar using the non-destructive testing system described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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