Mobile Photoacoustic Inspection Apparatus Including Shape-Adaptive Elastic Contact Member Equipped with Vacuum Suction Structure

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting defects in large industrial facilities. It utilizes the advantages of a non-contact inspection method using optical ultrasonics while implementing a structure that enables stable contact and support of the object to be inspected without shaking, even in high-height inspection environments, thereby ensuring inspection accuracy and reliability. The present invention is characterized by comprising: a movable base equipped with wheels to enable movement to an object to be inspected; a lifting support installed to be vertically movable on the movable base; a front support installed in front of the lifting support; a pair of support rods protruding forward in parallel from the front support and having their tips contact and be supported on the surface of the object to be inspected; and an optical ultrasonic inspector installed on the front support, which generates optical ultrasonic waves by irradiating a laser without physical contact with the object to be inspected, and inspects internal defects of the object to be inspected in a non-contact manner using the generated optical ultrasonic waves.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a technology for defect inspection targeting large industrial facilities, and more specifically, to a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device having a mobile structure that can secure inspection precision by stably suppressing shaking that may occur during non-contact inspection of large industrial facilities. Background Technology

[0002] Due to the structural characteristics of large industrial facilities, such as petrochemical plants, storage tanks, and refining equipment, which are installed at high altitudes or occupy large areas, defect inspections often rely on visual inspection or manual methods, presenting limitations in inspector safety and inspection accuracy.

[0003] To overcome these limitations, the development of systems capable of performing non-contact inspections while automatically moving inspection equipment is currently being actively pursued, such as the 'Ultrasonic Non-Destructive Inspection System Using a Mobile Robot' disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0107833.

[0004] However, when performing inspections on large industrial facilities that are relatively tall, if the inspection equipment or support structure shakes even slightly, it is difficult to obtain accurate inspection signals, and consequently, there is a problem where the reliability of inspection images and defect evaluation is reduced.

[0005] For example, if the point to be inspected is located more than 10 meters above the ground, the support structure supporting the inspection device becomes unstable and the influence of wind becomes stronger, which has a significant impact on the quality of the inspection signal, and this is particularly critical in laser-based non-contact inspection methods. Prior art literature

[0006] Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2024-0107833 (July 9, 2024) The problem to be solved

[0007] Accordingly, the present invention is proposed to resolve the aforementioned conventional problems. The objective of the present invention is to provide a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device that ensures inspection accuracy and reliability by implementing a structure capable of stably contacting and supporting an object to be inspected without shaking, even in high-height inspection environments, while utilizing the advantages of a non-contact inspection method using optical ultrasonics. means of solving the problem

[0008] To achieve the above objectives, a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to the technical concept of the present invention is a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting defects in large industrial facilities, and is characterized by its technical configuration by comprising: a movable base equipped with wheels to enable movement to an object to be inspected; a lifting support installed to be vertically movable on the movable base; a front support installed in front of the lifting support; a pair of support rods protruding forward in parallel from the front support and having their tips contact and be supported on the surface of the object to be inspected; and an optical ultrasonic inspector installed on the front support that generates optical ultrasonics by irradiating a laser without physical contact with the object to be inspected, and inspects internal defects of the object to be inspected in a non-contact manner using the generated optical ultrasonics.

[0009] Here, the tip of the support rod may be characterized by being equipped with an elastic contact member that deforms according to the surface shape of the object to be inspected to maximize the contact area.

[0010] In addition, the front end of the support rod may be characterized by having a contact switch installed therein that generates a detection signal when the elastic contact member is pressed together with the object to be inspected and pressed above a certain amount.

[0011] In addition, the elastic contact member may be characterized in that its front surface is formed as a convex curved surface, deforms according to the shape of the surface of the object to be inspected, and the front center portion is made to make contact preferentially, and a receiving groove for accommodating the contact switch is formed in the rear center portion, so that the contact switch is pressed and switched by only a predetermined amount of pressing on the front center portion.

[0012] In addition, a switch housing is provided at the front end of the support rod, which accommodates the contact switch and elastically returns to the front by a rear spring, so that when an elastic contact member in contact with an object to be inspected is pressed, the switch housing retracts together to press the contact switch and switch it, and a protrusion is formed on the front of the switch housing to be coupled to a rear receiving groove of the elastic contact member, so that the elastic contact member is detachably mounted to the switch housing.

[0013] In addition, the elastic contact member may be characterized as a shape-adaptive elastic contact member comprising an elastic outer shell that can be deformed according to the shape of the object to be inspected, a pressure application line that can apply or release pressure inside the elastic outer shell, and an adhesive member disposed on the bottom surface of the elastic outer shell to provide contact fixing force.

[0014] In addition, the adhesive member may be made of a dielectric reactive material whose stiffness changes according to the application of an electric field, and may be characterized in that it deforms according to the shape of the object to be inspected when no electric field is applied, increases its stiffness to maintain the deformed shape when an electric field is applied, and generates an electrostatic force between itself and the object to be inspected when an electric field is applied to improve the contact fixing force.

[0015] In addition, the pressure application line may be characterized by injecting or discharging fluid into the interior of the elastic outer shell to cause the elastic outer shell to expand or contract according to the shape of the object to be inspected, and controlling the internal pressure to maintain the deformed shape.

[0016] In addition, the shape-adaptive elastic contact member may be characterized by including a spherical adsorption structure in which a plurality of pores are arranged in a certain pattern so as to be adaptable to the surface shape of the object to be inspected, wherein the adsorption structure contracts when a vacuum is applied and adheres to the surface of the object to be inspected to generate an adsorption force, and is configured to maintain the shape for a certain period of time while the vacuum state is maintained.

[0017] Additionally, the shape-adaptive elastic contact member further comprises a magnetorheological elastomer containing magnetic particles, wherein the magnetorheological elastomer is formed in a pattern structure in which magnetic particles are arranged spaced apart in the form of multiple strips, so that when no magnetic field is applied, it is freely deformed to fit the shape of the object to be inspected with low stiffness, and when a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic particles are aligned to increase the stiffness of the elastomer, thereby maintaining the deformed shape in a fixed state, characterized by a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device.

[0018] In addition, the support rod may be characterized by having its rear end coupled to a slider movable along a rail formed on the front support member, so that it is configured to advance and protrude or retract backward according to the movement of the slider.

[0019] In addition, the slider may be characterized by stopping at a predetermined position according to a detection signal from a contact switch installed at the tip of the support rod, and being controlled so that the optical ultrasonic detector irradiates a laser to generate optical ultrasonic while in a stopped state.

[0020] In addition, the device may be characterized by further installing a connecting member between the pair of support rods to integrate the two support rods in order to prevent shaking or twisting during inspection while the support rods are protruding far toward the object to be inspected.

[0021] In addition, the front support member may be characterized by being composed of a frame structure comprising a pair of rails for moving the support rod forward and backward, a slider movable along each rail, and a connecting frame that connects the pair of rails to form a support structure.

[0022] In addition, the connecting frame may be provided with a straight frame and a V-shaped frame connecting the pair of rails to each other, and the optical ultrasonic detector may be fixedly installed in a form supported by being stretched across the central protrusions of the straight frame and the V-shaped frame. Effects of the invention

[0023] The portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to the present invention can reliably perform non-contact defect inspection using optical ultrasonics on the outer surface of large industrial facilities.

[0024] In particular, even when the object to be inspected is at a high position, a pair of support rods contact the object to be inspected and stably support the inspection device without shaking, thereby ensuring the precision and repeatability of the inspection signal.

[0025] In addition, the tip of the support rod is equipped with an elastic contact member that can be deformed according to the shape of the object to be inspected, allowing for effective contact even with curved or irregular surfaces. It is also linked with a switch structure that detects contact with the object to be inspected, enabling control of inspection timing and position alignment.

[0026] Furthermore, the elastic contact member can be implemented as a shape-adaptive structure, so that by applying a vacuum adsorption structure or a magnetorheological elastomer, the shape can be fixed after contact and a stable contact state can be maintained even against external vibrations.

[0027] Accordingly, the present invention provides a useful technical effect that can simultaneously ensure structural stability and inspection reliability even in a high-precision non-contact inspection environment. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0028] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the usage state of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial side view illustrating the configuration of a front support and a support rod in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a bottom view illustrating the frame structure of a front support in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a partial side view illustrating a deformed elastic contact member in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a reference diagram for explaining the surface pattern of the adhesive member of a deformed elastic contact member in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0029] A portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. Since the present invention is susceptible to various modifications and may take various forms, specific embodiments are illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the text. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific disclosed forms, and it should be understood that it includes all modifications, equivalents, and substitutions that fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similar reference numerals have been used for similar components in the description of each drawing. In the attached drawings, the dimensions of the structures are depicted enlarged from the actual size to ensure clarity of the present invention, or reduced from the actual size to allow for understanding of the schematic configuration.

[0030] Additionally, terms such as "first," "second," etc., may be used to describe various components, but said components should not be limited by said terms. These terms are used solely for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, without departing from the scope of the present invention, the first component may be named the second component, and similarly, the second component may be named the first component. Meanwhile, unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains. Terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant technology, and should not be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this application.

[0031] <Example>

[0032] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the usage state of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the configuration of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a partial side view illustrating the configuration of a front support and a support rod in a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] As described above, the mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device (100) according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a mobile base (110), a lifting support (120), a front support (140), a pair of support rods (142), and an optical ultrasonic inspector (150) as main components, and is configured to enable stable support and precise inspection by applying a shaking suppression structure through the support rods (142) to an object (10) located at a high position of about 10m or more above the ground, while maintaining the advantages of a non-contact inspection method using optical ultrasonics.

[0034] Hereinafter, a portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail, focusing on each of the above components.

[0035] The above-mentioned moving base (110) is a base structure that enables movement around an object to be inspected, and is configured to have a plurality of wheels (111) on its lower part so that the device can be easily moved to an inspection position.

[0036] In order to stop moving and maintain a stable posture after reaching the inspection position, the wheel (111) may be equipped with a fixing means such as a locking device or a stopper. This prevents unstable shaking or displacement of the device during inspection.

[0037] A lifting support (120) is installed on the upper part of the movable base (110), and performs a supporting role to allow the upper structure to be lifted according to the height of the inspection position. In this way, the movable base (110) stably supports the entire movable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention and provides a base on which the lifting function can operate.

[0038] In addition, the mobile base (110) of the present invention is applied to large industrial facilities, such as storage tanks or piping structures, that require inspection of a wide area, thereby improving work efficiency and operational convenience by allowing continuous inspection to be performed while freely changing the inspection position.

[0039] The above lifting support (120) is installed on the movable base (110) and is structured to be vertically movable so as to adjust the overall height of the device according to the height of the object to be inspected. This supports the front support (140) and the optical ultrasonic inspector (150) to accurately reach the inspection position of the object to be inspected.

[0040] The lifting support (120) may be composed of, for example, a support rod (125) having a multi-stage sliding structure, and each stage of the support rod (125) is formed in a telescopic shape so as to be extendable like a telescope. In particular, the lifting support (120) is configured such that a plurality of support rods (125) are inserted or withdrawn stepwise in the up-and-down direction, and can be adjusted to a desired height according to the inspection position.

[0041] The support rods (125) constituting the lifting support body (120) are each designed to have a certain cross-sectional strength to prevent shaking or bending that may occur during lifting and to ensure that the inspection device is stably supported while fixed. In addition, each support rod (125) is provided with a guide rail (141a), a locking device, or an anti-interference structure installed on the inner or outer side to maintain alignment and stability during lifting and lowering.

[0042] The lifting operation of the lifting support (120) can be driven by operating means such as an electric motor, hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, and can also be manually operated as needed. The lifting support (120) secures a height that allows it to reach an object to be inspected even if it is located at a height of about 10m or more, thereby enabling stable optical ultrasonic inspection even in a high-position inspection environment.

[0043] The above-mentioned front support member (140) is connected to the upper end of the lifting support member (120) and is structured to support and guide a pair of support rods (142) and an optical ultrasonic detector (150). The front support member (140) stably positions the optical ultrasonic detector (150) and the support rods (142) according to the inspection position and forms a structural base to maintain alignment of the optical ultrasonic irradiation direction.

[0044] The above-mentioned front support member (140) is composed of a front-rear direction rail (141a) for moving a pair of support rods (142) back and forth, a slider (141b) that moves along the rail (141a), and a connecting frame (142b) that connects the rails (141a) to maintain overall frame rigidity.

[0045] The above connecting frame (142b) is composed of a straight frame (141d) and a V-shaped frame (141C), each having a different functional role. The straight frame (141d) is positioned lengthwise along the front or rear of the rail (141a) and serves to guide the movement of the slider (141b) and maintain a constant spacing of the rail (141a). In contrast, the V-shaped frame (141C) is positioned diagonally with a sufficient spacing from the straight frame (141d) to more stably support the structure of the rail (141a) formed lengthwise in the front and rear directions.

[0046] This provides a support structure that can stably fix the optical ultrasonic detector (150) without a separate horizontal reinforcing frame. In particular, the optical ultrasonic detector (150) is installed in a form that is supported by being stretched across the central protrusion between the V-shaped frame (141C) and the straight frame (141d).

[0047] This structure allows the optical ultrasonic tester (150) to be aligned with the center position of the front support (140) and to be accurately positioned at the center of the gap between the support rods (142). As a result, the direction of optical ultrasonic generation is precisely guided toward the center of the surface of the object to be inspected, thereby increasing the accuracy of the irradiation position and the reliability of the inspection.

[0048] The above-mentioned front support member (140) is also entirely supported by an intermediate support arm (130) installed at the rear. The intermediate support arm (130) is coupled with a cylinder or cylinder rod and can rotate in the up and down direction, thereby allowing the angle of the front support member (140) to be adjusted. This configuration of the intermediate support arm (130) suppresses structural shaking while simultaneously supporting the precise adjustment of the angle of the optical ultrasonic inspector (150) to match the position of the object to be inspected.

[0049] Consequently, the front support (140) integrates the slider (141b) movement structure, the optical ultrasonic inspector (150) center placement structure, and the angle adjustment structure, thereby providing a basis for effectively performing precise non-contact inspection using optical ultrasonics.

[0050] The support rod (142) is positioned to protrude forward from the front support (140) and come into contact with the surface of the object to be inspected. It plays a key role in maintaining a constant relative position between the object to be inspected and the optical ultrasonic inspector (150), and in suppressing shaking of the entire device during inspection to increase inspection precision. The support rod (142) is composed of a pair and is installed so as to be able to move back and forth along left and right rails (141a) formed on the front support (140) by means of a slider (141b). Thus, the support rod (142) is configured to protrude forward to come into contact with the surface of the object to be inspected when preparing for inspection, and to retract backward when the inspection is completed or waiting.

[0051] An elastic contact module (143) centered on an elastic contact member (143e) that can be deformed according to the surface shape of the object to be inspected to maximize the contact area is provided at the tip of the support rod (142). The elastic contact member (143e) is formed with a convex curved shape on its front surface, allowing it to naturally adhere to the surface of the object to be inspected, which has curves or irregularities, and to maintain a stable contact state during inspection. In particular, the elastic contact member (143e) is composed of a urethane pad, and the urethane material has excellent elastic deformation and recovery force under external load, does not easily deform even with repeated contact, and has excellent durability and wear resistance, making it suitable for repeated inspection environments.

[0052] A receiving groove (E1) for receiving a contact switch (143d) is formed in the rear center portion of the elastic contact member (143e), and a switch housing (143d) containing the contact switch (143d) is inserted into the receiving groove (E1). The switch housing (143d) is installed in a structure that elastically returns to the front by a rear spring (143c) supported by a stopper (143a). When the elastic contact member (143e) comes into contact with an object to be inspected and is pressed beyond a certain amount while in the inspection preparation state, the switch housing (143d) retracts together and presses the internal contact switch (143d) to generate a detection signal. Through this structure, the support rod (142) can electrically detect whether there is actual contact with the object to be inspected, and can control the laser irradiation timing of the optical ultrasonic inspector (150) based on the detected signal.

[0053] Additionally, a protrusion (D1) is formed on the front surface of the switch housing (143d) to be coupled to the receiving groove (E1) of the elastic contact member (143e), so that the elastic contact member (143e) is detachably mounted to the switch housing (143d). This structure allows the elastic contact member (143e) to be easily replaced according to the user's needs and enables compatibility with various elastic contact members (143e) depending on the material or surface shape of the object to be inspected.

[0054] To prevent shaking or twisting during inspection and to improve structural stability, a connecting member (142a) is further installed between a pair of support rods (142) to connect and integrate them. The connecting member (142a) allows the pair of support rods (142) to move simultaneously while maintaining a certain distance, thereby contributing to maintaining stable contact force at the inspection location and preventing twisting of the support structure.

[0055] The configuration of such a support rod (142) improves the accuracy and reliability of non-contact inspection using optical ultrasound by satisfying all of the following: contactability adaptable to various surface shapes of the object to be inspected, control interlocking based on contact detection, and structural stability during inspection.

[0056] The above-described optical ultrasonic inspector (150) generates ultrasound using a laser to non-destructively detect internal defects without physically contacting the surface of the object to be inspected, and performs the function of determining the presence of defects by receiving the generated ultrasound in a non-contact manner. The optical ultrasonic inspector (150) instantaneously irradiates short, strong energy onto the surface of the object to be inspected based on a laser, and as a result, rapid thermal expansion occurs on the surface, inducing thermoelastic waves, and these thermoelastic waves are converted into ultrasound and propagate along the interior of the object to be inspected. The propagated ultrasound is reflected at defects or boundaries within the material, and the reflected ultrasound is sensed again in a non-contact manner to visualize information regarding internal damage or defects.

[0057] The optical ultrasonic inspection device (150) may be composed of an ultrasonic generating device based on a Q-switched laser and a receiving device including a continuous wave laser interferometer or a Laser Doppler Vibrometer (LDV) sensor, and these two devices are arranged on the same plane at a certain distance apart to simultaneously scan the surface of the object to be inspected. By sensing ultrasonic waves propagating in the thickness direction in real time, an ultrasonic propagation image or a C-scan image is generated based on data in the time or frequency domain, and various internal damages such as cross-sectional defects, interlayer delamination, and foreign substance infiltration can be visualized. Since this optical ultrasonic technology can be effectively applied to structures, curved surfaces, and high-temperature environments where physical contact is difficult, its use is expanding in various industrial fields.

[0058] The optical ultrasonic detector (150) is fixedly installed across the central protrusions of the straight frame (141d) and the V-shaped frame (141C) of the connecting frame (142b) of the front support (140). This configuration has the advantage of maintaining the rigidity of the entire device while stably positioning the optical ultrasonic detector (150) in the central position between the support rods (142) and minimizing alignment errors between the irradiation direction and the target surface. In particular, the V-shaped frame (141C) supports the rail (141a) structure formed long in the front and rear directions, and also provides an angle and space to fix the optical ultrasonic detector (150) without an additional frame, which is advantageous in terms of structural simplicity and installation precision.

[0059] The optical ultrasonic inspector (150) based on such a structure and technology has the advantage of being able to perform precise non-contact inspection even at high locations or hard-to-access areas of large industrial facilities, and to detect defects with high resolution and high reliability.

[0060] The mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above is configured to inspect the external surface of large and high industrial facilities, such as storage tanks, in a non-contact manner, and comprises a movable base, a height-adjustable lifting support (120), a front support (140) that guides a support rod (142), a pair of support rods (142) that support an object to be inspected, and an optical ultrasonic inspector (150) that generates and receives optical ultrasonics based on a laser.

[0061] A portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to an embodiment of the present invention secures structural stability and rigidity to accurately maintain an inspection point without shaking even at high positions of 10m or more, and an elastic contact member (143e) based on a urethane pad adaptable to a curved surface is provided at the tip of the support rod (142) to maximize the contact area with the object to be inspected and increase the accuracy of the inspection signal. In addition, a switch structure for contact detection, a connection structure between the support rod (142), and a frame-integrated optical ultrasonic inspection device (150) support method are combined to provide a hardware basis for performing non-contact optical ultrasonic inspection precisely and stably.

[0062] FIG. 6 is a partial side view illustrating a modified elastic contact member in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a reference diagram illustrating an adhesive member surface pattern of a modified elastic contact member in a mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device according to a modified embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] The tip of the support rod (142) according to the modified embodiment may be provided with a modified shape-adaptive elastic contact member that can more actively adapt to the external shape while improving contact stability and fixing force.

[0064] As shown in FIG. 6, a switch housing (243b) is installed at the tip of a support rod (142), and a shape-adaptive elastic contact member (240) is mounted on the front of the switch housing, and the elastic contact member (240) is configured to include an elastic outer shell (243a), a pressure application line (243b), and an adhesive member (143c).

[0065] The elastic outer shell (243a) is formed in a hemispherical or curved shape and is made of a highly elastic material such as silicone, urethane, or EPDM so that it can be flexibly deformed according to the curved shape of the object to be inspected. A pressure application line (243b) is connected to the inside of the elastic outer shell (243a) to inject or discharge air or fluid, and by controlling the pressure inside the elastic outer shell (243a) through the pressure application line (243b), the outer shell expands or contracts and adapts to the shape of the object to be inspected.

[0066] When internal pressure is maintained after applying pressure, the elastic outer shell (243a) can maintain a deformed shape for a certain period of time, which contributes to fixing the contact shape and ensuring positional stability during inspection. An adhesive member (243c) is provided at the front of the elastic outer shell (243a), and the adhesive member (243c) directly contacts the inspection target to provide a tight fixing force.

[0067] The adhesive member (243c) may include a dielectric reactive adhesive, an electrostatic adhesive layer, or a vacuum adsorption structure, the stiffness of which changes according to the application of an electric field, and thereby can initially adhere flexibly, maintain a fixed shape after contact, or increase contact stability through adsorption force.

[0068] Accordingly, the shape-adaptive elastic contact member (240) illustrated in FIG. 6 is configured to simultaneously improve contact precision and inspection reliability in an inspection environment by integrating the shape deformation and fixation of the elastic outer shell (143a), securing stable adhesion, and the function of detecting contact.

[0069] The shape-adaptive elastic contact member (240) according to the modified embodiment includes a magnetorheological elastic body containing magnetic particles inside, and the magnetorheological elastic body can be formed in a structure in which magnetic particles are arranged in a plurality of strip patterns spaced apart at regular intervals, as shown in FIG. 7.

[0070] Magnetorheological elastomers are generally formed by dispersing iron-based or iron oxide-based magnetic particles (e.g., Fe₃O₄, Fe, etc.) within a polymer material such as silicone rubber, polyurethane, or PDMS. The magnetic particles are not distributed uniformly throughout, but are arranged in sections in the shape of multiple vertical strips, thereby configuring the structure to generate more dramatic changes in stiffness before and after the application of a magnetic field. In the above structure, when no magnetic field is applied, the interaction between the magnetic particles is minimal, and the entire elastomer maintains low stiffness, allowing it to be freely deformed according to the curved or irregular surface shape of the object being inspected.

[0071] Accordingly, during initial contact, it can make soft contact while adhering closely to a wide area, and provides the effect of evenly conforming to the shape of the object being inspected. On the other hand, when a magnetic field is applied, the magnetic particles inside each strip align in the direction of the magnetic field lines, forming a microscopic particle structure within the elastic body. As a result, the shear stiffness of the elastic body increases rapidly, and it is fixed in a state where it does not easily deform even under external pressure.

[0072] In other words, it allows the deformed shape to be maintained as is, and has the effect of maintaining stability without shaking of the contact position during inspection. Compared to conventional uniform magnetorheological structures in which magnetic particles are distributed across the entire surface, this strip-type pattern structure can induce a rapid and strong stiffness amplification response upon application of a magnetic field while maintaining low initial stiffness. This can be applied particularly effectively in environments where the inspection target changes repeatedly, or in surface inspection environments with various curvatures.

[0073] Accordingly, the shape-adaptive elastic contact member (240) including the pattern structure illustrated in FIG. 7 realizes a dual function of actively conforming to the surface shape of an irregular structure while maintaining a fixed state using a magnetic field, which contributes to further improving the precision and reliability of the optical ultrasonic non-contact inspection device.

[0074] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention may use various variations, modifications, and equivalents. It is clear that the present invention can be applied in the same way by appropriately modifying the above embodiments. Therefore, the above description does not limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the limitations of the following claims. Explanation of the symbols

[0075] 110: Moving base 120: Lifting support 130: Intermediate support arm 140: Anterior support 143: Elastic contact module 150: Optical ultrasonic tester

Claims

Claim 1 A mobile optical ultrasonic inspection device for inspecting defects in large industrial facilities, comprising: a movable base equipped with wheels to enable movement to an object to be inspected; a lifting support installed to be vertically movable on the movable base; a front support installed in front of the lifting support; and a pair of support rods protruding forward in parallel from the front support and having their tips contact and be supported on the surface of the object to be inspected. A portable optical ultrasonic inspection device comprising: an optical ultrasonic inspection device installed on the front support member and generating optical ultrasonic waves by irradiating a laser without physical contact with an object to be inspected, and inspecting internal defects of an object to be inspected in a non-contact manner using the optical ultrasonic waves generated therefrom; wherein the front end of the support rod is provided with an elastic contact member that deforms according to the surface shape of the object to be inspected to maximize the contact area, and the elastic contact member is a shape-adaptive elastic contact member comprising an elastic outer shell deformable according to the shape of the object to be inspected, a pressure application line capable of applying or releasing pressure inside the elastic outer shell, and an adhesive member disposed in front of the elastic outer shell to provide contact fixing force, and wherein the shape-adaptive elastic contact member includes a spherical adsorption structure in which a plurality of pores are arranged in a certain pattern to adapt to the surface shape of the object to be inspected, and wherein the adsorption structure contracts when a vacuum is applied and adheres to the surface of the object to be inspected to generate adsorption force, and is configured to maintain the shape for a certain period of time while the vacuum state is maintained. Claim 2 A portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to claim 1, characterized in that a contact switch is installed at the tip of the support rod, which is pressed together to generate a detection signal when the elastic contact member comes into contact with an object to be inspected and is pressed above a certain value. Claim 3 A portable optical ultrasonic inspection device according to claim 2, wherein the elastic contact member is formed with a convex curved front surface so as to deform according to the surface shape of the object to be inspected and the front center portion is made to make priority contact, and a receiving groove for receiving the contact switch is formed in the rear center portion so as to press and switch the contact switch with only a predetermined amount of pressing on the front center portion. Claim 4 In paragraph 3, the front end of the support rod is provided with a switch housing that accommodates the contact switch internally and elastically returns to the front by a rear spring, so that when an elastic contact member in contact with an object to be inspected is pressed, the switch housing retracts together to press the contact switch and switch it, and a protrusion is formed on the front of the switch housing to be coupled to a rear receiving groove of the elastic contact member, so that the elastic contact member is detachably mounted on the switch housing.

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