Angled Ultrasonic Probe Arrangement for Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasonic flaw detection devices face challenges in accurately detecting flaws within a specific range due to noise interference from ultrasonic waves reflected outside the required inspection area, limiting their ability to focus on smaller inspectable ranges.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasonic flaw detection device is designed with a transmission probe and reception probe arrangement where the transmission window is angled on the side surface and the reception window is also angled, ensuring that ultrasonic waves reflected outside the required inspection area do not reach the reception probe, thereby reducing noise and enhancing accuracy within the specified range.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If the transmission probe and reception probe are held with a predetermined interval and positioned to oppose the inspection surface, then the ultrasonic beam can be transmitted effectively, but the inspectable range becomes larger than the required inspection range, causing noise from reflections outside the target area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflaw detection accuracyVSAvoidnoise from external reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a conventional linear arrangement of probes to a three-dimensional configuration where the transmission probe and reception probe are positioned at angled orientations relative to the inspection surface. This dimensional change in probe arrangement enables selective reception of ultrasonic waves from specific angles, thereby restricting the inspectable range to match the required inspection range and eliminating noise from external reflections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different angular orientations to the transmission and reception probes, creating localized reception zones. The reception probe is positioned and oriented to receive ultrasonic waves only from specific directions corresponding to the required inspection range, while the transmission probe maintains a different orientation. This local differentiation in probe quality/orientation enables precise control over the inspection footprint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Power

If the transmission window and reception window are positioned to oppose the inspection surface, then ultrasonic wave transmission is maximized, but the reception probe receives ultrasonic waves from outside the required inspection range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveultrasonic wave transmission powerVSAvoidsignal contamination from external reflections
Core Design Contradiction:
PowerVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces asymmetric angular positioning of the transmission and reception probes relative to the inspection surface. Rather than symmetric opposition, the probes are arranged at different angles that create an asymmetric reception pattern. This asymmetry ensures that the reception probe selectively picks up ultrasonic waves from the required inspection range while rejecting waves from external areas, thus preventing signal contamination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This configuration allows for high-accuracy flaw detection within the required inspection range while minimizing noise interference, enabling precise identification of defects.

Implementation Method 1

The transmission probe is configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam from a transmission window

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

The reception probe is configured to receive an ultrasonic wave that has passed through a reception window

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave reception: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 3

the reflected ultrasonic wave reaches the reception probe

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectUltrasonic reflection: Reflection

Data Source

PatentEP3396371B1Ultrasonic flaw detection device and ultrasonic flaw detection method
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 IHI CORP
  • EP3396371B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP3396371B1 patent drawingFigure 2(a)~2(c)
  • EP3396371B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(b)

AI summary

Provided is an ultrasonic flaw detection device (100) including: a transmission window (118); a transmission probe (110), which is configured to transmit an ultrasonic beam from the transmission window (118) toward a range required to be inspected, which is set in advance, of an inspection surface of an object to be inspected; a reception window (128), which is arranged in a relationship with respect to the transmission window (118) in which an ultrasonic wave that has been reflected outside the range required to be inspected is inhibited from reaching the reception window (128); and a reception probe (120), which is configured to receive an ultrasonic wave that has passed through the reception window (128).