Guided Wave NDT Transducer Arrays for Complex Pipe Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Guided wave testing faces challenges in efficiently directing and focusing energy on inaccessible regions within complex geometries, such as pipe bends, limiting the effectiveness of non-destructive structural testing in hazardous applications.
Innovation Solution
A non-destructive testing system that employs mathematical modeling to predict guided wave propagation paths and control transducer parameters, allowing for precise direction and focusing of wave energy using one or two-dimensional arrays of transducers, enabling detection of features within complex structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If guided wave testing is applied to inspect inaccessible regions through complex geometries, then the ability to detect defects in hazardous applications is improved, but the difficulty of directing and focusing wave energy on specific regions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mathematical modeling of the structure's geometry and wave propagation characteristics before actual testing. This allows the system to pre-calculate optimal transducer positioning, phasing, and amplitude parameters to direct guided wave energy toward specific regions of interest, thereby reducing the difficulty of energy direction control during actual inspection
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment mechanisms with electronic control of transducer arrays. By using digital signal processing to control the phasing and amplitude of multiple transducers, the system achieves precise directional control of guided wave energy without requiring complex mechanical steering mechanisms, thus improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation
2Measurement precision
If multiple transducers are used to direct guided wave energy to specific regions, then the precision of energy focusing is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can direct wave energy to different regions, focus energy at specific points, and detect reflected waves from various locations. By programming the phasing and amplitude parameters of the same transducer array for different inspection scenarios, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring separate dedicated systems for each function, thus improving precision while managing device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from single-point transducer operation to multi-dimensional transducer array operation. By distributing transducers across multiple positions and controlling them with independent phasing and amplitude parameters, the system gains the ability to focus energy in three-dimensional space. This dimensional expansion provides precise energy focusing capability while the modular array structure helps manage overall system complexity
3Productivity
If mathematical modeling is used to predict wave propagation paths, then the speed of determining test parameters is improved, but the complexity of the analysis system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs mathematical modeling and wave propagation path prediction as a preliminary step before actual testing. By pre-calculating the optimal test parameters based on the structure's geometry and material properties, the system determines all necessary parameters in advance. This preliminary computation approach significantly speeds up the overall testing process while the automated nature of the modeling reduces the operational complexity of using the system
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
Enables rapid and reliable non-destructive testing by accurately directing and focusing guided wave energy on specific regions of interest, improving the detection of defects in structures with complex geometries, such as pipes with bends, by analyzing reflected wave energy.
Implementation Method 1
The method employs mechanical stress waves that propagate along a waveguide structure and are guided by the structures boundaries
Implementation Method 2
Guided wave testing is a method used for non-destructive evaluation. The method employs mechanical stress waves that propagate along a waveguide structure and are guided by the structures boundaries
Implementation Method 3
The transducers can detect the reflected wave energy and a processor can analyze the reflected signals
Data Source
AI summary
A non-destructive testing system includes directing guided wave energy to regions of interest in waveguides. Knowing the propagation paths taken by guided wave energy in complex waveguides can be used to intentionally insonify regions of interest. Additionally, knowledge of the propagation direction and location of an energy mode in a waveguide allows the calculation of the path previously taken by the energy mode. This information can be used for signal processing of guided wave inspection systems. The test system can have various sensor configurations including: a single transducer configured to direct or receive guided wave energy along a particular direction, a one-dimensional array or a two dimensional array of transducers. The transducers can operate independently to provide mutual phasing and amplitude adjusting to steer guided wave energy in a waveguide or determine the directionality of guided wave energy received by the sensors.