Mixed-Domain Ultrasonic Spectrogram for Flaw Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic inspection data analysis is limited to time-domain characterizations, which are insufficient for accurately identifying material characteristics and internal flaws in large or complexly structured articles.
Innovation Solution
A mixed-domain analysis method that generates a spectrogram plotting frequency, time of flight, and power spectral density of ultrasonic return signals, allowing for the identification of material and anomaly characteristics by evaluating time-frequency characteristics within a defined area of interest.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If time-domain analysis alone is used for ultrasonic inspection data, then the analysis method is simple, but it is unable to properly identify material characteristics or internal flaws of large or complexly structured articles
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from time-domain only analysis to mixed-domain (time-frequency) analysis by generating spectrograms that add the frequency dimension to the traditional time-domain representation. This allows simultaneous visualization of both temporal and spectral characteristics of ultrasonic signals, enabling proper identification of material characteristics and internal flaws in large or complexly structured articles while maintaining analytical simplicity through automated processing.
2Measurement precision
If mixed-domain analysis is implemented to properly identify material characteristics and internal flaws, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual analysis procedures with automated digital signal processing algorithms. The mixed-domain spectrogram generation and time-frequency characteristic evaluation are performed automatically through computer-based processing, substituting manual mechanical analysis with algorithmic automation. This reduces the operational complexity burden on the system while maintaining high measurement precision for identifying material characteristics and internal flaws.
3Reliability
If time-domain analysis is used for large or complexly structured articles, then processing is faster, but reliability of flaw identification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary digital processing to generate the mixed-domain spectrogram from the raw ultrasonic signal before conducting the actual flaw identification analysis. By pre-computing the time-frequency representation and organizing the data in a structured spectrogram format, the system prepares the analysis in advance, making the subsequent flaw identification both more reliable and more efficient when examining large or complexly structured articles.
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 approach increases the signal-to-noise ratio, enabling more accurate and reliable identification of material and anomaly characteristics, reducing inspection time and cost compared to single-domain analysis.
Implementation Method 1
a return signal of an ultrasonic waveform applied to an article under inspection is received
Implementation Method 2
return signal of an ultrasonic waveform applied to an article under inspection
Implementation Method 3
The mixed-domain spectrogram is generated based on a return signal of an ultrasonic waveform applied to an article under inspection. The mixed-domain spectrogram plots ranges of a frequency of the return signal, a time of flight of the return signal, and a power spectral density of the return signal.
Data Source
AI summary
A mixed-domain analysis method for evaluation of ultrasonic inspection data is disclosed. A return signal of an ultrasonic waveform applied to an article under inspection is received. The return signal is digitally processed to generate a mixed-domain spectrogram of the return signal. The mixed-domain spectrogram plots ranges of a frequency of the return signal, a time of flight of the return signal, and a power spectral density of the return signal. A data gate having ranges of frequency and time of flight that define an area of interest in the mixed-domain spectrogram is set. At least one of a material characteristic and an anomaly characteristic of the article under inspection is identified based on evaluating one or more time-frequency characteristics of the article under inspection in the area of interest.