Radial Transducer Ultrasonic Wheel Probe
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic wheel probes require normalization to direct ultrasound perpendicular to the surface being inspected, leading to inefficiencies due to occasional misdirection of ultrasound, limiting their application in inspecting curved or irregularly shaped structures.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic dry coupled wheel probe with a radial transducer that emits ultrasound in substantially all radial directions, eliminating the need for normalization and allowing efficient ultrasound direction to any surface, using a transducer module with piezoelectric materials and annular electroplates for both transmission and reception of ultrasound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a piezoelectric transducer is used to emit ultrasound in a linear direction, then the transducer structure is simple, but the ultrasound may be misdirected from the surface being inspected causing measurement inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer is segmented into multiple piezoelectric elements (e.g., 6, 8, or 12 segments) arranged circumferentially around the wheel axis. Each segment can be independently controlled to emit ultrasound in specific radial directions, allowing the system to direct ultrasound precisely toward the surface being inspected without complex orientation mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The transducer system dynamically activates specific segments based on the inspection requirements. By controlling which segments are active and their emission patterns, the system can adaptively direct ultrasound toward the target surface, improving measurement efficiency while maintaining a simple fixed transducer structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the transducer is oriented to emit ultrasound perpendicular to the surface, then the thickness measurement is accurate, but normalization is required which limits application to variously shaped structures
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer emits ultrasound in radial directions perpendicular to the wheel axis, creating a three-dimensional emission pattern rather than a single linear direction. This dimensional change allows ultrasound to reach surfaces at various angles and orientations, enabling the probe to inspect curved and irregularly shaped structures without requiring normalization procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The radially emitting transducer configuration provides universal applicability across different inspection scenarios. The same transducer structure can effectively inspect flat surfaces, curved surfaces, and irregularly shaped structures by activating appropriate segments, eliminating the need for different transducers or normalization procedures for different applications.
3Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasound is emitted in radial directions from the wheel axis, then normalization is eliminated and the probe can inspect variously shaped structures, but the transducer structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple piezoelectric segments are merged into a single integrated transducer module that rotates with the wheel. This combining of multiple elements into one modular unit achieves radial ultrasound emission in all directions while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure that can be easily integrated into the wheel probe configuration.
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 efficient thickness measurements on variously shaped structures without the need for normalization, expanding the use of dry coupled wheel probes into numerous inspection applications with minimal ultrasound loss and no requirement for acoustical coupling substances.
Implementation Method 1
The transducer module is composed of a piezoelectric material so that a first transducer receives an electrical signal, vibrates, and generates and transmits sound, such as ultrasound
Implementation Method 2
a second transducer receives sound such as ultrasound, vibrates, and generates a corresponding electrical signal
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic dry coupled wheel probe with radial transducers emit ultrasound in substantially all radial directions relative to a longitudinal axis. The probe does not require normalization and is efficient in directing ultrasound to a surface being inspected. The probe has a wheel composed of rubber or other materials for acoustically dry coupling the transducer to the surface. A first transducer is composed of a piezoelectric material so that the transducer receives an electrical signal, vibrates, and generates and transmits sound, such as ultrasound. Similarly, a second transducer receives sound such as ultrasound, vibrates, and generates a corresponding electrical signal. The transducer arrangement both transmits ultrasound to the surface and receives the reflection of the ultrasound from the surface. An acoustic barrier separates the transmitting component from the receiving component. The transducer has annular electroplates adjacent to the piezoelectric material. The two transducers can comprise a single, integrated transducer module.