SAFT Image Quality via Position-Based Echo Weighting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual guidance of ultrasonic probes in ultrasonic testing often results in imprecise movement and irregular measurement grids, leading to artifacts and reduced signal-to-noise ratios in SAFT evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that account for the precise positions of a manually moved ultrasonic probe during testing by weighting echo signals based on local measurement density, ensuring even contribution from all measurement points to improve image quality and compensate for irregularities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual freehand guidance of ultrasonic probe is used, then ease of operation is improved, but measurement precision deteriorates due to imprecise movement and irregular measurement grids
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously tracks the probe position using a detecting device and feeds this information back to the data processing device. This feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically compensate for manual guidance irregularities by weighting echo signals according to actual measurement density, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the weighting parameter of echo signals based on the detected probe position and measurement density. By adjusting these parameters automatically, the system compensates for irregular measurement patterns caused by manual guidance, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and measurement precision
2Ease of operation
If manual freehand guidance of ultrasonic probe is used, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to artifacts in SAFT evaluation
Solution Approach 1:
The detecting device provides continuous feedback on probe position, enabling the system to identify and compensate for measurement irregularities in real-time. This feedback loop enhances reliability by reducing artifacts in SAFT evaluation while maintaining the operational simplicity of freehand guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary weighting mechanism that mediates between the irregular manual probe movements and the SAFT evaluation process. By applying position-based weighting to echo signals, this intermediary layer filters out artifacts and improves the reliability of defect detection
3Measurement precision
If probe position detection and weighting mechanism are added, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces complex mechanical positioning mechanisms with a detecting device that optically or electromagnetically tracks probe position. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity while improving measurement precision through software-based position compensation and signal weighting
4Reliability
If position-based weighting of echo signals is implemented, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The data processing device automatically performs position-based weighting of echo signals using the detected probe position information. This self-service mechanism improves reliability by reducing artifacts without requiring additional manual intervention or complex external systems, as the existing processing device handles the compensation task
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 enhances the resolution and accuracy of ultrasonic testing by reducing artifacts and improving the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing for better defect localization and detection, especially in freehand-guided testing scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
emitting ultrasonic pulses into the test object by the probe; receiving respective echo signals corresponding to the emitted ultrasonic pulses by the probe
Implementation Method 2
a respective measurement position of the probe is detected by a detecting device
Implementation Method 3
producing an image of a prescribed test area of the test object on the basis of superposing and averaging amplitude values of the received echo signals
Implementation Method 4
with the aid of the evaluation variable each echo signal received in relation to the respectively detected measurement position is weighted for the production of the image by the data processing device in such a way that the irregularities are compensated
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and to a corresponding device in which irregularities regarding each detected measurement position within a measurement surface are detected using a local measurement density. Each echo signal received in response to each detected measurement position is then weighted in order to generate an image using a data processing device such that the irregularities are adjusted.