Ultrasonic Array Probe Vibration Insulating Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic testing methods using array probes struggle to detect flaws near the surface of test objects due to surface echoes overpowering flaw echoes, and existing solutions that adjust beam diameter or shape do not adequately address this issue.
Innovation Solution
A vibration insulating member with a narrower opening width than the transducer surface is installed to absorb vibrations, narrowing the range of surface echo propagation and optimizing flaw echo intensity, allowing for easier detection of surface flaws by adjusting the opening width dimension based on the flaw's distance from the surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic testing is performed without vibration insulation, then the transducer surface vibrations are fully transmitted to the test object, but surface echo appears over a wide distance range and buries flaw echoes
Solution Approach 1:
A vibration insulating member with an opening part is introduced as an intermediary between the transducer surface and the test object. This mediator selectively transmits vibrations only through the opening part, blocking vibrations from other regions. The opening part width is specifically controlled to be narrower than the transducer surface width, creating a restricted vibration transmission path that reduces surface echo interference while maintaining flaw detection capability.
2Measurement precision
If the beam diameter is reduced to enhance defect detectability, then the S/N ratio improves, but surface echo still buries flaw echoes near the surface
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration insulating member creates local quality differentiation across the transducer surface. By having an opening part with width narrower than the transducer surface, it creates distinct regions: a central transmission region through the opening and blocked regions around it. This local differentiation allows selective vibration transmission that reduces surface echo while maintaining focused beam quality for enhanced defect detectability.
3Area of stationary object
If the transducer surface width is fully utilized for vibration transmission, then the ultrasonic beam coverage is maximized, but the surface echo propagation distance range increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vibration insulating member extracts or removes the harmful vibration transmission paths from the transducer surface. By placing insulation material with an opening part over the transducer surface, it takes out (blocks) vibrations from regions surrounding the opening, allowing only vibrations through the opening to reach the test object. This reduces surface echo propagation range while maintaining necessary beam coverage.
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 effectively reduces the range of surface echo and enhances flaw echo intensity, enabling easier detection of surface flaws by determining the optimal opening width dimension for the specific flaw location, thereby overcoming the challenge of surface echoes overpowering flaw echoes.
Implementation Method 1
the vibration insulating member absorbs the vibrations of a region with which the vibration insulating member is in contact in the transducer surface
Data Source
Figure 1~2B
Figure 3
Figure 4A~4D
AI summary
An array probe 3 is provided with an array probe body 32 having a plurality of transducers 31 linearly arranged. The array probe is provided with a vibration insulating member 4 that is installed onto a transducer surface 33 to absorb the vibrations of the transducer surface, and an installation frame 5 for installing the vibration insulating member. The vibration insulating member has an opening part 41, and the width dimension of the opening part is smaller than the width dimension of the transducer surface. By installing the vibration insulating member having the opening width dimension corresponding to the distance from a test object surface of a target flaw onto the transducer surface, ultrasonic testing is performed, whereby even for a flaw near the surface, flaw echo is made less liable to be buried in surface echo, and the flaw can be detected easily.