Ultrasonic Probe Coupling Medium Circulation and Degassing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound testing systems face challenges in maintaining a bubble-free coupling medium, particularly in complex systems with varying flow conditions and pressure changes, leading to misinterpretations in sound propagation and increased engineering efforts to ensure continuous flow.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that continuously circulate a liquid coupling medium outside the ultrasound test probe, branching a part for the coupling chamber, allowing for efficient settling and degassing, and controlling the medium's flow to prevent bubble formation, using a circulation circuit with a settling tank and meandering flow paths for degassing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex testing systems with multiple test probes and long supply lines are used, then testing capability is improved, but bubble formation in coupling medium increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coupling medium supply system is divided into separate circulation loops - a main circulation circuit that continuously circulates coupling medium through a settling tank, and separate branch lines to individual test probes. This segmentation allows the main circulation to maintain bubble-free conditions while enabling multiple probes to operate independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling medium is pre-treated in a settling tank before being distributed to test probes. The settling tank allows bubbles to rise and escape from the circulation medium before it reaches the probes, ensuring bubble-free operation in advance of actual testing.
2Stability of the object's composition
If regulating valves, bypasses, and control engineering are added to ensure continuous flow, then coupling medium continuity is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a settling tank that passively separates bubbles from the coupling medium through gravity and density differences. The continuous circulation automatically brings bubbles to the surface where they escape, eliminating the need for active bubble removal mechanisms or complex control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The coupling medium maintains continuous circulation through the settling tank and back to the probes without interruption. This continuous flow prevents bubble accumulation and ensures stable coupling conditions without requiring complex valve control or bypass systems.
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 ensures a more reliable and efficient ultrasound inspection by minimizing air bubbles, reducing engineering complexity, and maintaining consistent coupling medium quality, enhancing diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
continuously circulate a liquid coupling medium outside of the test probe
Implementation Method 2
settling tank and meandering flow paths for degassing
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic testing method is provided. The ultrasonic method includes non-destructively testing a test object with an ultrasound generated by an ultrasound probe, continuously circulating a liquid coupling medium outside of the test probe before and/or during non-destructively testing the test object, branching a part of the liquid coupling medium off from the circulation, and feeding the branched liquid coupling medium to a coupling chamber arranged between the ultrasound probe and the test object.