Method for scanning imaging ultrasonic testing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic testing methods suffer from image distortions and artifacts due to refraction, diffraction, scattering, and mode conversion, leading to inaccurate defect detection and estimation of damage extent in test objects, especially when using non-planar surfaces and heterogeneous materials.
Innovation Solution
A method involving spatiotemporal wave field generation and mapping of signed ultrasound amplitudes onto a stationary imaging grid using wave field templates, enabling artifact-free, geometrically accurate tomographic representations by constructive or destructive superposition of amplitude values.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic testing methods are used, then scanning imaging can be performed, but image distortions and artifacts occur due to refraction, diffraction, scattering, and mode conversion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating and storing wave field templates before the actual ultrasonic scanning takes place. These templates contain pre-computed information about wave propagation paths, travel times, and amplitude variations through the test object. During scanning, the measured signals are directly mapped onto these pre-prepared templates, avoiding the need to perform complex wave field calculations in real-time and eliminating artifacts caused by refraction, diffraction, and mode conversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual wave field templates that represent the ideal wave propagation through the test object. These templates serve as reference models that are copied or matched against the actual measured ultrasonic signals. By comparing measured signals with the pre-calculated wave field templates, the system can accurately locate defects without being affected by the complex physical phenomena that cause image distortions in conventional methods.
2Measurement precision
If complex tomographic reconstruction methods are used to correct imaging errors, then artifact-free imaging can be achieved, but the device complexity and computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent simplifies the system by performing the complex wave field calculations in advance and storing the results as wave field templates. This preliminary action moves the computational burden from the real-time scanning process to a pre-processing stage, allowing the actual scanning system to use simple signal mapping and comparison operations instead of complex tomographic reconstruction algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces wave field templates as an intermediary between the ultrasonic transducers and the defect detection process. These templates act as a reference model that mediates the comparison between measured signals and expected wave propagation, enabling accurate defect detection without requiring complex real-time reconstruction algorithms. The templates serve as a pre-computed lookup table that simplifies the imaging process.
3Use of energy by moving object
If the focus of the transducer is placed within the test object to improve signal strength, then deeper defects can be detected, but geometric expansion of the wave beam causes scattering hyperbolas and spatial distortion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses copying by creating virtual wave field templates that represent the ideal wave propagation through the test object. These templates serve as reference models that are copied or matched against the actual measured ultrasonic signals. By comparing measured signals with the pre-calculated wave field templates, the system can accurately locate defects without being affected by the complex physical phenomena that cause image distortions in conventional methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by using a different approach to focus management. Instead of physically moving the transducer focus to track defects, the system changes the reference frame by using pre-calculated wave field templates that account for wave propagation characteristics at all depths and positions. This allows the system to maintain spatial accuracy while detecting defects at various depths by comparing signals against the appropriate regions of the wave field templates.
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
Achieves artifact-free, spatially and dimensionally accurate imaging of defects and interfaces within test objects, correcting for depth-dependent amplitude variations and improving signal-to-noise ratio.
Implementation Method 1
The ultrasonic transducers, also referred to as probes, are typically single-channel, geometrically focused, usually piezoelectric single transducers
Implementation Method 2
the aim is to solve the so-called inverse problem, i.e., to obtain an image-like representation of the defects in the component, as well as all other reflective internal and external interfaces within the test volume
Implementation Method 3
enabling artifact-free, geometrically accurate tomographic representations by constructive or destructive superposition of amplitude values
Data Source
Figure 1(a)~3(b)
Figure 4(a)~5(b)
Figure 6(a)~7(e)
AI summary
In a method for scanning imaging ultrasonic testing of a test object (3), spatiotemporal wave fields W(r, t) for each ultrasonic transducer (1, 2, 4) used in a fluid environment medium are calculated or derived from measured or calculated spatiotemporal transmit wave fields S(r, t) of each ultrasonic transducer (1, 2, 4) used in a fluid environment medium and geometric and/or material-related properties of the test object (3) as well as taking into account the arrangement of the test object (3) relative to the ultrasonic transducers (1, 2, 4) in the test volume of interest and location-dependent maximum amplitudes W0 and associated transit times t0 are extracted from these and stored in the form of discrete wave field templates.After or during the execution of an ultrasonic scan of the test object (3), the detected signed ultrasonic amplitudes Ai(t) of the time signal detected at each measurement point i are mapped onto a discrete, stationary imaging grid for imaging purposes, based on the transit times and amplitudes stored in the wavefield templates. In each cell of the imaging grid, depending on the presence or absence of a local scatterer, a constructive or destructive superposition of contributions from the individual measurement points takes place.