Ultrasonic Inspection Device Frequency-Modulated Waveform Distortion

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional ultrasonic inspection methods using frequency-modulated waves often experience waveform distortion, which hinders accurate detection of defect positions in inspecting target objects, particularly in welded metal parts.

Innovation Solution

An ultrasonic inspection device and method that generates frequency-modulated ultrasonic waves with components deviated from the resonance frequency of the transmitter and receiver, combined with pulse compression and aperture synthesis, to accurately determine defect positions by preventing waveform distortion and attenuating effects.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If a frequency-modulated ultrasonic wave including a resonance frequency component is used, then the ultrasonic wave generation efficiency is improved, but waveform distortion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveultrasonic wave generation efficiencyVSAvoidwaveform accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the resonance frequency component from the frequency-modulated ultrasonic wave. By eliminating this specific frequency component that causes distortion, the waveform accuracy is improved while maintaining acceptable energy efficiency through the remaining frequency spectrum.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the frequency parameters of the ultrasonic wave by using frequency modulation that deliberately avoids the resonance frequency. This parameter adjustment prevents the harmful resonance effect while maintaining the benefits of frequency modulation for penetration and detection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If pulse compression is applied to specify defect position with high accuracy, then measurement precision is improved, but waveform distortion occurs due to resonance frequency components

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedefect position accuracyVSAvoidwaveform integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the resonance frequency component before pulse compression processing. This extraction prevents the resonance-induced waveform distortion from interfering with the pulse compression algorithm, thereby maintaining both measurement precision and waveform integrity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary filtering to remove the resonance frequency component before the pulse compression step. This preliminary action prevents the distortion from occurring in the first place, allowing subsequent processing to work with a clean waveform for accurate defect positioning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Use of energy by moving object

If the ultrasonic wave includes resonance frequency components, then energy transmission is improved, but waveform distortion and energy loss increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenergy transmissionVSAvoidultrasonic energy loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potentially harmful resonance frequency component into a beneficial filtering opportunity. By identifying and removing this component, the system eliminates waveform distortion and prevents energy loss, while the frequency-modulated structure maintains effective energy transmission through alternative frequency paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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

The solution effectively prevents waveform distortion and attenuates ultrasonic waves, enabling more accurate detection of defect positions with reduced energy loss, thereby improving the precision and efficiency of ultrasonic inspections.

Implementation Method 1

an ultrasonic transmitter 33 generates an ultrasonic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 2

an ultrasonic receiver 35 detects the lateral wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPiezoelectric effect: Converse Piezoelectric Effect

Implementation Method 3

the ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic transmitter 33 has been frequency-modulated, and has a waveform composed of components of respective frequencies that are deviated from a resonance frequency

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS10345268B2Ultrasonic inspection device and method

Publication Date: 2019.07.09 IHI INSPECTION & INSTR

AI summary

An ultrasonic transmitter 3 attached to an inspecting target object 1, an ultrasonic receiver 5 receiving a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave that has propagated from the ultrasonic transmitter 3 in the inspecting target object, a data processing device 7 acquiring position specifying data for specifying a position of a defect 1a in the inspecting target object 1 on the basis of received data representing a waveform of the reflected wave received by the ultrasonic receiver 5 are provided. The ultrasonic wave generated by the ultrasonic transmitter 3 has been frequency-modulated, and has a waveform composed of components of respective frequencies that are deviated from a resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transmitter 3 and the ultrasonic receiver 5. The data processing device 7 includes a pulse compressing unit 21 performing pulse compression on the received data, and acquires the position specifying data on the basis of the pulse-compressed received data.