Ultrasonic Probe Parallel Bars for Non-Destructive Inspection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing non-destructive inspection methods for structural components require high initial energy input, which can cause damage and are not energy efficient, especially in directing ultrasonic energy to specific defect regions.
Innovation Solution
The system employs an ultrasonic probe with a contact face featuring at least two parallel bars that allow for guided wave propagation in a predetermined direction, reducing energy dispersion and concentrating energy at specific regions within the structural component, using a control unit to adjust the distance between bars to match the wavelength of ultrasonic waves for efficient defect detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high initial energy input is applied to effect significant temperature increase at defects, then defect detection sensitivity is improved, but component damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The contact face is segmented into multiple parallel bars instead of a single continuous surface. This segmentation creates multiple independent ultrasonic wave sources that propagate in controlled directions, reducing energy dispersion and concentrating energy at defect locations without requiring high overall energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The ultrasonic energy is directed locally toward specific defect regions rather than being distributed uniformly across the entire component. The parallel bar configuration enables targeted energy concentration at sub-surface defects, improving detection sensitivity while minimizing damage risk to the inspected component.
2Area of stationary object
If ultrasonic energy is dispersed in all directions, then coverage area is improved, but energy efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The parallel bar configuration creates asymmetric wave propagation patterns that guide ultrasonic energy in predetermined directions rather than isotropic dispersion. This asymmetric arrangement improves energy efficiency by directing energy toward defect-prone areas while maintaining adequate inspection coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The problem is solved by transitioning from a single-point contact to a multi-bar contact face, adding spatial dimensionality to the ultrasonic source configuration. This dimensional change enables controlled wave propagation in specific directions, improving both coverage area and energy efficiency simultaneously.
3Device complexity
If fixed bar distance is used in the contact face, then device simplicity is improved, but adaptability to different wavelengths deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The bar distance is made adjustable rather than fixed, allowing the contact face structure to adapt to different inspection requirements. The movable bar configuration enables tuning of the ultrasonic wave propagation characteristics to match different wavelengths and defect types, enhancing versatility without excessive complexity.
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 minimizes the overall ultrasonic energy required for temperature increase at defects, reducing stress on the component and enhancing inspection efficiency while increasing the inspection depth and accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
introduces sound signals into the structural component. These sound signals propagate in an isotropic manner in all directions within the structural component. In case of a defect inside the component, the sound waves are damped through friction in the defect region. This friction results in a generation of heat at the location of the defect, i.e. a conversion of ultrasonic energy into thermal energy takes place
Implementation Method 2
The resulting thermal radiation can be detected with a sequence of thermal images generated with a thermal imaging camera from outside thus indicating the location of the sub-surface defect within the structural component
Data Source
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Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a system (1) for nondestructive inspection of structural components comprising an ultrasonic probe (3) having a contact face (15) for contacting a surface of a structural component (17) to be inspected and being adapted to emit ultrasonic energy into the structural component (17) when the contact face (15) abuts on a surface of the structural component (17), a thermal imaging camera (5) adapted to inspect a portion of a surface of the structural component (17) so as to detect region of the surface of the structural component (17) where an increase of the temperature occurs, and a control unit (7) that is connected to the ultrasonic probe and the thermal imaging camera (5), wherein the contact face (15) extends in a plane and is provided with at least two bars (29, 31, 53, 59), which are arranged in parallel and have a unitary distance (33).