Ultrasonic Inspection Probe With Interchangeable Interface Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic testing systems face challenges in accurately calibrating tools to conform to different shapes of parts being tested, making it difficult and time-consuming to perform non-destructive testing.
Innovation Solution
The development of an ultrasonic inspection system that uses a common probe body with multiple interchangeable interface plates, allowing for the inspection of differently-shaped parts without swapping out the entire ultrasonic inspection tool.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic testing tools are calibrated to conform to different shapes of parts being tested, then measurement precision is improved, but loss of time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is divided into a common probe body and interchangeable interface plates. Each interface plate is designed with specific geometric configurations to match different part shapes (e.g., different radii for curved surfaces). This segmentation allows the system to maintain a single standardized probe body while providing shape-specific calibration through interchangeable plates, eliminating time-consuming recalibration of the entire probe for each part geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The interface plates incorporate different geometric parameters (radii, curvature profiles) to match various part shapes. By changing the interface plate, the effective calibration parameters of the probe are changed without modifying the core probe body. This allows rapid adaptation to different part geometries while maintaining consistent measurement precision through properly matched interface configurations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the entire ultrasonic inspection tool is swapped to inspect differently-shaped parts, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe is segmented into a permanent common probe body and removable interface plates. This allows the system to handle multiple part shapes without requiring complete tool swaps. The interface plates act as adaptive intermediaries between the standardized probe body and various part geometries, providing versatility while maintaining system simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The common probe body is designed with universal mounting features and standardized ultrasonic transducer interfaces that work with all interface plates. This universal design allows a single probe body to serve multiple functions across different part geometries, reducing the need for multiple specialized probes and simplifying the overall inspection system.
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 enables efficient and cost-effective non-destructive testing of multiple, differently-shaped parts by allowing quick and easy exchange of interface plates, reducing calibration time and increasing testing accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic array fixed relative to the common probe body and including a plurality of ultrasound elements arranged in a circular arc pattern, each ultrasound element being operable to generate an ultrasonic beam
Implementation Method 2
directing ultrasonic beams generated from the ultrasonic array toward the part while riding the part inspection surface of the interface plate along the surface of the part
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic inspection probe for inspecting parts. The ultrasonic inspection probe comprises a probe body that comprises an ultrasonic array and a plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic array comprises a plurality of ultrasound elements, each selectively operable to generate an ultrasonic beam and each fixed relative to the plate attachment surface. The ultrasonic inspection probe also comprises an interface plate, comprising a body attachment surface, removably attachable to the plate attachment surface of the probe body, and a part inspection surface, shaped to complement a shape of one of the parts.