Ultrasonic Phased Array Probe Temporal Sparse Firing Scan Speed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic testing methods, such as Full Matrix Capture, face limitations in scan speed due to the large volume of data generated, while alternative sparse firing techniques compromise image quality with increased artefacts and noise.
Innovation Solution
Temporal Sparse Firing (TSF) uses a subset of transducer elements to transmit ultrasonic waves at each position, changing the subset for adjacent positions, and combines raw image data to produce high-quality images, leveraging spatial redundancy to reduce data collection without significantly compromising image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If Full Matrix Capture is used to transmit ultrasonic waves using all transducer elements at each position, then image quality is improved, but scan speed deteriorates due to large data volume
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the full set of transducer elements into multiple subsets, where each subset transmits ultrasonic waves at different positions. This segmentation reduces the number of active transmitters per position while maintaining comprehensive coverage through multiple subsets, thereby reducing data volume and improving scan speed without significantly compromising image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by using only a subset of transducer elements for transmission at each position rather than all elements. This partial transmission approach reduces the total data generated while the combination of multiple subsets ensures sufficient coverage to maintain acceptable image quality for general inspections.
2Productivity
If sparse firing is used to reduce data volume and increase scan speed, then productivity is improved, but image quality deteriorates with increased artefacts and noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the transducer array into multiple subsets, where each subset transmits at different positions. This segmentation allows the system to collect diverse ultrasonic data from different transmitter configurations, which when combined, produce images with reduced artefacts and noise compared to conventional sparse firing using a single subset.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the ultrasonic data from multiple subsets that transmitted at different positions to generate the final image. This combining process integrates information from diverse transmission paths, thereby reducing imaging artefacts and noise while maintaining scan speed improvements from using subsets rather than full matrix capture.
3Measurement precision
If full matrix of elementary A-Scans is retained for comprehensive post-processing, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases due to huge data handling requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and retains only the essential ultrasonic data from multiple subsets required for general inspection and flaw detection, rather than storing the complete full matrix of elementary A-Scans. This extraction approach maintains sufficient measurement precision for most applications while significantly reducing data handling complexity and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by collecting and retaining a reduced set of ultrasonic data from the multiple subsets, which is sufficient for general inspection purposes. This partial data retention avoids the complexity of handling complete full matrix data while maintaining adequate measurement precision for detecting and characterizing flaws in most practical scenarios.
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
TSF achieves faster scan speeds with image quality comparable to Full Matrix Capture, reducing artefacts and noise, offering a balance between data volume and image quality.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting ultrasonic waves into the object and observing propagation of those ultrasonic waves
Implementation Method 2
observing propagation of those ultrasonic waves to characterize the object and/or detect internal flaws
Implementation Method 3
In reflection (or pulse-echo) mode, a transducer performs both sending and receiving of the ultrasonic waves, with the ultrasonic waves being reflected back to the transducer. The reflection occurs from an interface, such as a back wall of the object or from an imperfection within the object.
Implementation Method 4
In attenuation (or through-transmission) mode, a transmitter sends ultrasonic waves through one surface, and a separate receiver detects an amount of the ultrasonic waves that reaches it on another surface
Implementation Method 5
Imperfections or other conditions in the object between the transmitter and receiver reduce or otherwise affect the amplitude of the ultrasonic waves that are received, thus revealing their presence.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for ultrasonic testing using TSF (Temporal Sparse Firing). For each position of a plurality of positions of a phased array ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic wave is transmitted into an object using a defined subset of transducer elements and propagation of the ultrasonic wave in the object is observed using receiving elements of the transducer elements to produced raw image data for the position, such that the defined subset changes for adjacent positions of the ultrasonic phased array probe. The raw image data of each position is combined to produce an ultrasonic image of the object. Notably, the ultrasonic image can be produced faster than traditional FMC (Full Matrix Capture) approaches because only a subset of the transducer elements transmit at each position. Meanwhile, diversity provided by the defined subset changing for adjacent positions can mitigate reduction in image quality as in traditional sparse firing.