Ultrasonic Testing Device With Curved Waveguide For Composite Surfaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic testing systems face challenges in performing non-destructive testing on composite material workpieces with complex curved surfaces due to inadequate space for robotic testing, leading to high ultrasonic energy attenuation and difficulty in detecting defects like cracks and delamination.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic testing device featuring a waveguide tube, liquid storage chamber, jet head, and liquid spoiler, which uses a coupling liquid to transmit ultrasonic waves through a waveguide tube with a curvature not exceeding 90 degrees, reducing wave attenuation and enabling testing on complex surfaces by jetting the liquid and ultrasonic energy to the workpiece surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional ultrasonic testing systems are used on simple profile workpieces, then automated testing is relatively easy to implement, but testing on complex curved surface workpieces becomes difficult due to inadequate space for robot entry
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic transducer is segmented into multiple functional components: a waveguide tube for ultrasonic wave transmission, a liquid storage chamber for coupling liquid, and a jet head for liquid delivery. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while adapting to complex geometries.
Solution Approach 2:
A liquid coupling medium is introduced as an intermediary between the ultrasonic transducer and the workpiece surface. The liquid allows ultrasonic energy to be transmitted effectively while accommodating the geometric complexities that prevent direct contact testing.
2Reliability
If ultrasonic transmission testing method is used on composite materials, then testing capability is improved, but ultrasonic energy attenuation is large
Solution Approach 1:
A liquid jet system is used to deliver coupling liquid to the testing interface. The hydraulic delivery mechanism ensures consistent liquid flow and intimate contact between the transducer and workpiece, improving ultrasonic energy transmission and reducing attenuation in composite materials.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a waveguide tube with curvature not exceeding 90 degrees is used, then accessibility to complex surfaces is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The waveguide tube is designed with a controlled curvature (not exceeding 90 degrees) to navigate around complex workpiece geometries and reach difficult-to-access areas. This curved configuration maintains adaptability while limiting excessive complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The waveguide tube serves multiple functions: it transmits ultrasonic waves, provides structural support, and enables access to complex geometries. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, thereby limiting overall device 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
The solution allows for reliable and non-destructive testing of composite material workpieces with complex curved surfaces by reducing ultrasonic wave attenuation and facilitating the detection of defects, providing simple and portable testing methods with reusable waveguide tubes.
Implementation Method 1
the liquid storage chamber (12), the jet head (11) and the waveguide tube (15) are configured to be hollow in the direction of connection
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic transducer (3) arranged with a step (31)... a waveguide tube (15) fixedly connected with the jet nozzle (111)
Implementation Method 3
uses a coupling liquid to transmit ultrasonic waves through a waveguide tube with a curvature not exceeding 90 degrees, reducing wave attenuation
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic testing device that can make a robotic testing system reach the surface of a complex curved composite workpiece that is not easy to reach and perform a quality testing. By pumping a coupling liquid into the device so that the coupling liquid enters a waveguide and jets onto the surface of the workpiece, an ultrasonic wave can be transmitted in the waveguide and reach the surface of the workpiece and penetrate the workpiece, thereby achieving the purpose of quality testing of the workpiece. By providing two ultrasonic testing devices without a waveguide on both sides of a tested workpiece, respectively, and by mounting the waveguide on one side or both sides of the ultrasonic testing devices, it is possible to transmit the ultrasonic waves to the surface of the workpiece or to receive the ultrasonic waves from the surface of the workpiece.