Pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus

Claim 2

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe including a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into an object to be tested whereby such signal enters the surface of the object at an angle deviating from 90* and said coupling means forms a signal path between said transducer and object; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said probe for being contacted by said coupling means and for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of the transmitted ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface between said liquid coupling means and the object surface; said signal reflecting surface being shaped to reflect such received signal through said coupling means and object surface back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of the signal pulse responsive echo signal reflected at said signal reflecting surface within a preset time interval subsequent the transmitting of said signal pulse, and feeding means for feeding said liquid coupling means into the space between said probe and object, said feeding means being coupled to said electrical circuit means for being activated in the absence of said echo signal.

Claim 3

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately fIlling the space between said object and said probe in combination with the orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmittal of said signal pulse; said probe having projections for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and said signal path through said coupling means between said electroacoustic transducer, object surface and signal reflecting surface being so dimensioned that said echo signal is expected to be sensed by said electroacoustic transducer later than a flaw responsive echo signal generated within the object region tested responsive to transmitting said signal pulse.

Claim 4

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately fIlling the space between said object and said probe in combination with the orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmittal of said signal pulse; said probe having projections for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and said signal path through said coupling means between said electroacoustic transducer, object surface and signal reflecting surface being so dimensioned that said echo signal is expected to be sensed by said electroacoustic transducer later than a flaw responsive echo signal generated within the object region tested responsive to transmitting said signal pulse.

Claim 5

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately filling the space between said object and said probe in combination with orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface surface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmitting of said signal pulse; said probe having projections for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and the acoustic signal path from said transducer through said coupling means to said interface surface, from said interface surface through said coupling means to said signal reflecting surface, and from said signal reflecting surface through said coupling means to said transducer forming a substantially triangular path.

Claim 6

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately filling the space between said object and said probe in combination with orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface surface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmitting of said signal pulse; said probe having projections for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and the acoustic signal path from said transducer through said coupling means to said interface surface, from said interface surface through said coupling means to said signal reflecting surface, and from said signal reflecting surface through said coupling means to said transducer forming a substantially triangular path.

Claim 7

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately filling the space between said Object and said probe in combination with the orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmitting of said signal pulse; said probe having projection for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and feeding means for feeding said liquid coupling means into said space, said feeding means being coupled to said electrical circuit means foe being activated in the absence of said echo signal.

Claim 8

In a pulse-echo ultrasonic test apparatus the combination of: a transducer probe adapted to be inserted into a tubular object, said probe comprising a housing mounting an electroacoustic transducer which is adapted to periodically transmit an ultrasonic signal pulse through a liquid coupling means into the tubular object to be tested, said coupling means if adequately filling the space between said Object and said probe in combination with the orientation of said electroacoustic transducer relative to said object causing said signal pulse to enter the surface of said object to be tested at an angle deviating from 90*; a signal reflecting surface disposed on said housing and exposed for contact with said coupling means for receiving an acoustic signal arising from a reflection of a portion of the ultrasonic signal pulse at the interface between said coupling means and said object surface, and said signal reflecting surface being adapted to reflect such received signal through said liquid coupling means back to said electroacoustic transducer to provide an echo signal; electrical pulsing means coupled for periodically energizing said electroacoustic transducer and causing said transducer to transmit said ultrasonic signal pulse; electrical circuit means including time gate means coupled to said electroacoustic transducer and being responsive to said electrical pulsing means for determining the absence of said echo signal within a predetermined time interval subsequent the transmitting of said signal pulse; said probe having projection for contacting said object in fixed spatial relation, and feeding means for feeding said liquid coupling means into said space, said feeding means being coupled to said electrical circuit means foe being activated in the absence of said echo signal.