Transducer probe for ultrasonic pulse-echo test apparatus

Claim 1

AN ultrasonic transducer probe for supporting ultrasonic transducer means comprising: an elongate body of generally circular cross-sectional area; a pair of fixed longitudinal riblike projections extending radially from said body and running along the length of said body; a pair of axially spaced radially disposed recesses on said body; a pair of arms, one such arm disposed in each of said recesses; pin means pivotally fastening one end of each arm to said body within a respective of said recesses; spring means disposed between each arm and said body for urging the other and distal end of each arm outwardly away from said body; means coating between each arm and recess for limiting the outward motion of a respective arm; said arms and projections being located on said body to cause, when said body is disposed in the bore of a round tubing, contact between said respective projections and the respective distal ends of said arms and the tubing wall at radial locations substantially 120* apart; means disposed on one end of said body for coupling said body to a mechanical drive means which is adapted to impart axial and rotational motion to said body; a first piezoelectric transducer means disposed at the opposite end of said body for propagating an ultrasonic beam in axial direction of said body; a second piezoelectric transducer means disposed in said body between said fixed projections and oriented for propagating an ultrasonic energy beam in substantially radial direction toward the wall of said tubing for exploring a portion of the wall, and electrical conductor means disposed in said body and establishing electrical circuit connection from said respective transducer means to connector means disposed at said one end of said body.