Ultra-sonic weld inspection device

Claim 1

An improved transducer for an ultrasonic weld inspection system of the type wherein the system has means for electronically generating and detecting ultrasonic energy, means for positioning a transducer adjacent said weld, means for focusing said energy, and means for electrically coupling said generating and detecting means to said transducer, wherein the improvement comprises: a hollow cylindrical body sleeve having an open rear end slidably affixed to said transducer, a forward open end, and a sleeve vent hole in its side wall; a cylindrical compliant end cap, operatively disposed in said forward end, having an axially aligned collimating bore therein, said end cap absorbing and attenuating all transmitted and reflected ultrasonic energy beams not directed into said bore; a hollow cylindrical compliant liner, operatively disposed within said body sleeve intermediate said end cap and transducer means, having a liner vent hole in its side wall axially aligned with said sleeve vent hole, wherein said compliant liner absorbs and attenuates stray and unwanted ultrasonic energy beams; and a fluid coupler, operatively disposed intermediate said transducer and said end cap, for coupling ultrasonic energy generated by said generating means directly into said weld in a clean, narrow, collimated beam, said coupler providing means for returning an interface signal and a first reflection signal to said detecting means so that said interface and first reflection signals can be distinguished from any additionally returned signal that may be generated by a flaw in said weld, thereby permitting said system to reliably inspect the integrity of a lap weld seam.