US4435984A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic multiple-beam technique for detecting cracks in bimetallic or coarse-grained materials
Assignee: Southwest Research Institute
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Filing: 1981-05-28
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Granted: 1984-03-13
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Expires: 2001-05-28
Abstract
Abstract A reliable ultrasonic method for testing inner diameter cladded pipe adjacent to welds comprising use of multiple beams, bands and pulses in addition to pulseshaping and beamforming, spectral and directional averaging, as well as spatial filtering and pattern recognition. An automated inspection mode aims short shear-wave pulses from different source locations and different beam orientations to detect signals characteristic of defects. A manual confirmation mode aims both longitudinal waves and shear waves at the suspected defect and analyzes the detected returned pulses by an associated pulse pattern recognition method.
Inventors
- 👤 George J. Gruber
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 20:05
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/07; G01N29/11; G01N29/22; G01N29/24; G01N29/2487; G01N29/30; G01N29/36; G01N29/40; G01N29/44; G01N29/4445; G01N29/449; G01N29/46; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/028; G01N2291/02854; G01N2291/04; G01N2291/042; G01N2291/0421; G01N2291/0422; G01N2291/0428; G01N2291/044; G01N2291/056; G01N2291/10; G01N2291/102; G01N2291/105; G01N2291/106; G01N2291/26; G01N2291/263; G01N2291/2634; G01N2291/267; G01N2291/2675
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
288 words
An ultrasonic test method of detecting and confirming defects in a test specimen comprising: (a) detecting suspect defects by: (1) transmitting at least two detection beams of a same wave mode from a first set of multiple detection probe positions so that said two detection beams overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen; (2) receiving echoes of said two detection beams from said region of interest at a second set of multiple detection probe positions; (3) directionally averaging said echoes by means of a summing device to at least partially cancel at least some interference echoes and to reinforce at least some defect reflected echoes if a defect is present in said region of interest; (4) recording by means of a recording device substantial directionally averaged echoes as called echoes, said called echo indicating one or more suspect defects in said region of interest; (b) confirming suspect defects by: (1) transmitting at least two confirmation beams of different wave modes from at least one first confirmation probe position so at least two of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; (2) receiving echoes of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes from said region of interest at at least one second confirmation probe position; (3) moving said first confirmation probe position to move at least some of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes with respect to said region of interest to produce echoes having an associated reflected-pulse pattern if a defect is present in said region of interest; (4) recording by means of a recording device an associated reflected pulse pattern as confirming a suspect defect in said region of interest.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
288 words
An ultrasonic test method of detecting and confirming defects in a test specimen comprising: (a) detecting suspect defects by: (1) transmitting at least two detection beams of a same wave mode from a first set of multiple detection probe positions so that said two detection beams overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen; (2) receiving echoes of said two detection beams from said region of interest at a second set of multiple detection probe positions; (3) directionally averaging said echoes by means of a summing device to at least partially cancel at least some interference echoes and to reinforce at least some defect reflected echoes if a defect is present in said region of interest; (4) recording by means of a recording device substantial directionally averaged echoes as called echoes, said called echo indicating one or more suspect defects in said region of interest; (b) confirming suspect defects by: (1) transmitting at least two confirmation beams of different wave modes from at least one first confirmation probe position so at least two of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; (2) receiving echoes of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes from said region of interest at at least one second confirmation probe position; (3) moving said first confirmation probe position to move at least some of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes with respect to said region of interest to produce echoes having an associated reflected-pulse pattern if a defect is present in said region of interest; (4) recording by means of a recording device an associated reflected pulse pattern as confirming a suspect defect in said region of interest.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
131 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 1 additionally comprising calibrating a multiple-beam-angle device for use in said detecting and confirming operations, said multiple-beam-angle device comprised of at least one transmitting probe and at least one receiving probe, both said transmitting probe and said receiving probe being electrically connected to at least one ultrasonic test unit, said ultrasonic test unit comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a resolution unit, comprising: first adjusting an amplitude recording level control means to achieve a signal-to-interference ratio that is large enough to allow signals to be distinguished from background interference; second adjusting said multiple-beam-angle device by adjusting detection probe positions to phase lock at least some detection beam signals; and third adjusting said multiple-beam-angle device to show time-of-arrival relationship of at least some confirmation beam signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
99 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 2 including a roof angle between a detection probe position A of said first set of multiple probe positions and a detection probe position B of said first set of multiple probe positions and additionally comprising: measuring the thickness of said test specimen; and using said test specimen thickness measurement to design said roof angle to cause said detection beams transmitted from said detection probe position A and said detection probe position B to significantly overlap in said region of interest and to yield a useful amplitude ratio between the resulting detection-beam signals.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
95 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 2 wherein an angle between said first confirmation probe position and an examination surface of said test specimen is an α 1 angle and additionally comprising selecting said α 1 angle sufficient to cause ultrasonic beams to refract sufficiently to create at least two confirmation beams of different wave modes, to cause at least two of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes to significantly overlap in said region of interest and to yield a useful pulse amplitude ratio between said confirmation beams of said different wave modes.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 4 wherein said first confirmation probe position and said second confirmation probe position are the same confirmation probe position.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 5 wherein said same confirmation probe position and a detection probe position are a same detection-confirmation probe position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 5 additionally comprising selecting an α 1 angle sufficient to cause refraction of said ultrasonic beams into a substantial shear-wave component and a substantial longitudinal-wave component, and to yield a shear-wave to longitudinal-wave component peak signal amplitude ratio in the range of 1:1 to 4:1.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 7 additionally comprising selecting an α 1 angle to yield a shear-wave component to longitudinal-wave component peak signal amplitude ratio in the range of 2:1 to 3:1.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
49 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 7 additionally comprising adjusting a time scale upon said ultrasonic test unit so a distance between said longitudinal-wave and said shear-wave component signals is presented in the range of 20 percent to 80 percent of a time window of said ultrasonic test unit.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 7 additionally comprising transmitting by means of at least one damped unfocused probe detection beams and confirmation beams having pulse durations in the range of 0.5 to 5.0 cycles per pulse and having center frequencies in the range of 1.0 to 10 MHz.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
35 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 10 wherein said pulse durations are in the range of 0.5 to 1.5 cycles per pulse and said center frequencies are in the range of 1.5 to 3.0 MHz.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 5 additionally comprising designing said confirmation beams and said α 1 angle such that said longitudinal-wave component is received prior to said shear-wave component and said shear-wave component is larger than said longitudinal wave component.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
52 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 5 additionally comprising moving said first confirmation probe position to move at least some of said confirmation beams with respect to said region of interest to determine echo durability, recording which of said echoes are durable, and only using said durable echoes in recording associated echoes.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
216 words
An ultrasonic test method of detecting suspect defects in a region of interest in a test specimen comprising: transmitting a first detection beam from a first transducer fixed at detection probe position A upon a shoe and a second detection beam from a second transducer fixed at a detection probe position B upon said shoe, said first transducer and said second transducer being approximately the same distance from said region of interest and, said detection probe position A and said detection probe position B having a roof angle sufficient to permit said detection beams to overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; receiving signals S a comprised of reflections from said first detection beam and signal S ab comprised of reflections from said second detection beam at said first transducer; receiving signals S b comprised of reflections from said second detection beam and signals S ba comprised of reflections from said first detection beam at said second transducer; cancelling some interference echoes and reinforcing some signals to produce an identifiable signal having a useful signal-to-interference ratio by summing said S a , S b , S ab and S ba signals in a summing device and by varying the spatial relationship of said transducers to said region of interest by moving said shoe.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
216 words
An ultrasonic test method of detecting suspect defects in a region of interest in a test specimen comprising: transmitting a first detection beam from a first transducer fixed at detection probe position A upon a shoe and a second detection beam from a second transducer fixed at a detection probe position B upon said shoe, said first transducer and said second transducer being approximately the same distance from said region of interest and, said detection probe position A and said detection probe position B having a roof angle sufficient to permit said detection beams to overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; receiving signals S a comprised of reflections from said first detection beam and signal S ab comprised of reflections from said second detection beam at said first transducer; receiving signals S b comprised of reflections from said second detection beam and signals S ba comprised of reflections from said first detection beam at said second transducer; cancelling some interference echoes and reinforcing some signals to produce an identifiable signal having a useful signal-to-interference ratio by summing said S a , S b , S ab and S ba signals in a summing device and by varying the spatial relationship of said transducers to said region of interest by moving said shoe.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 3 or 14 additionally comprising directionally averaging said echoes by means of a summing device that sums waveforms received at detection probe position A and detection probe position B to at least partially cancel at some interference echoes and to reinforce at least some defect reflected echoes due to the spatial separation between detection probe position A and detection probe position B.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
39 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 additionally comprising designing said roof angle to yield a detection probe position A detection-beam signal to detection probe position B detection-beam peak signal amplitude ratio in the range of 1:4 to 4:1.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 16 additionally comprising designing said roof angle to yield a detection probe position A detection-beam signal to detection probe position B detection-beam peak signal amplitude ratio in the range of 1:2 to 2:1.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
53 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 additionally comprising adjusting said first set of multiple detection probe position to examination surface angles to cause at least two of said detection beams to be transmitted within said test specimen with a substantial shear-wave beam component for test specimens of less than 20 mm thickness.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
47 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 additionally comprising adjusting said first set of multiple detection probe position to examination surface angles to create shear-wave beams as at least two of said detection beams in test specimens equal to or greater than 20 mm thickness or more.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 additionally comprising transmitting said detection beams of more than one center frequency from said first set of multiple detection probes to increase reliability of the method through increased redundancy.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
54 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 20 additionally comprising filtering a waveform received from said more than one center frequency detection beams into frequency bands by means of a waveform frequency filtering unit and adding said filtered waveforms by means of a resolution unit to improve sensitivity of said ultrasonic test method to defects.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
27 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 wherein said substantial directionally averaged echoes are any echoes whose amplitude exceeds twice the mean amplitude of the interference echoes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
33 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 wherein said first set of multiple detection probe positions and said second set of multiple detection probe positions are the same set of multiple probe positions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
34 words
The ultrasonic test method of claim 15 wherein said first set of multiple detection probe positions and said second set of multiple detection probe positions are a same set of multiple detection probe positions.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
145 words
An ultrasonic test method of confirming suspect defects in a test specimen comprising: transmitting at least two confirmation beams of different wave modes from at least one first confirmation probe position so at least two of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; receiving echoes of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes from said region of interest at at least one second confirmation probe position; moving said first confirmation probe position to move at least some of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes with respect to said region of interest to produce echoes having an associated reflected-pulse pattern if a defect is present in said region of interest; recording by means of a recording device an associated reflected pulse pattern as confirming a suspect defect in said region of interest.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
145 words
An ultrasonic test method of confirming suspect defects in a test specimen comprising: transmitting at least two confirmation beams of different wave modes from at least one first confirmation probe position so at least two of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes overlap in said region of interest in said test specimen; receiving echoes of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes from said region of interest at at least one second confirmation probe position; moving said first confirmation probe position to move at least some of said confirmation beams of said different wave modes with respect to said region of interest to produce echoes having an associated reflected-pulse pattern if a defect is present in said region of interest; recording by means of a recording device an associated reflected pulse pattern as confirming a suspect defect in said region of interest.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
223 words
A multiple-beam-angle device for detecting and confirming a defect within a test specimen comprising: at least one wedge capable of being placed upon said test specimen to conduct acoustical waves, said wedge having at least two platforms for locating probes a platform A and a platform B, a roof angle between platform A and platform B, and an α 1 angle between platform A and an examination surface of said test specimen; at least two probes with at least one of said probes located upon each of said platforms; at least one ultrasonic test unit connected electrically to said two probes, said ultrasonic test unit comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a resolution unit; said roof angle being sufficient to cause detection beams of the same wave mode transmitted from said two probe positions to significantly overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen and to yield a useful amplitude ratio between resulting detection beam signals; said α 1 angle being sufficient to cause an ultrasonic beam from said probe located upon platform A to refract sufficiently to create at least two substantial confirmation beams of different wave modes, to cause said two substantial confirmation beams of said different wave modes to significantly overlap in said region of interest and to yield a useful amplitude ratio between resulting confirmation beams signals.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
223 words
A multiple-beam-angle device for detecting and confirming a defect within a test specimen comprising: at least one wedge capable of being placed upon said test specimen to conduct acoustical waves, said wedge having at least two platforms for locating probes a platform A and a platform B, a roof angle between platform A and platform B, and an α 1 angle between platform A and an examination surface of said test specimen; at least two probes with at least one of said probes located upon each of said platforms; at least one ultrasonic test unit connected electrically to said two probes, said ultrasonic test unit comprising a transmitter, a receiver, and a resolution unit; said roof angle being sufficient to cause detection beams of the same wave mode transmitted from said two probe positions to significantly overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen and to yield a useful amplitude ratio between resulting detection beam signals; said α 1 angle being sufficient to cause an ultrasonic beam from said probe located upon platform A to refract sufficiently to create at least two substantial confirmation beams of different wave modes, to cause said two substantial confirmation beams of said different wave modes to significantly overlap in said region of interest and to yield a useful amplitude ratio between resulting confirmation beams signals.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
50 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 26 wherein said probes are unfocused probes and said wedge is damped, said device is capable of transmitting pulse durations within the range of 0.5 to 5.0 cycles per pulse and is capable of transmitting center frequencies in the range of 1.0 to 10 MHz.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
41 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 27 wherein said α 1 angle is in the range of 0° to 29° for causing said ultrasonic beam from said probe located on platform A to refract into a substantial longitudinal-wave and a substantial shear-wave.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
19 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 28 wherein said α 1 angle is in the range of 22° to 27°.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 28 wherein said roof angle is in the range of 6° to 12° for causing said detection beams to significantly overlap in said region of interest.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
44 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 28 wherein said probes are adjustably fixed upon said platforms to permit said probes to be interchangeably adjusted upon said platforms and fixed upon said platforms for phase locking of at least some of said resulting detection beam signals.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The multiple-beam-angle device of claim 31 wherein said device is capable of transmitting more than one center frequency band, capable of filtering received waveforms into different filtered waveforms, and capable of summing said different filtered waveforms for spectral averaging of said filtered waveforms.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of calibrating a multiple-beam angle device to phase lock detection signals of the same wave mode and to display confirmation signals of different wave mode comprised of: transmitting two detections beams into a test specimen, a first detection beam from a first transducer fixed at detection probe position A and a second detection beam from a second transducer fixed at a detection probe position B, said detection probe position A and said detection probe position B being located upon a shoe and having a roof angle between them sufficient to permit said detection beams to significantly overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen; receiving detection signals comprised of reflections from said first detection beam and signals comprised of reflections from said second detection beam at said first transducer; receiving detection signals comprised of reflections from said second detection beam and signals comprised of reflections from said first detection beam at said second transducer; phase locking said detection signals by adjusting the position of said transducers upon their platforms relative to each other to maximize the degree of overlap between said detection signals as displayed upon said resolution unit; identifying said phase locked combination of said detection signals; adjusting an amplitude recording level control means to produce a useful phase locked detection signal-to-interference ratio; transmitting confirmation beams of different wave mode from one of said transducers into said test specimen; receiving at least two confirmation signals of different wave mode comprised of reflections from said confirmation beams at said confirmation beam transducer; identifying said confirmation signals of different wave mode and adjusting a resolution unit's time scale to simultaneously display both said confirmation signals of different wave mode.
Claim 38
Independent Claim
282 words
A method of calibrating a multiple-beam angle device to phase lock detection signals of the same wave mode and to display confirmation signals of different wave mode comprised of: transmitting two detections beams into a test specimen, a first detection beam from a first transducer fixed at detection probe position A and a second detection beam from a second transducer fixed at a detection probe position B, said detection probe position A and said detection probe position B being located upon a shoe and having a roof angle between them sufficient to permit said detection beams to significantly overlap in a region of interest in said test specimen; receiving detection signals comprised of reflections from said first detection beam and signals comprised of reflections from said second detection beam at said first transducer; receiving detection signals comprised of reflections from said second detection beam and signals comprised of reflections from said first detection beam at said second transducer; phase locking said detection signals by adjusting the position of said transducers upon their platforms relative to each other to maximize the degree of overlap between said detection signals as displayed upon said resolution unit; identifying said phase locked combination of said detection signals; adjusting an amplitude recording level control means to produce a useful phase locked detection signal-to-interference ratio; transmitting confirmation beams of different wave mode from one of said transducers into said test specimen; receiving at least two confirmation signals of different wave mode comprised of reflections from said confirmation beams at said confirmation beam transducer; identifying said confirmation signals of different wave mode and adjusting a resolution unit's time scale to simultaneously display both said confirmation signals of different wave mode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-03-13 | 1987-09-12 | 1988-03-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-03-13 | 1991-09-12 | 1992-03-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-03-13 | 1995-09-12 | 1996-03-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |