초록 ▼

A method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection is provided. An automatic couplant delivery system that delivers and maintains a constant water supply to a single path chamber located at a transducer head. Any couplant run-off is removed and reclaimed by vacuum recovery. A transducer holder bl

A method and apparatus for non-destructive inspection is provided. An automatic couplant delivery system that delivers and maintains a constant water supply to a single path chamber located at a transducer head. Any couplant run-off is removed and reclaimed by vacuum recovery. A transducer holder block that supports two transducers is used, and mounts to a manifold and brush subassembly. A manifold and brush subassembly includes a manifold block, a couplant containment/removal block, and gimbal. The manifold and brush subassembly has three sets of brushes that define three chambers for water or vacuum. An innermost chamber sets the water path, the middle chamber may provide water or regulated vacuum, and the outer chamber provides full vacuum for water removal. Couplant flow rate and vacuum are selectable and can be adjusted by an operator during initial set up.

대표청구항 ▼

1. An acoustic inspection apparatus for detecting flaws in an upper surface of a workpiece, comprising:a transducer that emits sound waves and receives reflected waves from said workpiece, a first annular brush seal disposed around a head of said transducer and forming an inner transducer region; a

1. An acoustic inspection apparatus for detecting flaws in an upper surface of a workpiece, comprising:a transducer that emits sound waves and receives reflected waves from said workpiece, a first annular brush seal disposed around a head of said transducer and forming an inner transducer region; a second annular intermediate brush seal disposed around said first annular brush seal and forming an intermediate region between said first and second annular brush seals; a third annular outermost brush seal disposed around said second annular brush seal and forming an outermost recovery region between said second and third annular brush seals; said first, second and third brush seals being co-planar, a couplant supply source providing fluid couplant into said intermediate region; and a vacuum connected to said inner transducer region and said outermost recovery region to draw said couplant away from said workpiece and return said couplant to said couplant supply source.