초록 ▼

A non-destructive inspection method, apparatus and system are provided for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature. The apparatus, such as an inspection probe, includes a plurality of transducer elements positioned in an arcuate configuration h

A non-destructive inspection method, apparatus and system are provided for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature. The apparatus, such as an inspection probe, includes a plurality of transducer elements positioned in an arcuate configuration having a predefined radius of curvature and a curved delay line. The curved delay line has an outer arcuate surface having a predefined radius of curvature that matches the predefined radius of curvature of the transducer elements. The curved delay line also has an inner arcuate surface that has at least one predefined radius of curvature that matches the at least one predefined radius of curvature of the curved surface of the workpiece. In addition to the inspection probe, the system includes an excitative source for triggering the transducer elements to emit signals into the workpiece and a computing device to receive the return signals.

대표청구항 ▼

That which is claimed: 1. An apparatus for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature, the apparatus comprising:a housing;a plurality of transducer elements carried by the housing and positioned in an arcuate configuration having a predefined radi

That which is claimed: 1. An apparatus for inspecting a workpiece having a curved surface with at least one predefined radius of curvature, the apparatus comprising:a housing;a plurality of transducer elements carried by the housing and positioned in an arcuate configuration having a predefined radius of curvature;an excitative source configured to concurrently trigger a respective plurality of the transducer elements such that the respective transducer elements emit signals into the workpiece, wherein the excitative source is configured to sequentially trigger different pluralities of the transducer elements, and wherein at least some of the transducers are included in at least two of the different pluralities of the transducer elements; anda curved delay line carried by the housing, the curved delay line having an outer arcuate surface having a predefined radius of curvature that matches the predefined radius of curvature of the plurality of transducer elements, the curved delay line also having an inner arcuate surface exposed to the workpiece via a corresponding opening defined by the housing, the inner arcuate surface of the curved delay line having at least one predefined radius of curvature that matches the at least one predefined radius of curvature of the curved surface of the workpiece,wherein an arc defined by the outer arcuate surface across which the transducer elements are positioned is longer than an arc defined by the inner arcuate surface.