SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DYNAMIC GATING IN NON-DESTRUCTIVE WELD INSPECTION

摘要

A phased array ultrasonic inspection system configured for weld inspection includes a data analysis process with automated and optimized gating to take into account the actual distance between a phased array probe and a weld line. The system embodies a weld tracking module and a dynamic gating module. The tracking module produces dynamically corrected overlays of the weld line based on the echo signals, the dynamically corrected overlays having a series of offsets from the corresponding initial overlays. The dynamic gating module purposefully positions a plurality of data analysis gates to filter out noise signals caused by sources unrelated to the weld, and to provide dynamic target gating adjusted by at least part of the offset.

主权项

1. A non-destructive testing and inspection (NDT/NDI) device operable to conduct an NDT/NDI test operation on a weld of a test object, the weld forming a weld line, and the device having an assumed initial overlay of the cross section of the weld and an assumed initial scan path along the weld line,
the NDT/NDI device comprising: at least one phased array probe operable to beam ultrasonic energy into and along the weld line, receive response echoes and provide corresponding sets of electronic echo signals, with each set of the electronic echo signals corresponding to a scan path location; a data acquisition unit receiving the electronic echo signals from the at least one probe and sending commands to the probe with predetermined focal law; a data processing and analyzing module configured to process and analyze the electronic echo signals and identify an anomaly in the weld and instruct a display module to display such, the analyzing module further comprising,
a tracking module configured to produce dynamically corrected overlays of the weld line based on the echo signals, the dynamically corrected overlays having a series of offsets from the initial overlay;a gating module configured to purposefully determine the relative positions of a plurality of data analysis gates to filter out noise caused by sources unrelated to the weld, and to provide dynamic target gating adjusted by at least part of the offset.