Continuously adaptive ultrasonic inspection device

摘要

A system and method for inspecting a joint fillet having a surface whose radius varies along the length of the joint fillet. In one embodiment, the inspection apparatus comprises: a chassis; a shoe assembly supported by the chassis and comprising an axle; a transducer array assembly translatably coupled to the shoe assembly; biasing means for urging the transducer array assembly to translate relative to the shoe assembly in a first direction; and a lever assembly pivotably coupled to the axle of the shoe assembly and in contact with the transducer array assembly over a range of angular positions of the lever assembly. The transducer array will translate in a second direction opposite to the first direction when the net force exerted by the lever assembly is greater than the biasing force exerted by the biasing means. The lever assembly is used to automatically adjust the array position to the varying fillet radius.

主权项

1. An inspection apparatus comprising:
a chassis; a shoe assembly comprising a frame attached to said chassis, first and second slide rods attached to said frame, and a first axle attached to said frame; an array support structure comprising first and second slide stages which are translatably coupled to said first and second slide rods respectively; a transducer array assembly which is attached to said array support structure; first biasing means for urging said array support structure to translate relative to said shoe assembly in a first direction; and a first lever assembly which is pivotably coupled to said first axle of said shoe assembly and which contacts said first slide stage over a range of angular positions of said first lever assembly.