Three-dimensional matrix phased array spot weld inspection system

摘要

A system for characterizing a spot weld including an acoustic probe that further includes a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array, wherein the transducer elements are operative to generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions; a phased array excitation unit coupled to the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements; and a controller coupled to the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld.

主权项

1. A system for characterizing a spot weld, comprising:
(a) an acoustic probe, wherein the acoustic probe further includes:
(i) a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in a curved array at one end of the acoustic probe, wherein the transducer elements are operative to both generate ultrasonic signals and to receive reflections thereof; and(ii) a combination of materials for allowing the probe to conform to a contoured surface of the spot weld while enabling sound energy to be transferred directly into the spot weld under test conditions, (b) a phased array excitation unit in electrical communication with the array of transducer elements for ultrasonically exciting transducer elements, and (c) a controller in electrical communication with the phased array excitation unit for controlling the operation of the phased array unit, gathering and processing information from the ultrasonic transducers, and generating a two-dimensional, color coded image that characterizes the integrity of the spot weld.