Low profile ultrasound inspection scanner

摘要

An inspection scanner [1000] is described that has a low profile construction designed to fit into tight spaces and inspect structures [10] such as weld joints [13]. Wheel frame assemblies [1100, 1200] carry a probe holder assembly [1110] with an ultrasonic (US) array [1400] that emits US beams through the structure [10] and receives reflected sound waves. The probe holder assembly [1110] extends and US beam is angled away to inspect in tight locations. The wheel frame assemblies [1100, 1200] roll on wheels [1140, 1240] that drive an encoder [1250]. Encoder [1250] provides the specific locations for the received sound waves with respect to the weld. The locations and received sound waves are used to reconstruct a signal showing imperfections inside of structure [10]. The wheels [1140, 1240] may be magnetic to hold it to the structure [10] being inspected. A brake system [1600] may be employed to hold the inspection scanner [1000] at a given location.

主权项

1. An inspection scanner having a lower profile that prior art designs, for transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams for inspecting a volume of a structure comprising:
at least one wheel frame; a ultrasound (US) array adapted to scan said volume of said structure with ultrasonic beams angled away from said wheel frame and to receive ultrasound signals reflected back to the array, the array attached to, and carried by wheel frame; wheels attached to the wheel frame for carrying the wheel frame, the wheels allowed to rotate moving the frame in a forward direction or a reverse direction, along a surface of said structure; a brake to lock the wheels in place; an encoder adapted to monitor rotation of the wheels and location on said structure, and adapted to send an encoder signal corresponding to the received ultrasound signals such that each received ultrasound signal is identified with a location of said US array on said structure.