None destructive testing of large test-pieces, especially large sheet or aerospace components, using an ultrasonic transducer array with a mounting mechanism that ensures individual transducers are aligned with the test surface

摘要

Ultrasonic test head (5) for examination of a test- piece (1) has a support (33) for a number of adjacent ultrasonic transducers (25AD), that have their coupling surfaces (51A-D) coupled to the test-piece surface (3). The transducers are mounted in the support such that they can be inclined independently of each other. The mounting mechanism comprises a conical helical spring (47A-D) placed around each transducer. The mounting serves to ensure that the surface of each transducer is parallel with the surface of the test-piece.