WO1994001857A1 - Ultrasonic converter device - Google Patents
Ultrasonic converter device Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO1994001857A1 WO1994001857A1 PCT/PL1993/000011 PL9300011W WO9401857A1 WO 1994001857 A1 WO1994001857 A1 WO 1994001857A1 PL 9300011 W PL9300011 W PL 9300011W WO 9401857 A1 WO9401857 A1 WO 9401857A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- ultrasonic
- concentrators
- concentrator
- balls
- gauges
- Prior art date
Links
Classifications
-
- G—PHYSICS
- G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
- G10K—SOUND-PRODUCING DEVICES; METHODS OR DEVICES FOR PROTECTING AGAINST, OR FOR DAMPING, NOISE OR OTHER ACOUSTIC WAVES IN GENERAL; ACOUSTICS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G10K11/00—Methods or devices for transmitting, conducting or directing sound in general; Methods or devices for protecting against, or for damping, noise or other acoustic waves in general
- G10K11/02—Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators
Definitions
- the subject of the invention is the system of an ultrasonic converter.
- the present invention relates to designing and exploita ⁇ tion of measuring and diagnostic apparatuses utilising ultrasonics for non-destructive testing of metallic and non-metallic elements and parts of machines as well as other constructions, through utilisation of ultrasonic waves generated by the converter.
- the emitting surface of known ultrasonic gauge is always coated with a thin layer of special liquid or grease, which improves the coupling between the ultrasonic gauge and the tested object.
- the coupling is realised through a thin layer of water.
- Gauges equipped with these systems are described in papers of Firestone [1], Erdman [2] and in US Patent No 2.593.865.
- waveguide-concentrators fixed to the ultrasonic gauges. An effective introduction of the waves into the tested object needs an adequate area of gauge's surface to fit tghtly to that element.
- gauges and converter systems as well as the tested element must have a very clean, flat and smooth surfaces which are pressed together with a constant force. In many cases fulfilling these requirements is very difficult or impossible.This applies to cases where the routine tests are conducted on machines and construc ⁇ tions and if these requirements are ignored the utilization of the ultrasonic non-destructive testing methods for diagnostic purposes is impeded.
- the ultrasonic converter presented here comprising known ultra ⁇ sonic gauge equipped with the concentrator is characterised by an elastic vacuum cap surrounding the concentrator, and the concentrator having a coupling foot attached to its emitting end. That foot com ⁇ prises a quantity of small metal balls and is surrounded with a magnetic ring.
- the ultrasonic converter system comprising at least two known ultrasonic gauges equiped with concentrators involves the gauges creating a seperate exciting systems which are oriented at different angles to the surface ofthe tested object. Emitting ends of all concentrators are placed together in the common coupling foot filled with small metal balls and set in an elastic vacuum cap. It will be preferable if the vacuum cap is placed on one of ultrasonic gauges and through the wall of the cap are introduced concentrators of other gauges.
- the converter device has two ultrasonic gauges with concentrators with one of them being oriented perpendicularly and the other - horizontally, to the surface of the tested object.
- the vacuum cap is connected to a vacuum pump through a three-way valve and throgh a high floating capability pipe.
- the balls filling the coupling foot should be made of very hard and ferromagnetic material and their diameters should be so matched as to cover closely a rugged surface of the tested object.
- the coupling foot should be made of non-magnetic material.
- the balls are lubricated with a lubricant having the positive meniscus towards the surfaces of the balls.
- the design of the converter system described here shold remove limitations affecting coupling methods utilised in non-destructive testing of materials as it allows to couple the foot with dirty and rugged surfaces and provides a constant force pressing them together for efficient introduction of an ultrasonic wave into the object, tested.
- the described design creates a device which possesses a
- Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a longitudinal section of the converter device with one ultrasonic gauge ;
- Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling foot
- Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing presenting the resulting wave according to Huygens's principle
- Figure 4 is the schematic drawing showing the longitudinal section through the elastic vacuum cap having two perpendicularly-oriented ultrasonic exciting systems
- Figure 5 shows the schematic drawing of the whole converter device connected to the electronic and vacuum systems.
- the converter device comprises the ultrasonic gauge i made according to a known design, comprising the vibrating crystal placed in its envelope.
- the gauge's housing is attached the bell shaped vacuum cap 2 having a protruding lower edge. Inside the cap 2 is placed gauge I to whose emitting surface is fixed the
- the coupling foot 5 having on its end the coupling foot 5 which has a bell form and is made of non-magnetic material.
- the coupling foot 5 is filled with metal balls 6 which are made of very hard ferromagnetic metal, which also posses very small elastic hysteresis.
- the balls 6 diameter is chosen to make the coupling foot fit the 100 ragged surface of the tested object 7, as it is shown bythe drawing in Figure 2. It is preferable if balls 6 are covered by a liquid or grease having the positive meniscus towards the surfaces of the balls.
- the coupling foot 5 is surrounded by the magnetic ring 4, which keeps the balls 6 together.
- the magnetic ring 4 can be replaced by an 105 electromagnet.
- the vacuum cap 2 is connected through three-way valve ⁇ installed in the pneumatic connection 9 with the vacuum pump K).
- the ultrasonic gauge of the converter device is connected
- the ultrasonic gauge 1 is excited to vibration by a signal from the electronic unit JL2 and transmitting an ultrasonic wave to non-reflecting concentrator 3 which, in turn,
- ultrasonic converter device Another version of the described design of ultrasonic converter device is the system comprising several vibration exciting aggregates oriented at different angles to the tested object's surface. Each of these aggregates has the seperate ultrasonic gauge i, with the concentrator 3, connected to it, while all the concentrators 3 are
- a particular example of such structure is a system comprising two exciting aggregates shown in the Figure 4.
- the ultrasonic gauge 1-1 and concentrator 3-1 of the first exciting aggregate are oriented perpendicularly to the test object's surface, and the elastic vacuum cap 2 is attached 145 to it.
- the second concentrator 3-1I of the second exciting aggregate which is horizontally oriented to the tested object's surface and at the same time the ultrasonic gauge l-II of this aggregate is placed outside the cap 2.
- the magnetic ring 4 is situated around the first 150 concentrator 3-1 near its emitting end.
- the vacuum cap 2 is connected to the vacuum pump 10. through the three-way valve 8 and the connection pipe 9, while the ultrasonic gauges 1-1 and l-II are connected with the electronic unit 12.
- the described here ultrasonic converter device can be utilised
Abstract
The subject of the invention relates to designing and exploitation of measuring and diagnostic apparatuses utilising ultrasonics. The ultrasonic converter device comprises an ultrasonic gauge (1) connected to a concentrator (3). A vacuum cap (2) encloses the concentrator (3), to whose emitting end is attached a coupling foot (5) comprising metal balls (6), surrounded with a magnetic ring (4). This device is used for non-destructive testing of metallic and non-metallic machine elements, particularly in aircraft, rail- and truck-transport, power stations, precision industry etc.
Description
ULTRASONIC CONVERTER DEVICE
The subject of the invention is the system of an ultrasonic converter. The present invention relates to designing and exploita¬ tion of measuring and diagnostic apparatuses utilising ultrasonics for non-destructive testing of metallic and non-metallic elements and parts of machines as well as other constructions, through utilisation of ultrasonic waves generated by the converter.
Various ultrasonic converters designs known hitherto, are applied in the apparatuses for non-destructive testing of the internal structure of many materials utilised to produce parts and elements of various machines and constructions. The subject of these testings is generating and introducing ultrasonic pulses to tested objects and receiving them after they are reflected from internal structural defects. On this basis conclusions are formulated about existence of degraded zones and other irregularities within the material.Known ultrasonic gauge used for generation and introduction of ultrasonic waves into the tested object has a coating with a cable plug for supplying electric pulses which excite a vibrating crystal. Above the latter an absorbing and dumping layer is situated. The emitting surface of known ultrasonic gauge is always coated with a thin layer of special liquid or grease, which improves the coupling between the ultrasonic gauge and the tested object. In an other version, the coupling is realised through a thin layer of water. Gauges equipped with these systems are described in papers of Firestone [1], Erdman [2] and in US Patent No 2.593.865. To introduce high energy ultrasonic waves into a tested object, in known ultrasonic devices are utilized waveguide-concentrators fixed to the ultrasonic gauges. An effective introduction of the waves into the tested object needs an adequate area of gauge's surface to fit tghtly to that element. For this reasonknown gauges and converter systems as well as the tested element must have a very clean, flat and smooth surfaces which are pressed together with a constant force. In many cases fulfilling these requirements is very difficult or impossible.This applies to cases where the routine tests are conducted on machines and construc¬ tions and if these requirements are ignored the utilization of the
ultrasonic non-destructive testing methods for diagnostic purposes is impeded.
The ultrasonic converter presented here comprising known ultra¬ sonic gauge equipped with the concentrator is characterised by an elastic vacuum cap surrounding the concentrator, and the concentrator having a coupling foot attached to its emitting end. That foot com¬ prises a quantity of small metal balls and is surrounded with a magnetic ring.
In another version of the invention the ultrasonic converter system comprising at least two known ultrasonic gauges equiped with concentrators involves the gauges creating a seperate exciting systems which are oriented at different angles to the surface ofthe tested object. Emitting ends of all concentrators are placed together in the common coupling foot filled with small metal balls and set in an elastic vacuum cap. It will be preferable if the vacuum cap is placed on one of ultrasonic gauges and through the wall of the cap are introduced concentrators of other gauges. It will be also preferable, if at least, around one of concentrators near the coupling foot, a magnetic ring is placed.In particular case the converter device has two ultrasonic gauges with concentrators with one of them being oriented perpendicularly and the other - horizontally, to the surface of the tested object.
It is preferable, in both versions of the devices, if the vacuum cap is connected to a vacuum pump through a three-way valve and throgh a high floating capability pipe. The balls filling the coupling foot should be made of very hard and ferromagnetic material and their diameters should be so matched as to cover closely a rugged surface of the tested object. Unlike the above mentioned balls, the coupling foot should be made of non-magnetic material. To improve the efficiency of coupling between the above mentioned foot and the tested object's surface it is preferable if the balls are lubricated with a lubricant having the positive meniscus towards the surfaces of the balls.
The design of the converter system described here shold remove limitations affecting coupling methods utilised in non-destructive testing of materials as it allows to couple the foot with dirty and
rugged surfaces and provides a constant force pressing them together for efficient introduction of an ultrasonic wave into the object, tested. Thus the described design creates a device which possesses a
75 selfmatching coupling arrangement which is automatically fitted to the the surface of the object tested.
For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which :
80 Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a longitudinal section of the converter device with one ultrasonic gauge ;
Figure 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of the coupling foot Figure 3 shows a schematic drawing presenting the resulting wave according to Huygens's principle ;
85 Figure 4 is the schematic drawing showing the longitudinal section through the elastic vacuum cap having two perpendicularly-oriented ultrasonic exciting systems;
Figure 5 shows the schematic drawing of the whole converter device connected to the electronic and vacuum systems.
90 As shown in Figure 1 the converter device comprises the ultrasonic gauge i made according to a known design, comprising the vibrating crystal placed in its envelope. To the gauge's housing is attached the bell shaped vacuum cap 2 having a protruding lower edge. Inside the cap 2 is placed gauge I to whose emitting surface is fixed the
95 concentrator 3 having on its end the coupling foot 5 which has a bell form and is made of non-magnetic material. The coupling foot 5 is filled with metal balls 6 which are made of very hard ferromagnetic metal, which also posses very small elastic hysteresis. The balls 6 diameter is chosen to make the coupling foot fit the 100 ragged surface of the tested object 7, as it is shown bythe drawing in Figure 2. It is preferable if balls 6 are covered by a liquid or grease having the positive meniscus towards the surfaces of the balls.The coupling foot 5 is surrounded by the magnetic ring 4, which keeps the balls 6 together. The magnetic ring 4 can be replaced by an 105 electromagnet. To keep the converter device's surfacepressed tightly and with a constant force to tested object, the vacuum cap 2 is connected through three-way valve δ installed in the pneumatic
connection 9 with the vacuum pump K). To carry out test-measurement functions, the ultrasonic gauge of the converter device is connected
110 through an electric cable H to a transmitting-receiving and analyz¬ ing ectronic unit 12, as it is shown schematically in Figure 5.
In the above described system the ultrasonic gauge 1 is excited to vibration by a signal from the electronic unit JL2 and transmitting an ultrasonic wave to non-reflecting concentrator 3 which, in turn,
115 excites metallic balls 6. In this way they create ultrasonic point sources emitting an ultrasonic wave into the tested object According to the Huygens principle, the superposition of vibration of uniformly deposited point sources give as a result a flat wave, as presented in Figure 3. Then, if the balls are situated in cavities of the tested
120 object's ragged surface, they create a numper of point ultrasonic sources generating a resulting wave whose shape corresponds to the shapeof the surface of the object tested. The received back- reflected ultrasonic pulses are examined by electronic unit 12.A good coupling of the foot 5, comprising the balls 6 with the tested
125 object's surface 7 is assured by a time-constant force acting through the vacuum cap 2, in which a low constant pressure is maintained by the vacuum pump 10. After finishing measurements, owing to the application of three-way valve 8, it is possible to quickly disconnect the device from the tested object's surface 7.
130 Another version of the described design of ultrasonic converter device is the system comprising several vibration exciting aggregates oriented at different angles to the tested object's surface. Each of these aggregates has the seperate ultrasonic gauge i, with the concentrator 3, connected to it, while all the concentrators 3 are
135 placed inside the common elastic vacuum cap 2, and the emitting ends of these concentrators 3 are introduced to the coupling foot 5 filled with metallic balls 6. The balls are keept together inside the coupling foot owing to the application of the magnetic ring 4 or the electromagnet placed on the coupling foot or around one of
140 concentrators 3, near the foot. A particular example of such structure is a system comprising two exciting aggregates shown in the Figure 4. In that system the ultrasonic gauge 1-1 and concentrator 3-1 of the first exciting aggregate are oriented perpendicularly to
the test object's surface, and the elastic vacuum cap 2 is attached 145 to it. Through a side wall of the cap 2 is introduced the second concentrator 3-1I of the second exciting aggregate which is horizontally oriented to the tested object's surface and at the same time the ultrasonic gauge l-II of this aggregate is placed outside the cap 2. The magnetic ring 4 is situated around the first 150 concentrator 3-1 near its emitting end. As in the system with one exciting aggregate the vacuum cap 2 is connected to the vacuum pump 10. through the three-way valve 8 and the connection pipe 9, while the ultrasonic gauges 1-1 and l-II are connected with the electronic unit 12.
155 The operation of the system with several exciting aggregates is similar to the operation of the one aggregate system, but in this case the tested object's inside is simultaneously penetrated by the waves of different modes, for instance, with the longitudinal waves and the shear waves having a various polarisation, which is neccesary
160 during the diagnostic procedure when various defects and inhomogenities in the tested objects are sought. Such design assures remarkable improvement in the diagnostic ability of the ultrasonic converter device.
The described here ultrasonic converter device can be utilised
165 in laboratory as well as in other conditions for non-destructive testings, and is particularly useful for the routine tests in aircraft, rail-and truck-transport, in power stations, in precision industry etc.
Claims
1. An ultrasonic converter device comprising an ultrasonic gauge connected to a concentrator characterized by ultrasonic gauge (1) with said elastic vacuum cap (2) surrounding the concentrator (3), to whose emitting end is connected said coupling foot (5) filled with said metal balls (6) and surrounded by said magnetic ring (4).
2. An ultrasonic converter device comprising at least two ultraso¬ nic gauges with concentrators characterized by said separate exciting aggregates comprising ultrasonic gauges (1) with concentrators (3) , oriented at different angles to the surface of the object tested (7), and the emitting ends of all concentrators (3 ) are introduced inside said common coupling foot (5) placed inside said vacuum cap (2), and filled with said metal balls (6).
3. A device according to claim 2 characterised by said elastic vacuum cap (2) which is placed on one of ultrasonic gauges(l), and through the wall of said cap (2) are introduced concentrators (3) of said other exciting aggregates.
4. A device according to claim 2 characterized by a concentrator (3) having near said coupling foot (5) said magnetic ring (4).
5. A device according to claim 2 characterised by said two ultra¬ sonic gauges (l-I.l-II) with said two concentrators (3-1.3-11) with one of themoriented perpendicularly and the second horizontally to the surface of the object tested (7).
6. A device according to claims 1 or 2 characterized by said elastic vacuum cap(2) connected to a vacuum pump (JO) through said three-way valve (8), and through said pipe (9) having a high floating capability.
7. A device according to claims 1 or 2 characterized by said balls (6) made of very hard ferromagnetic material,having diameters matched to fit roughness of the object's surface (7), and said coupling foot (5) having a bell form and made of non-magnetic material.
8. A device according to claims 1 or 2 characterized by said coupling foot (5) having inside said metal balls (6) lubricated by a said lubricant having a positive meniscus toward the balls' (6) surfaces.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PL29516992A PL168190B1 (en) | 1992-07-03 | 1992-07-03 | Integrated ultrasonic transducer system |
| PLP.295169 | 1992-07-03 | ||
| PLP.297793 | 1993-02-18 | ||
| PL29779393A PL170337B3 (en) | 1993-02-18 | 1993-02-18 | Combination system of a multi-head vibration transducer |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| WO1994001857A1 true WO1994001857A1 (en) | 1994-01-20 |
Family
ID=26653085
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/PL1993/000011 WO1994001857A1 (en) | 1992-07-03 | 1993-07-02 | Ultrasonic converter device |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| WO (1) | WO1994001857A1 (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR100482459B1 (en) * | 1998-05-16 | 2005-11-21 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Polymer dispersed liquid crystal composite and polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device |
Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1648361A1 (en) * | 1966-07-07 | 1972-01-13 | Branson Instr | Double transducer probe for ultrasound examinations |
| US4223428A (en) * | 1971-11-24 | 1980-09-23 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Method and apparatus for securing a ferroelectric stack to a weighted projection surface |
| US4297037A (en) * | 1980-05-08 | 1981-10-27 | Chicago Bridge & Iron Company | Vacuum attached vibrator apparatus |
| US4559827A (en) * | 1984-04-11 | 1985-12-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Ultrasonic shear wave couplant |
| WO1987000417A1 (en) * | 1985-07-26 | 1987-01-29 | Johann Bauer | Ultrasonic conductor cushion, and process for measuring pressure-sensitive surfaces |
-
1993
- 1993-07-02 WO PCT/PL1993/000011 patent/WO1994001857A1/en active Application Filing
Patent Citations (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DE1648361A1 (en) * | 1966-07-07 | 1972-01-13 | Branson Instr | Double transducer probe for ultrasound examinations |
| US4223428A (en) * | 1971-11-24 | 1980-09-23 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Navy | Method and apparatus for securing a ferroelectric stack to a weighted projection surface |
| US4297037A (en) * | 1980-05-08 | 1981-10-27 | Chicago Bridge & Iron Company | Vacuum attached vibrator apparatus |
| US4559827A (en) * | 1984-04-11 | 1985-12-24 | The United States Of America As Represented By The United States Department Of Energy | Ultrasonic shear wave couplant |
| WO1987000417A1 (en) * | 1985-07-26 | 1987-01-29 | Johann Bauer | Ultrasonic conductor cushion, and process for measuring pressure-sensitive surfaces |
Non-Patent Citations (2)
| Title |
|---|
| Week 7915, Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; AN 79-D2749B * |
| Week 8126, Derwent Publications Ltd., London, GB; AN 81-G0214D * |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| KR100482459B1 (en) * | 1998-05-16 | 2005-11-21 | 비오이 하이디스 테크놀로지 주식회사 | Polymer dispersed liquid crystal composite and polymer dispersed liquid crystal display device |
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