Data processing: generic control systems or specific application – Specific application – apparatus or process
Reexamination Certificate
1996-04-15
2001-10-09
Cosimano, Edward R. (Department: 2161)
Data processing: generic control systems or specific application
Specific application, apparatus or process
C345S111000, C702S039000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06301512
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to systems and apparatus for displaying and analyzing data obtained from an ultrasonic scan of an object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
As new materials, such as composite materials, are used in more applications throughout the aircraft and other industries, the use of nondestructive test equipment, such as ultrasonic test equipment, to inspect fabricated parts prior to use has become widespread. Ultrasonic test equipment allows an operator to nondestructively inspect the interior of parts, such as a wing or control surface panel, for flaws and other areas of discontinuity such as delaminations, foreign objects introduced during fabrication, etc.
Ultrasonic test equipment works by generating a high frequency sound wave at an ultrasonic transducer located near the surface of the part being tested. The ultrasonic transducer is oriented such that the high frequency sound wave travels through the part, usually in the height or thickness direction. When the sound wave contacts a discontinuity, such as a flaw, delamnination, or a change in the stiffness of the material, part of the sound energy is reflected. The reflected sound energy travels back through the part and is received by the same ultrasonic transducer, which acts as both a transmitter and receiver in what is commonly referred to as a “pulse echo” ultrasonic test system. Alternatively, the high frequency sound wave generated by the ultrasonic transmitter passes through the entire thickness of the part and is received on the opposite side of the part by a separate receiver in what is commonly known as “through transmission” ultrasonic testing. Pulse echo ultrasonic testing is the most common technique in use because access to only one side of a part is required. While useful with through transmission ultrasonic testing apparatus, as will be better understood from the following description, the present invention was developed for use with pulse echo ultrasonic testing apparatus.
The waveform of the received RF signal from an ultrasonic test is recorded by the test equipment and/or displayed on a monitor or other display device. The data contained in the RF signal can be displayed in a number of different formats. The most commonly used display format is called a “pulse echo.” A pulse echo is basically a top down view of the portion of the part that has been ultrasonically tested. A pulse echo gives the operator a general idea of the size and shape of any discontinuities within the part in the height or thickness direction.
Alternatively, the ultrasonic data may be displayed in the form of an A-Scan, a B-Scan, or a time of flight display. A B-Scan displays the ultrasonic data in a way that graphically portrays the cross section through the thickness of the test part while an A-Scan is simply the RF signal plotted as a graph of time versus amplitude of the signal. A time of flight display is the ultrasonic data displayed in a way that shows a top down view of the area scanned graphically portraying the distance into the part to the point where a discontinuity is located.
Prior art ultrasonic test equipment generally displays a real time continuous A-Scan as the ultrasonic transducer moves along the part and also records the data used to produce a pulse echo. During scanning or after testing, the pulse echo is typically output as a hard copy to be saved for later reference. Generally, the entire RF signal is not recorded by the test equipment, thus once a scan is complete, a test must be reperformed if any additional information is desired. Prior art systems do not allow an operator to simultaneously view the B-Scan, pulse echo, A-Scan or time of flight display to get a better understanding of the ultrasonic data. Nor do prior art ultrasonic test systems allow the operator to view a display of the ultrasonic data, select a portion of the data that is particularly relevant, and create other displays based upon the operator's selections.
Typically, in the past, a user will examine the B-Scan or pulse echo during testing in an attempt to locate flaws. If a flaw is located, the user will reprogram the test equipment to obtain additional test data in the area where a flaw is observed. It is not uncommon for a user to perform and observe a B-Scan display during testing and once a flaw is located, repeat the test while observing a pulse echo display and then repeat the test again observing an A-Scan or time of flight display to obtain a better understanding of the test results. Obviously, this approach is very time consuming and, thus, undesirably expensive.
One goal of the ultrasonic analysis and display system of the present invention is to allow a user to simultaneously view ultrasonic test data in a number of different display formats and to manipulate the displays in order to rapidly and quickly obtain a better understanding of the data while eliminating some of the problems present in the prior art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an operator with a sophisticated analysis tool for analyzing ultrasonic test data obtained from an ultrasonic test of a part. The invention allows the operator to display the ultrasonic test data simultaneously on a computer display in a number of different display formats, including pulse echo, time of flight display, A-Scan, and horizontal and vertical B-Scans.
The present invention is implemented in the form of a computer system that includes a display, input means responsive to an operator's input, a processor for altering the display, and memory means for storing data and one or more programs for controlling the operation of the processor and, thus, the display. As a part being tested is scanned, the entire ultrasonic RF waveform is digitized and recorded for each point at which ultrasonic test data is taken. As a result, all of the ultrasonic test data is available for subsequent analysis as opposed to prior art systems where only portions of the test data or a hard copy of a single display format is kept for later analysis.
The invention provides a user interface for displaying and analyzing the ultrasonic test data. The user interface simultaneously displays the ultrasonic test data in the form of an A-Scan in one portion of the display, and in the form of a pulse echo in another portion of the display. The invention allows an operator to select a portion of the ultrasonic test data displayed in either the A-Scan or the pulse echo for updating. When this occurs, the program causes the processor to automatically update the other portions of the display to correspond to the operator's selection.
In accordance with other aspects of the invention, the user interface also displays a first B-Scan along one axis of the test part in one portion of the display and a second B-Scan along a second axis of the test part in another portion of the display.
In accordance with still other aspects of this invention, the ultrasonic test data is displayed in the form of a time of flight display in yet another portion of the display.
In accordance with the invention, an operator may select a portion of the ultrasonic data displayed in any of the display formats and the processor will automatically update the other display formats. For example, in one form of the invention, the operator may select a data point in the pulse echo using horizontal and vertical cross hairs. A vertical B-Scan corresponding to the location of the vertical cross hair and a horizontal B-Scan corresponding to the location of the horizontal cross hair are then displayed. The operator may also select two data points in any of the displays and the distance between the two data points with respect to each other will be displayed.
In accordance with still further aspects of the invention, the pulse echo is displayed in the upper left comer of a computer display directly above the time of flight display. The A-Scan is displayed in the center of the display while a horizontal B-Scan is located in the upper right-hand corner directly above a vertical B-Scan.
Christensen O'Connor Johnson & Kindness PLLC
Cosimano Edward R.
The Boeing Company
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