Measuring and testing – Vibration – By mechanical waves
Patent
1994-04-15
1996-02-27
Williams, Hezron E.
Measuring and testing
Vibration
By mechanical waves
G01N 2928
Patent
active
054939127
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The invention relates to an ultrasonic probe suitable for acoustic coupling through a water lead section and having of a main part having an enclosure in which an ultrasonic crystal is housed, the ultrasonic crystal being connected to a protective layer the limits of which lie flush with a lower surface of the enclosure.
As far as ultrasonic probes of the aforementioned type are concerned, general reference is made to the German book "Werkstoffprufung mit Ultraschall" (Ultrasonic Testing of Materials) by J. and H. Krautkramer, 4th edition, Springerverlag.
Ultrasonic probes are probes ready for service for ultrasonic testing of workpieces. For the performance of testing the probes are connected to a suitable ultrasonic instrument. According to prior art, different probes are employed according to the acoustic coupling of the probe to the workpiece, for example for acoustic coupling by the immersion method, the semi-immersion method, by water jet or other means of acoustic coupling, for example sliding contact, contact through a pasty mass, etc. The fact that state of the art ultrasonic probes are not suitable for all methods of acoustic coupling is however a disadvantage for practical application of an ultrasonic probe. In consequence, different probes must be employed according to the method of acoustic coupling. The user, however, wishes to be able to apply all methods of acoustic coupling with a single ultrasonic probe. It is particularly advantageous for practical application if an ultrasonic probe can be converted from a probe for acoustic coupling through a water gap to a probe for acoustic coupling through a water jet without the ultrasonic probe having to be changed.
This is where the invention comes in. Its object is to provide an ultrasonic probe which can be employed universally for different types of acoustic coupling to a workpiece.
Taking as a basis the ultrasonic probe described initially, the object is achieved by means of an ultrasonic probe with the characteristics of claim 1.
This ultrasonic probe can be employed without flowing water being fed through its water channel, for example for testing by the immersion method or by acoustic coupling through a pasty mass. It can however also be employed for acoustic coupling with water gap, in which case flowing water is fed through its water channel. If the nozzle part is fitted to the positive-locking coupling facility, the ultrasonic probe immediately becomes suitable for acoustic coupling through a water jet. The entire range of possible acoustic coupling methods can therefore be covered by a single ultrasonic probe. In practice, this results in savings in time and expenditure. Moreover, the reliability of the measuring results is increased for the less experienced user, as there is no need for the user to make adjustment for differences in sonic response between different probes with corresponding adaptation of the ultrasonic instrument.
Since the protective layer, with which the ultrasonic crystal is sealed off underneath, lies flush with the lower surface of the enclosure of the main part, the ultrasonic probe according to the invention can be applied with sliding contact along a workpiece. The ultrasonic probe is likewise suitable for acoustic coupling through an externally applied water film or through a paste. The water channel is always employed when water is to be introduced into the region of acoustic coupling through the ultrasonic probe according to the invention. Without the nozzle part, water can for example be fed in through the probe for water gap acoustic coupling or in order to maintain the workpiece semi-immersed in the case of acoustic coupling by means of the semi-immersion method. With the nozzle part fitted, practical use of the water jet acoustic coupling method is possible. The blind hold prevents turbulences and air bubbles, even in unfavorable working situations. The blind hole serves as a baffle hold. The cross-section of the transverse channel is dimensioned such that with the specified water flow through the water
REFERENCES:
patent: 4587849 (1986-05-01), Gross
patent: 4726231 (1988-02-01), Tretout et al.
patent: 5001932 (1991-03-01), Light et al.
patent: 5123281 (1992-06-01), Cox et al.
Gunther Werner
Sauer Ulrich
Finley Rose M.
Krautkramer GmbH & Co.
Williams Hezron E.
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