DE202004008489U1 - Flexible ultrasonic area scanner for inspection of ships hulls and tanks has multiple sensors on flexible support held in place by spacers and magnet or nozzle pressure forces - Google Patents

Abstract

A flexible ultrasonic area scanner has multiple sensors on an elastic flexible or linked support with overlapping fields of view held in place by attached ball, roller or slide spacers and drawn in parallel tracks to cover a large area. Magnets can be fitted for use over magnetic surfaces. Includes INDEPENDENT CLAIMs for the use of magnets to provide attraction to magnetic surfaces or nozzles to create negative or positive pressure and for the use of optical inspection in conjunction with ultrasound inspection.

Description

The In particular, the invention relates to the flexibility of the ultrasonic surface scanner Purposes of measurement and testing of strength, density and other characteristics, especially the crack test for various Materials. The use of the ultrasound area scanner (UAS) can both on both sides Material (e.g. plates) as well as on hollow bodies.

Hollow bodies can be very different Be of a kind, e.g. Tanks, hulls, oil rigs, pipelines or container of any kind.

at hollow exists dependent on the type of use and load at different times Intervals the need to check the strength, strength and the Durability. Here, in particular, is the check for any existing ones To perform cracks.

This is particularly important where there is leakage which is in the respective containers, tanks or other hollow Substances present can cause significant damage or danger can. Furthermore, for security reasons especially for ships or large tanks exams the material thickness and / or freedom from cracks of considerable security interest.

such hollow body are exposed to both corrosion and mechanical loads, which affect the stability of the material. In particular Corrosion or mechanical damage can for compliance or permeability of the materials used.

As a result the nature of many hollow bodies an optical measurement of the material thickness is not possible because given only one-sided accessibility is.

was standing The technology is to use individual ultrasound probes to measure materials at individual points or flat surfaces with rigid surface scanners to eat. The exam larger irregular components such as. those of a large tank or a hull that have different radii (slight bulges to strong radii as in the nose of a ship) is not so possible.

Corresponding the respective examination guidelines of manufacturers and regulators such spot measurements are only made on certain, in part given measurement points.

A contains such point measurement no statement about the overall nature of the hollow body wall. With selective Only the material properties directly at the measuring point are measured checked. A material defect, which may be located directly next to it, will not occur detected. In individual cases two to three individual ultrasonic measuring heads by means of rails, rods or similar connected to a rigid unit. Here is a full-surface material test only with flat measuring surfaces possible. The surface to be measured can not only be flat, however also slightly arched but also rounded, raised and / or with recesses.

Claims (9)

Flexible ultrasound surface scanner (UAS) characterized in that by connecting several and to that extent any number of ultrasound sensors, by means of a flexible sensor carrier in the manner of a carrier mat, the individual sensors being offset on this carrier next to or behind one another in such a way that the individual measurement tracks of the sensors overlap in at least one direction of movement in such a way that a measurement track closed in width results. Furthermore, characterized in that the spacers (one or more spacers) attached to the sensor body, for example rolling bodies, balls, sliding bodies, etc., ensure a uniform distance from all sensors to the measurement object. Furthermore characterized in that the spacers hold and guide the respectively assigned sensor in the position required for the measurement. Furthermore, characterized in that the spacers can also be incorporated constructively into the carrier material. Furthermore, characterized in that the support mat is elastic or made of solid support materials connected to joints, whereby other flexible materials as elastomers can also be considered as a joint if only the condition of the possibility of adaptation to the respective substrate to be measured is given. Furthermore, characterized in that the sensor carrier can be guided over the measuring surface in several parallel paths in order to be able to carry out large-area tests. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that, due to the flexibility of the carrier mat, the measuring scanner also adapts to unevenness in the measuring surfaces, such as dents and other deformations of any kind. The elasticity of the support mat can be achieved through the use of elastomers and / or through the use of solid support materials connected with joints, whereby other flexible materials than elastomers (e.g. metal springs) can also be considered as a joint, if only the condition of adaptation is possible is given to the respective surface to be measured. Apparatus according to claim 2, the invention is further characterized in that a defined distance from the measurement surface is established can be. The even distance of the sensors to the measuring surface is both during the test drive flat as well as uneven measuring surfaces through the on the sensor carrier mat attached spacer guaranteed. This can be done by integrated spacers with moving parts, Rollers, balls etc. are also ensured by rigid ones Spacers such as spacers, knobs or other protruding ones Share that over the surface slide. Device according to claim 3, characterized in that the carrier mat even without the help of gravity is used to hold the support mat Magnets (permanent and electromagnets) on the surface to be measured in the ultrasonic area scanner can be worked into a magnetizable measuring surface secure hold of the carrier mat guarantee. Device according to claim 4, characterized in alternatively or in parallel, the hold is produced by that creates a negative pressure through one or more suction openings is or alternatively or in parallel by appropriately arranged nozzles, a nozzle or a variety of nozzles, a contact pressure. Device according to claim 5, characterized in alternatively or in parallel, the hold is produced by that through appropriately arranged nozzles, one nozzle or a plurality of nozzles Contact pressure is generated, the hold generated and / or reinforced. Apparatus according to claim 6, the invention is further characterized in that the use even under water or in other liquids or Gases can be made. The advantage of this invention is further in that in all-round external measurement or internal measurement of hollow bodies, Tanks, hulls and the like emptying is not required, or use by divers or the use of dry docks etc. can. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that the movement of the backing mat over the measuring surface is done manually using different tunneling methods or with the help of drives of all kinds, whether pulled or pushed or the like, can be made. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that parallel to the material examination using ultrasound Examination carried out using optical methods (cameras, etc.) can be.