Investigating a stepped ultrasonic phased array transducer for the evaluation and characterization of defects

M. Bohenick; E. Blickley; B. R. Tittmann; M. Kropf

doi:10.1117/12.715799

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11 April 2007 Investigating a stepped ultrasonic phased array transducer for the evaluation and characterization of defects

M. Bohenick, E. Blickley, B. R. Tittmann, M. Kropf

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Proceedings Volume 6532, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2007; 653215 (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715799
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2007, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Previous work has led to the design, simulation, and development of a linear phased array transducer. The intention of the array is to be used as a non-destructive ultrasonic device to monitor and evaluate the health of a given specimen. The phased array has been manufactured and tested for the detection and characterization of defects on a target. The array was fabricated with a four-row "stepped" design with four wires to transfer data and one wire for grounding. The "stepped" design allows for the interrogation of a larger region using time delays and beam sweeping without the use of additional electrical channels. The array was designed to be utilized in a water immersion environment with about one inch between the array and the target specimen. An OmniScan MX system was used to operate the phased array and perform real-time linear and sectorial scans on a set of rectangular plates. S-scans allow for beam sweeping over an angle range as well as adjustments for time delays and a true-depth display. The array was operated with sixteen active elements and an angle range of 0 to 30 degrees. The phased array was tested with a variety of targets and was used to investigate and characterize different types of defects such as cracking, warping, and corrosion. The ability of the phased array to distinguish between defect types as well as resolve defect size was evaluated.

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M. Bohenick, E. Blickley, B. R. Tittmann, and M. Kropf "Investigating a stepped ultrasonic phased array transducer for the evaluation and characterization of defects", Proc. SPIE 6532, Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems 2007, 653215 (11 April 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.715799

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