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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology (PAUT) utilizes computer-controlled multi-element probes to generate focused ultrasonic beams, allowing for precise detection of miss-oriented cracks. The technology enables modification of beam parameters such as angle and focal distance through software, enhancing inspection capabilities compared to conventional methods. Various scanning patterns, including electronic scanning, dynamic depth focusing, and sectorial scanning, facilitate comprehensive material evaluation.

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7 views

phased-array-ultrasonic-testing

Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology (PAUT) utilizes computer-controlled multi-element probes to generate focused ultrasonic beams, allowing for precise detection of miss-oriented cracks. The technology enables modification of beam parameters such as angle and focal distance through software, enhancing inspection capabilities compared to conventional methods. Various scanning patterns, including electronic scanning, dynamic depth focusing, and sectorial scanning, facilitate comprehensive material evaluation.

Uploaded by

NDT
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology

Theory(PAUT Inspection)
Principle (1/5)
ULTRASONIC WAVES
These are the mechanical vibrations induced in an elastic medium (the
test piece) by the piezocrystal probe excited by an electrical voltage.
Typical frequencies of ultrasonic waves are in the range of 0.1 MHz to 50
MHz. Most of the industrial applications require frequencies between
0.5 MHz to 15 MHz.

Most conventional ultrasonic inspections use monocrystal probes with


divergent beams. The ultrasonic field propagates along an acoustic axis
with a single refracted angle. The divergence of this beam is the only
"additional" angle, which might contribute to detection and sizing of
miss-oriented small cracks.

Assume the monoblock is cut in many identical elements, each with a


width much smaller than its length. Each small crystal may be
considered a line source of cylindrical waves. The wavefronts of the new
acoustic block will interfere, generating an overall wavefront.

The small wavefronts can be time-delayed and synchronized for phase


and amplitude, in such a way as to create an ultrasonic focused beam
with steering capability.

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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology
Theory(PAUT Inspection)
Principle (2/5)
T H E M A I N F E AT U R E O F P H A S E D A R R AY U LT R A S O N I C
TECHNOLOGY AND PHASED ARRAY ULTRASONIC TESTING is the
computer controlled excitation (amplitude and delay) of individual
elements in a multi-element probe. The excitation of piezo-composite
elements can generate an ultrasonic focused beam with the possibility
of modifying the beam parameters such as angle, focal distance and
focal spot size through software. The sweeping beam is focused and can
detect in specular mode the miss-oriented cracks. These cracks may be
located randomly away from the beam axis. A single crystal probe, with
limited movement and beam angle, has a high probability of missing
miss-oriented cracks, or cracks located away from the beam axis (see
Figure 1).

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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology
Theory(PAUT Inspection)
Principle (3/5)

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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology
Theory(PAUT Inspection)
Principle (4/5)
To generate a beam in phase and with a constructive interference, the
various active probe elements are pulsed at slightly different times. As
shown in Figure 2, the echo from the desired focal point hits the various
transducer elements with a computable time shift. The echo signals
received at each transducer element are time-shifted before being
summed together. The resulting sum is an A-scan that emphasizes the
response from the desired focal point and attenuates various other echoes
from other points in the material.

• During transmission, the acquisition instrument sends a trigger signal to the


phased array instrument. The latter converts the signal into a high voltage
pulse with a pre-programmed width and time delay defined in the focal laws.
Each element receives one pulse only. This creates a beam with a specific angle
and focused at a specific depth. The beam hits the defect and bounces back.
• The signals are received, then time-shifted according to the receiving focal law.
They are then reunited together to form a single ultrasonic pulse that is sent to
the acquisition instrument.
• The delay value on each element depends on the aperture of the phased array
probe active element, type of wave, refracted angle and focal depth. There are
three major computer-controlled beam scanning patterns (see also chapter 3
and 4):
• Electronic Scanning: the same focal law and delay is multiplexed across a group
of active elements (See Figure 4); scanning is performed at a constant angle
and along the phased array probe length (aperture). This is equivalent to a
conventional ultrasonic transducer performing a raster scan for corrosion
mapping or shear wave inspection. If an angled wedge is used, the focal laws
compensate for different time delays inside the wedge.
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Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology
Theory(PAUT Inspection)
Principle (5/5)
• Dynamic Depth Focusing or DDF (along the beam axis): scanning is performed
with different focal depths. In practice, a single transmitted focused pulse is
used, and refocusing is performed on reception for all programmed depths
(see Figure 5).
• Sectorial Scanning (also called azimuthal or angular scanning): the beam is
moved through a sweep range for a specific focal depth, using the same
elements; other sweep ranges with different focal depths may be added. The
angular sectors may have different values.

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