Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
  • G01N29/26—Arrangements for orientation or scanning by relative movement of the head and the sensor
  • G01N29/262—Arrangements for orientation or scanning by relative movement of the head and the sensor by electronic orientation or focusing, e.g. with phased arrays
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/04—Analysing solids
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N29/00—Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves; Visualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object
  • G01N29/22—Details, e.g. general constructional or apparatus details
  • G01N29/24—Probes
  • G01N29/2437—Piezoelectric probes
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
  • G01N2291/023—Solids
  • G01N2291/0234—Metals, e.g. steel
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/02—Indexing codes associated with the analysed material
  • G01N2291/028—Material parameters
  • G01N2291/0289—Internal structure, e.g. defects, grain size, texture
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/10—Number of transducers
  • G01N2291/106—Number of transducers one or more transducer arrays
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
  • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
  • G01N2291/00—Indexing codes associated with group G01N29/00
  • G01N2291/26—Scanned objects
  • G01N2291/263—Surfaces
  • G01N2291/2634—Surfaces cylindrical from outside

Definitions

• the invention relates to the field of non-destructive testing of metallurgical products, in particular of profiles of considerable length, typically between a few meters and several tens of meters.
• Tubes of great length are widely used.
• tubes also known by the English equivalent of "boilers”, oil and gas
• line pipes tubes for drilling, extraction, and transport
• mechanical engineering whether in civil engineering, or in the automotive and aeronautics sectors.
• the tubes are likely to have defects related to their manufacture, such as inclusions of material in steel or absences of material for example. In general, any heterogeneity in the steel matrix is seen as a defect that is likely to impair the mechanical strength of the tube in use.
• the metal tubes are checked immediately after their manufacture, not only to detect any defects, but also, if necessary, to determine information useful for assessing the dangerousness of these defects, in particular the size , depth, position, nature or orientation.
• the control of the tube represents a manufacturing step, in the same way as the more conventional stages of shaping in particular.
• Ultrasonic waves are emitted and the resulting echoes are studied for those that can not be attributed to the geometry of the tube. Inclusions or absences of matter are variations within the propagation medium of the wave, and thus generate echoes when struck by ultrasonic waves.
• the intensity of the echo produced by a defect depends on the angle at which the wave hits it.
• the correspondingly oriented defects that is to say perpendicular to the direction of propagation, are detected mainly with a certain tolerance, of the order of one or two degrees.
• the defects are not purely longitudinal or transverse, but return a more or less important echo in one or the other of these directions.
• a longitudinal defect is called a defect which generates, in response to a corresponding orientation shot, an echo intensity greater than a defined threshold.
• This threshold is set by calibration using positional notches (depth and orientation) and standardized dimensions.
• the orientation of a defect can be likened to its larger reflection surface.
• the duration of the control depends mainly on the time required for the travel of the ultrasonic waves in the tube, back and forth, and, to a certain extent, that of the processing of the signals received in return. To reconcile the imperatives of production rates and safety, it has become customary to limit the number of ultrasound shots and to search for defects oriented at certain inclinations only.
• Recent developments in the art are directed to control methods further allowing the detection of defects of different orientations, while limiting the number of shots to maintain an acceptable control rate.
• No. 5,473,943 discloses an ultrasonic wave control device comprising nine ultrasonic sensors or translators distributed around the tube to be inspected. Such a device makes it possible to detect defects oriented in nine different directions from each other. The number of directions that can be controlled remains limited by the number of sensors. In addition, this device allows to inspect a small area of the tube, which involves advancing the tube very slowly relative to the sensors, or to multiply the number of sensors. A low feed rate is incompatible with the production requirements, while the increase in the number of sensors poses problems of cost and adjustment.
• phased array or “sequentially controlled” ultrasonic sensors in French, also called “multi-element linear translators”.
• These sensors comprise a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, in the form of piezoelectric elements, distributed on an active face of the sensor, in a main direction.
• these transducers may be aligned with each other and form what is sometimes called a “transducer array”. Sensors with a Such a distribution is called “one-dimensional”.
• the transducers are excited one after the other, sequentially, so as to combine the ultrasonic waves thus produced to form an optionally deflected deflected wave beam (focusing point in front of the sensor), which makes it possible to inspect a tube as to the existence of defects oriented in a corresponding direction.
• An ultrasonic wave control device comprising a "phased array" type sensor of dimension one, the elementary transducers of which are distributed around the tube to be controlled.
• a phased array type sensor of dimension one, the elementary transducers of which are distributed around the tube to be controlled.
• Such a device makes it possible to detect defects of almost all the inclinations, but only in a reduced section of the tube. Since only a zone of very small longitudinal extent can be inspected at one time, the operation imposes a low speed of advance of the tube. This results in too much inspection time for an industrial application to be considered.
• the device in question requires a different sensor per tube diameter to inspect.
• a non-destructive testing installation for metallurgical products is known from WO2003 / 50527, in which a "phased array" sensor of dimension one is used. Each transducer element is energized once and then a processing circuit analyzes the overall response of the tube to this single emission, which is called a "shot” in the art. From a firing made in the transverse direction of the tube, it is possible to determine the presence not only of defects arranged perpendicularly to this direction but also of defects having an inclination relative to this perpendicular direction of between plus and minus 10 °. .
• three sensors are used: two sensors dedicated to the detection of defects oriented longitudinally or having an inclination with respect to this longitudinal direction of between plus and minus 20 °, and an additional sensor for detecting defects oriented transversely to the tube and / or measure the thickness of this tube.
• the installation in question gives overall satisfaction.
• the Applicant has sought to improve the existing.
• the proposed metallurgical product control device is of the type comprising an ultrasonic sensor comprising a plurality of elementary transducers operable independently of each other and distributed in a pattern of dimension two, a first electronic capable of exciting each of the elementary transducers according to at least a temporal law corresponding to an ultrasound wave firing in a targeted direction, and an electronic second capable of processing at least a portion of the signals picked up by each of the elementary transducers.
• Each temporal law is arranged in such a way that the corresponding firing produces a beam of ultrasonic waves generally diverging around the intended direction away from the ultrasonic sensor.
• the proposed metallurgical product control method comprises the provision of an ultrasonic sensor comprising a plurality of elementary transducers operable independently of each other and distributed in a pattern of two dimensions, the excitation of each of the elementary transducers to produce a shot of ultrasonic waves corresponding to a generally divergent beam around a target direction away from the ultrasonic sensor, and the processing of at least a portion of signals picked up by each of the elementary transducers in response to ultrasound firing.
• the proposed device emits an ultrasonic wave beam that diverges around the intended direction.
• a zone of the larger tube is traversed by the ultrasonic waves resulting from this shot.
• This larger area of "insonification” makes it possible to detect faults that have a greater inclination with respect to the target direction than in conventional devices.
• the proposed device can detect defects of any inclination with a single sensor, excited in a limited number of times, while maintaining a good rate of control.
• transverse defects also called “circumferential" that is to say, defects extending perpendicularly.
• longitudinal defects which extend along this generatrix, and defects at any angle with the generatrix of the tube to be controlled.
• FIG. 1 shows schematically a non-destructive testing device for a tube, in front view
• FIG. 1 shows the device of Figure 1 in side view
• FIG. 3 represents an electroacoustic sensor for use in the device of FIG. 1, in front view;
• - Figure 4 shows the sensor of Figure 3 seen in section along a line IV-IV;
• FIG. 5 represents a block diagram of a control and processing electronics for the electro-acoustic sensor of FIG. 3;
• FIG. 6A shows a diagram illustrating a firing direction for an ultrasonic beam in space
• FIG. 6B represents a diagram illustrating an array of elementary transducers
• FIGS. 7A and 7B respectively represent a first and a second delay table for a multi-element matrix electroacoustic sensor
• FIG. 8 represents a perspective view of an array of elementary transducers, in working position with respect to a tube to be tested, and a bar chart showing delay values applied to these transducers for longitudinal firing according to a first variant of a first embodiment of the invention
• FIG. 9A represents in isolation the table and the diagram of FIG. 8, seen in perspective;
• Fig. 10A shows the bar chart of Fig. 9A in side view;
• Fig. 11A shows the bar chart of Fig. 9A in front view
• Figure 12 is similar to Figure 8 for a transverse shot
• FIG. 13A is similar to FIG. 8 for an oblique shot;
• FIG. 14 shows the table and the diagram of FIG. 13A in perspective, from a different angle of view;
• FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B and 13B are similar respectively to FIGS. 9A, 10A, 11A and 13A for a second variant of the first embodiment
• FIGS. 15 and 16 are similar to FIGS. 7A and 7B for different excitation conditions;
• FIGS. 17, 18A and 18B show so-called "insonification" diagrams for a reference device, a device according to the first embodiment of the invention, and a device according to the second embodiment of the invention respectively ;
• Appendix A.1 indicates, in tabular form, delay values corresponding to the first variant of the first embodiment of the invention
• - Appendix A.2 indicates, in tabular form, delay values corresponding to the second variant of the first embodiment of the invention
• - Appendix A.3 shows, in tabular form, laws for the transposition of delay values for different firing directions;
• Appendix A.4 shows, in tabular form, delay values corresponding to a second embodiment of the invention
• Appendix A.5 is an addressing matrix of the elementary transducers of an electroacoustic sensor.
• An ultrasonic wave control installation comprises a bench 1 supporting a metal tube 3 to be controlled and an ultrasonic sensor 5, applied against the peripheral surface of the tube 3, and connected to a control and processing electronics 6.
• the ultrasonic sensor 5 is sometimes referred to as "translator" in the art.
• the senor 5 and the tube 3 are in helical relative displacement.
• the tube 3 moves relative to the bench 1 in a helical movement about an axis corresponding to its longitudinal axis, while the sensor 5 is held in position relative to the bench 1.
• the bench 1 can be equipped with rollers rotary inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the tube 3.
• the tube 3 can be driven in a rotational movement only relative to the bench 1, while the sensor 5 slides in the longitudinal direction of the bench 1.
• the sensor 5 can be mounted on a movable carriage relative to the bench 1.
• the sensor 5 can rotate around the tube 3, while the latter is translated relative to the bench 1.
• the relative helical movement between the sensor 5 and the tube 3 to control the entire tube 3 by means of a sensor 5 of reduced span with respect to the circumference of the tube 3. It could instead be provided with a larger number of sensors arranged in a ring around the tube 3, and ensure a firing sequence which guarantee an overlap when the tube 3 slides with respect to the sensor 5.
• a coupling medium, or a coupling medium, for example in the form of a gel, can be inserted between the sensor 5 and the peripheral surface of the tube 3.
• the installation can comprise a box filled with water, or any other liquid coupling medium in which the tube 3 and the sensor 5 are immersed.
• FIGS 3 and 4 show a sensor 7, so-called “mosaic” type, which can be used as a sensor 5 in the installation of Figures 1 and 2.
• Mosaic sensors are sometimes referred to as "multi-element translators” in the art.
• the sensor 7 comprises a plurality of bars 9 of piezoelectric material, here regularly distributed in a pattern array ("array" in English). As shown, the sensor 7 corresponding to what is generally called a “multi-element matrix translator” in the art.
• the bars 9 are embedded in a matrix 11 of electrically inert polymer material.
• the bars 9 are electrically and acoustically independent of each other.
• Each bar 9 may be energized individually so as to generate ultrasonic pulses, without these pulses reaching the neighboring bars 9.
• Each bar 9 thus forms an elementary transducer, which can operate independently of the other bars 9.
• the sensor 7 has an emitting surface which is not made of a homogeneous and solid piezoelectric material, unlike conventional sensors. On the contrary, the emitting surface of the sensor 7 is made of a composite material comprising a polymer matrix and a plurality of elements made of piezoelectric material.
• the sensor 7 here comprises sixty-four bars 9, regularly distributed in a square pattern of eight bars 9 side.
• Each bar 9 here has a square section, whose side is less than 1 millimeter and greater than 0.1 millimeter.
• the spacing is of the order of one-tenth of a millimeter on the opposite sides of the adjacent bars 9.
• the square pattern is just one example of a two-dimensional pattern.
• a multi-element sensor is said to have a two-dimensional pattern when its elementary transducers are distributed in two directions distinct from each other on an active surface of the sensor, the one used for transmitting and receiving the sensor. ultrasonic waves. More generally, the invention can be implemented with any two-dimensional pattern.
• Each bar 9 is attached to an electric cable 13 of its own and which connects to a control and processing electronics.
• the electric cables 13 are grouped together in a sheath represented by the block referenced 15 in FIG.
• the sensor 7 comprises a housing 17 to which is attached the sheath 15 and which houses the bars 9.
• the housing 17 is closed by an adaptation layer 19 in contact with the active surface of each of the bars 9.
• the bars 9 are in contact with a metal plate 21 through a face opposite their face in contact with the matching layer 19 to achieve a ground.
• the space that remains free in the housing 17 is filled with a lining 23.
• Figure 5 shows an example of a working electronics 25 for an ultrasonic sensor, which may be of the type of sensor 7 described above.
• the working electronics 25 comprise an excitation circuit 27 connected individually to each of the elementary transducers 29 of the sensor in question.
• the elementary transducers 29 are distributed in a pattern corresponding to a square-shaped array of eight side transducers.
• an elementary transducer Ci, j is indicated by its position in the table (line i, column j).
• the excitation circuit 27 of FIG. 5 is in each case connected to a single elementary transducer Ci, j of each column only. In practice, the excitation circuit 27 is connected to each elementary transducer Ci, j individually.
• the working electronics 25 also comprises an acquisition circuit 31 capable of recording and processing the signals coming from waves picked up by the elementary transducers 29.
• Each elementary transducer Ci, j is connected individually to a respective analog-digital converter 33 which samples the output signal Si, j (t) of the transducer Ci, j in question, and feeds a memory 35 with the numerical representation Si, j, k thus obtained, over at least a predefined period of time.
• the contents of the memory 35 can be processed by means of a computing unit 37, for example a microcomputer.
• an analog / digital converter 33 of FIG. 5 is each time connected to a single piezoelectric element Ci, j of each line only.
• each analog / digital converter 33 is connected to all the elementary transducers Ci, j of its line, individually.
• the elementary transducers 29 are excited individually and sequentially.
• the term "firing" is the process of sending a series of pulses to each elementary transducer Ci, j.
• a shot corresponds to the implementation of a temporal excitation law which determines, for each elementary transducer Ci, j, a respective delay ti, j with respect to a time reference common to all the elementary transducers Ci, j .
• the elementary transducers jointly produce an ultrasonic wave beam.
• An excitation law is calculated so as to aim at a particular direction, which implies that the elementary transducers 29 together produce a beam of ultrasonic waves propagating along that particular direction, or firing direction.
• the firing direction is inclined relative to the normal to the main plane of the active surface of the sensor when the latter is flat, or to the central zone of this surface when it is flat. is curved.
• the ultrasonic wave beam can be seen as a deflected beam. This beam diverges around the target direction.
• the firing direction corresponds substantially to the normal to the main plane of the active surface of the sensor when it is flat, or the central area of this surface when it is curved.
• the ultrasonic wave beam is divergent. In particular, this beam is defocused.
• the propagation direction D of an ultrasonic wave beam also referred to herein as the primary direction, can be defined by means of the following quantities:
• ⁇ a first angle ⁇ , or "angle of deflection", that this direction of propagation makes with the normal N at the main plane of the sensor C (when the multielement sensor is not flat, the normal is then considered to be the central zone of this sensor);
• obliquity angle a second angle ⁇ , called "obliquity angle”, or “obliquity” in short, what does the propagation direction D with a reference direction R, the latter being related to the sensor C and to the geometry thereof , in a plane P perpendicular to the normal N to the sensor C.
• the sensor C is preferably positioned relative to a tube to be inspected in such a way that the main plane of the sensor C is directed in a direction tangential to the tube, or, in other words, that the normal N at the main plane of this sensor C at the geometric center S coincides with a radius of the tube in question.
• a firing in a direction of propagation D makes it possible to detect the defects correspondingly oriented in the tube, that is to say perpendicular to the direction corresponding to the obliquity of the direction of propagation D, or making a certain angle with this direction perpendicular.
• the ultrasonic wave beam used for the inspection diverges around its direction of propagation D.
• Figure 6B It shows a table 41 of elementary transducers, distributed in a square pattern. Without any limiting character on the invention, Table 41 here comprises 8 ⁇ 8 elementary transducers.
• the pattern has a first axis of symmetry x and a second axis of symmetry y, respectively corresponding to the mediators of the sides of the pattern.
• the ultrasonic sensor is positioned relative to the tube to be controlled so that the first axis of symmetry x or the second axis of symmetry y of the pattern corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the tube.
• the sensor is arranged so that the first axis of symmetry x corresponds to the transverse direction of the tube to be controlled.
• the first axis of symmetry x serves as a reference direction to the measurement of the obliquity angle ⁇ .
• the second axis of symmetry y of table 41 corresponds to the longitudinal direction of the tube.
• At least one shot is made in a particular obliquity direction, which corresponds to the orientation of the desired defects.
• provision is made for successively performing an ultrasonic firing in each of several firing directions which differ from each other by the value of their respective obliquity ⁇ (i 1, 2, ... n), measured with respect to the direction of the first axis of symmetry x of the sensor 41.
• the obliquities 9i are determined so as to regularly cover an angular sector of 2 ⁇ radians (360 °). It is thus possible to control the tube as to the existence of defects irrespective of the orientation of these defects in the tube.
• the shot rank is only indicative, what is important is that after the eight shots, we covered the entire angular sector of 2 ⁇ radians.
• the order in which shots are fired does not matter. This is due, in particular, to the fact that, according to the invention, it is possible to modify the direction of propagation of an ultrasonic beam without modifying the orientation of the ultrasonic sensor relative to the tube.
• each temporal excitation law comprises at least two sub-laws each defining the delay values to be applied to the transducers of a respective subset of table 41 so that the elementary transducers of the corresponding subassembly jointly produce a primary beam of ultrasonic waves in a respective propagation direction, the respective propagation directions of the primary beams diverging relative to each other and with respect to the firing direction Di of the beam resulting in moving away from the ultrasonic sensor.
• the primary beams are not focused, that is to say they have no focus, neither direct nor reverse (a reverse focusing is also sometimes called "defocusing").
• primary beams may have a distant focus in comparison to the distance separating the sensor from the tube to be controlled.
• each primary beam has a focus point more than one meter away from the sensor, while the sensor is at a distance from the tube of between 30 and 40 millimeters.
• the primary beams are each defocused, that is to say they have a reverse focus. The focal length is behind the ultrasonic sensor when considering the path of ultrasonic waves.
• the respective emission directions of the primary beams form a respective angle on either side of the direction of propagation.
• the sub-laws are arranged so that the corresponding primary beams meet a target surface of the tube to be controlled corresponding to the target direction, in respective zones of penetration of this surface which are adjacent to each other.
• This first variant of the first embodiment corresponds to the emission of a deflected and divergent ultrasonic wave beam, which beam results from the emission of multi-directional beams, in particular bi-directional.
• the sub-beams are devoid of focus or have a distant focus.
• Each primary beam is deflected and diverges with respect to the direction Di.
• the ultrasonic waves produced by the different elementary transducers propagate mainly in a parallel manner with each other.
• delay values are applied to a corresponding subset of elementary transducers following a linear law.
• each temporal excitation law defines delay values to be applied to at least part of the transducers of table 41 so that these elementary transducers jointly produce a primary beam of ultrasonic wave which extends in a direction of emission, or primary direction, corresponding to the direction of fire Di and diverges around this direction of fire away from the ultrasonic sensor.
• This second variant of the first embodiment corresponds to the emission of an ultrasonic wave beam diverging and deflected with respect to the normal N to the main plane of the sensor.
• a diverging beam has an angle of divergence.
• the value of this angle can be determined experimentally, possibly by means of simulations which make it possible to visualize the resulting beam. In practice, it seeks divergence angle values that cover the largest possible angular sector while maintaining a good quality of detection. This limits the number of shots required to inspect the tube as to the existence of any inclination defect. For example one can seek to cover an angular sector of 40 °. For example, a divergence angle value of 22.5 ° can be used.
• the elementary transducers of table 41 located on one side of the first axis of symmetry x form a first subset and go jointly generating an unfocused ultrasonic wave beam inclined at a - ⁇ angle with respect to the obliquity of the direction Dl.
• the elementary transducers located on the other side of the first axis of symmetry x form a second subset and will generate an unfocused ultrasonic wave beam inclined by an angle + ⁇ relative to this obliquity.
• the two primary beams are connected in the direction D1 in a resultant beam, that is to say they are superimposed or join in the direction D1 to ensure a transmission of energy in the direction D1, so that the resulting beam is energetically homogeneous between the directions (D1 - ⁇ ) and (D1 + ⁇ ) on the surface of the tube.
• Table 70 generically shows the delay values to be applied to each elementary transducer of table 41.
• the value Bi, j of the delay to be applied to the elementary transducer Ci, j of table 41 is in line i, column j of table 70.
• Table 71 is similar to Table 70.
• Table 71 generically shows the delay values to be applied to fire in the first direction D1.
• the delays applied to the transducers of one of the subassemblies are deduced from those to be applied to the transducers of the other subassemblies by a symmetry whose axis corresponds to the first direction of symmetry x of the table 41.
• the value B2, 3 of the delay to be applied to the elementary transducer C2, 3 is equal to the value B2, 6 to be applied to the elementary transducer C2, 6.
• the same temporal excitation sub-law is applied to each of the two subsets of elementary transducers of Table 41.
• the table in Appendix A.3 shows the transposition laws which make it possible, from the delay values obtained for a firing in the first direction D1, to deduce delay values for firing in the fifth direction D5 by virtue of the symmetry of the sensor.
• the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers Ci, j for a firing in the fifth direction D5 are deduced from the values calculated for firing on D 1 by the transformation indicated in Appendix A.3.
• the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers Ci, j for a firing in the third direction D3 are calculated in a manner analogous to that made for the first direction D1.
• the elementary transducers of table 41 located on one side of the second axis of symmetry y (top in FIG. 6B) form a first subset and will jointly generate an unfocused and inclined ultrasonic wave beam of an angle. ⁇ with respect to the obliquity of the direction D3.
• the elementary transducers located on the other side of the second axis of symmetry y (bottom in FIG. 6B) form a second subset and will generate an unfocused ultrasonic wave beam inclined at an angle + ⁇ relative to this obliquity.
• the two primary beams are connected in the D3 direction in a resulting beam, to ensure energy transmission in the direction D3, so that the resulting beam is energetically homogeneous between directions (D3 - ⁇ ) and (D3 + ⁇ ) on the surface of the tube.
• Appendix A.3 shows that one can deduce from the delay values for a firing in the direction D3, by symmetry, the delay values for the seventh direction D7 (along the first axis of symmetry x.
• the elementary transducers of table 41 located on one side of a diagonal of the pattern corresponding to the direction D2 (top in FIG. 6B) form a first subset and will jointly generate an unfocused and inclined ultrasonic wave beam. an angle - ⁇ with respect to the obliquity of the direction D2.
• the elementary transducers located on the other side of this diagonal (at the bottom in FIG. 6B) form a second subset and will generate an unfocused ultrasonic wave beam inclined at an angle + ⁇ with respect to this obliquity.
• the two primary beams are connected in the direction D2 so that the resulting beam is energetically homogeneous between the directions (D2 - ⁇ ) and (D2 + ⁇ ) on the surface of the tube. This results in a large focal spot on the surface of the tube, or isonif ⁇ cation zone, which allows the search for defects fairly widely inclined relative to the direction corresponding to the obliquity of the direction of fire.
• Annex A.3 shows that one can deduce from the delay values for a firing in the direction D2, by symmetry, the delay values for the fourth direction D4 (according to the second axis of symmetry y, as also shown in FIG. Annex A.1.4); then for the sixth direction D6, from the delay values corresponding to the direction D4, by symmetry along the first axis x.
• Delay values for a firing in the eighth direction D8 are deduced from the delay values corresponding to the direction D2, by symmetry along the first axis x, or from the delay values corresponding to the direction D6, by symmetry along the second axis y. .
• Appendix A.5 shows a plan for addressing elements distributed in a square pattern, which plane can be used for the elementary transducers of Table 41 for example.
• the number 1, or a minimum address value is assigned to an elementary transducer disposed at a corner of the square pattern.
• Element No. 1 is in column C1 of line L1 of the table in Annex A.5.
• the number 64, or a maximum address value is assigned to the elementary transducer which is diametrically opposed to the transducer # 1. This element is located at column C8 of line L8 in the table of FIG. Annex A.5.
• the elements are mutually ordered by increasing address values and arranged, in that order, in rows and then in columns of the same line.
• transducers whose address values follow each other are found in the same line of the pattern.
• the address values are successive whole numbers between 1 and 64.
• Figure 8 shows a portion 80 of a multi-element sensor in a working position with respect to a portion 82 of a tube to be controlled.
• Part 80 corresponds to an array of elementary transducers, which forms a square pattern, for example similar to Table 41 of Figure 6B.
• the longitudinal direction of the tube is referenced Y.
• the direction normal to the main plane of the portion 80 corresponds to a radial direction of the tube, denoted Z.
• the direction normal to the plane defined by the directions Y and Z is denoted X.
• the portion 80 is disposed with respect to the tube portion 82 so that the axes of symmetry of the pattern y and x corresponding to the mediators of the sides of the pattern are aligned respectively along the directions Y and X.
• the elementary transducers of the part 80 are organized according to the addressing plan described above in relation to Appendix A.5.
• the portion 80 is disposed relative to the tube portion 82 so that the X direction of the tube corresponds to a first axis of symmetry x separating the elements No. 4 and No. 5, while the direction Y corresponds to the second axis of symmetry separating the elements No. 25 and No. 33.
• the elements No. 1 to No. 8 are arranged in the direction Y, in the direction of this direction indicated by the arrow of Figure 8.
• the first axis of symmetry x of the Part 80 is disposed in the transverse direction X of the tube portion 82, while the second axis of symmetry is disposed in the longitudinal direction Y of the tube.
• Appendix A.1.1 shows, in tabular form, an example of delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of the part 80 to fire in the transverse direction X of the tube portion 82, that is to say say the direction Dl of Figure 6B.
• the elementary transducers are arranged in accordance with the addressing plan defined in Annex A.5.
• the value of the delay to be applied to element No. i is in the table of Annex A.1.1 at the same position (row, column) as address i in the table in Annex A.5.
• the delay to be applied to element No. 28, which is at the intersection of column C4 and line L4 of the table in Annex A.5, is 369 nanoseconds, which is at the intersection of Column C4 and Line L4 of the Table in Appendix A.1.1.
• FIGS. 9A, 10A and 11A show the delay values of Appendix A.1.1 in the form of a two-dimensional bar graph 84, whose base coincides with part 80.
• Each bar, or stick, of diagram represents the delay of the respective elementary transducer which coincides with its base.
• the height of the stick which is represented as an elongation in the Z direction, is proportional to the value of the delay to be applied to the elementary transducer in question.
• FIG. 10A shows the diagram 84 seen from the right, that is to say in projection in a plane of directions X, Z and of normal direction Y. It distinguishes the elementary transducers Nos . 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64.
• the applied delay value increases linearly from transducer # 8, near a first side of the square pattern, to transducer # 64, opposite this first side.
• This linear evolution of the applied delays is shown schematically by a line 86 in FIG. 10A.
• Appendix A.1.1 shows that the same linear growth law applies to elementary transducers of each alignment in the X direction, that is to say in the elements of each of columns C1 to C8 of the table in Annex A.1.1.
• Figure 11 A shows the diagram 84 seen from the front, that is to say when projected into a plane of directions Y, Z and normal direction opposite to the direction X.
• this mediator makes a partition of the part 80 into two subsets of elementary transducers to which two delay sub-laws are applied.
• a first delay sub-law applies to the elementary transducers located to the left of this mediator in FIG. 11A, in particular the transducers Nos . 1 to 4, while a second delay sub-law applies to the transducers. elementaries located to the right of this mediator, in particular transducers Nos . 5 to 8.
• the value of the applied delay decreases linearly from transducer No. 1, close to a second side of the square pattern, to transducer No. 4, close to the mediator of the first side.
• This linear evolution of the applied delays is shown schematically by a line 88 in FIG. 11 A.
• Appendix A.1.1 shows that the same law of linear decay applies to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the direction Y situated on the same side. of the mediator, that is, in the table in Appendix A.1.1, the elements of each of lines L1 to L8 at the intersection of columns C1 to C4.
• the value of the applied delay increases linearly from the No. 5 transducer, near the mediator of the first side, to the No. 8 transducer, opposite the second side.
• This linear evolution of the applied delays is shown schematically by a line 90 in FIG. 11A.
• the lines 88 and 90 are symmetrical with respect to the X, Z plane containing the mediator of the first side of the square pattern.
• Appendix A.1.1 shows that the same law of growth linear shall apply to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the Y direction located on the same side of the perpendicular bisector, that is, in the table of Annex A.1.1, to the elements of each of lines L1 to L8 located at the intersection of columns C5 to C8.
• FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 8 and relates to the case firing in the longitudinal direction of the tube, that is to say in the direction Y of the tube, that is to say the direction D3 of Figure 6A.
• FIG. 12 is similar to FIG. 8 and relates to the case firing in the longitudinal direction of the tube, that is to say in the direction Y of the tube, that is to say the direction D3 of Figure 6A.
• the portion 80 of the multi-element sensor is in a working position with respect to a portion 82 of a control tube similar to that of Figure 8. Compared to the position of Figure 8, the portion 80 may have been moved in the longitudinal direction Y and / or angularly relative to the central axis of the tube portion 82 , for example due to a relative helical movement between the tube and the sensor.
• Annex A.1.2 collates the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of part 80, when these are organized according to the addressing scheme described above in relation to Annex A.5.
• the same linear growth law applies to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the Y direction, that is to say to the elements of each of the lines L1 to L8 of the table in Appendix A.1.2.
• the value of the applied delay increases linearly transducers close to one side of the square pattern perpendicular to the Y direction, to the transducers opposite that side.
• the delay values of the table can deviate from a strictly linear evolution, because these values are rounded. Given the resolution of devices conventionally implemented in the field, of the order of 5 nanoseconds, these rounds have virtually no effect on the detection of defects.
• Identical delay values are applied to the elementary transducers arranged symmetrically with respect to the mediator of the portion 80 which extends in the Y direction.
• the elementary transducers of each of the two subsets together produce a respective ultrasonic wave beam.
• the two beams thus produced respectively extend in two respective directions, each inclined at the same angle, in absolute value, with respect to the direction of emission of the resulting beam, as in the case of firing in the longitudinal direction. of the tube.
• Each of these two primary beams deviates from the intended direction away from part 80.
• FIG. 14 is similar to FIG. 8 and relates to the case of a so-called "oblique" shot, that is to say in a direction inclined at 45 ° with respect to the axis of the tube in an X, Y plane that is, the direction D2 of FIG. 6B.
• Figure 14 shows the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of the portion 80 in the form of a bar chart 130.
• Figure 13A shows the diagram 130 from a different angle of view.
• the portion 80 of the multi-element sensor is in a working position with respect to a portion 82 of a control tube similar to that of FIG. 8. With respect to the position of FIG. 8, the portion 80 may have been displaced. in the longitudinal direction Y and / or angularly with respect to the central axis of the tube portion 82, for example due to a relative helical movement between the tube and the sensor.
• Annex A.1.3 collects delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of part 80, when these are organized according to the addressing scheme described above in relation to Annex A.5.
• the respective linear growth laws apply to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the X direction, that is, the elements of each of columns C1 to C8 of the table in Appendix A.1.3.
• the value of the applied delay linearly increases transducers close to the first side of the square pattern, to the transducers opposite to this first side.
• the elementary transducers of each of two subsets, separated from each other by the diagonal of the square pattern jointly produce a respective ultrasonic wave beam. .
• the two beams thus produced respectively extend in two respective directions, each inclined at the same angle, in absolute value, with respect to the direction of emission of the resulting beam.
• the firing direction D2 corresponds to an axis of symmetry of table 41, namely one of the diagonals of the square pattern. This diagonal delimits two subsets of elementary transducers, a lower subset and an upper subset.
• the delay values to be applied to the first of these subsets differ from the delay values to be applied to the symmetrical transducers of the second of these subsets.
• First delay values Bi, j are first calculated to be applied to all the elementary transducers Ci, j of Table 41 so that they together emit an unfocused ultrasonic wave beam, deflected in a direction D2. p. These values are grouped generically in Table 70.
• Second delay values Ai, j are then calculated to apply all the elementary transducers Ci, j of table 41 so that they transmit jointly.
• the delay values of the law corresponding to the other corners are stored, namely, in the example, the second value Al, l and the first value B8.8. Delayed final values for the elements Ci, j of the upper part of table 41 are assigned the second delay values Ai, j.
• the final delay values for the elements Ci, j of the lower part of table 41 are deduced by linear interpolation from the first delay values Bi, j.
• the value of the corner delay corresponding to the part of the array whose values are to be determined is used first to calculate the delay values of the column and the corresponding line by linear interpolation. Then, one interpolates each time between a value of the determined diagonal and the value at the end of row or column.
• FIGS. 9B, 10B, 11B and 13B illustrate delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers in the second embodiment of the invention.
• the elementary transducers jointly produce a defocused primary beam deflected with respect to the normal to the main plane of the sensor.
• a diverging beam may be considered as an inverted-focus beam, that is to say one which has a virtual focal point situated behind the multi-element sensor according to the direction of firing of the ultrasonic waves.
• At least some of the elementary transducers of the sensor are preferably applied delay values which follow a parabolic law.
• these delay values are obtained from a law close to a parabolic law, corresponding, for example, to a plurality of linear laws each approaching a portion of the same parabola.
• a diverging and deflected beam may be defined by the deflection angle value a and a value of a beam opening angle, or divergence angle ⁇ .
• the angle of deflection a is determined as a function of the diameter of the tube to be controlled and the distance separating the sensor from this tube. It is different for each shot according to the directions Dl, D2 and D3. For shots following the other directions, the values of the deflection angle a are deduced from the symmetries of the pattern of the sensor.
• the value of the divergence angle ⁇ can be the same for all the shots, whatever the target direction. We seek the widest angle of divergence compatible with criteria of quality and / or speed that we set.
• the value of the angle of divergence may be due to the fact that the number of shots is set due to a production imperative. This results in a minimum value of the divergence angle ⁇ .
• the value of the angle of divergence can also result from a quality criterion, related to the size of the defects that one wishes to be able to detect. This imposes a maximum value the angle of divergence ⁇ . In most applications, the value of the divergence angle ⁇ will be chosen to best meet these criteria.
• Figures 9B, 10B and 11B are similar to Figures 9A, 10A and 11A. They show in the form of a bar chart 140 an example of delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of the portion 80 of the sensor to produce a shot in the transverse direction X of the tube portion 82.
• the transducers are addressed according to in Annex A.5.
• the delay values are collated in the table in Appendix A.2.1.
• FIG. 10B shows the diagram 140 seen from the right, that is to say in projection in a plane of directions X, Z and of normal direction Y. It distinguishes the elementary transducers Nos . 8, 16, 24, 32, 40, 48, 56 and 64.
• the value of the applied delay increases parabolically from transducer # 8, near a first side of the square pattern, to transducer # 64, opposite this first side.
• This parabolic evolution of the applied delays is schematized for a portion of parabola 142 in FIG. 10B.
• Annex A.2.1 shows that the same growth law applies to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the X direction, ie to the elements of each of columns C1 to C8 of the table in Annex A. .2.1.
• Figure 11B shows the diagram 140 seen from the front, that is to say when projected into a plane of directions Y, Z and normal direction opposite to the direction X.
• Identical delay values are applied to the elementary transducers arranged symmetrically with respect to the mediator of the portion 80 which extends in the direction X.
• This mediator makes a partition of the portion 80 into two subsets of elementary transducers to which two delay sub-laws are respectively applied.
• a first delay sub-law applies to elementary transducers located on one side of this mediator, in particular transducers Nos . 1 to 4 located to the left of this mediator in FIG. 11B.
• a second delay sub-law applies to the elementary transducers located on the other side of this mediator, in particular to the transducers numbers 5 to 8 located to the right of this mediator in FIG. 11B
• the value of the applied delay follows a parabolic law of the transducer No. 1, close to one side of the square pattern, to the transducer No. 8, remote from this side.
• This evolution of the delays applied is shown schematically for a parabola portion 144 in FIG. 11B.
• transducer # 5 The applied delay value increases from transducer # 5, near the mediator, to transducer # 8.
• Appendix A.2.1 shows that the same parabolic growth law applies to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the Y direction located on the same side of the mediator, that is, in the table of the Annex A.2.1 to the elements of each of lines L1 to L8 at the intersection of columns C5 to C8.
• the elementary transducers of each of the two subsets together produce an ultrasonic wave beam that extends in the X direction and diverges away from the 80 of the sensor.
• the table in Appendix A.2.2 collects delay values that can be applied to the elementary transducers to jointly produce a divergent ultrasonic wave beam that extends in the Y direction. Identical delay values are applied to the elementary transducers. arranged symmetrically with respect to the mediator of the portion 80 which is arranged in the direction X. This mediator makes a partition of the portion 80 into two subsets of elementary transducers, which are respectively applied two sub-laws of delay.
• FIG. 13B is similar to FIG. 13A and relates to the case of a so-called "oblique" shot, that is to say in a direction inclined at 45 ° with respect to the axis of the tube in an X, Y plane that is, the direction D2 of FIG. 6B.
• FIG. 13B shows the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of the part 80 in the form of a bar chart 150.
• the portion 80 of the multi-element sensor is in a working position with respect to a portion 82 of a control tube similar to that of FIG. 8. With respect to the position of FIG. 8, the portion 80 may have been displaced. in the longitudinal direction Y and / or angularly with respect to the central axis of the tube portion 82, for example due to a relative helical movement between the tube and the sensor.
• Annex A.2.3 collates the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers of part 80, when these are organized according to the addressing scheme described above in relation to Annex A.5.
• Respective parabolic growth laws apply to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the Y direction, i.e. to the elements of each of lines L1 to L8 of the table in Appendix A.2.3. Each time, the value of the applied delay parabolically increases transducers close to one side of the square pattern to the transducers opposite to that side with respect to the X direction. Respective parabolic growth laws apply to the elementary transducers of each alignment in the X direction, i.e. the elements of each of columns C1 to C8 of the table in Appendix A.2.3. In each case, the value of the applied delay parabolically increases transducers close to one side of the square pattern to the transducers opposite to that side with respect to the Y direction.
• the elementary transducers of each of two subsets jointly produce an ultrasonic wave beam. extending in the direction D2 and diverging with respect to this direction as it moves away from the sensor.
• the diverging beam can be defined by a value of beam opening angle, or divergence angle ⁇ .
• the first axis of symmetry x and the second axis of symmetry y of the pattern of table 41 delimit four subsets of elementary transducers to which is applied each time the same sub-law of delay.
• the table in Appendix A.4 shows an example of the delay values to be applied to the elementary transducers to generate a divergent and non-deflected resultant beam relative to the direction normal to the active surface of the sensor.
• this divergent beam results from a defocused primary beam.
• the delay value increases with the distance to each of the first axis of symmetry x and the second axis of symmetry y.
• the divergent and deflected beam results from at least two unfocused and deflected primary beams respectively generated by a subset of elementary transducers.
• the diverging and deflected beam results from at least one diverging and deflected primary beam.
• sensor symmetry is used to calculate delay sub-laws that apply to a subset of the elementary transducers.
• the ultrasonic waves received as a response to a shot are processed to detect any echoes resulting from the presence of defects or imperfections.
• the treatment of the received ultrasonic waves comprises the application of a so-called "inverse" delay law of the delay law used for the emission of the ultrasonic waves during a shot.
• the treatment of the received ultrasonic waves comprises the application of a specific delay value Ri, j to the signal received at each elementary transducer Ci, j of the sensor.
• the value of delay in receiving Ri, j is calculated from the delay value Ei, j applied to the elementary transducer Ci, j on transmission, according to the following formula:
• the max value (E i, j) represents the maximum delay value of the delay values applied to the elementary transducers E i, j of the sensor.
• the calculation of an inverse delay law can be done using the software that allowed the calculation of the law of emission delay, using a spreadsheet or manually.
• defects or imperfections oriented in a manner corresponding to the direction of the shot are detected. It can also detect defects slightly inclined relative to this direction, within the limit of the opening of the primary beam, usually a lower signal-to-noise ratio.
• the treatment of the received ultrasonic waves comprises the application of the known technique by the document WO 03/050527.
• the received signals are processed by applying several inverse delay laws, each corresponding to an obliquity value included in the primary beam.
• These inverse delay laws are conventionally calculated by the known technique of WO 03/050527.
• the different values of obliquities are distinguished from each other by a value of 5 °.
• defects in the inspected tube section are detected according to the different obliquities included in the primary beam resulting from this firing, each time having a substantially identical signal-to-noise ratio.
• this second development defects whose orientation is both included in the opening of the ultrasonic wave beam corresponding to the firing and inclined with respect to the obliquity of the main direction of this beam are detected with a better ratio signal on noise.
• this second development improves the detection of fine defects.
• the device presents in this case a better resolution.
• the inclined defects of 0, +/- are particularly effectively detected. 5 °, +/- 10 °, +/- 15 °, +/- 20 ° with respect to the main direction of the beam.
• Figure 17 corresponds to a reference configuration. In this configuration, 72 shots were fired, each time in a direction of obliquity of 5 ° with respect to the previous shot.
• Fig. 17 shows an insonification zone 170 at -6 decibels, or focal area, where the maximum energy is concentrated. Area 170 has an elliptical crown shape and is substantially homogeneous. The insonification zone 170 is about 50 millimeters by 30 millimeters.
• FIG. 18A corresponds to the configuration according to the first variant of the first embodiment, in the case where the so-called “brush” or “paintbrush” technique is applied in English, in post-processing.
• the parameter ⁇ is 15 °. Only 8 shots were necessary to obtain the result of figure 18 A. The amplitudes are practically homogeneous for all the directions concerned.
• FIG. 18A shows an insonification zone 180 whose appearance is close to an elliptical crown.
• the insonification zone 180 is approximately 50 millimeters by millimeter, which is very close to the reference zone of FIG. 17.
• FIG. 18B corresponds to the configuration according to the second embodiment, in the case where the so-called "brush" technique is applied in post-processing.
• the beam is defocused at 25 millimeters.
• Figure 18B shows an area of insonification 185 whose pace is elliptical.
• the 185 decibel area measures 80 millimeters by 60 millimeters, which is close to the reference area of Figure 17.
• the area at -6 decibels is wider than for the first embodiment.
• the central part of the ellipse is also insonified, while this area has less utility for tube inspection.
• FIG. 18B shows a more homogeneous insonification zone 185, corresponding to a substantially identical energy level for all the directions inspected.
• FIG. 18A shows a central zone of the ellipse which is not insonified, which results in a better signal on noise.
• the second embodiment mode offers a greater rate of inspection.
• FIGS. 17, 18A and 18B No insonification diagram corresponding to the second variant of the first embodiment is shown.
• Such a diagram has a wider elliptical insonification zone than those shown in FIGS. 17, 18A and 18B. This results in a relative loss of energy and a lower signal-to-noise ratio.
• this diagram shows a greater homogeneity according to the targeted directions, which facilitates the inspection. In particular, it is not necessary to compensate for energy differences between the different directions.
• the Applicant has managed to satisfactorily control a tube as to the existence of defects oriented in any manner in eight shots, while retaining the usual advance speeds in the art.
• a device which makes it possible to control a tube as to the existence of defects of any inclination at a speed compatible with the production rates. This speed increase results in particular because any repositioning of the sensor relative to the tube between two successive shots, of different directions, is useless.
• This device for each direction of interest, generated by respective portions of a square array sensor beams of ultrasonic waves diverging from the target direction and which connect at the moment of striking the outer surface of the tube to control.
• This device is not limited to a sensor having a square pattern. It can be used equivalently with a sensor in which the elementary transducers are organized in a rectangle. It can also be used a sensor in which the elementary transducers are distributed circularly.
• the portions of the pattern dedicated to each diverging beam correspond to an angular sector of the pattern.
• successive firing can be performed on the different sectors, with delay laws that can be calculated using software similar to the one known as "CIVA".
• the invention may also be viewed as a method of controlling a long metallurgical product, particularly a tube, wherein the described device is repeatedly used to draw it in each of the directions D1 to D8.
• the invention can also be seen as a method for controlling metallurgical products, in which an ultrasound wave firing is produced in a targeted direction by means of an ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of elementary transducers, operable independently of one another. others and distributed in a pattern of dimension two by applying a temporal excitation law to the elementary transducers, this temporal excitation law comprising one or more sub-laws for each of them sequentially exciting a subset of at least one of the plurality of transducers elementary, each sub-law being arranged in such a way that the excitation of the elementary transducers of the corresponding subset produces a primary beam of respective ultrasonic waves, and the sub-law or laws being further arranged so that said firing corresponds to an ultrasonic wave beam resulting from the primary beams of ultrasonic waves respecti fs subsets of elementary transducers, said resulting beam diverging around the intended direction away from the ultrasonic sensor.
• a value of the angle ⁇ of 20 ° has been described by way of example, in particular in the context of a shot according to D1.
• the value of this angle can be adapted according to the size of the elementary transducers.
• the value of this angle can be increased as the size of the transducers decreases.
• sub-laws are applied so as to simultaneously excite elementary transducers arranged in mutual symmetry with respect to a preferred direction of said pattern.
• the axes of symmetry of a square pattern have been described as privileged directions, the invention is in no way limited to this particular embodiment. Patterns of different shapes each correspond to privileged directions of these patterns.
• a pattern, where the transducer elements are shaped in angular sectors and arranged in symmetry with respect to certain radial directions, for example inclined at 120 ° from each other, has these radial directions as privileged directions.
• an ultrasonic sensor of matrix shape comprising 64 elements distributed in a square pattern of 8 elements on 8 elements.
• the invention is limited neither by this number of elements, nor by this particular pattern.
• an ultrasonic firing allows to inspect a longitudinal section of a tube as to the existence of defects.
• To control this tube over its entire length one can move the tube and the ultrasonic sensor relative to each other.
• a multi-element matrix ultrasound sensor whose pattern is subdivided into elementary sub-patterns and each sub-pattern is made to work simultaneously with the others in the manner of an isolated ultrasonic sensor. A longer portion of the tube to be inspected is thus inspected.
• an ultrasonic sensor may comprise 256 elements distributed in a rectangular pattern of 8 elements on 32 elements.
• this sensor By arranging this sensor in such a way that the length of the pattern corresponds to the length of the tube, there are virtually 8 multi-element square pattern sensors of 8 elements on 8 elements arranged along the length of the tube. And we can operate these 8 sensors simultaneously for inspector a large length of the tube, each shot.
• the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, by way of example only, but encompasses all the variants that may be considered by those skilled in the art.
• Annex A.1 Delay values corresponding to the first embodiment, first variant (in nanoseconds)
• Annex A.2 Delay values corresponding to the first embodiment, second variant (in nanoseconds)
• Annex A.4 Delay values corresponding to the second embodiment (in nanoseconds)
• Appendix A.5 addressing matrix of elementary transducers of a sensor

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