JP2004191086A - Ultrasonic test equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To solve the problem wherein stable flaw examination can not be performed by propagation of vibration or swelling movement to an ultrasonic search unit, generated when an ultrasonic test equipment is moved along a flaw examination part. <P>SOLUTION: A guide member 3 is provided along the flaw examination part 2 of an inspection object 1, and an automotive driving truck 4 and a search unit truck 5 provided with the ultrasonic search unit 17 for emitting an ultrasonic wave from the side part of the flaw examination part 2 toward the flaw examination part 2 are provided separately on the guide member 3, and the driving truck 4 and the search unit truck 5 are connected by a universal joint 14, to thereby prevent the vibration or the swelling movement generated on the driving truck 4 from being propagated to the ultrasonic search unit 17 side, and to enable stable ultrasonic flaw examination. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flaw detector for non-destructively inspecting an internal defect of a flaw detection part such as a weld joint part.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, ultrasonic inspection (UT) has been known as a means for non-destructively inspecting internal defects such as welded joints. This ultrasonic flaw detection inspection is a non-destructive inspection in which a probe is brought into close contact with the surface of an object to be inspected and a defect is detected by reflection of ultrasonic waves incident on the object to be inspected from this probe. The position of the defect can be known from the time until the reflection of the ultrasonic wave is detected.
[0003]
As a conventional technique of this kind, a bogie is intermittently moved from a starting end to a terminating end of a joint welding line, and each time the bogie is stopped, a scanning mechanism provided on the bogie causes the ultrasonic probe to move the ultrasonic probe in the bogie traveling direction and the traveling direction. There is an automatic ultrasonic flaw detector that performs flaw detection on the entire joint welding line by performing a rectangular scan in a direction orthogonal to the flaw. According to this ultrasonic inspection apparatus, while scanning the ultrasonic probe in the front-rear direction with respect to the joint welding line, the reflection of the incident ultrasonic wave is inspected to perform a full-line inspection (for example, see Patent Document 1). 1).
[0004]
On the other hand, since the range in the thickness direction of the test object that can be inspected by the ultrasonic probe is limited, in order to perform a stable inspection in the entire thickness direction, the ultrasonic probe is moved close to or away from the weld joint. In some cases, a scanning operation is performed to widen the range in which the ultrasonic probe can be inspected in the thickness direction.
[0005]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-5-333010 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the case of the ultrasonic flaw detector described in Document 1, a scanning mechanism is attached to a bogie traveling in the direction of the welding line, and when inspecting while running, vibrations and undulations from the bogie are transmitted to the probe and stable. Therefore, while the carriage is stopped intermittently at a traveling pitch corresponding to the scanning range, a rectangular scan is performed by the traveling mechanism while the carriage is stopped. Therefore, continuous ultrasonic testing cannot be performed, and much time is required. Moreover, even during stoppage, there is a possibility that stable ultrasonic flaw detection cannot be performed due to vibration from a driving device such as a motor.
[0007]
Further, as described above, when the thickness of the object to be inspected is increased, the range of the forward and backward scanning of the ultrasonic probe is accordingly increased, so that the configuration size for scanning the probe becomes longer, Because of the support, the entire device becomes large.
[0008]
Further, with this ultrasonic flaw detector, it is difficult to inspect a welded joint such as abutted flat plates, and a sufficient effect can be obtained only by ultrasonic inspection of a limited welded joint.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Therefore, in order to solve the above-described problem, the present invention provides a guide member along a flaw detection portion of an object to be inspected, the guide member having a self-propelled driving bogie, and a flaw detection portion from a side portion of the flaw detection portion. A probe carriage provided with an ultrasonic probe for emitting ultrasonic waves is provided separately, and the drive carriage and the probe carriage are connected by a joint. In this way, the drive bogie that moves the ultrasonic probe for ultrasonic flaw detection along the flaw detection part and the probe bogie provided with the ultrasonic probe are separated as separate bodies, and the Are connected to each other by a joint, vibrations and undulations generated in the drive cart are not transmitted to the ultrasonic probe side, and stable ultrasonic inspection can be performed by the ultrasonic probe.
[0010]
If the probe carriage is provided with a probe driving device provided with a scanning mechanism that performs scanning by a symmetrical operation of moving the ultrasonic probe close to or away from the flaw detection unit, the ultrasonic probe is directed toward the flaw detection unit. By scanning the tentacles symmetrically so as to approach or separate from each other, it is possible to inspect the object to be inspected widely in the thickness direction.
[0011]
Further, if a guide member guided by the guide member is provided on the drive carriage and the probe carriage, and a pressure member for pressing the probe drive machine toward the object to be inspected is provided on the probe carriage, The drive cart and the probe cart are stably moved along the guide member, and the probe drive of the stably moved probe cart is pressed against the object to be inspected with a predetermined pressure, and the Stable ultrasonic flaw detection with an ultrasonic probe is possible.
[0012]
Further, if the joint is constituted by a universal joint arranged substantially coaxially with the guide member, the probe cart moved by the drive cart can be moved around the guide member, so that the probe cart rotates. It can be moved stably without generating a moment or the like.
[0013]
Further, the guide member is provided on the surface of the inspection object at a predetermined distance from the flaw detection unit, the probe cart is disposed on the guide member, and the inspection unit is provided on the anti-flaw detection unit side of the probe driving machine. A restricting member that keeps a distance from the surface of the body is provided, and a restricting member that restricts a pressing force of the ultrasonic probe on the surface of the inspection object is provided on the ultrasonic probe side of the probe driving device. Accordingly, the probe driving device pressed against the inspected object side can stably press the ultrasonic probe side toward the inspected object side by the regulating member on the anti-flaw detection portion side, and the ultrasonic probe When the pressing force of the probe becomes larger than the specified value, the pressing force of the ultrasonic probe can be limited by the restricting member, and the ultrasonic probe can be inspected stably even if the inspection conditions change. It can be inspected by pressing against the body.
[0014]
Furthermore, if the pressing member is constituted by a spring provided between the probe carriage and the probe driving device, and the spring is disposed before and after in the traveling direction of the probe driving device, it is simple. The front and rear of the probe driving device can be stably pressed toward the test object by the spring force of the spring having the configuration, and the pressing force can be easily changed by replacing the spring.
[0015]
In addition, if a fluid layer forming machine that forms a fluid layer in a range including the scanning range of the ultrasonic probe is provided along the flaw detection part of the inspection object, the ultrasonic probe is formed by the fluid layer. Scanning that approaches or separates from the surface of the object to be inspected can be continuously performed while being in close contact with the surface of the object to be inspected, and a wide range in the thickness direction of the object to be inspected can be continuously inspected along the flaw detection part.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic flaw detector showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a view taken along the line II-II shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a view taken along a line III-III shown in FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an IV section shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 5 is a view taken along a line VV shown in FIG. For the sake of explanation, a part of the figure is shown in a cross section. In this embodiment, a butt-welded plate material is taken as an example of an object to be inspected, and an ultrasonic flaw detector that ultrasonically flaws a weld line at a weld joint is described as an example.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 1, the welded joint portion of the test object 1 in which the plate materials are butted and welded together is a flaw detector 2, which is a welding line that is continuous in the vertical direction shown in the drawing. A guide member 3 is provided at a position separated from the flaw detection unit 2 by a predetermined distance in parallel with the flaw detection unit 2. In this embodiment, a pipe rail having a cylindrical cross section is used as the guide member 3. The guide member 3 may have a rectangular cross section or another cross section.
[0018]
The guide member 3 is provided with a drive cart 4 which runs along the guide member 3 and a probe cart 5 which is connected to the drive cart 4 and moves along the guide member 3. The drive cart 4 and the probe cart 5 constitute an ultrasonic flaw detector 6. The control device for controlling these may be provided in the drive carriage 4 or in a remote control room or the like.
[0019]
The drive truck 4 has its own weight supported by wheels 11 (four places) in contact with the surface of the test object 1, and is guided by guide rollers 12 (guide members: four places) that rotate in contact with both sides of the guide member 3. It is configured to move along. The probe cart 5 is configured such that its own weight is supported by guide rollers 13 (guide members: four places) that rotate in contact with both side portions of the guide member 3, and move along the guide member 3 by the guide rollers 13. Have been.
[0020]
The probe carriage 5 is provided with a probe driving device 15 extending in a direction intersecting the flaw detection unit 2. An ultrasonic probe 17 is provided on the scanning unit 16 of the probe driving device 15 so as to be located on both sides of the flaw detection unit 2.
[0021]
The drive cart 4 and the probe cart 5 are connected by a joint 14 so that the probe cart 5 moves following the movement of the drive cart 4. The drive cart 4 and the control unit 18 of the probe cart 5 are connected by a wire 19, and the drive cart 4 is connected to a control device (not shown) by a wire 20.
[0022]
As shown in FIG. 2, the outer surface of the guide roller 13 provided on the probe cart 5 has substantially the same curvature as the outer surface of the guide member 3 having a circular cross section. The guide member 3 is fixed to the surface of the test object 1 by a support member 21 having a predetermined height. By sandwiching the guide member 3 from both sides of the guide roller 13, the probe carriage 5 guides It is attached to the member 3. The illustrated left guide roller 13 </ b> A is rotatably supported by a shaft 22 and rotates following the movement of the probe cart 5. The right guide roller 13 </ b> B is rotatably supported by a slide member 24 by a shaft 23, and rotates following the movement of the probe cart 5. The slide member 24 is provided so as to be slidable along a slide portion 25 provided below the bogie base plate 27 of the probe bogie 5. A spring 26 is provided inside the slide portion 25, and the guide roller 13B is constantly pressed toward the guide member 3 by the spring 26. With such a configuration, the state in which the guide member 3 is sandwiched between the left and right guide rollers 13A and 13B by a predetermined force (the force of the spring 26) is maintained. By attaching the probe cart 5 in this manner, the probe cart 5 is maintained at a position at a predetermined distance from the surface of the device under test 1.
[0023]
A pressing shaft 28 is provided upright on the bogie base plate 27 of the probe bogie 5. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, pressing shafts 28 are provided at front, rear, left and right positions of the guide member 3. The pressing shaft 28 protrudes upward through an insertion hole 30 provided in a driving device base plate 29 of the probe driving device 15 and a spring 32 provided in a spring cover 31. The pressing shaft 28 protruding upward from the spring cover 31 is connected at its left and right upper ends by a holding member 33.
[0024]
Further, the pressing shaft 28 is formed in a guide portion 34 whose upper portion from a predetermined position is slightly smaller in diameter than the inner diameter of the spring cover 31. When the guide portion 34 moves up and down along the inner surface of the spring cover 31, the pressing shaft 28 and the spring cover 31 slide substantially coaxially. The lower surface of the guide part 34 serves as an upper end support part of the spring 32.
[0025]
In this manner, the upper end of the spring 32 is supported by the guide portion 34 of the pressing shaft 28, so that the driving machine base plate 29 is pressed toward the surface of the test object 1 by the force of the spring 32. At this time, the spring cover 31 is guided by the guide portion 34 of the pressing shaft 28, and the whole of the probe driving device 15 is pressed toward the DUT 1 substantially in parallel. The force for pressing the probe driving device 15 toward the object 1 can be easily changed by changing the spring 32. For example, when the lower surface of the object 1 is inspected upward, For example, when the test object 1 having an inclined surface is to be inspected sideways, it is possible to easily change to the spring 32 having a force according to use conditions and the like.
[0026]
On the other hand, the scanning unit 16 of the probe driving device 15 is provided with an ultrasonic probe 17 that emits ultrasonic waves from the side of the flaw detection unit 2 toward the flaw detection unit 2. The ultrasonic probe 17 is provided on a support member 39 protruding from a moving member 38 moving along a guide rail 37 provided in the axial direction of the scanning section 16 toward the device under test 1. I have.
[0027]
As shown in FIG. 3, the guide rail 37 is provided in the central portion of the scanning unit 16 in the axial direction, and a timing belt 40 is provided around the guide rail 37. The timing belt 40 is hung on sprockets 41 provided at both ends of the scanning unit 16, and a driving sprocket 41 provided on the control unit 17 side (right side in the drawing) is configured to be rotatable by a driving motor 35. I have. The moving members 38 are fixed by fixing members 42 on different linear portion sides (up and down in the figure) of the timing belt 40 provided in this manner. When the timing belt 40 is intermittently moved in the forward / reverse direction at a predetermined distance by fixing in this manner, the operation can be performed so that the two ultrasonic probes 17 approach or separate from each other. In the case of this configuration, the ultrasonic waves emitted from the left or right ultrasonic probe 17 are received by the right or left ultrasonic probe 17.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 4, the ultrasonic probe 17 has a guide shaft 43 that is vertically guided by a support member 39 of a moving member 38 that moves along a guide rail 37, and a lower end of the guide shaft 43. And a probe main body 46 supported by a horizontal support shaft 45 provided on the holding portion 44. The probe body 46 is provided with wheels 36. Further, the holding portion 44 provided with the probe body 46 is pressed toward the device 1 by a spring 47 provided on the guide shaft 43 and moves in a direction to approach or separate from the surface of the device 1. It is possible. When the holding portion 44 moves up and down, the guide shaft 43 is guided by the support member 39.
[0029]
As described above, by providing the probe main body 46 on the holding portion 44 which moves vertically in the vertical direction so that the support shaft 45 can swing in the horizontal direction, the pressed probe main body 46 can be inspected. The body 1 is in close contact with the surface. These are the scanning part of the scanning mechanism.
[0030]
On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a restricting member 48 for maintaining a distance between the scanning unit 16 and the surface of the test object 1 is provided on the anti-flaw detection unit 2 side of the scanning unit 16 of the probe driving device 15. I have. The regulating member 48 is a wheel 51 attached to a bracket 49 provided from the scanning unit 16 toward the inspection object 1 with a shaft 50, and is configured to be rotatable while being in contact with the surface of the inspection object 1. Have been. The restricting member 48 is provided on the anti-ultrasonic probe 17 side with the guide member 3 interposed therebetween. With the provision of the restricting member 48, the entirety of the restricting member 48 is pressed toward the test object 1 by the spring 32. The restricting member 48 side of the probe driving device 15 restricts the distance that the probe driving device 15 moves to the surface side of the DUT 1. The regulating member 48 regulates the movement of the probe driving device 15 on the anti-ultrasonic probe side, which is entirely pressed by the spring 32 toward the test object 1, so that the fixed guide member 3 is centered. The ultrasonic probe side is pressed against the surface side of the DUT 1.
[0031]
In other words, the probe driving device 15 that is constantly pressed toward the device under test 1 by the spring 32 provided on the probe carriage 5 has its anti-ultrasonic probe side determined by the regulating member 48 at a fixed distance. A force is applied to the ultrasonic probe 17 side of the probe driving device 15 toward the surface of the DUT 1. As a result, the probe main body 46 urged from the probe driving device 15 toward the device under test 1 by the spring 47 is constantly pressed against the surface of the device under test 1 with a constant pressure, and is stably contacted. Ultrasonic flaw detection can be performed.
[0032]
Further, on the ultrasonic probe 17 side of the scanning unit 16, there is provided a restricting member 52 for restricting pressing of the ultrasonic probe 17 against the device under test 1. The restriction member 52 is a wheel 55 attached to a bracket 53 provided from the scanning unit 16 toward the inspection object 1 by a shaft 54, and is configured to be rotatable while contacting the inspection object 1. I have. When the ultrasonic probe 17 is pressed against the surface of the test object 1 with a predetermined pressing force, the restricting member 52 floats with a slight gap from the surface of the test object 1. In addition, when the ultrasonic probe 17 is pressed beyond a predetermined pressing force, the ultrasonic probe 17 comes into contact with the surface of the test object 1 to prevent a large force from acting on the ultrasonic probe 17.
[0033]
Then, as shown in FIG. 5, the drive cart 4 and the probe cart 5 are connected by a universal joint 14 having a ball joint structure. The universal joint 14 is provided between a mounting bracket 56 provided on the probe cart 5 and the driving cart 4, and a ball portion 57 serving as a spherical slip surface is provided on each of the universal joints 14, and angular displacement is possible. It is connected as follows. By connecting the drive cart 4 and the probe cart 5 with such a universal joint 14, vibration generated by the drive motor 58 and the like on the drive cart 4 and running on the surface of the device under test 1 by the wheels 11 are provided. Even if a swelling motion or the like occurs in the driving carriage 4, vibration or swelling is prevented from being directly transmitted to the probe carriage 5 by absorbing the displacement of the universal joint 14. The universal joint 14 may have another configuration such as a universal joint.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 1, the universal joint 14 is disposed substantially coaxially with the guide member 3 so that the traction force of the drive truck 4 substantially moves between the guide rollers 13A and 13B of the probe truck 5. I work at the center. Thus, no rotational moment acts on the probe carriage 5.
[0035]
According to the ultrasonic flaw detector 6 configured as described above, the driving carriage 4 is allowed to travel at a predetermined speed by being guided by the guide member 3 of the pipe rail provided along the flaw detection unit 2, and thus the driving is performed. The probe carriage 5 moves along the guide member 3 at the same speed following the carriage 4. The probe cart 5 is provided with an ultrasonic probe 17 for ultrasonically flaw-detecting the flaw detection unit 2 from the side of the flaw detection unit 2, and is provided with a drive motor 35 provided in the probe drive unit 15. By intermittently performing the forward rotation and the reverse rotation in the scanning range, the drive cart 4 can be caused to travel while the timing belt 40 performs scanning to move the ultrasonic probe 17 toward and away from the flaw detection unit 2. Thus, an ultrasonic flaw detector 6 that can perform ultrasonic flaw detection while moving along the flaw detector 2 is provided. At this time, a liquid such as water is supplied between the ultrasonic probe 17 and the surface of the device 1 to be inspected, and a layer of the liquid causes a liquid between the ultrasonic probe 17 and the surface of the device 1 to be inspected. The formation of an air layer is prevented.
[0036]
In addition, since the probe cart 5 for ultrasonic flaw detection is separated from the drive cart 4 for moving the ultrasonic flaw detector 6 and connected by the universal joint 14, the vibration of the drive motor 58 of the drive cart 4 causes the ultrasonic detection. The ultrasonic wave does not propagate to the probe 17 and the vibration or undulation of the drive cart 4 itself does not propagate to the ultrasonic probe 17, so that stable ultrasonic inspection can be performed.
[0037]
Further, the operation of performing ultrasonic inspection while moving as described above can be automated by setting of a control device or the like, and can be configured as an automatic ultrasonic inspection device 6.
[0038]
In addition, the drive cart 4 and the probe cart 5 move along the guide member 3, and the ultrasonic probe 17 is pressed from the probe cart 5 toward the surface of the test object 1. Therefore, the ultrasonic probe 17 can be stably brought into contact with the surface (detection surface) of the inspection object 1, and the inspection object 1 having the surface formed with a predetermined curvature is inspected from the outside or from the inside. In such a case, it is possible to perform stable ultrasonic inspection regardless of whether the inspection position is downward or sideways.
[0039]
Therefore, for example, it is possible to realize the ultrasonic flaw detector 1 capable of stably performing ultrasonic flaw detection on a line welded joint having a radius of curvature of several tens of meters, such as a shipping LPG or LNG tank, and also to realize automation thereof. A simple ultrasonic flaw detector 1 is obtained.
[0040]
In the above-described embodiment, the configuration in which the probe bogie 5 is pulled by the drive bogie 4 has been described. However, the probe bogie 5 may be pushed by the drive bogie 4, and the ultrasonic probe 17 may be used. Other configurations may be used as long as the configuration for ultrasonic testing and the configuration for moving along the testing unit 2 are separate.
[0041]
In addition, the above-described embodiment is one embodiment, and various changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
[0042]
【The invention's effect】
The invention of the present application is implemented in the form described above, and vibrations, undulations, and the like generated by a bogie that moves the ultrasonic probe along the flaw detection part are not transmitted to the ultrasonic probe side, and the ultrasonic probe Flaw detection can be stably performed.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic flaw detector according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a view taken in the direction of arrows II-II shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is a view taken in the direction of arrows III-III shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of an IV section shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of arrows VV shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Inspection object 2 ... Flaw detection part 3 ... Guide member 4 ... Driving carriage 5 ... Probe carriage 6 ... Ultrasonic flaw detector 11 ... Wheel 12 ... Guide roller 13 ... Guide roller 14 ... Universal joint 15 ... Probe drive Machine 16 Scanning unit 17 Ultrasonic probe 18 Control unit 21 Support member 24 Slide member 25 Slide member 26 Spring 27 Truck base plate 28 Pressing shaft 29 Driver base plate 30 Insertion hole 31 Spring cover 32 Spring 33 Holding member 34 Guide 35 Drive motor 36 Wheel 37 Guide rail 38 Moving member 39 Support member 40 Timing belt 41 Sprocket 42 Fixed member 43 Guide shaft 44 ... Holding part 45... Support shaft 46. Probe main body 47. Spring 48... Regulating member 49. Mounting bracket 57 ... ball portion 58 ... drive motor

Claims (7)

A guide member is provided along the flaw detection part of the test object, and the guide member is provided with a self-propelled driving carriage and an ultrasonic probe that emits ultrasonic waves from the side of the flaw detection part toward the flaw detection part. An ultrasonic flaw detector in which the probe bogie is provided separately from the drive bogie and the drive bogie and the probe bogie are connected by a joint. 2. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to claim 1, wherein the probe carriage is provided with a probe driving device including a scanning mechanism for performing scanning by a symmetrical operation of moving the ultrasonic probe close to or away from a flaw detection unit. The guide member guided by the guide member is provided on the drive carriage and the probe carriage, and the probe carriage is provided with a pressing member for pressing the probe drive machine toward the device to be inspected. Ultrasonic flaw detector. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the joint is a universal joint arranged substantially coaxially with the guide member. The guide member is provided on the surface of the test object at a predetermined distance from the flaw detection unit, the probe cart is disposed on the guide member, and the test object is located on the side opposite to the flaw detection unit of the probe driving device. A restriction member for maintaining a distance from the surface is provided, and a restriction member for restricting a pressing force of the ultrasonic probe on the surface of the inspection object is provided on the ultrasonic probe side of the probe driving device. Item 5. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to any one of Items 2 to 4. 6. The device according to claim 3, wherein the pressing member is constituted by a spring provided between the probe carriage and the probe driving device, and the spring is disposed before and after in a traveling direction of the probe driving device. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to any one of the preceding claims. 7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2, further comprising a fluid layer forming machine that forms a fluid layer in a range including a scanning range of the ultrasonic probe along a flaw detection part of the inspection object. 8. Sonic flaw detector.

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