JP2005257619A - Portable ultrasonic flaw detector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a portable ultrasonic flaw detector wherein flaw detection processing on defects and data storage processing are completed even by one flaw detecting person. <P>SOLUTION: This detector is equipped with a sound input part 12 into which the beam path length W of a defect echo P detected in ultrasonic flaw detection work is inputted by means of a sound signal, a position information input part 9 into which information on the then position of a probe 1 is inputted through an encoder 2 correspondingly to the operation of the input part 12, a sound recognition part for recognizing the sound signal received from the input part 12 in contrast to a limited specific sound pattern, and a result output part for outputting a recognition result of the recognition part. Information on the defect echo inputted from the input part 12 is stored based on an indication to the effect that the output matter of the output part is agreed upon. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a portable ultrasonic flaw detector, and more particularly to an ultrasonic flaw detector that requires no manual operation during data input or data storage and can be used alone even when a hand is dirty.

The ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus is an apparatus for nondestructively inspecting defects such as railroad rails and building structures, and various portable apparatuses have been proposed (Patent Documents 1 to 3).
JP 11-337535 A JP-A-11-337534 JP-A-11-258217

  In general, these flaw detectors are configured to include a probe for vertical flaw detection and a probe for oblique flaw detection, and ultrasonic waves emitted from the probe detect defects inside the inspection object. The reflected wave echo, which is a defect echo, appears on the A scope screen. The A scope screen shows the size of the reflected wave echo on the vertical axis and the propagation time of the ultrasonic wave on the horizontal axis (the actual scale is the beam path length W, that is, the reciprocation distance / 2), and the ultrasonic echo signal (flaw detection waveform). If there is a defect, the level of the reflected wave echo is displayed high. FIG. 11 illustrates an A scope image, and a defect echo P is displayed.

  When such a defective echo is detected, it is necessary not only to read the beam path length W and echo height V from the A scope screen, but also to measure and record the distance (X, Y) from the reference position to the probe. In the past, flaw detection workers and bookkeepers worked together as a set. Prior to ultrasonic flaw detection, it is necessary to apply an oily contact medium (eg, glycerin aqueous solution) to the entire surface of the object to be measured. Because it is not possible. Although it may be possible to remove the gloves attached in advance and shift to the bookkeeping operation, this may cause a loss of the optimal position of the flaw detection device detected at the corner.

  Therefore, conventionally, when the flaw detector finds a defect echo, the flaw detection data such as the beam path W, the height V of the defect echo, and the position data (X, Y) are read out and the reporter fills in a dedicated sheet. I was trying to do it. Then, he took the paper home and operated the keyboard to register the defect information in the host computer.

  However, in the flaw detection work described above, work efficiency is poor because at least two field workers are required. In addition, since the flaw detector and the book writer are separated, the possibility of human error increases as much as the need to communicate. In addition, since the information entered at the site is manually input to the host computer again, there is a possibility of human error here, and there is a problem that it takes a considerable time to complete the work and the efficiency is low.

Here, as in the invention described in Patent Document 4, an X and Y encoder is provided in a measurement unit magnetically attached to a railroad rail, and the position of the probe is connected by connecting the X and Y encoder to the probe. However, there is a problem that the entire apparatus becomes large, and an apparatus that can more easily realize the flaw detection work is desired.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and provides a portable flaw detection apparatus that can complete a flaw detection process and a data storage process even by one flaw detector. With the goal.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus according to the present invention includes a voice input unit in which a beam path of a defect echo detected during ultrasonic flaw detection work is input by a voice signal, and an operation of the voice input unit. Corresponding to the position information input unit to which the position information of the probe at that time is input, and the voice recognition unit for recognizing the voice signal received from the voice input unit in comparison with the limited specific voice pattern And a result output unit that outputs a recognition result of the voice recognition unit, and stores information on defect echoes input from the voice input unit based on an instruction to agree with the output contents of the result output unit Like to do.

  The ultrasonic flaw detector according to the present invention preferably includes a display unit, and the beam path of the defect echo is artificially read from the A scope image displayed on the display unit and inputted by voice. It is like that. Here, the display unit typically corresponds to a display unit such as a liquid crystal display, an EL (electroluminescence) display, or a plasma display. In addition, it is preferable that the voice input unit also serves as the position information input unit, and the position information of the probe is artificially input as a voice signal through the voice input unit.

  In addition, the position information input unit is preferably configured to include an encoder, and the position information of the probe is automatically input via the encoder. The apparatus preferably includes a general-purpose OS and is integrated with the entire apparatus, or is divided into a portable computer apparatus and a dedicated apparatus connected thereto.

  According to the present invention described above, it is possible to realize a portable flaw detection apparatus that can complete a flaw detection process and a data storage process even by one flaw detector.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail based on examples. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a flaw detection apparatus EQU according to an embodiment. This flaw detector EQU measures the derivation length R and the derivation direction θ of the ultrasonic probe 1 that is manually operated by searching for a defect and the measurement line 2a that follows the movement of the ultrasonic probe 1. Encoder 2, a headset 3 worn by an operator on the head, and an apparatus main body 4 connected to the units 1 to 3 to control operations of the units.

  As the ultrasonic probe 1, a probe for vertical flaw detection and a probe for oblique flaw detection are typically considered. In the following description, a probe for oblique flaw detection is exclusively used. Take 1 Note that the probe 1 for oblique flaw detection is a sensor that emits ultrasonic waves at a predetermined angle φ with respect to the surface SUR of the inspection object and receives reflected echoes from defects and the like.

  The encoder 2 urges the measurement line 2a in the winding direction, and the derivation length R and derivation direction θ of the measurement line 2a drawn against the urging force are converted into the number of pulses. It is supplied to the apparatus main body 4. The encoder 2 is configured to be magnetically attached to a magnetic material.

  In detail, the apparatus main body 4 is divided into a computer circuit 4a that operates under the management of a general-purpose OS WINDOWS (registered trademark) and a measurement circuit 4b. In this embodiment, the computer circuit 4a and the measurement circuit 4b are integrally configured. However, the present invention is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the computer circuit 4a is replaced by a notebook personal computer or the like. You may take the structure connected to the comprised measurement circuit 4b.

  In any case, the computer circuit 4a includes an MPU board 5 that functions as a general-purpose OS WINDOWS (registered trademark), a storage device 6 such as a hard disk, a liquid crystal display unit 7 that displays an A scope image, and a keyboard unit. 8 and. In this computer circuit 4a, an ultrasonic flaw detection application program stored in the hard disk 6 operates. The hard disk 6 is also installed with a Speech SDK provided by Microsoft.

  Speech SDK is a module that includes a speech recognition engine (continuous speech recognition engine) and a TEXT-TO-SPEECH conversation engine (concatenated speech synthesis engine), which is combined with a language pack (Language Pack) for Japanese. Thus, recognition operation in Japanese and pronunciation operation in English become possible.

  FIG. 2 exemplifies a matching table TBL referred to in a speech recognition operation by Speech SDK and a buffer area BUFF in which a recognition result is stored. As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the audio signal supplied to the Speech SDK has 15 types of words “Genten”, “Zero”, “Ichi”, “Nii”,... “Kyu”, “Yes”, Only whether “no”, “end”, or “dot” is determined is determined, the word with the highest matching rate is selected, and the corresponding text data is stored in the buffer area BUFF. ing. When the matching rate is lower than a predetermined value, NULL data is stored in the buffer area BUFF.

  In relation to the computer circuit 4a having such voice recognition and voice output functions, the measurement circuit 4b includes an input circuit 9 that receives the distance signal R and the angle signal θ from the encoder 2, and the ultrasonic probe 1. An audio signal is exchanged between a pulser 10 for outputting an ultrasonic pulse signal for inspection, a receiver 11 for receiving a reflected echo received by the ultrasonic probe 1, and a microphone and an earphone built in the headset 3. And an audio input circuit 12 is provided. Further, A / D conversion circuits 13 to 14 for converting an analog signal into a digital signal and a D / A conversion circuit 15 for supplying the analog signal to the audio input circuit 12 are also provided and connected to the MPU board 5. .

  FIG. 3 is a principle diagram for explaining how to use the probe 1 and encoder 2 for oblique flaw detection. This portable flaw detector EQ is used, for example, when measuring the position and size of the defect 17 on the railroad rail 16. In such a case, the approximate position of the defect 17 is appropriately adjusted on the railroad rail. It is detected in advance by a rail flaw detection vehicle that is inspected. In this example, it is assumed that the defect 17 has a rectangular shape, and four end points are denoted by K1, K2, K3, and K4.

  When the worker arrives at the defect site where the approximate position of the defect is specified, first, the operator magnetically attaches the encoder 2 to an appropriate position of the rail 16. By this magnetizing operation, the Y axis extending in the length direction of the rail 16 is specified. The encoder 2 magnetic attachment position is determined in advance by a distance L from the end in the rail width direction (see FIG. 3B).

  Next, the probe is reciprocated in the length direction (Y direction) of the rail 16 and is also moved in the width direction (X direction), and a defect echo is displayed on the A scope screen of the liquid crystal display unit 7. Confirm that this is the case and specify the area on the rail where the flaw tracing operation should be performed. Then, if necessary, the magnetized position of the encoder 2 is translated in the length direction of the rail, and a contact medium is applied to a required portion of the rail surface.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in this initial state, the application program for flaw detection processing is in an operation state of voice recognition that waits for specification of the origin position (ST1). Therefore, the worker marks the origin position (0, 0, 0) with a dedicated pen or the like, moves the probe to the origin position, and utters “origin” toward the microphone. Then, the speech recognition engine is operated, and the comparison process with the data of the matching table TBL is executed, and the coincidence with the speech data with “Genten” is confirmed (ST2).

  Therefore, the application program inputs the derived length R0 and the derived direction θ0 of the measurement line 2a at that moment through the input circuit 9, and stores them as origin information (R0, θ0) (ST3). Also, let the Speech SDK function and say "Please proceed to the next." Note that the reason to pronounce in English is that the Speech SDK 5.1 version does not support Japanese utterances. Therefore, in order to further improve the operability, the voice data prepared in a WAVE file or the like may be used to say “Please proceed to the next work”. Since this apparatus has WINDOWS (registered trademark) installed, such a voice processing operation is extremely easy. Further, instead of or in addition to voice utterance, a display operation on the liquid crystal display unit 7 may be performed. This also applies to the following utterance operation.

  Next, the application program causes the Speech SDK to function and say "Please teach me the start point Y; the start point Y." Read the beam path at the start point in the direction and at the start point in the longitudinal direction. ”(ST4). This is a process for specifying the coordinate position of the end point K1 of the defect 17 of the rail.

  As shown in FIG. 6, when the probe 1 is reciprocated in the Y direction, the emitted ultrasonic wave is reflected by the defect and returns to the probe 1. That is, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, when the probe 1 is brought close to the defect position, the reflected echo of the beam path W1 is first received, then the reflected echo of the beam path W is received, and finally A reflected echo having a beam path length W2 is received.

  Corresponding to such an operation, the A scope image displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 7 generally changes as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) to 7 (g). Specifically, when the probe 1 approaches the defect 17, the echo level is initially low (see FIG. 7A), but the level gradually increases (FIGS. 7B to 7D). Thereafter, when the peak value is reached, the level gradually decreases (FIGS. 7D to 7G). FIG. 6C is a virtual illustration of the temporal transitions of FIGS. 7A to 7G as an A scope image.

  On the other hand, depending on the defect 17, a peak value may be shown at both ends of the defect, and the reflected echo in this case changes with time as shown in FIGS. FIG. 6D is a virtual illustration of the temporal transition of FIGS. 7H to 7O as an A scope image.

  As shown in FIG. 6 (c) and FIG. 6 (d), the reflected echo changes irregularly in time depending on the type of the defect, but this flaw detector EQU fully automates the flaw detection operation. Rather, it is left to the operator's judgment to detect the defect. Therefore, even if there are reflected waves from the rail end surface and multiple reflected waves ECH1 to ECH3 from the defect (see FIG. 8A), there is no possibility that the unnecessary waves ECH2 and ECH3 are erroneously detected. . Even when a defect exists near the rail surface (in this case, it is extremely important as a defect), it is possible to reliably detect the defect echo ECH buried in the radiation wave TR. FIG. 8B illustrates the defect echo ECH buried in the radiated wave TR. From the comparison with the radiated wave TR (see FIG. 8C) when no defect echo exists, human reasoning power is shown. If so, the defect echo ECH can be easily detected.

  If the operator detects a defect echo (echo from the defect K1 detected at the rail width start point and the longitudinal start point), the defect echo from the lowest point K1 is answered in response to the call of step ST4. Is uttered (ST5). Then, in response to this utterance, the application program acquires the derived length R and derived angle θ of the measurement line 2a from the input circuit 9.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining a method of calculating the current position of the probe 1 from the obtained derived length R and derived angle θ. By the confirmation process of the origin position in step ST3 (FIG. 4), the derived length R0 and the derived angle θ0 of the measurement line 2a at the origin position (0, 0, 0) are already stored. Therefore, the deviation angle θ1 from the origin position can be specified by the derived angle θ input in the process of step ST5 this time, and the current position of the probe 1 (Yst in FIG. 9) has an X coordinate. R1 × SINθ1 and the Y coordinate are specified as R1 × COSθ1−R0.

  As described above, the XY coordinates of the probe 1 at the moment when the defect lowest point (K1 in FIG. 3) in the depth direction of the rail is found are automatically calculated. On the other hand, as described above with respect to step ST5, the beam path W1 at this moment is specified by the voice of the operator. FIG. 5 specifically shows the procedure of speech recognition (ST5) for the beam path W.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the application program is in a speech recognition operation state (ST20), and the operator conveys the beam path length by sounding the numbers 0 to 9 and the decimal point one by one. . For example, if the beam path length is “780.45”, “Nana” “bee” “zero” “dot” “yong” “go” is uttered and then “end” is uttered. The voice of the worker uttered in this way is compared with the data of the matching table TBL (see FIG. 2A), and the voice with the highest matching rate is stored in the buffer area BUFF. FIG. 2B shows this state, and “NULL” data is stored because a noise sound is picked up at the beginning and midway.

  If the application program recognizes the voice “end” (ST21), it reproduces significant data excluding NULL data. In this example, “seven” “eight” “zero” “point”. ... pronounced in English (ST22). Finally, it pronounces “Is that OK?” (ST23). In order to make use of the Speech SDK functions, the voice is spoken in English. However, in order to increase the smoothness of the work, it is preferable to register necessary Japanese in advance and reproduce this Japanese. It is also preferable to display numbers on the screen instead of voice utterance.

  In any case, the operator utters “yes” or “no” in response to the confirmation message by voice or image, so that the speech SDK automatically receives the recognition content in the buffer area BUFF. Store. Therefore, the application program confirms that the recognition result is either “yes” or “no” and exits the speech recognition process (ST24, ST25).

  Next, if the recognition result is No, it means that the voice recognition of the beam path has failed, so the process returns to step ST20. On the other hand, if the recognition result is Yes, it means that the speech recognition of the beam path has succeeded, so the application program stores the numerical data (text data) of the buffer area BUFF (ST27).

  As described above, the XY coordinates (Yst position in FIG. 9) of the probe 1 when the lowest point K1 of the defect is found and the beam path W1 at that moment are registered in the apparatus EQU. This means that the coordinate value of the lowest point K1 of the defect 17 has been specified. That is, as is apparent from FIGS. 6 and 9, the XYZ coordinates of the lowest point K1 (see FIG. 3) at the starting point in the width direction of the defect 17 are (R1 × SINθ1, W1 × COSφ + R1 ′, W1 × SINφ). . Note that R1 ′ = R1 × COSθ1−R0.

  When the processes of steps ST20 to ST27 are thus completed, the operations of steps ST6 to ST7 in FIG. 4 are thereafter performed. Specifically, the processing is almost the same as the processing in steps ST4 to ST5, and the probe 1 is moved on the Y axis that is the length direction of the rail to find the top point K2 of the defect at the starting point in the width direction of the rail. The beam path W2 at that moment is input by voice. Further, since the output (R2, θ2) of the encoder 2 is automatically acquired, the XY coordinates (Yend in FIG. 9) of the probe 1 when the top point K2 of the defect 17 is found, and the beam at that moment The path W2 is registered in the apparatus EQU. This means that the top point K2 of the defect at the starting point in the width direction of the rail is specified. That is, as apparent from FIGS. 6 and 9, the XYZ coordinates of the uppermost point K2 of the defect are (R1 × SINθ1, W1 × COSφ + R1 ′, W1 × SINφ). Note that R1 ′ = R1 × COSθ1−R0.

  The subsequent processes are the same, and the XYZ coordinates of the lowest point K3 at the end point in the width direction of the defect 17 and the uppermost point K4 at the end point in the width direction are specified by the processes in steps ST8 to ST9 and steps ST10 to ST11, respectively. .

  Therefore, the three-dimensional shape of the defect 17 is specified by the processing of steps ST1 to ST11. Therefore, the flaw detection operation can be completed, and data specifying the defect can be taken home. The acquired data can be automatically registered in the host computer. Further, it is possible to evaluate defects by displaying a B scope image or a C scope image based on the data brought back. The B scope image is obtained by displaying the defect 17 in a sectional view (displayed on the YZ plane), and the C scope image is obtained by displaying the defect 17 in a plane (on the XY plane). Displayed).

  And the rail which has a defect is discarded and replaced | exchanged, for example according to the grade of the defect, or a reinforcement tool is attached around a defect. As described above, since the origin position for specifying the defect position is marked during the flaw detection operation, the reinforcement tool can be attached at an optimal position during the later installation work of the reinforcement tool.

  As mentioned above, although one Example of this invention was described concretely, the concrete description content does not specifically limit this invention. For example, in the flaw detection apparatus of the embodiment, the encoder 2 for measuring the derived length R and the derived direction θ of the measurement line 2a is provided, but this may be omitted. In this case, every time the defects K1, K2, K3, and K4 are detected, the XY coordinate values of the probe 1 may be inputted by voice together with the beam path lengths W1 to W4. In this case as well, since there are 12 types of objects to be recognized, from “zero” to “cue”, “dot”, and “end”, the burden on the system does not increase. In addition, since the exact shape of the defect is not necessarily required, it is preferable to specify only the defect start point K1 and the end point K4 and pretend that the defect is a substantially rectangular defect in terms of improving the efficiency of the flaw detection work. It is.

  In many cases, it is more convenient to measure in an arbitrary order instead of measuring in the order of K1 → (K2 → K3) → K4. Therefore, when there is such a request, the worker does not utter the beam path based on the guidance from the equipment, but the worker himself indicates the measurement points (K1 to K4), and the measurement points. It is preferable to utter the beam path at (see S4 to S5 in FIG. 10). For example, after uttering “K (Kay)”, “2 (Knee)”, “Dot” and specifying the measurement point K2, say “7” “8” “0”. Specify the journey, and say “End” at the end. Further, when the beam path reading process is completed, for example, “completion” may be uttered to indicate the completion of the work (see S7 in FIG. 10). In this case, it is only necessary to add the data “Kay (K)” and “Cancel (complete)” to the matching table TBL.

  In the above embodiment, the Speech SDK distributed free of charge from the OS manufacturer is used for speech recognition. However, other speech recognition engines may be used as a matter of course. Note that it is not always necessary to install a general-purpose OS in the flaw detection apparatus. However, in order to improve convenience in connection with the flaw detection work, it is necessary to connect a digital camera in addition to the configuration of the embodiment. (In particular, it is preferable to use Windows (registered trademark) having a high penetration rate or Linux (registered trademark) of free OS). This is because if the general-purpose OS is adopted, various types of application software are enriched, and it is easy to improve the convenience of the apparatus.

1 is a block diagram of an ultrasonic flaw detector according to an embodiment. It is drawing explaining a voice recognition process. It is a perspective view explaining a flaw detection work. It is a flowchart explaining a flaw detection process. It is a flowchart which shows a part of FIG. 4 in detail. It is drawing explaining the principle of flaw detection work. It is drawing explaining an A scope image. It is drawing which shows A scope image. It is another drawing explaining the principle of flaw detection work. It is a flowchart explaining the example of a change. It is drawing which shows A scope image.

Explanation of symbols

EQ Ultrasonic flaw detector P Defect echo W Beam path 1 Probe 12 Voice input unit 2 Encoder 9 Position information input unit

Claims (6)

An audio input unit in which the beam path of the defect echo detected during the ultrasonic flaw detection operation is input by an audio signal;
Corresponding to the operation of the voice input unit, the position information input unit to which the position information of the probe at that time is input,
A voice recognition unit that recognizes a voice signal received from the voice input unit in contrast to a limited specific voice pattern;
A result output unit that outputs a recognition result of the voice recognition unit;
An ultrasonic flaw detector which stores information on defect echoes input from the voice input unit based on an instruction to agree with the output contents of the result output unit. The ultrasonic flaw detector is equipped with a display unit,
The ultrasonic flaw detector according to claim 1, wherein the beam path of the defect echo is artificially read from an A scope image displayed on the display unit and inputted by voice. The ultrasound according to claim 1, wherein the voice input unit also serves as the position information input unit, and the position information of the probe is artificially input as a voice signal through the voice input unit. Flaw detection equipment. The ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the position information input unit includes an encoder, and the position information of the probe is automatically input via the encoder. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a general-purpose OS is mounted and the entire apparatus is integrated. The ultrasonic flaw detector according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the ultrasonic flaw detector is divided into a portable computer device and a dedicated device connected thereto.

Images