JP2006337151A - Ultrasonic inspection device of piping, and inspection method of piping - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an ultrasonic inspection device for efficiently and continuously inspecting the internal flaws of piping from the three-dimensional ultrasonic image of the ultrasonic inspection target part having an arcuate curved shape of the piping. <P>SOLUTION: The ultrasonic inspection device of the piping is constituted of a support frame 13 installed around the piping 11 to be inspected via a plurality of support legs 12; an ultrasonic probe device 15 attached to the support frame and equipped with an ultrasonic transducer 20; an ultrasonic prove moving device 16 having the ultrasonic probe device 15 provided thereto so as to make it possible to move the same in the peripheral direction around the piping and the axial direction of the piping, while bringing a sound propagating medium into close contact with the surface of the piping; an operation drive means for selectively transmitting a drive signal to the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit 30 receiving a reflected echo by the ultrasonic transducer, to selectively detect the electric signal of an ultrasonic echo; a signal processing means 31 for forming the three-dimensional image data of the inspection target part; and a display processor 32 of the three-dimensional image data. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection technique for performing nondestructive inspection of an internal defect state of a pipe, which is a cylindrical inspection object, and a state of a joint using ultrasonic waves. The present invention relates to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for pipes for inspecting and inspecting internal defects such as foreign matters three-dimensionally and an inspection method thereof.

  As this type of ultrasonic inspection technique, there is a three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-149213 (Patent Document 1) and Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2004-53360 (Patent Document 2).

  This three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer in which a large number of piezoelectric transducers (piezoelectric transducers) are arranged in a matrix or array (linear), and any of the piezoelectric transducers of the ultrasonic transducer An ultrasonic wave is generated from the object, and the generated ultrasonic wave is transmitted / received to / from a plate-shaped inspection object having a planar boundary layer via an acoustic propagation medium, and the internal structure, defects, voids, oxide film of the plate-shaped inspection object The internal state such as peeling can be visualized three-dimensionally, and the plate-like inspection object can be inspected nondestructively.

A conventional three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus sets an ultrasonic transducer on a plate-like inspection object, presses the ultrasonic transducer against the inspection object by manual operation, and obtains three-dimensional image data by ultrasonic waves. Thereafter, the manual operation of moving to the next inspection location and pressing the ultrasonic transducer again is repeated to obtain three-dimensional image data of the inspection object. For this reason, in a conventional three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection target device, a three-dimensional ultrasonic image is obtained by performing a manual operation in which the ultrasonic transducer is manually pressed and moved one after another to the inspection location of the plate-shaped inspection target. Therefore, it is necessary to perform ultrasonic inspection of the plate-shaped inspection object while confirming the three-dimensional inspection image each time.
JP 2003-149213 A JP 2004-53360 A

  In a conventional three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection apparatus, a plate-shaped inspection object is an object of ultrasonic inspection, and an ultrasonic transducer is moved in plane on the inspection object to obtain a three-dimensional ultrasonic image. When the inspection object is a cylindrical pipe such as a pipe, it is difficult to inspect continuously.

  In addition, since the ultrasonic transducer of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus is moved by being pressed against the object to be inspected by manual operation, the scanning movement of the ultrasonic transducer is not stable and the inspection area is large, it is manually operated. Since the ultrasonic transducer is moved and pressed against the plate-shaped inspection object each time while detecting the amount of movement, there is variation due to individual differences in the ultrasonic inspection, and the ultrasonic inspection is performed efficiently and efficiently. It was difficult to carry out.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-described circumstances, and an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for piping that can efficiently and continuously perform three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection of an inspection target portion of a pipe that is a cylindrical inspection object, and It aims at providing the inspection method.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for pipes capable of efficiently and efficiently performing nondestructive inspections on defects and joints such as cracks, nests, and foreign matters in the pipe over the entire circumference. It is to provide an inspection method.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for piping according to the present invention has a ring shape or a plurality of supporting legs installed around a piping to be inspected via a plurality of support legs. A torus-like support frame, an ultrasonic probe device attached to the support frame and provided with an ultrasonic transducer, and an ultrasonic probe movement in which the ultrasonic probe device is provided so as to be movable in the circumferential and axial directions around the pipe An apparatus, operation driving means for selectively transmitting a drive signal to the piezoelectric transducer of the ultrasonic transducer, and the piezoelectric transducer of the ultrasonic transducer, which is transmitted from the piezoelectric transducer to the inspection target portion of the pipe via an acoustic transmission medium The reflected echo from the inspection target part is received by the ultrasonic transducer and the electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo is selectively detected. Signal detection circuit, signal processing means for processing the electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo detected by the signal detection circuit, and generating three-dimensional image data of the inspection object part, and three-dimensional data processed by the signal processing means A display device that displays image data, and the ultrasonic probe moving device is configured to be movable in a circumferential direction and an axial direction while an acoustic propagation medium provided in the ultrasonic transducer is in close contact with a pipe surface It is a thing.

  In addition, in order to solve the above-described problem, the ultrasonic inspection method for piping according to the present invention closely attaches the ultrasonic probe device to the piping of the inspection object via an acoustic propagation medium. The ultrasonic probe device is continuously moved in the circumferential direction while bringing the acoustic propagation medium into close contact with the pipe surface to generate three-dimensional image data of a strip-shaped inspection target portion along the circumferential direction of the pipe. After moving the probe device in the circumferential direction of the pipe, the probe device is moved by one step in the axial direction of the pipe, and then the ultrasonic probe device is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe at the moving position for one step, so A method for generating three-dimensional image data of a strip inspection target part adjacent to the part, and thereafter generating three-dimensional image data of the pipe inspection target part by repeating the circumferential movement and the axial movement of the ultrasonic probe device. is there

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The ultrasonic inspection apparatus and inspection method for piping according to the present invention can efficiently and continuously perform a three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection on an inspection target portion of a pipe that is a cylindrical inspection object, and have an arcuate curved surface shape. It is possible to efficiently and efficiently inspect the internal defect of the inspection target part.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a simplified overall configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for piping according to the present invention.

  This ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 continuously and automatically moves and scans a pipe 11 that is a cylindrical inspection object over the entire circumference or a required section in the circumferential direction, and cracks, nests, and foreign matters in the pipe 11 are detected. Thus, it is possible to efficiently and efficiently perform nondestructive inspection and flaw detection with ultrasonic waves.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 includes a ring-shaped or torus-shaped support frame 13 provided on a pipe 11 via a plurality of support legs 12, and an ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 is connected to the support frame 13 with an ultrasonic probe moving apparatus. 16 is provided so as to be movable in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the pipe 11. The support legs 12 are installed radially around the pipe 11. The support leg 12 extends radially inward from the support frame 13, and its leg foot (tip) contacts the surface of the pipe 11 and presses the pipe surface.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 includes an apparatus main body 18, an ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 connected to the apparatus main body 18 by a flexible signal cable 19 or wirelessly, and the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 in a circumferential direction around a pipe 11. And an ultrasonic probe moving device 16 that moves and scans the pipe 11 in the axial direction. The ultrasonic probe device 15 is attached to the support frame 13 via the ultrasonic probe moving device 16.

  The ultrasonic probe device 15 functions as an ultrasonic camera. The ultrasonic probe device 15 is attached to the ultrasonic transducer 20 provided with piezoelectric vibrators (piezoelectric transducers) arranged in a matrix or linear form (array form), and the pipe 11 side of the ultrasonic transducer 20. And an acoustic propagation medium 21. The acoustic propagation medium 21 is formed of liquid or solid, and when the solid acoustic propagation medium 21 is used, a jelly-like (gel-like) or water or the like is interposed between the acoustic propagation medium 21 and the pipe 11 and the ultrasonic transducer 20. A liquid coupling 22 is interposed.

  The acoustic propagation medium 21 has a coupling 22 interposed between the pipe 11 or the ultrasonic transducer 20, thereby bringing the ultrasonic probe device 15 into close contact with the pipe 11 via the acoustic propagation medium 21, and a slight gap in the contact portion. The acoustic coupling is made so that there is no air layer.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 includes an operation driving unit 25 that drives the ultrasonic transducer 20 of the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 in the apparatus main body 18. The operation driving means 25 includes an operation unit 26 that outputs an operation command signal, a signal generation unit 27 that receives the operation command signal and generates a pulsed drive signal that drives the ultrasonic transducer 20, and the signal generation An ultrasonic wave oscillated from the ultrasonic transducer 20, having a drive element selection unit 28 that selects a piezoelectric vibrator to which a drive signal from the unit 27 is applied and selectively drives the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer 20. Is irradiated to the inspection object area of the pipe 11 which is the inspection object.

  Further, the apparatus main body 18 of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 includes a signal detection circuit 30 that detects an electric signal of a reflected echo from the inspection target region of the pipe 11 via the ultrasonic transducer 20, and the signal detection circuit 30. A signal processing unit 31 for generating three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic image data by performing parallel arithmetic processing on the detected electrical signal of the reflected echo, and visualizing the three-dimensional ultrasonic imaging data processed by the signal processing unit 31 And a display device 32 for displaying in a three-dimensional or expanded state.

  In addition, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 can quickly extract and display a joint state and internal structure of the pipe 11 as a high-sensitivity and high-resolution three-dimensional ultrasonic image in an expanded state with an inspection object.

  The piezoelectric transducer group of the ultrasonic transducer 20 constitutes a piezoelectric conversion unit, and the reflected echo received by the piezoelectric conversion unit is converted into an electric signal by the piezoelectric conversion unit and becomes an electric echo signal to be a signal detection circuit. 30. The signal detection circuit 30 detects an electrical signal of a reflected echo generated by the ultrasonic transducer 20 as an ultrasonic sensor.

  Among the electrical echo signals detected by the signal detection circuit 30, a plurality of electrical echo signals necessary for the inspection are guided to the respective amplifiers 34 constituting the amplifier circuit.

  Each amplifier 34 amplifies the guided electrical echo signal and supplies it to the A / D converter 35. The A / D converter 35 A / D converts the amplified electric echo signal into a digital signal, and guides it to a parallel processor as the processing processor 36 of the signal processing unit as a digital echo signal.

  The processing processor 36 of the signal processing unit 31 constituting the signal processing means includes, for example, a plurality of parallel processors and an integrated processor that integrates a plurality of pieces of image information generated by the parallel processors.

  The parallel processor of the signal processing unit 31 processes the digital echo signal derived from each A / D converter 35, and generates image information that develops and visualizes the internal state of the pipe 11 having an arcuate curved surface. . A plurality of pieces of image information generated by the parallel processor are integrated by an integrated processor and guided to the display device 32.

  When a multiplexer (not shown) is mounted on the signal detection circuit 30 or the signal processing unit 31, a plurality of parallel processors and integrated processors are unnecessary, and integrated image information can be created by one parallel processor.

  The three-dimensional ultrasonic image information generated by processing the digitized ultrasonic echo signal by the signal processing unit 31 is sent to the display device 32 and displayed on the display device 32.

  On the other hand, the ultrasonic probe device 15 is provided by the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 so as to be movable along the circumferential direction around the pipe 11 and the axial direction of the pipe 11.

  The ultrasonic probe moving device 16 includes a circumferential moving mechanism 38 provided on the support frame 13, an axial moving mechanism 39, and an ultrasonic probe driving operation system 40 that drives both moving mechanisms 38 and 39. The ultrasonic probe drive operation system 40 includes a drive controller 41 that controls the drive of both moving mechanisms 38 and 39.

  The ultrasonic probe moving device 16 moves the circumferential movement mechanism 38 along the support frame 13 by outputting a drive control signal from the drive controller 41 of the ultrasonic probe driving operation system 40 to the circumferential movement mechanism 38. The ultrasonic probe device 15 is moved and scanned in the circumferential direction around the pipe 11 and the ultrasonic transducer 20 is brought into close contact with the pipe surface. The circumferential movement mechanism 38 is moved in the circumferential direction along the support frame 13, while the circumferential movement amount and the movement position thereof are detected by, for example, an encoder device 44 shown in FIG.

  The circumferential movement mechanism 38 is constituted by, for example, a motor-driven gear mechanism (not shown), and the circumferential movement mechanism 38 is moved along the support frame 13 by meshing the sun gear of the support frame 13 with the motor-driven pinion. It is moved in the circumferential direction, and the rotation amount of the motor shaft is detected by the encoder device 44. An optical position detection unit may be provided instead of the encoder device 44.

  By detecting the inspection position of the ultrasonic transducer 20 with the encoder device 44 shown in FIG. 2 and controlling the timing of transmission and reception from the ultrasonic transducer 20 by the operation driving means 25, the pipe 11 is not the entire surface in the circumferential direction. An arbitrary designated place can be made into a three-dimensional image.

  In addition, the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 outputs a drive control signal from the drive controller 41 to the axial direction moving mechanism 39 to drive the axial direction moving mechanism 39, thereby moving the ultrasonic probe device 15 in the axial direction of the pipe 11. Move one step along. Also at this time, the ultrasonic probe device 15 moves the ultrasonic transducer 20 in a state of being in close contact with the pipe surface. The width for one step corresponds to the effective width (in the pipe axis direction) of the ultrasonic wave oscillated from the ultrasonic transducer 20 of the ultrasonic probe device 15. The axial movement mechanism 39 is constituted by, for example, a multistage fluid cylinder device, and intermittently moves the ultrasonic probe device 15 in multiple stages by one step along the axial direction of the pipe 11.

  The ultrasonic probe moving device 16 drives the circumferential movement mechanism 38 to move the ultrasonic probe device 15 in the circumferential direction around the pipe, and then drives the axial movement mechanism 39 to move along the axial direction of the pipe 11. Move one step. Thereafter, the ultrasonic probe device 15 repeats circumferential movement and axial movement. While moving in the circumferential direction around the pipe, the ultrasonic probe device 15 functions as an ultrasonic camera, forms a strip-shaped inspection target area of the pipe 11 in the circumferential direction, and moves the inspection target area of the pipe 11 in the circumferential direction. However, non-destructive three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection is performed.

  The ultrasonic probe device 15 ultrasonically inspects the belt-shaped inspection target region along the circumferential direction of the pipe 11, and then moves the axial direction of the pipe 11 by one step by the axial movement mechanism 39 and stops it. The circumferential movement mechanism 38 is driven at this stop position, and a three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection is performed on the strip-shaped inspection target region of the pipe 11 along the circumferential direction while moving in the pipe circumferential direction. In this manner, the ultrasonic probe device 15 ultrasonically inspects the strip-shaped inspection target region of the pipe 11 along the circumferential direction, and moves the strip-shaped inspection target region of the pipe 11 sequentially by moving one step in the pipe axial direction. It can be developed in the axial direction, and the entire surface of the pipe 11 can be ultrasonically inspected as necessary.

  By the way, the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 is configured as shown in FIG. 3, and the ultrasonic transducer 20 has a large number of piezoelectric vibrators (piezoelectric transducers) 45 arranged in a matrix or linear form (array form). The acoustic propagation medium 21 is provided as a shoe member on the piezoelectric transducer 45 side of the ultrasonic transducer 20. When the shoe member 21 is made of a solid acoustic propagation medium, a coupling 22 for acoustic coupling is interposed between the shoe member 21, the ultrasonic transducer 20, and the pipe surface.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the shoe member 21 is configured using an oblique acoustic propagation medium in which a cross section along the pipe axis direction has a triangular shape and a surface in contact with the outer surface of the pipe forms an arcuate curved surface. The ultrasonic transducer 20 is provided obliquely with respect to the pipe 11.

  The ultrasonic probe device 15 selects a pulse-like electric signal output from the signal generation unit 27 of the operation driving means 25 by the drive element selection unit 28 and performs a large number of piezoelectric vibrations of the ultrasonic transducer 20 in a matrix or array form. By sequentially applying each of the sub-elements 45 to each other, an ultrasonic wave is generated, and the generated ultrasonic wave is transmitted into the pipe 11 through the oblique angle acoustic propagation medium 21 as shown in FIG.

  When the ultrasonic wave incident on the pipe 11 is irradiated to the defect 46 of the welded portion 11a, reflection occurs due to the density difference. The echoes of the ultrasonic waves reflected by the welding defect 46 of the pipe 11 are sequentially received by the multiple piezoelectric vibrators 45 of the ultrasonic transducer 20. A group of piezoelectric vibrators composed of a large number of piezoelectric vibrators 45 constitutes a piezoelectric conversion unit and forms an ultrasonic sensor.

  The ultrasonic echoes received by the respective piezoelectric vibrators 45 of the ultrasonic transducer 20 are converted into electric signals and sent to the signal detection circuit 30, and the internal defects 46 of the pipe welded portion 11b can be imaged.

  Next, the effect | action of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 of the piping 11 is demonstrated.

  In order to ultrasonically inspect the internal defect and internal damage of the pipe 11 having an arcuate curved surface using the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10, a support frame 13 is attached to the pipe 11, which is a cylindrical inspection object, via a support leg 12. Fix it. An ultrasonic probe moving device 16 is provided on the support frame 13, and the ultrasonic probe device 15 is attached to the ultrasonic probe moving device 16. The ultrasonic probe device 15 is attached to the axial movement mechanism 39 of the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 by an attachment frame 47, and in this attached state, the ultrasonic transducer 20 of the ultrasonic probe device 15 is connected to the acoustic propagation medium 21 and the coupling 22. Through the pipe surface.

  Subsequently, the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 is connected to the ultrasonic probe activation operation system 40 via a cable, and the ultrasonic probe device 15 is connected to the apparatus main body 18 using a signal cable. The ultrasonic probe driving operation system 40 may be incorporated in the apparatus main body 18. By assembling the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 and the ultrasonic probe device 15 and connecting them to the apparatus main body 18 side, preparation for ultrasonic inspection is completed, and then ultrasonic inspection work is started.

  In this ultrasonic inspection work, the operation unit 26 of the operation driving means 25 is operated to output a command signal and input to the signal generation unit 27. The signal generator 27 receives the command signal and generates an electric pulse-like drive signal. The selection unit 28 that drives a required piezoelectric vibrator from the drive signal generated by the signal generation unit 27 is selectively driven to apply a drive pulse voltage to the required piezoelectric vibrator 45 of the ultrasonic transducer 20. By applying the pulse voltage, the piezoelectric vibrator 45 is subjected to piezoelectric conversion, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the piezoelectric vibrator 45.

  The transmitted ultrasonic waves are incident on the pipe 11 through the oblique angle acoustic propagation medium 21 disposed in close contact with the pipe 11 and reflected by the internal defect 46 of the pipe 11. The reflected echoes of the ultrasonic waves are received by a large number of piezoelectric vibrators 45 as piezoelectric transducers through the acoustic transmission medium 21 for oblique angles, where they are converted into electrical signals of ultrasonic echoes.

  The electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo is subsequently transmitted from the ultrasonic transducer 20 to the signal detection circuit 30 shown in FIG. 1 and selectively received by the signal detection circuit 30.

  The electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo received by the signal detection circuit 30 is sent to the signal processing unit 31, amplified by the signal processing unit 31, further A / D converted, and becomes a digital echo electrical signal. This digital echo electric signal is subjected to signal processing (aperture synthesis processing) by a processing processor 36 as a personal computer to generate three-dimensional image data. The three-dimensional image data corresponds to the mesh in the three-dimensional imaging region set inside the inspection target of the pipe 11 (the scale of the three-dimensional imaging region set in advance in the processing processor 36). As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the inspection target area of the pipe 11 is visualized and displayed in a pipe developed state as data as a three-dimensional image.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 performs ultrasonic inspection by moving the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 along the circumferential direction around the pipe 11 and along the axial direction of the pipe 11 by the ultrasonic probe moving apparatus 16.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 performs ultrasonic inspection by moving the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 in the circumferential direction and the axial direction of the pipe 11 by the ultrasonic probe moving apparatus 16.

  In this ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10, first, the circumferential movement mechanism 38 of the ultrasonic probe moving device 16 is driven, the circumferential movement mechanism 38 is moved along the support frame 13, and the ultrasonic wave of the ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 is moved. The transducer 20 is automatically moved in the circumferential direction while being in close contact with the pipe surface. While moving the ultrasonic probe device 15 in the circumferential direction of the pipe 11, the ultrasonic probe device 15 is driven to perform a three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection in the circumferential direction of the pipe 11. Ultrasonic inspection is performed while the ultrasonic probe device 15 is moving in the circumferential direction of the pipe 11.

  The ultrasonic probe apparatus 15 is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe 11 and ultrasonically inspected in the circumferential direction of the belt-shaped inspection area 50 (see FIG. 4), and then the driving of the circumferential movement mechanism 38 is stopped to move in the axial direction. The mechanism 39 is driven. By this driving, the ultrasonic probe device 15 is moved by one step along the axial direction of the pipe 11 (the step width is the symbol d shown in FIG. 4).

  After the ultrasonic probe device 15 has moved one step in the pipe axial direction, the driving of the axial movement mechanism 39 is stopped, the circumferential movement mechanism 38 is driven again, and an ultrasonic inspection along the circumferential direction of the pipe 11 is performed. .

  By repeating the circumferential movement and the axial movement of the ultrasonic probe device 15 by the ultrasonic probe moving device 16, the ultrasonic probe device 15 performs a moving scan over substantially the entire surface of the pipe or over an arbitrary arcuate surface. can do. Ultrasonic inspection can be performed while the ultrasonic probe device 15 is moving in the pipe circumferential direction, and three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection can be performed over the entire surface of the pipe 11 as necessary.

  According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 of this pipe, the image information synthesized by the signal processing unit 31 is connected and combined using the circumferential position signal θ of the encoder device 44 (see FIG. 2) which is a position detection means. As shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, the cylindrical shape of the pipe 11 is developed in a circumferential direction, a plane screen in the circumferential direction (θ-X diagram), The cross section in the radial direction (XR diagram, θ-R diagram) can be visualized and displayed as an image.

  According to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 for the pipe 11, the internal defect inspection of the pipe 11 can be automatically performed over the entire area to be inspected, and the inspection result is displayed as a three-dimensional image or FIG. As shown in (B) and (C), it is possible to display with a developed image developed.

  FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for piping according to the present invention.

  The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10A shown in this embodiment is capable of three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection of internal defects of pipes of various diameters, and is shown in the first embodiment except for the configuration of support legs. Since the configuration and operation are the same as those of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description thereof is omitted.

  In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10A for piping shown in FIG. In the support leg 51, the leg tip (foot) of the support leg 51 is always pressed toward the pipe 11 by spring force or fluid pressure.

  The telescopic mechanism 52 has a telescopic structure in which the slide leg 53 is slidable with respect to the fixed leg 54 and is urged toward the pipe surface by the spring force of the pressing spring 55.

  An expansion / contraction mechanism of a fluid cylinder device may be employed instead of the expansion / contraction mechanism that biases the support leg 51 in a spring, and the piston rod of the fluid cylinder device may be pressed against the pipe surface as a slide leg.

  Also in this pipe ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10A, it is possible to perform non-destructive three-dimensional ultrasonic inspection of pipes having various pipe diameters, and the same as the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 10 shown in the first embodiment. An effect can be produced.

  In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, the example in which the ultrasonic probe device is provided so as to be movable in the circumferential direction and the axial direction around the pipe has been shown, but instead of moving the ultrasonic probe device in the circumferential direction and the axial direction. The pipe may be configured to be rotatably supported. In this case, the ultrasonic probe device may be moved only in the axial direction of the pipe.

  In the ultrasonic probe apparatus, an ultrasonic transducer is provided in the ultrasonic propagation medium for oblique angles. However, the oblique probe method in which ultrasonic waves are obliquely incident on the outer surface of the pipe is not used. Alternatively, a vertical flaw detection method in which the light is incident vertically may be employed. In either case, the acoustic propagation medium attached to the ultrasonic transducer moves in the circumferential direction and the axial direction while keeping the acoustic propagation medium and the pipe in close contact so that the ultrasonic wave can be incident on the inspection target part of the pipe. An ultrasonic probe moving device is provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The whole block diagram which shows 1st Embodiment of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of piping which concerns on this invention. The side view which follows the II-II line | wire of FIG. The fragmentary sectional view which expands and shows the A section of FIG. The figure which shows the example of imaging of the test result which ultrasonically inspected using the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of piping which concerns on this invention, and (A), (B) and (C) is a figure which shows in an unfolded state. The whole block diagram which shows 2nd Embodiment of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of piping which concerns on this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10,10A Ultrasonic inspection apparatus 11 Piping 12 Support leg 13 Support frame 15 Ultrasonic probe apparatus 16 Ultrasonic probe moving apparatus 18 Apparatus main body 20 Ultrasonic transducer 21 Acoustic propagation medium (shoe member)
22 coupling 25 operation drive means 26 operation unit 27 signal generation unit 28 drive element selection unit 30 signal detection circuit 31 signal processing unit 32 display device 34 amplification circuit 35 A / D converter 36 processing processor 38 circumferential movement mechanism 39 axial direction Moving mechanism 40 Ultrasonic probe drive operation system 41 Drive controller 44 Encoder device (position detection means)
45 Piezoelectric vibrator (piezoelectric transducer)
46 Internal defect 47 Mounting frame 50 Band-shaped inspection target area 51 Support leg 52 Telescopic mechanism 53 Slide leg 54 Fixed leg 55 Pressing spring

Claims (5)

A ring-shaped or torus-shaped support frame installed through a plurality of support legs around the pipe to be inspected;
An ultrasonic probe device attached to the support frame and provided with an ultrasonic transducer;
An ultrasonic probe moving device provided such that the ultrasonic probe device is movable in the circumferential direction and the axial direction around the pipe;
Operation driving means for selectively transmitting a driving signal to the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer;
It is transmitted from the piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer, is incident on the inspection target portion of the pipe via an acoustic transmission medium, receives the reflected echo from the inspection target portion by the ultrasonic transducer, and is an electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo A signal detection circuit for selectively detecting
A signal processing means for processing an electrical signal of the ultrasonic echo detected by the signal detection circuit and generating three-dimensional image data of the inspection object part;
A display device for displaying the three-dimensional image data processed by the signal processing means,
The ultrasonic probe moving apparatus is configured to be movable in a circumferential direction and an axial direction while an acoustic propagation medium provided in the ultrasonic transducer is closely attached to a pipe surface. . The ultrasonic probe moving device includes a circumferential moving mechanism that moves the ultrasonic probe device in the circumferential direction around the pipe, an axial moving mechanism that moves the ultrasonic probe device in the axial direction of the pipe, and movement of both moving mechanisms. The pipe ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a drive controller that controls the position of the ultrasonic probe apparatus. The ultrasonic probe device constitutes an ultrasonic camera, and the ultrasonic probe device is provided with an acoustic propagation medium for oblique angles having a triangular cross section on the piping side of the ultrasonic transducer,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus for pipes according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is provided on the pipe surface obliquely with respect to the axial direction thereof. A plurality of support legs that support the support frame around the pipe are arranged radially,
2. The pipe ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the support leg is provided so as to be extendable and contractable by an extension mechanism so that the leg foot presses the pipe surface. The ultrasonic probe device is brought into close contact with the piping of the inspection object via an acoustic propagation medium,
The ultrasonic probe device is continuously moved in the circumferential direction while closely adhering the acoustic propagation medium to the pipe surface to generate three-dimensional image data of the belt-shaped inspection target portion along the circumferential direction of the pipe,
After the ultrasonic probe device is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe, it is moved by one step in the axial direction of the pipe,
Subsequently, the ultrasonic probe apparatus is moved in the circumferential direction of the pipe at the movement position for one step to generate the three-dimensional image data of the band inspection object part adjacent to the band inspection object part,
Thereafter, the ultrasonic inspection method for piping is characterized in that three-dimensional image data of the inspection target portion of piping is created by repeating circumferential movement and axial movement of the ultrasonic probe device.

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