JP2020091156A - Ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus in a gantry method capable of efficient ultrasonic flaw detection.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus 100 comprises rotation means 1, a first carriage 2A, a second carriage 2B, a plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A, a plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B and control means 4. The control means executes: a first step for moving the first carriage to the center part of a tube P and moving the second carriage to the rear end part of the tube; a second step for moving the plurality of first ultrasonic probes toward an exterior surface of the tube simultaneously and moving the plurality of second ultrasonic probes toward an exterior surface of the tube simultaneously; and a third step for performing ultrasonic flaw detection on the tube rotating in a circumferential direction while moving the first carriage toward the tip of the tube and, at the same time, performing ultrasonic flaw detection on the tube rotating in the circumferential direction while moving the second carriage back toward the rear end of the tube after moving the second carriage to the position to which the first carriage is moved in the first step.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an ultrasonic flaw detector for a long flaw-detecting material having a substantially circular cross section such as a pipe, a round bar, and a round billet. In particular, the present invention relates to a so-called gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector, which is capable of performing efficient ultrasonic flaw detection.

Conventionally, an ultrasonic flaw detection method has been applied as a quality assurance technology for a long flaw detection material having a substantially circular cross section, such as a pipe (steel pipe or the like), a round bar (a round bar steel or the like), a round billet or the like. As an apparatus for automatically performing ultrasonic flaw detection on the entire length of the flaw detection target material, a probe rotation type ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus and a gantry type ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus are typically known.

The probe rotation type ultrasonic flaw detector conveys the flaw detection material in the axial direction (longitudinal direction), and rotates the ultrasonic probe facing the outer surface of the flaw detection material in the circumferential direction of the flaw detection material. This is a device for ultrasonic flaw detection. This probe rotation type ultrasonic flaw detector has a drawback that the dead zone at the end of the flaw detection material is relatively large.

On the other hand, the gantry-type ultrasonic flaw detector has an advantage that the dead zone at the end of the flaw-detected material can be made smaller than that of the probe rotation-type ultrasonic flaw detector.
FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the general configuration and operation of a general gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector.
As shown in FIG. 6, the gantry type ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus includes a rotating means 1 such as a rotating roller for rotating the flaw detection material P in the circumferential direction, and a carriage capable of moving back and forth along the axial direction of the flaw detection material P. 2 and a plurality of local immersion type ultrasonic probes attached to the carriage 2 and arranged in order along the axial direction of the material to be detected P and capable of moving back and forth toward the outer surface of the material to be detected P (local water immersion). The ultrasonic probe of the type is provided with, for example, Patent Document 1) 3. In general, a plurality of ultrasonic probes are different in detection targets. Specifically, at least one of the types of flaws to be detected and the detection direction of the flaws to be detected (transmission/reception direction of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe) is different. The carriage 2 moves back and forth on a gantry 5 which is a gate-shaped mount installed across the axial direction of the material to be inspected P, and the carriage 2 moves back and forth, so that the ultrasonic probes 3 also detect the material to be inspected. It will move back and forth along the axial direction of P.

In the gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector having the above configuration, in the initial state shown in FIG. 6A, the carriage 2 is at the standby position, and the tip of the flaw-detecting material P conveyed from outside is positioned by the stopper 6. It
Next, as shown in FIG. 6B, the carriage 2 moves toward the tip portion (end portion on the left side in FIG. 6) of the flaw detection target material P. Then, of the plurality of ultrasonic probes 3, when the ultrasonic probe 3 located closest to the tip end side of the flaw detection target material P reaches the position facing the outer surface of the flaw detection target material P, the carriage 2 stops and The ultrasonic probe 3 moves (falls) toward the outer surface of the material P to be inspected.
As mentioned above, the ultrasonic probe 3 is a local immersion type. Therefore, after the ultrasonic probe 3 moves to reach the outer surface of the material to be inspected P, it takes about several seconds (stabilization) until the water as a contact medium is stabilized (air bubbles in the water are removed). Conversion time) is required. After the stabilization time has elapsed, the carriage 2 is moved again, and the ultrasonic probe 3 of the ultrasonic probe 3 for the flaw-detecting material P rotating in the circumferential direction by the rotating means 1 is started.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6C, when the ultrasonic probe 3 located second from the tip end side of the flaw detection target material P reaches a position facing the outer surface of the flaw detection material P, the carriage 2 stops. Then, the ultrasonic probe 3 moves (falls) toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material P. Then, after the stabilization time has elapsed, the carriage 2 moves again, and ultrasonic flaw detection by the ultrasonic probe 3 is started. Hereinafter, the same operation is repeated for each ultrasonic probe 3.

Next, as shown in FIG. 6D, among the plurality of ultrasonic probes 3 attached to the carriage 2, the ultrasonic probe 3 that has reached the tip of the material to be inspected P (the ultrasonic wave after the ultrasonic flaw detection is completed). The probe 3) sequentially recedes from the outer surface of the material P to be inspected.
Then, as shown in FIG. 6E, when ultrasonic flaw detection of the flaw-detected material P by all the ultrasonic probes 3 is completed and all the ultrasonic probes 3 recede from the outer surface of the flaw-detected material P, The carriage 2 moves toward the rear end portion (the end portion on the right side in FIG. 6) of the flaw detection target material P, and returns to the initial state shown in FIG. 6A.

According to the gantry-type ultrasonic flaw detector described above, the flaw-detecting material P is rotated in the circumferential direction by the rotating means 1, and the ultrasonic probe 3 is sequentially moved toward the outer surface of the flaw-detecting material P. As the carriage 2 advances, ultrasonic flaw detection is performed while moving the flaw detection material P along the axial direction of the flaw detection material P, so that the dead zone at the edge of the flaw detection material can be reduced.
However, since the stabilization time of the contact medium is required for each ultrasonic probe 3, the time required for flaw detection of the entire length of the material to be inspected P becomes longer accordingly. In particular, there is a problem that the flaw detection time increases as the number of ultrasonic probes 3 attached to the carriage 2 increases according to the number of types of flaws to be detected.

As the gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector, for example, "GRP-USIP|xx Portal" manufactured and sold by GE Inspection Technologies is known.
In the above ultrasonic flaw detector, two carriages 2 are provided to reduce flaw detection time. However, a gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector capable of performing more efficient ultrasonic flaw detection is desired. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 5821629

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional technology, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gantry-type ultrasonic flaw detector capable of performing efficient ultrasonic flaw detection.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, as a result of intensive studies, the inventors of the present invention have a configuration including a first carriage and a second carriage along the axial direction of the material to be inspected, and devise the operation of each of these carriages. The present inventors have completed the present invention by finding that it is possible to perform efficient ultrasonic flaw detection.

That is, in order to solve the above problems, the present invention is a rotating means for rotating a long flaw-shaped material having a substantially circular cross section in the circumferential direction,
A first carriage that is movable back and forth along the axial direction of the flaw detection material, and a rearward end portion of the flaw detection material with respect to the first carriage, and is moved back and forth along the axial direction of the flaw detection material. A plurality of local water immersion type attached to the movable second carriage and the first carriage, sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the flaw detection material, and capable of moving forward and backward toward the outer surface of the flaw detection material. A first ultrasonic probe and a plurality of local water immersion-type first attached to the second carriage, sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the flaw detection target material, and movable back and forth toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material. 2 ultrasonic probe, advance and retreat of the first carriage, the second carriage, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes, and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of Control means for controlling ultrasonic flaw detection of the flaw detection target material by a second ultrasonic probe, wherein the plurality of second ultrasonic probes are the same in number as the plurality of first ultrasonic probes, Of the first ultrasonic probe and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes, the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe located in the same order have the same detection target, and the control means is A first step of moving the first carriage to the central portion of the flaw detection material and moving the second carriage to the rear end portion of the flaw detection material; and a plurality of the plurality of steps attached to the first carriage. The first ultrasonic probe is simultaneously advanced toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material, and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage are simultaneously moved toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material. And a second step of moving the first carriage toward the tip of the material to be inspected while moving the material to be inspected that is rotated in the circumferential direction by the rotating means by the plurality of first ultrasonic probes. After performing ultrasonic flaw detection and moving the second carriage to the position where the first carriage was moved in the first step, the second carriage is retracted toward the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material. And a third step of ultrasonically flaw-detecting the material to be flaw-rotated in the circumferential direction by the rotating means by the plurality of second ultrasonic probes while performing the ultrasonic flaw-finding apparatus. ..

According to the ultrasonic flaw detection apparatus of the present invention, the first carriage is moved to the central portion of the flaw detection material by the first step executed by the control means, and the rear end of the flaw detection material is moved relative to the first carriage. The second carriage located on the side of this portion moves to the rear end of the flaw detection target material. Specifically, the first carriage moves to the central portion of the flaw-detected material, and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes attached to the first carriage all face the outer surface of the central portion of the flaw-detected material. Become. Further, the second carriage moves to the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material, and all of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage come to a position facing the outer surface of the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material. ..

Next, according to the second step executed by the control means, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes attached to the first carriage simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the flaw detection material (the outer surface of the central portion of the flaw detection material). At the same time, the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the material to be detected (the outer surface of the rear end portion of the material to be detected).
Since the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe are of the local immersion type, after the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes reach the outer surface of the flaw-detected material, as in the conventional case. It is necessary to stabilize the contact medium for several seconds before ultrasonic flaw detection is started. However, since the plurality of first ultrasonic probes simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the flaw detection target material, each of the first ultrasonic probes It is possible to shorten the stabilization time of the ultrasonic probe as a whole as compared with the case where the sonic probe and each second ultrasonic probe move individually and wait for the stabilization time to elapse.

Finally, by the third step executed by the control means, the first carriage moves toward the tip portion of the flaw detection material (thus, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes also move toward the tip portion of the flaw detection material). Then, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes ultrasonically detect the material to be inspected that rotates in the circumferential direction by the rotating means. The flaw detection range of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes is from the central portion to the tip portion of the flaw detection target material.
On the other hand, by the third step executed by the control means, the second carriage advances to the position (the central portion of the material to be inspected) where the first carriage has been advanced in the first step, and then the rear end portion of the material to be inspected. (Thereby also moving a plurality of second ultrasonic probes to the central portion of the flaw detection material and then retreating toward the rear end portion of the flaw detection material) toward the circumferential direction by the rotating means. The rotating flaw-detecting material is subjected to ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of second ultrasonic probes. The flaw detection range of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes is from the central portion to the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material.

Here, the plurality of second ultrasonic probes is the same number as the plurality of first ultrasonic probes. Further, among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes, the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe located in the same order have the same detection target.
In the present invention, the “detection target” means the type of flaw to be detected and the detection direction of the flaw to be detected (transmission/reception direction of ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic probe).
Therefore, for example, among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes, the detection target of the first ultrasonic probe located closest to the tip end side of the material to be inspected is an axial flaw as the type of flaw, and a flaw detection direction as the flaw detection direction. Is the clockwise direction in the circumferential direction of the flaw detection material (the ultrasonic flaw propagating in the clockwise direction in the circumferential direction of the flaw detection material detects the axial flaw), the most of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes The detection target of the second ultrasonic probe located on the tip side of the flaw detection material is also an axial flaw as the type of flaw, and the flaw detection direction is clockwise in the circumferential direction of the flaw detection material. Then, the first ultrasonic probe performs ultrasonic flaw detection in the flaw detection range from the central portion to the tip portion of the flaw detection target material so as to detect axial flaws by the ultrasonic waves propagating in the clockwise direction. The ultrasonic probe performs ultrasonic flaw detection in the flaw detection range from the central portion to the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material so as to detect axial flaws by the ultrasonic waves propagating clockwise. Therefore, the first ultrasonic probe alone has only the flaw detection range from the central portion to the tip portion of the flaw-detected material, and the second ultrasonic probe alone has only the flaw detection area from the central portion to the rear end portion of the flaw-detected material. As a whole, it is possible to perform ultrasonic flaw detection over the entire length of the flaw detection target with respect to the same detection target (in the above example, the axial flaw/the clockwise direction in the circumferential direction of the flaw detection target). The same applies to the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe that are located in another order.

As described above, according to the ultrasonic flaw detector of the present invention, while maintaining the advantage of the gantry method that the dead zone at the end of the flaw-detecting material can be reduced, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes are provided. (2) Since the stabilization time of the contact medium of the ultrasonic probe as a whole can be shortened, efficient ultrasonic flaw detection can be performed.

In the present invention, the "tip portion" of the flaw-detected material is, in the axial (longitudinal direction) both ends of the flaw-detected material, downstream in the moving (advancing) direction of the first carriage when performing ultrasonic flaw detection. Means the end on the side. Similarly, the "tip" of the flaw-detecting material described later means the end on the downstream side in the moving (advancing) direction of the first carriage when performing ultrasonic flaw detection, out of both axial ends (both edges) of the flaw-detecting material. To do. Further, the “rear end portion” of the flaw detection material means an end portion on the upstream side in the moving (advancing) direction of the first carriage when ultrasonic flaw detection is performed, of both axial end portions of the flaw detection material. .. Similarly, the “rear end” of the flaw-detecting material, which will be described later, also means the end of the axial direction of the flaw-detecting material on the upstream side in the moving (advancing) direction of the first carriage when performing ultrasonic flaw detection.
Further, in the present invention, “local immersion type” means that the ultrasonic probe (the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe) moves toward the outer surface of the material to be inspected. It means a method in which the contact medium is filled only with the outer surface of the material to be inspected only in the vicinity. Since the representative couplant is water, the term “local water immersion type” is used, but the couplant which can be used in the present invention is not limited to water.

Preferably, in the third step, the control means uses the first ultrasonic probe that has reached the tip of the flaw detection target material among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes attached to the first carriage. Of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage, the second ultrasonic probe that has reached the rear end of the flaw detection material is retracted from the outer surface of the flaw detection material Retreat from the outside.

According to the above preferred configuration, the first ultrasonic probe that has reached the tip of the material to be inspected (that is, the first ultrasonic probe after ultrasonic flaw detection) is the material to be inspected by the third step executed by the control means. The second ultrasonic probe (that is, the second ultrasonic probe after ultrasonic flaw detection is completed) retracts from the outer surface of the flaw detection material and reaches the rear end of the flaw detection material, and recedes from the outer surface of the flaw detection material. Therefore, rather than staying in the advanced position after the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe have finished ultrasonic flaw detection, the contact member that the ultrasonic probe normally has (the ultrasonic flaw detection during ultrasonic flaw detection is performed. It is possible to suppress excessive wear of the member that comes into contact with the outer surface of the material, and reduce the risk of damage to the ultrasonic probe.

According to the present invention, there is provided a gantry-type ultrasonic flaw detector capable of performing efficient ultrasonic flaw detection.

It is a figure which shows typically the schematic structure of the ultrasonic flaw detection equipment which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure explaining the kind of flaw and the detection direction of a flaw. It is a figure explaining the detection target of each 1st ultrasonic probe and each 2nd ultrasonic probe shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the control content of the control means shown in FIG. It is a figure explaining the control contents of the control means with which the ultrasonic flaw detector as a comparison target is provided. It is a figure which shows schematic structure and operation|movement of a general gantry type ultrasonic flaw detector.

Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, an ultrasonic flaw detector according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described by way of an example in which a flaw-detecting material is a pipe such as a steel pipe.
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a schematic configuration of an ultrasonic flaw detector according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1A is a side view seen from a direction orthogonal to the axial direction of a material to be inspected P (hereinafter, also referred to as a pipe P), and FIG. 1B is a first ultrasonic probe 3A and a second ultrasonic wave. It is sectional drawing which shows the internal structure of the probe 3B.
As shown in FIG. 1A, an ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment includes a rotating means 1, a first carriage 2A, a second carriage 2B, a plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A, and a plurality of plural ultrasonic probes. The second ultrasonic probe 3B and the control means 4 are included. The ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to this embodiment includes a gantry 5 and a stopper 6.

The rotating means 1 rotates the pipe P in the circumferential direction. In this embodiment, a rotating roller that supports the lower portion of the pipe P is used as the rotating unit 1. The drive unit (motor or the like) of the rotating unit 1 of the present embodiment is connected to the control unit 4 (connection line is not shown). The rotating means 1 is rotated by the control signal output from the control means 4, and thereby the pipe P is also rotated in the circumferential direction.

The first carriage 2A can move back and forth along the axial direction of the pipe P. Specifically, the first carriage 2A is movably attached to a gantry 5, which is a gate-shaped mount installed across the pipe P in the axial direction. Further, the first carriage 2A is connected to the control means 4. The first carriage 2A moves back and forth on the gantry 5 according to the control signal output from the control means 4.

The second carriage 2B is located on the rear end side (the right side in FIG. 1A) of the pipe P with respect to the first carriage 2A, and can move back and forth along the axial direction of the pipe P. Specifically, the second carriage 2B is movably attached to the gantry 5 at a position on the rear end side of the tube P with respect to the first carriage 2A. The second carriage 2B is also connected to the control means 4. The second carriage 2B moves back and forth on the gantry 5 according to the control signal output from the control means 4.

The plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A are attached to the first carriage 2A and are arranged in order along the axial direction of the pipe P. In the example shown in FIG. 1A, eight first ultrasonic probes 3A are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the pipe P. The plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A can individually move forward and backward toward the outer surface of the pipe P. In the present embodiment, since the first carriage 2A is located above the pipe P, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A can be individually moved up and down toward the outer surface of the pipe P.
The plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A are connected to the control means 4. The plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A move back and forth toward the outer surface of the tube P according to the control signal output from the control means 4. Further, the ultrasonic flaw detection of the pipe P by the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A is controlled by the control means 4.

The first ultrasonic probe 3A is a local water immersion type ultrasonic probe. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first ultrasonic probe 3A includes an ultrasonic probe 31, a cover member 32, and a contact member 33.

In this embodiment, a one-dimensional array type ultrasonic probe is used as the ultrasonic probe 31. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is possible to use a normal ultrasonic probe having a single oscillator.
The cover member 32 is an annular member that covers the ultrasonic probe 31, and is made of metal such as iron or resin. The cover member 32 is sized so that a predetermined space is formed between the outer surface of the pipe P and the ultrasonic probe 31 inside the cover member 32.
The contact member 33 is an annular member attached to the lower end of the cover member 32, and is made of cemented carbide. When ultrasonically flaw-detecting the pipe P with the first ultrasonic probe 3A, the contact member 33 comes into contact with the outer surface of the pipe P.
When performing ultrasonic flaw detection on the pipe P with the first ultrasonic probe 3A having the above configuration, the couplant W such as water is supplied from the couplant supply source (not shown) to the space of the cover member 32. It As a result, ultrasonic flaw detection by the local water immersion method is performed.

The plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B are attached to the second carriage 2B and are arranged in order along the axial direction of the pipe P. The number of the second ultrasonic probes 3B is the same as the number of the first ultrasonic probes 3A. Therefore, in the example shown in FIG. 1A, eight second ultrasonic probes 3B are arranged in order along the axial direction of the pipe P. The plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B can individually move forward and backward toward the outer surface of the pipe P. In the present embodiment, since the second carriage 2B is located above the pipe P, the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B can be individually moved up and down toward the outer surface of the pipe P.
The plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B are connected to the control means 4. The plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B move forward and backward toward the outer surface of the pipe P according to the control signal output from the control means 4. Further, the ultrasonic flaw detection of the pipe P by the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B is controlled by the control means 4.

The second ultrasonic probe 3B is a local water immersion type ultrasonic probe. Since the specific configuration is the same as that of the first ultrasonic probe 3A described with reference to FIG. 1B, detailed description thereof will be omitted here.

The control unit 4 includes, for example, a computer in which a program for controlling the advance/retreat of the first carriage 2A, the second carriage 2B, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A, and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B is installed. To do.
The control unit 4 also includes a flaw detector that controls ultrasonic flaw detection of the tube P by the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B. Examples of the flaw detector include a pulsar for transmitting ultrasonic waves from each first ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe 3B, each first ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe that have received an echo. A flaw detector that is commonly used in general ultrasonic flaw detectors can be used, such as a receiver that amplifies the echo signal output from 3B and a flaw detection unit that detects flaws based on the amplified echo signal.

Hereinafter, the detection targets of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B will be described. The plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A of the present embodiment have different detection targets. That is, among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A of the present embodiment, among the types of flaws to be detected and the detection directions of flaws to be detected (transmission/reception directions of ultrasonic waves from the first ultrasonic probe 3A), At least one of them is different. The same applies to the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B of this embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating types of flaws and flaw detection directions. 2A is an axial cross-sectional view of the pipe P schematically showing a flaw (only one thick portion is shown), and FIG. 2B is a plane view of the pipe P schematically showing a flaw. It is a figure and Drawing 2 (c) is a figure explaining a flaw detection direction.
As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the types of flaws to be detected by any of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B of the present embodiment are: An axial flaw F1 generated on the outer surface P1 and the inner surface P2 of the pipe P and extending in the axial direction of the pipe P, a circumferential flaw F2 generated on the outer surface P1 and the inner surface P2 of the pipe P and extending in the circumferential direction of the pipe P, and an outer surface of the pipe P. An oblique flaw F3 that is generated on P1 and the inner surface P2 and extends in a direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the pipe P, and a solid flaw F4 that is generated during the wall thickness of the pipe P.
As shown in FIG. 2C, in the present embodiment, the axial flaw F1 is detected by the ultrasonic wave U+ propagating from one side in the circumferential direction of the pipe P and is propagated from the other side in the circumferential direction of the pipe P. The ultrasonic wave U- is also detected. The circumferential flaw F2 is detected by the ultrasonic wave U+ propagating from one side of the tube P in the axial direction and also by the ultrasonic wave U- propagating from the other side of the tube P in the axial direction. The oblique flaw F3 is detected by the ultrasonic wave U+ propagating from one side in the direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the pipe P, and the ultrasonic wave U propagating from the other side in the direction inclined with respect to the axial direction of the pipe P. -Also detect. The meat flaw F4 is detected by the ultrasonic wave U which propagates vertically from the outer surface P1 of the tube P to the inner surface P2.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a detection target of each first ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe 3B of the present embodiment. FIG. 3A is a side view illustrating the detection target of each first ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe 3B, and FIG. 3B is each first ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe 3A. It is a top view which shows the arrangement state of the sound wave probe 3B.
Of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B, the first ultrasonic probe 3A and the second ultrasonic probe 3B located in the same order have the same detection target. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, a first ultrasonic probe 3A located closest to the tip side of the pipe P (left side in FIG. 3) and a second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the tip side of the pipe P. Are represented by the same reference numeral 3a. Similarly, the first ultrasonic probe 3A located closest to the rear end side of the pipe P (right side in FIG. 3) and the second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the rear end part of the pipe P have the same reference numeral. It is represented by 3i. The same applies to the other first ultrasonic probe 3A and second ultrasonic probe 3B.

As shown in FIG. 3, in the present embodiment, the first ultrasonic probe 3a, 3b and the second ultrasonic probe 3a, 3b target the axial flaw F1. Of these, the first ultrasonic probe 3a and the second ultrasonic probe 3a detect the axial flaw F1 with the ultrasonic wave U+ (see FIG. 2C) propagating from one side in the circumferential direction of the pipe P. The first ultrasonic probe 3b and the second ultrasonic probe 3b detect the axial flaw F1 by the ultrasonic wave U- (see FIG. 2C) propagating from the other side in the circumferential direction of the pipe P.
The first ultrasonic probe 3c, 3d and the second ultrasonic probe 3c, 3d target the circumferential flaw F2. Among them, the first ultrasonic probe 3c and the second ultrasonic probe 3c detect the circumferential flaw F2 with the ultrasonic wave U+ (see FIG. 2C) propagating from one side of the pipe P in the axial direction. The first ultrasonic probe 3d and the second ultrasonic probe 3d detect the circumferential flaw F2 with the ultrasonic wave U- (see FIG. 2C) propagating from the other side in the axial direction of the pipe P.
The first ultrasonic probes 3e to 3h and the second ultrasonic probes 3e to 3h target the oblique flaw F3. Of these, the first ultrasonic probe 3e, 3f and the second ultrasonic probe 3e, 3f are to detect the oblique flaw F3a extending in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle (for example, 45°) with respect to the axial direction of the pipe P. The first ultrasonic probe 3g, 3h and the second ultrasonic probe 3g, 3h extend in a direction inclined by a predetermined angle (for example, -45°) different from the oblique flaw F3a with respect to the axial direction of the pipe P. Oblique flaw F3b is the detection target. The first ultrasonic probe 3e and the second ultrasonic probe 3e detect the oblique flaw F3a with the ultrasonic wave U+ (see FIG. 2C), and the first ultrasonic probe 3f and the second ultrasonic probe 3f The oblique flaw F3a is detected by the sound wave U- (see FIG. 2C). The first ultrasonic probe 3g and the second ultrasonic probe 3g detect the oblique flaw F3b with the ultrasonic wave U+ propagating in a predetermined direction, and the first ultrasonic probe 3h and the second ultrasonic probe 3h are The oblique flaw F3b is detected by the ultrasonic wave U- propagating from the direction opposite to the sound wave U+.
The first ultrasonic probe 3i and the second ultrasonic probe 3i target the meat flaw F4, and detect the meat flaw F4 with the ultrasonic wave U (see FIG. 2C).

The detection targets of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3 are merely examples, and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A are detected. Of the second ultrasonic probes 3B, various modes can be adopted as long as the detection targets of the first ultrasonic probe 3A and the second ultrasonic probe 3B located in the same order are the same.

Hereinafter, the control content of the control means 4 will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the control contents of the control means 4. 4A to 4F show the control procedure in descending order with respect to time. Note that the control unit 4 is not shown in FIG.
In the initial state shown in FIG. 4A, the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B are in the standby position, and the tip of the pipe P conveyed from the outside is positioned by the stopper 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4B, the control means 4 executes the first step. In the first step, the control means 4 moves the first carriage 2A to the center of the tube P (specifically, moves the first carriage 2A until the tip of the first carriage 2A reaches a predetermined position L1). , The second carriage 2B is moved to the rear end of the tube P (specifically, the second carriage 2B is moved until the tip of the second carriage 2B reaches a predetermined position that does not interfere with the first carriage 2A). As a result, all of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A are positioned to face the outer surface of the central portion of the tube P. Further, all of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the second carriage 2B are at positions facing the outer surface of the rear end of the tube P.

After the first carriage 2A moves to the center of the pipe P and the second carriage 2B moves to the rear end of the pipe P in the first step, the control unit 4 controls the first carriage 2A and the second carriage. Stop 2B. Then, as also shown in FIG. 4B, the control means 4 executes the second step. In the second step, the control means 4 simultaneously moves (falls) the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A toward the outer surface of the tube P (outer surface of the central portion of the tube P). At the same time, the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the second carriage 2B are simultaneously advanced (fallen) toward the outer surface of the pipe P. In the present embodiment, the control means 4 moves (falls) all of the eight first ultrasonic probes 3A and the eight second ultrasonic probes 3B toward the outer surface of the pipe P at the same time.

After the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B reach the outer surface of the pipe P by the second step (the contact member 33 shown in FIG. 1B contacts the outer surface of the pipe P) The control means 4 waits until the stabilization time of the contact medium of about several seconds elapses.
Since the first ultrasonic probe 3A and the second ultrasonic probe 3B are of the local immersion type, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B are provided on the outer surface of the pipe P as in the conventional case. After reaching, it is necessary to secure the above stabilization time until ultrasonic flaw detection is started. However, since the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the tube P and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B simultaneously move toward the outer surface of the tube P, each first ultrasonic probe 3A moves forward. Compared with the case where the ultrasonic probe 3A and each second ultrasonic probe 3B individually advance and wait for the stabilization time to elapse, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B as a whole are It is possible to shorten the stabilization time.

After the stabilization time of the couplant, the control means 4 executes the third step, as shown in FIGS. 4(c) to 4(f). In the third step, the control means 4 rotates the rotating means 1 to rotate the pipe P in the circumferential direction. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 4(c) to 4(e), the control means 4 moves the first carriage 2A toward the tip portion of the pipe P while the plurality of first ultrasonic probes are moved. The tube P is ultrasonically flaw-detected with 3A. Further, as shown in FIG. 4C, the control means 4 advances the second carriage 2B to the position where the first carriage 2A has been advanced in the first step (specifically, the second carriage 2B). After moving the tip of the carriage 2B until it reaches the position L1, the second carriage 2B is retracted toward the rear end of the pipe P as shown in FIGS. 4(d) to 4(f). Meanwhile, the tube P is ultrasonically flaw-detected by the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B.

In the above ultrasonic flaw detection, the flaw detection range of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A is from the central portion of the tube P to the tip portion. Further, the flaw detection range of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B is from the central portion to the rear end portion of the pipe P.
However, as described above, among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B, the first ultrasonic probe 3A and the second ultrasonic probe 3B located in the same order are to be detected by each other. Are the same. Therefore, even if the first ultrasonic probe 3A alone has only the flaw detection range from the central portion of the pipe P to the tip portion, the second ultrasonic probe 3B alone has only the flaw detection range from the central portion to the rear end portion of the pipe P. As a whole, it is possible to perform ultrasonic flaw detection on the same detection target over the entire length of the pipe P.

Further, in the third step, the control means 4 controls the first ultrasonic probe 3A (that is, ultrasonic flaw detection) that has reached the tip of the tube P among the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A. The first ultrasonic probe 3A) which has finished is retracted (raised) from the outer surface of the pipe P (see FIGS. 4D and 4E). Further, the control unit 4 of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the second carriage 2B has reached the rear end of the tube P (that is, the second ultrasonic probe 3B that has reached the rear end of the pipe P). 2) The ultrasonic probe 3B) is retracted (raised) from the outer surface of the tube P (see FIGS. 4(e) and 4(f)).
Then, as shown in FIG. 4F, ultrasonic flaw detection of the pipe P by all the first ultrasonic probes 3A and the second ultrasonic probes 3B is completed, and all the first ultrasonic probes 3A and the second ultrasonic probes 3A When the ultrasonic probe 3B retracts from the outer surface of the tube P, the control means 4 advances the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B toward the rear end of the tube P, and the initial stage shown in FIG. Return to the state.

In the present embodiment, the rotating means 1 is rotated immediately before the control means 4 executes the ultrasonic flaw detection in the third step, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the ultrasonic flaw detection is executed. There is no particular limitation as long as it is rotated before. For example, it is possible to rotate the rotating means 1 immediately before executing the first step (immediately after the tip of the pipe P conveyed from the outside is positioned by the stopper 6).

As described above, according to the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment, while maintaining the advantage of the gantry method that the dead zone at the tube end can be reduced, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the plurality of ultrasonic probes 3A are provided. Since the stabilization time of the contact medium in the entire second ultrasonic probe 3B can be shortened, efficient ultrasonic flaw detection can be performed.

Hereinafter, an example of a result of evaluation of flaw detection efficiency by the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment will be described. When evaluating the flaw detection efficiency by the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment, as a comparison target, it has the same configuration as the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment, and only the control content of the control unit 4 is different. Ultrasonic flaw detectors 100′ having different points were used. First, the control content of the control means 4 included in the ultrasonic flaw detector 100' will be described. The ultrasonic flaw detector 100' is one of the control contents adopted in "GRP-USIP|xx Portal" manufactured and sold by GE Inspection Technologies.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the control content of the control means 4 included in the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 ′ as the comparison target. 5A to 5F show the control procedure in descending order with respect to time. In FIG. 5, the control means 4 is omitted.
In the initial state shown in FIG. 5A, like the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment, the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B are at the standby position, and the tip of the pipe P conveyed from the outside is Positioned by the stopper 6.

Next, as shown in FIG. 5B, the control means 4 advances the first carriage 2A to the rear end portion of the pipe P (specifically, the front end of the first carriage 2A is at a predetermined position). L2) and the second carriage 2B (specifically, until the tip of the second carriage 2B reaches a predetermined position that does not interfere with the first carriage 2A). .. As a result, all of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A are positioned to face the outer surface of the rear end of the tube P. Further, of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the second carriage 2B, the second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the tip end side of the pipe P faces the outer surface of the rear end of the pipe P. Becomes

As described above, after the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B have moved, the control means 4 stops the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B. Then, as also shown in FIG. 5B, the control means 4 simultaneously moves (lowers) the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A toward the outer surface of the pipe P. , Of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the second carriage 2B, the second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the tip end side of the pipe P is moved (falls) toward the outer surface of the pipe P. ..

As described above, after the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A and the second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the distal end side of the tube P reach the outer surface of the tube P, the stabilization time of the couplant is about several seconds. The control means 4 waits until is passed.

After the stabilization time of the couplant, the control means 4 rotates the rotating means 1 to rotate the tube P in the circumferential direction. In this state, as shown in FIGS. 5C to 5E, the control unit 4 advances the first carriage 2A toward the distal end portion of the pipe P, and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes. The tube P is ultrasonically flaw-detected with 3A.
On the other hand, the control means 4 moves the second carriage 2B toward the tip of the tube P and detects ultrasonic flaws in the tube P with the second ultrasonic probe 3B located closest to the tip of the tube P. Let it start. Then, when the second ultrasonic probe 3B located second from the tip end side of the tube P reaches a position facing the outer surface of the tube P, the control means 4 stops the second carriage 2B and causes the tip of the tube P to end. The second ultrasonic probe 3B located second from the section side is advanced (falls) toward the outer surface of the pipe P. Then, after the stabilization time of the contact medium has passed, the second carriage 2B is moved again to start ultrasonic flaw detection with the second ultrasonic probe 3B located second from the tip end side of the tube P. For the second carriage 2B and the second ultrasonic probe 3B, the control means 4 repeats the same control thereafter. Then, as shown in FIGS. 4C to 4F, the tube P is ultrasonically flaw-detected by the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B until the tip of the second carriage 2B reaches the position L'.

In addition, the control unit 4 of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes 3A attached to the first carriage 2A has the first ultrasonic probe 3A that has reached the tip of the tube P (that is, the first ultrasonic probe 3A that has completed ultrasonic flaw detection). The ultrasonic probe 3A) is retracted (raised) from the outer surface of the tube P (see FIGS. 5D and 5E).
On the other hand, when the tip of the second carriage 2B reaches the position L′ and the ultrasonic flaw detection of the tubes P by the plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B ends (see FIG. 5(e)), the control unit 4 determines The plurality of second ultrasonic probes 3B attached to the two carriages 2B are all retracted (raised) from the outer surface of the pipe P at the same time (see FIG. 5(f)).
Then, as shown in FIG. 5F, the ultrasonic flaw detection of the pipe P by all the first ultrasonic probes 3A and the second ultrasonic probes 3B is completed, and all the first ultrasonic probes 3A and the second ultrasonic probes 3A. When the ultrasonic probe 3B retracts from the outer surface of the tube P, the control means 4 advances the first carriage 2A and the second carriage 2B toward the rear end portion of the tube P, and the initial stage shown in FIG. Return to the state.

Table 1 shows the flaw detection time for one tube by the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment (cycle time required for the procedure of FIGS. 4A to 4F) and the ultrasonic flaw detector according to the comparative example. An example of the result of comparison with the flaw detection time (cycle time required for the procedure of FIGS. 5A to 5F) of one tube by 100′ is shown. In the comparison, the conditions were aligned and evaluated except for the control procedure by the control means 4. In Table 1, the numerical values described in the "Invention" column are cycle times when the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment is used, and the numerical values described in the "Comparative Example" column are ultrasonic waves. It means the cycle time when the flaw detector 100' is used.

As shown in Table 1, according to the ultrasonic flaw detector 100 according to the present embodiment, it is understood that the flaw detection time is shorter than that of the ultrasonic flaw detector 100'.

In the present embodiment, the case where the material P to be inspected is a pipe has been described as an example, but the ultrasonic flaw detection device according to the present invention is not limited to this, and a cross section such as a round bar or a round billet is substantially omitted. As long as it is a circular elongated flaw-detecting material P, it can be applied to various flaw-detecting materials P.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1... Rotation means 2A... 1st carriage 2B... 2nd carriage 3A... 1st ultrasonic probe 3B... 2nd ultrasonic probe 4... Control means 5... Gantry 6 ...Stopper 100...Ultrasonic flaw detector P...Flawed material (tube)

Claims (2)

Rotating means for rotating a long flaw detection material having a substantially circular cross section in the circumferential direction,
A first carriage capable of moving back and forth along the axial direction of the flaw detection material;
A second carriage located on the rear end side of the flaw detection material with respect to the first carriage and capable of moving back and forth along the axial direction of the flaw detection material;
A plurality of local immersion-type first ultrasonic probes that are attached to the first carriage, are arranged in order along the axial direction of the flaw detection material, and can move back and forth toward the outer surface of the flaw detection material;
A plurality of local immersion-type second ultrasonic probes that are attached to the second carriage, are sequentially arranged along the axial direction of the flaw detection material, and can move back and forth toward the outer surface of the flaw detection material;
The advance and retreat of the first carriage, the second carriage, the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes, and the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes. And a control means for controlling ultrasonic flaw detection of the flaw detection target material,
The plurality of second ultrasonic probes is the same number as the plurality of first ultrasonic probes,
Of the plurality of first ultrasonic probes and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes, the first ultrasonic probe and the second ultrasonic probe located in the same order have the same detection target,
The control means is
A first step of moving the first carriage to a central portion of the flaw detection material and moving the second carriage to a rear end portion of the flaw detection material;
The plurality of first ultrasonic probes attached to the first carriage are simultaneously moved toward the outer surface of the material to be inspected, and the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage are simultaneously moved. A second step of advancing toward the outer surface of the flaw detection material;
While advancing the first carriage toward the tip of the material to be inspected, ultrasonically detect the material to be inspected rotating in the circumferential direction by the rotating means by the plurality of first ultrasonic probes, and After moving the second carriage to the position where the first carriage is moved in the first step, while moving the second carriage toward the rear end portion of the flaw detection target material, And a third step of ultrasonically flaw-detecting the material to be flaw-rotated by the second ultrasonic probe in the circumferential direction by the rotating means. In the third step, the control means sets the first ultrasonic probe, which has reached the tip of the flaw detection target material, of the plurality of first ultrasound probes mounted on the first carriage, to the flaw detection target material. While retreating from the outer surface, of the plurality of second ultrasonic probes attached to the second carriage, the second ultrasonic probe that has reached the rear end of the material to be inspected is retreated from the outer surface of the material to be inspected. Move,
The ultrasonic flaw detector according to claim 1, wherein

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