JP2021139642A - Ultrasonic inspection device for welded portion - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion, which can measure the height of an unwelded part (notch) of an inspected body by a simple procedure without acquiring data in advance using a test piece.SOLUTION: An ultrasonic inspection device according to the present invention includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements, and includes an ultrasonic probe 203 which performs ultrasonic flaw detection on an object to be inspected 200 having a welded portion, and a control unit 601. The object to be inspected 200 has a notch 206 which is an unwelded portion between base materials 201a and 201b. The control unit 601 generates a flaw detection image 300 obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection by the ultrasonic probe 203, then obtains a position 250 of one end 207 of the notch in a first search range 401 set in the flaw detection image 300, then obtains a position 260 of the other end 205 of the notch in a second search range 403a set in the flaw detection image 300 by the control unit 601, and then obtains a notch height 208 which is a distance between one end 207 and the other end 205 from the position 250 of one end of the notch 206 and the position 260 of the other end.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

The present invention relates to an apparatus for inspecting a welded portion using ultrasonic waves, and more particularly to an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for measuring the height of an unwelded portion.

As one of the non-destructive inspection methods for detecting internal defects of the object to be inspected, the ultrasonic flaw detection method is widely used in various industrial fields. Defect detection by the ultrasonic flaw detection method is performed by utilizing the phenomenon that ultrasonic waves are reflected by defects. In the ultrasonic flaw detector method, an ultrasonic probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves is placed on the surface of the object to be inspected, ultrasonic pulses are transmitted from the ultrasonic probe, and the reflected echo is transmitted to the ultrasonic probe. By signal-processing the received reflected echo received in, it is determined whether or not there is a defect inside the object to be inspected.

The ultrasonic inspection device may perform ultrasonic flaw detection on an object to be inspected having a welded portion. Welding includes construction in which the base metal is melted over the entire length in the thickness direction (complete penetration) and construction in which the base metal is melted halfway in the thickness direction. The latter construction is carried out to prevent sparks from penetrating the base metal during welding and to prevent the molten metal from dripping and burning the parts, leaving an unwelded portion called a notch between the two base metal joined by welding. .. In a structure where stress is applied to the welded part, the static strength and fatigue strength change depending on the ratio of the height of the notch to the thickness of the base metal (the length in the thickness direction of the base metal). There is a need to know the height of.

As a technique for inspecting a welded portion using ultrasonic waves, for example, those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.

In the ultrasonic inspection method described in Patent Document 1, master data is created by extracting the echo height (reflected wave strength) of the test piece prepared in advance, and the slit portion (notch) of the welded portion of the actual product is created. The echo height is measured, and this measured value is collated with the master data to determine the quality of the welded state.

In the defect height estimation method described in Patent Document 2, ultrasonic flaw detection is performed using a calibration test body to set a sensitivity calibration level in advance, and ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the object to be inspected to cause a surface defect. After detecting the defect echo, a surface is used from the detected defect echo using a calculation formula having the reflection area of the calibration test piece, the sensitivity calibration level, and the ultrasonic beam diameter at the detection position of the planar defect as coefficients. Estimate the defect height of the state defect.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-333387 JP-A-2010-43989

In the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, it is necessary to perform ultrasonic flaw detection on a test body prepared in advance and acquire data in advance before actually inspecting the welded portion of the body to be inspected. For this reason, the inspection of the welded portion requires man-hours and time, and the inspection procedure becomes complicated.

An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion, which can measure the height of an unwelded portion (notch) of an inspected object by a simple procedure without acquiring data in advance using the specimen. That is.

The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to the present invention is an ultrasonic wave that includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements and performs ultrasonic flaw detection by electron scanning on an object to be inspected having a welded portion in which two base materials are joined by welding. It includes a probe and a control unit. The body to be inspected has a notch which is an unwelded portion between the base materials. The control unit generates a flaw detection image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection by the ultrasonic probe, and positions one end of the notch within the first search range set in the flaw detection image. The position of the other end of the notch is obtained within the second search range set by the control unit in the flaw detection image, and the one end and the other end are obtained from the position of the one end of the notch and the position of the other end. The height of the notch, which is the distance between the other ends, is obtained.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion, which can measure the height of an unwelded portion of an inspected object by a simple procedure without acquiring data in advance using the test object.

It is a figure which shows the procedure of measuring the height of the notch of the object to be inspected using the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which sets the condition of ultrasonic flaw detection in an ultrasonic inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which sets the condition of ultrasonic flaw detection in an ultrasonic inspection apparatus. It is a figure which shows the example of the groove of the welded part. It is a figure which shows the example of the subject to be inspected which installed the ultrasonic probe. This is an example of an ultrasonic flaw detection image generated by an ultrasonic inspection device. It is a figure which shows the example of the screen which sets the 1st search range in the ultrasonic flaw detection image. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st window which contains all of the reflected echoes. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st window which contains all of the reflected echoes in the flaw detection image which is lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 8A. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st window which contains all of the reflected echoes in the flaw detection image which is lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 8B. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a first window in a flaw detection image having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 8C. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd window which contains all of the reflected echoes. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd window which contains all the reflected echoes in the flaw detection image which is lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 9A. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a second window including all of the reflected echoes in a flaw detection image having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 9B. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a second window in a flaw detection image having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image of FIG. 9C. It is a figure which shows the example of the display screen of the measurement result of the notch height. It is a block diagram which shows the whole structure of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the Example of this invention. It is a figure which shows the example of the procedure of setting the condition of ultrasonic flaw detection in step 100 of FIG.

In the present specification, the unwelded portion between two base materials joined by welding is referred to as a "notch", and the length of the notch in the thickness direction (welding depth direction) of the base material is referred to as "notch". Called "height". The unwelded portion is a portion between the base materials in which the metal is melted and not joined in the welded portion.

The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to the present invention includes a phased array type ultrasonic probe provided with a plurality of ultrasonic elements, and can measure the height of the notch of the object to be inspected by ultrasonic flaw detection. By obtaining the height of the notch, it is possible to grasp the penetration state of the molten metal and determine the quality of the welded state of the welded portion.

In the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention, a search range is set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image, and the position of the end portion of the notch is obtained in this search range to obtain the height of the notch. When the sensitivity of ultrasonic flaw detection becomes low, the magnitude of the reflected echo at the end of the notch (the region where the reflected echo is generated) seen in the ultrasonic flaw detection image becomes small.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the search range set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image is reduced in accordance with the decrease in the magnitude of the reflected echo due to the decrease in the sensitivity of the ultrasonic flaw detection, and the position of the end portion of the notch is reduced. Ask for. The ultrasonic inspection device performs ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities, generates a plurality of ultrasonic flaw detection images, and sets the search range. The sensitivity of the ultrasonic flaw detection image obtained by the highly sensitive ultrasonic flaw detection is obtained. It is preferable to change to the one obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with a low value, and to gradually reduce the search range set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image accordingly. The position of the end of the notch is narrowed down by repeating the steps of reducing the sensitivity and reducing the search range.

Since the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present invention does not require a test piece of the test piece and does not acquire data in advance using the test piece, the height of the notch of the test piece can be measured by a simple procedure. Further, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the welded portion according to the present invention is provided with a simple mechanism and scans at high speed because electronic scanning is performed and mechanical scanning is not performed to measure the height of the notch of the object to be inspected. It also has the effect of being able to.

Hereinafter, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the welded portion according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus for the welded portion according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 12.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment. The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment includes an ultrasonic probe 203 for injecting ultrasonic waves into the inspected body 200, a transmission / reception unit 600, and a display unit 500, and inspects the welded portion of the inspected body 200.

The inspected body 200 includes a welded portion in which two base materials are joined by welding, and has a notch which is an unwelded portion between the base materials. A groove is provided in the welded portion.

The ultrasonic probe 203 includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements (piezoelectric vibration elements) that generate ultrasonic waves and receive the ultrasonic waves returned from the object 200 to be inspected. That is, the ultrasonic probe 203 is a phased array type ultrasonic sensor including a plurality of ultrasonic elements, and can perform ultrasonic flaw detection on the object 200 to be inspected by electronic scanning.

After being installed on the flaw detection surface of the inspected body 200, the ultrasonic probe 203 generates ultrasonic waves by a drive signal supplied from the transmission / reception unit 600, and propagates the generated ultrasonic waves to the inspected body 200. Further, the ultrasonic probe 203 detects a reflected wave appearing by the ultrasonic wave propagated to the object to be inspected 200, and outputs a received signal of the reflected wave to the transmission / reception unit 600.

The transmission / reception unit 600 includes a pulsar 603, a receiver 604, a delay time control unit 602, a control unit 601 and a data acquisition unit 605, and transmits and receives ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic probe 203.

The pulsar 603 supplies a drive signal to the ultrasonic probe 203. The receiver 604 inputs the received signal output by the ultrasonic probe 203 to the transmission / reception unit 600. The delay time control unit 602 controls the timing of supplying the drive signal to each ultrasonic element of the ultrasonic probe 203, and controls the time difference (delay time) in which the plurality of ultrasonic elements generate ultrasonic waves.

The control unit 601 controls the pulsar 603, the receiver 604, the delay time control unit 602, and the data collection unit 605 so that the ultrasonic inspection device can perform ultrasonic flaw detection on the object 200 to be inspected. For example, the control unit 601 controls both the timing at which the delay time control unit 602 and the pulsar 603 output the drive signal and the timing at which the receiver 604 inputs the received signal, whereby the ultrasonic probe by the phased array method is used. The operation of 203 is obtained.

The operation of the ultrasonic probe 203 by the phased array method is an operation of transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves by controlling the focal depth and incident angle of the ultrasonic waves. By this operation, the received signal is supplied from the receiver 604 to the data acquisition unit 605.

The data collection unit 605 collects and processes the received signal supplied from the receiver 604, and outputs the received signal to the control unit 601 as collected data.

The control unit 601 synthesizes the waveforms of the received signals obtained by each ultrasonic element according to the delay time, performs image processing on the waveforms for each incident angle of the ultrasonic waves, and outputs the waveforms to the display unit 500.

The display unit 500 displays the received signal and the flaw detection image. Further, as will be described later, the display unit 500 requires a screen for the operator to input information to the ultrasonic inspection device, such as a screen for setting ultrasonic flaw detection conditions, and an ultrasonic inspection device. Display a screen for outputting information.

Further, the ultrasonic inspection device may be provided with an input device such as a mouse for an operator to input information into the ultrasonic inspection device.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a procedure for measuring the height of a notch of an inspected body 200 using the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to the present embodiment.

In step 100, the operator sets the conditions for ultrasonic flaw detection in the ultrasonic inspection device. The operator can perform information about the inspected body 200 (base material) (for example, information about the material and shape of the base material) and information about the groove of the welded portion of the inspected body 200 (for example, the position of the groove). And information about the shape), etc., to determine the conditions for ultrasonic flaw detection in advance. Then, the operator inputs the conditions for ultrasonic flaw detection into the ultrasonic inspection device. The operator can also input information about the object to be inspected 200 and the groove into the ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of an operator's procedure for setting ultrasonic flaw detection conditions in step 100 of FIG.

In step 701, the ultrasonic probe 203 to be used for ultrasonic flaw detection is selected. The ultrasonic probe 203 to be used is selected by, for example, the number of the ultrasonic probe 203.

In step 702, the material constant (sound velocity in the base material) of the inspected body 200 is set.

In step 703, the number of ultrasonic elements (simultaneous excitation number) to be simultaneously excited by the ultrasonic probe 203 is set.

In step 704, the flaw detection range, that is, the maximum and minimum values of the refraction angle are set. In addition, the fineness of ultrasonic flaw detection, that is, the pitch of the refraction angle is set.

In step 705, the focal depth (focal length) of the ultrasonic wave is set.

In step 706, the ultrasonic wave uptake path is set.

In step 707, the pulse voltage related to the intensity of the ultrasonic waves is set.

In step 708, the pulse width related to the frequency of the ultrasonic wave is set.

In step 709, the number of bursts related to how many ultrasonic waves are generated is set.

In step 710, the base gain, preamplifier gain, and digital gain of the ultrasonic sensitivity (gain) are set.

In step 711, the maximum gain, the minimum gain, and the gain pitch of the ultrasonic sensitivity (gain) are set. The maximum gain and the minimum gain are values that define a variable range of sensitivity. The gain pitch is a value that determines the interval between the gain values between the maximum gain and the minimum gain. The value of the gain pitch determines the number of ultrasonic flaw detections performed at different sensitivities, that is, the number of ultrasonic flaw detection images obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection at a plurality of sensitivities.

The operator can also set the display method of the flaw detection result.

The above ultrasonic flaw detection conditions are set on the setting screens as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

2 and 3 are views showing an example of a screen displayed by the display unit 500 for setting ultrasonic flaw detection conditions in the ultrasonic inspection device. The operator inputs the ultrasonic flaw detection conditions to the ultrasonic inspection device on the “condition setting 1” screen (FIG. 2) and the “condition setting 2” screen (FIG. 3) displayed on the display unit 500.

As the conditions for ultrasonic flaw detection, the operator, for example, regarding the ultrasonic probe 203 to be used, the frequency, the size, pitch and number of ultrasonic elements, the maximum value and minimum value and pitch of the refraction angle (damage detection range), Set the focal distance, the number of simultaneous excitations, the sound velocity in the base material, the ultrasonic wave uptake path, and the like (Fig. 2). The speed of sound is necessary for calculating the coordinates of the beginning and end of the notch. Furthermore, as a condition for ultrasonic flaw detection, the operator has an item (gain 1) for gains such as base gain, preamplifier gain, and digital gain, and an item (gain) for gains such as maximum gain, minimum gain, and gain pitch. 2) is set (Fig. 3). The ultrasonic flaw detection conditions include the pulse voltage, the pulse width, the number of bursts, the flaw detection result display method (display mode), and the like, and the operator can also set these conditions (FIG. 3). ).

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to this embodiment performs ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities, generates an ultrasonic flaw detection image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection at each sensitivity, and has a notch height of the object 200 to be inspected. To measure. When the operator inputs the item of gain 2 (maximum gain, minimum gain, and gain pitch), the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to this embodiment can perform ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities.

In step 101, the operator installs the ultrasonic probe 203 on the inspected body 200.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a groove of a welded portion. FIG. 4 shows a U-shaped groove 202 provided on the two base materials 201a and 201b to be welded.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of an inspected body 200 in which the ultrasonic probe 203 is installed. In the inspected body 200, the two base materials 201a and 201b shown in FIG. 4 are welded together, and the two base materials 201a and 201b are joined by the molten metal 204. The portion of the molten metal 204 that rises from the surfaces of the base materials 201a and 201b is the surplus 209. An unwelded portion called a notch 206 exists between the two base materials 201a and 201b joined by welding.

In FIG. 5, the thickness direction of the base materials 201a and 201b, that is, the depth direction of the groove of the groove 202 is referred to as the "height direction", and the length in the height direction is referred to as the "height". Of the two surfaces existing in the height direction of the base materials 201a and 201b, the surface on which the surplus 209 is not formed is called the bottom surface 210. Of the height-wise ends of the molten metal 204, the end on which the surplus 209 is not formed is referred to as a bottom portion 211.

The notch 206 extends between the base materials 201a and the base material 201b in the height direction from the bottom surface 210 of the base materials 201a and 201b toward the bottom portion 211 of the molten metal 204. Of both ends of the notch 206 in the height direction, one end located on the bottom surface 210 is referred to as the notch start end 207, and the other end located on the bottom portion 211 is referred to as the notch end 205.

In FIG. 5, the distance between the notch start end 207 and the notch end 205 is the height of the notch 206 (notch height 208) to be obtained.

The operator considers the ultrasonic flaw detection conditions set in step 100, the information about the groove 202 (for example, the information about the position and shape of the groove), and the shape of the molten metal 204, and sets the notch start end 207. The ultrasonic probe 203 is installed on the inspected body 200 (base materials 201a, 201b) so that the region where the notch end 205 exists is detected. In FIG. 5, two dotted lines 212a and 212b show the flaw detection range 303 of the ultrasonic probe 203.

In step 102, the ultrasonic inspection device performs ultrasonic flaw detection on the object 200 to be inspected. The ultrasonic probe 203 performs ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities set in step 100. The control unit 601 of the ultrasonic inspection device collects ultrasonic flaw detection waveforms at each sensitivity.

In step 103, the control unit 601 of the ultrasonic inspection device generates a plurality of ultrasonic flaw detection images obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities based on the ultrasonic flaw detection waveforms collected in step 102. These plurality of ultrasonic flaw detection images are ultrasonic flaw detection images at the respective sensitivities that the ultrasonic probe 203 performed ultrasonic flaw detection in step 102. In the ultrasonic flaw detection image, the reflected echoes generated at the notch start end 207 and the notch end 205 are obtained.

FIG. 6 is an example of an ultrasonic flaw detection image generated by an ultrasonic inspection device. The ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 of FIG. 6 shows a reflected echo 301 generated at the notch start end 207 (FIG. 5) and a reflected echo 302 generated at the notch end 205. The ultrasonic probe 203 detects a flaw detection range 303 including the notch start end 207 and the notch end 205, and the control unit 601 generates an ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 in which the reflected echo 301 and the reflected echo 302 are displayed.

First, the ultrasonic inspection device determines the position of the notch start end 207 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300.

In step 104, the operator obtains the approximate position of the notch start end 207 in advance based on the information about the groove 202. The operator can also use the visually obtained shape of the molten metal 204 to determine the approximate position of the notch start end 207. The operator can input the approximate position of the obtained notch start end 207 into the ultrasonic inspection device.

In step 105, the first search range is set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300, which is one of the ultrasonic flaw detection images 300 generated in step 103. The first search range is a range including the approximate position of the notch start end 207, and is set by installing the first window so as to include the approximate position of the notch start end 207 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. NS. The ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 is preferably an image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with the highest sensitivity among the ultrasonic flaw detection images 300 generated in step 103.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for setting a first search range for the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. This screen is displayed by the display unit 500 of the ultrasonic inspection device. The first search range is set by installing the first window 401 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 so as to include the approximate position of the notch start end 207. The first window 401 may not be installed so as to include all of the reflected echo 301. The display unit 500 displays the first search range (first window 401) set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 on the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300.

The first window 401 may be installed by an operator, or may be installed by the control unit 601 of the ultrasonic inspection device. When the worker installs the first window 401, the worker determines the position and size of the first window 401 by using, for example, the mouse cursor 501. When the control unit 601 installs the first window 401, the control unit 601 inputs the position and size of the first window 401 to the approximate position of the notch start end 207 input by the operator and the operator in advance. It is automatically determined based on the set value.

The position (coordinates) and size of the installed first window 401 may be displayed, for example, in the input / output area 502 displayed on the screen for setting the first search range. When the worker installs the first window 401, the worker may input numerical values of the position (coordinates) and the size of the first window 401 into the input / output area 502. When the control unit 601 installs the first window 401, the operator inputs a numerical value into the input / output area 502 to position (coordinates) the first window 401 installed by the control unit 601. And the size may be changed.

In step 106, the control unit 601 searches for the position of the notch start end 207 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. The control unit 601 searches for the reflected echo 301 by moving the first search range and finding the position of the first search range that includes all of the reflected echo 301 caused by the notch start end 207. The position of the notch start end 207 is searched. That is, the control unit 601 moves the first window 401 to obtain the position of the first window 401 including all of the reflected echo 301. Specifically, the control unit 601 searches for the position of the first window 401 so that the total brightness in the first window 401 is maximized.

FIG. 8A is a diagram showing an example of the first window 401a including all of the reflected echo 301. FIG. 8A shows the coordinates 402a of the center of the first window 401a.

In step 107, the control unit 601 obtains the coordinates 402a of the center of the first window 401a. The control unit 601 determines the coordinate 402a as a provisional position of the notch start end 207. That is, the control unit 601 tentatively obtains the position of the notch start end 207 in the first window 401a.

In step 108, the control unit 601 changes the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 for obtaining the position of the notch start end 207 to a flaw detection image 300 having a lower sensitivity. The lower-sensitivity flaw detection image 300 is the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 generated in step 103, when the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained by obtaining the provisional position of the notch start end 207 in step 107 is obtained. It is an image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with lower sensitivity.

In step 109, the control unit 601 reduces the size of the first search range (first window 401a). The rate at which the size of the first search range is reduced can be arbitrarily determined. The position of the reduced first search range (first window 401a) is preferably included inside the reduced first search range.

FIG. 8B includes all of the reflected echoes 301 in the image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300) having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 8A. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st window 401b. The first window 401b shown in FIG. 8B is smaller in size than the first window 401a shown in FIG. 8A. FIG. 8B shows the coordinates 402b of the center of the first window 401b.

In the lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300 shown in FIG. 8B, the size of the reflected echo 301 at the notch start end 207 is the image obtained by the more sensitive ultrasonic flaw detection shown in FIG. 8A (higher sensitivity flaw detection image). It is smaller than the size of the reflected echo 301 of the notch start end 207 in 300). Therefore, the control unit 601 implements step 109 to reduce the size of the first search range.

The control unit 601 repeats the steps from step 106 to step 109, and gradually reduces the size of the first search range (first windows 401a, 401b) by using the less sensitive flaw detection image 300. Then, the provisional position of the notch start end 207 is repeatedly obtained.

FIG. 8C includes all of the reflected echoes 301 in the image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300) having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 8B. It is a figure which shows the example of the 1st window 401c. The first window 401c shown in FIG. 8C is smaller in size than the first window 401b shown in FIG. 8B. FIG. 8C shows the coordinates 402c of the center of the first window 401c.

In step 110, the control unit 601 determines whether or not the position of the notch start end 207 can be determined within the first search range (first window 401c).

FIG. 8D shows an example of the first window 401d in the image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 8C (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300). It is a figure which shows. The first window 401d shown in FIG. 8D is smaller in size than the first window 401c shown in FIG. 8C.

As the sensitivity of ultrasonic flaw detection is lowered, as shown in FIG. 8D, the reflected echo 301 caused by the notch start end 207 does not appear in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. The control unit 601 determines that the position of the notch start end 207 has been determined when the reflected echo 301 caused by the notch start end 207 disappears from the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. Then, the control unit 601 obtains the provisional position of the notch start end 207 obtained in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 immediately before the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 in which the reflected echo 301 has disappeared as the position of the notch start end 207.

The control unit 601 repeats the steps 106 to 109 until the reflected echo 301 caused by the notch start end 207 disappears from the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 and the position of the notch start end 207 is determined. That is, the control unit 601 reduces the size of the first search range (first windows 401a, 401b, 401c) as the size of the reflected echo 301 decreases, and the notch start end 207 By repeatedly obtaining the provisional position, the position of the notch start end 207 is narrowed down and obtained.

In step 111, the control unit 601 obtains the coordinates of the position of the obtained notch start end 207. The control unit 601 specifies the coordinates of the position of the notch start end 207 by setting an arbitrary position in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 as the origin.

Next, the ultrasonic inspection device determines the position of the notch end 205 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300.

In step 112, the control unit 601 of the ultrasonic inspection device sets a second search range in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 of one of the ultrasonic flaw detection images 300 generated in step 103. The second search range is a range including the position of the notch start end 207 obtained in step 110, and the second window is installed so as to include the determined notch start end 207 position in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. Set in. The ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 is preferably an image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with the highest sensitivity among the ultrasonic flaw detection images 300 generated in step 103.

In step 113, the control unit 601 estimates and obtains the extending direction of the notch 206 from the notch start end 207 based on the information about the groove 202. That is, the control unit 601 estimates the direction in which the notch end 205 is located from the notch start end 207.

In step 114, the control unit 601 searches for the position of the notch end 205 in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. The control unit 601 moves the second search range (second window) from the position set in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 in step 112 in the extending direction of the notch 206 obtained in step 113. The control unit 601 moves the second search range in this way, and finds the position of the second search range so as to include all of the reflected echo 302 caused by the notch end 205, thereby making the reflected echo 302. Search for the position of the notch end 205. That is, the control unit 601 moves the second window to obtain the position of the second window including all of the reflected echo 302. Specifically, the control unit 601 searches for the position of the second window so that the total brightness in the second window is maximized.

FIG. 9A is a diagram showing an example of a second window 403a including all of the reflected echo 302. FIG. 9A shows the coordinates 404a of the center of the second window 403a.

In step 115, the control unit 601 obtains the coordinates 404a of the center of the second window 403a. The control unit 601 determines this coordinate 404a as a provisional position of the notch end 205. That is, the control unit 601 tentatively obtains the position of the notch end 205 in the second window 403a.

In step 116, the control unit 601 changes the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 for obtaining the position of the notch end 205 to the flaw detection image 300 having a lower sensitivity. The lower-sensitivity flaw detection image 300 is the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 generated in step 103, when the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained by obtaining the provisional position of the notch end 205 in step 115 is obtained. It is an image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection with lower sensitivity.

In step 117, the control unit 601 reduces the size of the second search range (second window 403a). The rate at which the size of the second search range is reduced can be arbitrarily determined. The position of the reduced second search range (second window 403a) is preferably included inside the reduced second search range.

FIG. 9B includes all of the reflected echo 302 in the image (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300) obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 9A. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd window 403b. The second window 403b shown in FIG. 9B is smaller in size than the second window 403a shown in FIG. 9A. FIG. 9B shows the coordinates 404b of the center of the second window 403b.

In the lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300 shown in FIG. 9B, the magnitude of the reflected echo 302 at the notch termination 205 is the image obtained by the more sensitive ultrasonic flaw detection shown in FIG. 9A (higher sensitivity flaw detection image). It is smaller than the size of the reflected echo 302 at the notch end 205 in 300). Therefore, the control unit 601 implements step 117 to reduce the size of the second search range.

The control unit 601 repeats the procedure from step 114 to step 117, and gradually reduces the size of the second search range (second windows 403a, 403b) by using the less sensitive flaw detection image 300. Then, the provisional position of the notch end 205 is repeatedly obtained.

FIG. 9C includes all of the reflected echo 302 in the image (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300) obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 9B. It is a figure which shows the example of the 2nd window 403c. The second window 403c shown in FIG. 9C is smaller in size than the second window 403b shown in FIG. 9B. FIG. 9C shows the coordinates 404c of the center of the second window 403c.

In step 118, the control unit 601 determines whether or not the position of the notch end 205 can be determined within the second search range (second window 403c).

FIG. 9D shows an example of the second window 403d in the image obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection (lower sensitivity flaw detection image 300) having a lower sensitivity than the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 obtained in FIG. 9C. It is a figure which shows. The second window 403d shown in FIG. 9D is smaller in size than the second window 403c shown in FIG. 9C.

As the sensitivity of ultrasonic flaw detection is lowered, as shown in FIG. 9D, the reflected echo 302 caused by the notch end 205 disappears from the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. The control unit 601 determines that the position of the notch end 205 has been determined when the reflected echo 302 caused by the notch end 205 disappears from the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. Then, the control unit 601 obtains the provisional position of the notch end 205 obtained in the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 immediately before the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 in which the reflected echo 302 has disappeared as the position of the notch end 205.

The control unit 601 repeats the steps 114 to 117 until the reflected echo 302 caused by the notch end 205 disappears from the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300 and the position of the notch end 205 is determined. That is, the control unit 601 reduces the size of the second search range (second windows 403a, 403b, 403c) as the size of the reflected echo 302 becomes smaller, and the notch end 205 By repeatedly finding the provisional position, the position of the notch end 205 is narrowed down and found.

In step 119, the control unit 601 obtains the coordinates of the position of the obtained notch end 205. The control unit 601 specifies the coordinates of the position of the notch end 205 by using the origin used when the coordinates of the position of the notch start end 207 are specified.

In step 120, the control unit 601 obtains the notch height 208 (FIG. 5) by obtaining the distance between the position of the notch start end 207 and the position of the notch end 205. The control unit 601 calculates the notch height 208 from the coordinates of the position of the notch start end 207 obtained in step 111 and the coordinates of the position of the notch end 205 obtained in step 119.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a display screen of the measurement result of the notch height 208 displayed by the display unit 500 of the ultrasonic inspection device. The display unit 500 displays the calculated notch height 208, the obtained notch start end 207 position 250, and the obtained notch end 205 position 260 on the ultrasonic flaw detection image 300. The display unit 500 may display the notch height 208, the coordinates of the notch start end 207 position 250, and the coordinates of the notch end 205 position 260 numerically on the measurement result display screen.

In the procedure shown in FIG. 1, the position 250 of the notch start end 207 is obtained before the position 260 of the notch end 205. The reason for this is that the position 260 of the notch end 205 is determined by the shape of the molten metal 204 (the position of the bottom 211 of the molten metal 204), so it is difficult to guess where it is, so that it includes the approximate position of the notch end 205. This is because it is difficult to set the first search range (first window). Therefore, the position 250 of the notch start end 207 is obtained, and then the position 260 of the notch end 205 is obtained.

The display unit 500 includes the coordinates 402a to 402c of the first windows 401a to 401d shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D and the center of the first window, and the second windows 403a to 403a shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D. The coordinates 404a to 404c of 403d and the center of the second window may or may not be displayed.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various modifications are possible. For example, the above-described embodiment has been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easy-to-understand manner, and the present invention is not necessarily limited to the embodiment including all the described configurations. Further, it is possible to replace a part of the configuration of one embodiment with the configuration of another embodiment. It is also possible to add the configuration of another embodiment to the configuration of one embodiment. Further, it is possible to delete a part of the configurations of each embodiment and add / replace other configurations.

201a, 201b ... Base material, 202 ... Groove, 203 ... Ultrasonic probe, 204 ... Molten metal, 205 ... Notch end, 206 ... Notch, 207 ... Notch start end, 208 ... Notch height, 209 ... Extra fill, 200 ... Subject to be inspected, 210 ... Bottom surface, 211 ... Bottom, 212a, 212b ... Dotted line indicating flaw detection range, 250 ... Notch start end position, 260 ... Notch end position, 300 ... Ultrasonic flaw detection image, 301, 302 ... Reflection Echo, 303 ... flaw detection range, 401, 401a, 401b, 401c, 401d ... first window, 402a, 402b, 402c ... coordinates of the center of the first window, 403a, 403b, 403c, 403d ... second window, 404a, 404b, 404c ... Coordinates of the center of the second window, 501 ... Mouse cursor, 502 ... Input / output area, 600 ... Transmission / reception unit, 601 ... Control unit, 602 ... Delay time control unit, 603 ... Pulser, 604 ... Receiver , 605 ... Data collection department.

Claims (8)

An ultrasonic probe equipped with a plurality of ultrasonic elements and ultrasonic flaw detection by electron scanning on an object to be inspected having a welded portion in which two base materials are joined by welding, and an ultrasonic probe.
Control unit and
With
The body to be inspected has a notch which is an unwelded portion between the base materials and has a notch.
The control unit
The ultrasonic probe generates an ultrasonic flaw detection image obtained by performing ultrasonic flaw detection, and generates a flaw detection image.
The position of one end of the notch is obtained in the first search range set in the flaw detection image.
The position of the other end of the notch is obtained within the second search range set by the control unit in the flaw detection image.
The height of the notch, which is the distance between the one end and the other end, is obtained from the position of the one end and the position of the other end of the notch.
An ultrasonic inspection device for welded parts. The ultrasonic probe performs ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities and performs ultrasonic flaw detection.
The control unit
A plurality of the flaw detection images obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection at the plurality of the sensitivities were generated.
The position of the one end of the notch is tentatively obtained within the first search range set in the flaw detection image of one of the plurality of flaw detection images.
By using the flaw detection image obtained by the ultrasonic flaw detection with lower sensitivity, the size of the first search range is reduced, and the position of the one end of the notch is repeatedly obtained. Find the position of the one end of the notch.
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1. The ultrasonic probe performs ultrasonic flaw detection with a plurality of sensitivities and performs ultrasonic flaw detection.
The control unit
A plurality of the flaw detection images obtained by ultrasonic flaw detection at the plurality of the sensitivities were generated.
The second search range is set in the flaw detection image of one of the plurality of flaw detection images, and the position of the other end of the notch is tentatively obtained in the second search range.
By using the flaw detection image obtained by the ultrasonic flaw detection with lower sensitivity, the size of the second search range is reduced, and the position of the other end of the notch is repeatedly obtained. , Find the position of the other end of the notch,
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1. The object to be inspected has a groove provided in the welded portion.
The control unit sets the first search range in the flaw detection image based on the information about the groove.
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1. The control unit sets the second search range in the flaw detection image based on the position of the one end of the notch.
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1. The object to be inspected has a groove provided in the welded portion.
The control unit moves the second search range set in the flaw detection image from the position set in the flaw detection image in the extending direction of the notch obtained from the information about the groove. Find the position of the other end of the notch within the search range of 2.
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus for a welded portion according to claim 5. A display unit for displaying the position of one end of the notch and the position of the other end obtained by the control unit on the flaw detection image is provided.
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1. A display unit for displaying the first search range set in the flaw detection image on the flaw detection image is provided.
The ultrasonic inspection device for a welded portion according to claim 1.

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