JPH09292377A - Array probe recognizer for ultrasonic inspecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an array probe recognizer of an ultrasonic inspecting instrument which easily and accurately achieves recognition of the type of the array probe used. SOLUTION: An array probe 20 comprises array elements T1 -T64 , and a body side transmitting/receiving circuit 310 comprises pulser receiver circuits P1 -P65 . A connector 50 has terminals KT1 -KT65 and is connected to the respective array elements T1 -T64 , excluding one terminal KT2 . A body side connector 300 has terminals KP1 -KP65 , corresponding to the terminals KT1 -KT65 and is connected to the pulser receives P1 -P65 . One terminal KT2 is selected from among the terminals of the connector 50 to judge the type of the array probes involved. The pulser receiver circuits P1 -P65 are operated sequentially to judge the type of that array probe from the pulser receiver P2 receiving no signal.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an array probe recognizing device of an ultrasonic inspection device for recognizing the type of array probe used in the ultrasonic inspection device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Inspection using an ultrasonic beam is used in many fields such as industrial and medical fields. In particular, ultrasonic inspection using an array probe configured by arraying a large number of array elements in a predetermined direction using a piezoelectric body as an ultrasonic array element (hereinafter simply referred to as array element) is performed in the array element array direction of the array probe. Since ultrasonic scanning can be performed electronically, rapid inspection is possible. That is, when a plurality of adjacent array elements are selected and each is delayed by a predetermined time for excitation, an ultrasonic beam according to the mode of the delay can be generated. Therefore, when the array elements are selected one by one and the array elements are excited in the above-described delay mode for each selection, the generated ultrasonic beam sequentially moves in the array element array direction. As a result, the scanning with the ultrasonic beam is eventually performed. Since each of the above selections is made electronically, the scanning speed is much faster compared to mechanical scanning.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the ultrasonic inspection apparatus. In this figure, 1 is a subject to be subjected to ultrasonic examination, 2 is the above-mentioned array probe, and 3 is a main body (described later) configured by using a microcomputer. Reference numeral 4 is a probe cable for connecting the array probe 2 and the main body 3, and 5 is a connector for connecting the probe cable 4 to the main body 3. As the probe cable 4, a coaxial cable of 1 to 3 m is usually used.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the internal structure of the main body 3 shown in FIG. In this figure, 31 is a transmission / reception circuit connected to the probe 2 via the probe cable 4, 32 is an image processing circuit for processing ultrasonic signals received by the transmission / reception circuit 31, and 33 is a central processing unit (CPU) of a microcomputer. , 34 is a monitor for displaying an ultrasonic image based on the data processed by the image processing circuit 32, and 35 is a keyboard for inputting various commands and numerical values to a microcomputer.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing details of the array probe and the transmission / reception circuit shown in FIG. In this figure, 2 is an array probe, 5 is a connector, and 31 is a transmitting / receiving circuit, which is the same as that shown in FIG. Reference numeral 30 denotes a connector which is provided on the main body 3 and which detachably connects the connector 5. The array probe 2 has a large number of array elements (64 in the figure) T _{1 to} T.
₆₄ , and the transmission / reception circuit 31 is composed of the same number of pulser receiver circuits P _{1 to} P _{64 as the} array elements. The connector 5 has terminals K _T1 ...
The connector 30 is composed of K _T64 , and the connector 30 has terminals K _{P1 to} K _P1 arranged at positions corresponding to the respective terminals K _{T1 to} K _T64 of the connector 5.
It consists of _P64 . When the connector 5 and the connector 30 are connected, the terminal K _{T1 of the} connector 5 and the connector 3
The terminal K _{P1 of} 0 is coupled and connected in a male and female relationship, and similarly, the terminals K _T2 and K _P2 , the terminals K _T3 and K _P3 , ...
..., terminal K _T63 and terminal K _P63 , terminal K _T64 and terminal K
_P64 is connected and connected.

Due to the above-mentioned configuration of the terminals of the connector 5 and the connector 30, when the connector 5 and the connector 30 are connected, the array elements T _{1 to} T ₆₄ and the pulser receiver circuits P _{1 to} P ₆₄ correspond to each other. What you do is connector 5,
Connected via 30. That is, array element T ₁ and pulser receiver circuit P ₁ , array element T ₂ and pulser receiver circuit P ₂ , array element T ₃ and pulser receiver circuit P ₃ ,
……………… Array element T ₆₃ and pulser receiver circuit P
₆₃ , the array element T ₆₄ and the pulser receiver circuit P ₆₄ are connected to each other. The connected array element and the pulser receiver circuit form one channel. In the case shown, the ultrasound examination apparatus has 64 channels.

When a pulse is output from the pulser of the pulser receiver circuit to the connected array element, the array element is excited to generate ultrasonic waves, and the reflected wave returns to the array element and is converted into an electric signal. , Received by the pulser receiver circuit receiver. In actual ultrasonic inspection, for example, six channels of adjacent array elements T _{1 to} T ₆ and pulser receiver circuits P _{1 to} P ₆ connected to them are selected, and each array element is excited in a predetermined delay mode. Then, one ultrasonic beam is transmitted / received by receiving the reflected wave, and when this transmission / reception is completed, the selected channel is shifted by one and the same operation is performed. By repeating this, the array element Ultrasonic beam scanning in the array direction is performed.

[0008]

The array probe is
For example, there are various types in which the array pitch of each array element, the array position (array angle) of the array element array, the operating frequency, and the like are different. Then, of these various array probes, the type of array probe most suitable for the various inspection conditions is selected, and connected to the main body 3 for ultrasonic inspection. In this case, the transmission / reception circuit 31 and the image processing circuit 32 of the main body 3 need to be changed in the operation mode according to the array probe used. For example, when the array angles of the array elements are different, the traveling direction of the ultrasonic beam is changed, so that it is necessary to re-apply a delay time corresponding to the ultrasonic wave to each channel when the ultrasonic wave is transmitted and received. The value corresponding to the array probe of the corresponding array angle is selected from the group of numerical values stored in the storage unit that is not stored, and the delay time is reset. Also, since the traveling direction of the ultrasonic beam changes as described above, in response to this,
It is necessary to change the address arrangement of the data group arranged in the image processing circuit 32. Even with such a change, a value corresponding to this array probe is selected from the address data group stored in the storage unit (not shown) in the image processing circuit 32, and the address arrangement is reset. In addition,
For example, if the address arrangement is not reset, the image displayed on the monitor 34 becomes an image rotated by a certain angle from the normal image, which makes observation difficult.

Therefore, when the array probe is replaced, the "probe selection" screen is displayed on the monitor 34 by using the keyboard 35, the replaced probe is selected by the keyboard 35 from the screen, and the CPU 33 causes each Numerical values and procedures of the selected probe are read from a storage unit (not shown) in which numerical values and procedures that define the operation of the probe are stored for each probe, and the transmission / reception circuit 31 and the image processing circuit 32 are controlled according to these.

However, it takes a considerable amount of time for the inspector to operate the keyboard 35 to display the "probe selection" screen on the monitor 34 and select the replaced probe again from the screen with the keyboard 35. However, there is a problem in that the probe is often mistakenly selected from the “probe selection” screen, and the ultrasonic examination is carried out without noticing this to obtain an unknown or incorrect examination result. And
When the probe is replaced frequently, the fatigue of the inspector is increased due to the process of selecting the probe, and the error in selecting the probe is increased.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above problems in the prior art and to an array probe recognizing device of an ultrasonic inspection device which can easily and accurately recognize the type of array probe to be used.

[0012]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an ultrasonic inspection apparatus for connecting an array probe having a large number of array elements to a main body to perform ultrasonic inspection in a predetermined order. A first connector which is arranged and has at least one more terminal than the number of array elements, each of the array elements being connected to a predetermined terminal other than the terminal specified according to the type of the array probe; ,
Each terminal is fixed to the main body side and has the same number as each terminal of the first connector and is connected to a corresponding terminal of each of these terminals, and each of these terminals is connected to a pulser receiver circuit of a corresponding transmitting / receiving circuit. And a second connector that is provided, and when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the pulser receiver circuits are sequentially operated to operate the specified terminal of the first connector. It is characterized in that a search means for searching is provided.

[0013]

In order to specify the type of each array probe, each array probe defines a specific terminal among the terminals of the connector connected to it, and the array element is not connected to this defined terminal. When the first connector having such a terminal is connected to the second connector on the main body side, the pulsar receiver circuit of the transmission / reception circuit connected to the terminal of the second connector coupled to the specific terminal is an array. It will not be connected to the array element of the probe. In this state, the search means sequentially operates all the pulsar receiver circuits, searches for a pulsar receiver circuit in which no signal is received, recognizes the type of the connected array probe from the number of the pulsar receiver circuit that does not operate, and Select the operation that is compatible with the array probe. This makes it possible to easily and accurately recognize the type of array probe to be used.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the illustrated embodiments. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of an array probe and a transmission / reception circuit that constitute an array probe recognition device of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, 20 is an array probe, 50 and 300 are connectors corresponding to the connectors 5 and 30 shown in FIG. 5, respectively, and 310 is a transmission / reception circuit. The array probe 20 is composed of array elements T _{1 to} T ₆₄ , and the transmitting / receiving circuit 310 is a pulser receiver circuit P.
It is composed of _{1 to} P ₆₅ . The connector 50 is composed of terminals K _{T1 to} K _T65 arranged at predetermined positions, and the connector 300 fixed to the main body side includes the terminals K _T1 to K _T1 of the connector 50.
It is composed of terminals K _{P1 to} K _P65 arranged at positions corresponding to K _T65 . When the connector 50 and the connector 300 are connected, the terminal K _{T1 of the} connector 50 and the connector 30
And the terminal K _P1 of are connected in a male / female relationship. Similarly, the terminals K _T2 and K _P2 , the terminals K _T3 and K _P3 , and so on.
………, Terminal K _T64 and terminal K _P64 , Terminal K _T65 and terminal K
_P65 is connected and connected.

As shown in the figure, in this embodiment, the number of terminals of the connector 50 connected to the array probe 20 is one more than the number of array elements. That is, the array probe 20 has 64 array elements K _{T1 to} K _T64 , but the connector 50 has 65 terminals K _{T1 to} K _T65 . And
In this embodiment, the terminal K _T2 is not connected to the array element,
Grounded. In the figure, a ground symbol is drawn between the array element K _T1 and the array element K _T2 , but in reality, the array element K _T1 and the array element K _T2 are arranged adjacent to each other. Each array element K _T1 of the array probe 20
~K _T64 is identical in sequence and each array element K _T1 ~K _T64 shown in FIG. On the other hand, the number of terminals of the connector 300 fixed to the main body side is the same as the number of terminals of the connector 50 (65), and these terminals K _{P1 to} K _P65 are respectively connected to the pulsar receiver circuit P ₁ of the transmission / reception circuit 310. ~ P ₆₅
Is connected. As a result, the number of array elements of the array probe 20 is increased by one for the terminals of the connectors 50 and 300 and the pulser receiver circuit for the transmission / reception circuit 310.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG. The flowchart shown in FIG. 2 is based on the array probe 20, connector 50,
5 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of CPU 33 shown in FIG. 4 when using 300 and a transmission / reception circuit 310. In the present embodiment, each pulser receiver circuit is given a number in advance, and the microcomputer of the main body stores a numerical value or a procedure for prescribing the operation for each array probe described above Is called a processing procedure storage unit), and a storage unit (this is called a type name storage unit) in which the type name of each array probe and the number corresponding to it are stored. The number assigned to the pulsar receiver circuit is used as the number in the type name storage unit.

First, the CPU 33 is the connector 3 on the main body side.
00 to monitor the array probe 20 is connected,
That is, it waits for the connector 50 to be connected to the connector 300 (step S ₁ shown in FIG. 2). Since such means for determining whether or not the connector is connected is well known, description thereof will be omitted.
Instead of determining whether or not the connector is connected, the inspector may operate the keyboard to select the “probe replacement” menu, and the CPU 33 may determine this. Connector 5
When 0 is connected, CPU 33 outputs a pulse by operating the pulser of the pulser receiver circuits P ₁ to P ₆₅ of the reception circuit 310, see the reception state (Step S _2). When an array element is connected to the pulsar receiver circuit via the connectors 300 and 50, when a pulse is applied to the array element, the array element is excited and outputs a signal of a certain level or higher. Although it will be received by the receiver of the circuit, if the array element is not connected to the pulsar receiver circuit and is grounded as shown in FIG. 1, no signal is received by the pulsar receiver circuit.

By the processing in the above step S _2, the pulser receiver circuit from which the signal is not received is grasped. In the case of the array probe 20 shown in FIG. 1, the pulsar receiver circuit that is not received is the second pulsar receiver circuit P ₂ (for example, the pulsar receiver circuit with the number “2”). CPU33 pulser receiver circuit is not received, it is determined whether or not two or more (Step S _3), if one kind based on the (number "2" in the illustrated example) number of the pulser receiver circuit The connected array probe name is read from the storage unit (step S ₄ ) and displayed on the monitor 34 (step S ₄ ).
₅ ), the processing procedure and the like used for the array probe is read from the processing procedure storage unit (step S ₆ ), stored in a random access memory (RAM), etc.
The ultrasonic examination is performed according to the processing procedure stored in this RAM. The processing procedure in this case is, of course, a processing procedure that does not use the pulser receiver circuit P ₂ , and the array element T ₁ is excited by the pulser receiver circuit P ₁ , but the array element T ₂ is not the pulser receiver circuit P _2. It is excited by the pulsar receiver circuit P ₃ , and thereafter, similarly, the array element and the pulsar receiver circuit are operated in a shifted relationship with each other.

On the other hand, when it is determined in the process of the above step S ₃ that there are two or more unreceived pulser receiver circuits, originally, in the configuration of this embodiment shown in FIG. One (Pulsar receiver circuit P
₂ ) only, so it can be considered that some other failure has occurred in the channel of the pulser receiver circuit that is not received. Therefore, on the monitor 34 the number of pulser receiver circuit not received as a failure channel (Step S _7). Among these numbers, the number indicating the type of array probe is known (recorded separately by some means), so it can be seen that the channel of the remaining number is defective.

As described above, in this embodiment, one of the terminals of the connector of the array probe is a terminal that is not connected to the array element, and this terminal is a terminal indicating the type of the array probe, and the connector is on the body side. When connected to the connector, the pulsar receiver circuits of the transmission / reception circuit are operated sequentially, and the signal is not received by the pulsar receiver circuit connected to the above-mentioned terminals that are not connected to the array element. Since this is done, the type of array probe to be used can be easily and accurately recognized, and fatigue of the inspector can be reduced. Further, since it is determined whether or not there are two or more non-reception pulser receiver circuits, the same failure channel can be found by determining the type of array probe. In comparison with the conventional device, the present embodiment has only one additional terminal of each connector and one pulser receiver circuit, so that the structure is simple and there is almost no increase in space.

In the above description of the embodiment, an example in which the type of array probe is determined by selecting one terminal not connected to the array element has been described, but even if two or three terminals are selected. Good. In that case, the total number of terminals will increase by one or two. Further, when the type of the array probe is determined, the example of reading the processing procedure is described, but the name of the array probe may be simply displayed. Furthermore, in the above description of the embodiment, an example in which the number of non-receiver pulser receiver circuits is determined has been described, but such determination is not always necessary.

[0022]

As described above, in the present invention, one of the terminals of the connector of the array probe is a terminal that is not connected to the array element, and this terminal is a terminal that indicates the type of array probe, and the connector is When connected to the connector on the main unit side, each pulser receiver circuit of the transmission / reception circuit is operated in sequence, and no signal is received by the pulser receiver circuit connected to the terminals not connected to the array element. Since the type is determined, the type of array probe to be used can be easily and accurately recognized with a simple configuration, and fatigue of the inspector can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing details of an array probe and a transmission / reception circuit that constitute an array probe recognition device of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic inspection apparatus.

4 is a block diagram of an internal configuration of a main body 3 shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing details of an array probe and a transmission / reception circuit shown in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

20 array probe 50, 300 connector 310 transceiver circuits T ₁ through T ₆₄ array elements P ₁ to P ₆₅ pulser receiver circuit _{K T1 ~K T65, K P1 ~K} P65 terminal

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hiroyuki Hayakawa, Inventor Hiroyuki Hayakawa 2-47, Shiobara, Minami-ku, Fukuoka City, Kyushu Electric Power Co., Inc. Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. in Tsuchiura Plant (72) Inventor Hirotoshi Kino 650 Kintatecho, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture Machinery Co., Ltd. Tsuchiura Plant (72) Inventor Tadatoshi Shimamura 650 Jinrachicho, Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture Hitachi Construction Machinery Co., Ltd. Tsuchiura Plant

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic inspection apparatus for performing an ultrasonic inspection by connecting an array probe having a large number of array elements arranged to a main body, the terminals being arranged in a predetermined order and having at least one more terminal than the number of the array elements. A first connector in which each of the array elements is connected to a predetermined terminal other than the terminal specified according to the type of the array probe;
Each terminal is fixed to the main body side and has the same number as each terminal of the first connector and is connected to a corresponding terminal of each of these terminals, and each of these terminals is connected to a pulser receiver circuit of a corresponding transmitting / receiving circuit. And a second connector that is provided, and when the first connector and the second connector are connected, the pulser receiver circuits are sequentially operated to operate the specified terminal of the first connector. An array probe recognizing device for an ultrasonic inspection apparatus, characterized in that search means for searching is provided. 2. The array probe recognition device for an ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the specified terminal of the first connector is grounded.