JPS59150334A - Ultrasonic probe - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To closely adhere the objective surface of each shoe and the surface of an object to be inspected while the former is varied corresponding to the change of the latter, by attaching the shoe having a plurality of vibrators attached thereto to a flexible support member. CONSTITUTION:At first, a support member 20 is moved to the inspection place of an object 4 to be inspected and, subsequently, the plungers 1a, 1a of press cylinders 1, 1 are projected to gradually press the object 4 to be inspected to shoes 29a... 29e. In this case, because the frame 21 for forming the support member 20 and shoe support plates 22a... 22e have flexibility, the surface 9 of the object 4 to be inspected is bent along the curvature thereof by pushing out the plungers 1a, 1a and the lower surfaces of the shoes 29a... 29e are respectively closely adhered to the surface of the object 4 to be inspected. Thereafter, ultrasonic waves are oscillated and transmitted into the object 4 to be inspected through the shoes 29a... 29e by vibrators 31a... 31e and reflected waves are received to perform accurate ultrasonic flaw detection.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an ultrasonic probe used in an ultrasonic flaw detector.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

Generally, ultrasonic flaw detectors are used for non-destructive testing of the presence or absence of flaws in an object to be inspected.

For example, in nuclear power plants and the like, ultrasonic flaw detectors are used to periodically test various equipment, piping, etc., to prevent radiation leakage at all.

This ultrasonic flaw detector is equipped with an ultrasonic probe that transmits ultrasonic waves into the object to be inspected and receives the reflected waves, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

This ultrasonic probe is a one-shu multi-oscillator type, and a block-shaped probe is installed between the tips of each plunger la, la of a pair of pressing cylinders 1, 1, supported by shafts 2, 2. One shoe 3 is pressed against the surface of the object 4 to be inspected, and each ultrasonic transducer (hereinafter referred to as a transducer) 5a is fixed to this shoe 8.

Ultrasonic waves are transmitted from 5b, 5c, 5a, and 5e into the test object 4 through the shoe 8, and reflected waves from internal scratches are received by each transducer 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, and 5e, and calculations are performed. It is used to determine the presence or absence of kinks on a portion (not shown).

゛In addition, a large number of oscillators 5a...5θ are mounted on the shoe 3.
The reason for installing this is to increase the accuracy of flaw detection by detecting flaws in the object 4 to be inspected from multiple directions. If the object 4 to be inspected is arranged as a pipe, each vibrator 5a, 5b, 5c, 5d, 5e is arranged in the following order:
These are a vertical vibrator, a 45° axially oblique vibrator, an axially 60° oblique vibrator, a 45° circumferentially oblique vibrator, and a 60° circumferentially oblique vibrator. And each vibrator 5a...5e
In order to make the angle of incidence of the excitation sound wave accurate, the shoe 8 has a surface 81) parallel to the object surface 8a, and a surface g inclined at 45°.
, c, 600 is fixed to the inclined slanted surface 8d.

However, in this way, there are many oscillators 5a in one joule 8.
5e, the shoe 8 becomes very large and the objective surface 8a becomes wide, which causes the inconvenience that it becomes impossible to perform flaw detection on the inspected object 4 having a surface with a small curved height. Ta.

During flaw detection, the object surface 8a of the shoe 8 and the inspected object v!
A couplant such as water or oil is interposed between the IJ 4 and the surface of the IJ4 to prevent an air layer from forming in the middle, but if the objective surface 3a is wide, an air layer will be formed even if the couplant is injected. , flaw detection was sometimes impossible.

In addition, in order to form the inclined surfaces 8c and aa2, the height of the shoe 8 cannot be lowered, and the probe itself cannot be made into a 1rm type. Another disadvantage was that the sonic flaw detector was large.

Therefore, conventionally, ultrasonic probes shown in FIGS. 8, 4, and 5 have been proposed.

This ultrasonic probe is called a rotating frame type, and is formed by attaching a plurality of transducers to separate shoes so that the shoes can be rotated as a unit by about 90 degrees.

That is, a pair of pressers are fixed to a moving block 7.7 which is screwed into two parallel threaded rods 6, 6 of the cylinder 1.1i and moves in the axial direction, and furthermore, between each plunger la, the shaft 2 is attached. .2, the base 8 is guided to the proper place for full inspection by the forward and reverse rotation of the screw rods 6, 6 and the protrusion of the brunges Yla, la. A circular hole 9 penetrating vertically is bored in the center of the bake 8, and a sliding member 1 having a gear 10 formed on the outer periphery is inserted into the circular hole 9.
1, a rectangular frame 12 is rotatably installed inside. The frame 12 is rotationally driven by meshing the drive gear 14 of the drive mechanism 13 provided on the base 28 with the gear 10 and rotating the drive hour wheel 14 in forward and reverse directions. Between the long sides 12a, 12a of the frame 12, there are shafts 16a, 16b, 16cf, each having eight shoes 15a, 15b, 15c protruding from both ends thereof.

Two rings 18a are vertically movably supported in vertically elongated holes 17a, 17b, and 17c drilled in 12a.

Axes 16a, 16b, by 18b, 18c,
By pressing down the shoes 15a, 16c,
The object surfaces 5b and 15c are formed so as to be pressed against the object 4 to be inspected. And shoes 15a, 15b, 15
c includes a vertical oscillator 19a and a 45' oblique oscillator 19b in order.
, 60o oblique vibrator 19c is fixed.

In this way, the ultrasonic probes shown in FIGS. 8 to 5 are formed so as to be attached to the plurality of transducers 19a, 19b, 19cf, respectively, on separate shoes 15a, 15b, and 15c. Shoes 15a, 15b, 15c'
By making the hearing impaired smaller, the area of the object plane can be made narrower and the height can be made lower. And each shoe 15a, 15b,
Since the area of the object surface of 15C is narrow and it can be rotated individually around the axes 16a, 16b, and 16ei,
Even if the surface curvature of the inspected object 4 is small, each shoe 15a
, 15b, 15c absorb the curvature and are brought into close contact with the inspection surface. Moreover, each shoe 15a, 15b.

Since 15C becomes thinner, the entire ultrasound probe becomes thinner,
Automatic machine can be formed completely compact.

However, in this ultrasonic probe, each shoe
5a, 15D, 15ci Since the structure for vertically movable mounting on the frame 12 is complicated, if six transducers are provided as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the ultrasonic probe itself will become large. Only 8 shoes are provided, and 15 of these shoes
a, 151), 15Q'iii moving mechanism 13, drive gear 1
4. Sliding member 11 and frame 12 via gear 11
It must also be formed so that it can be rotated 90 degrees around the circular hole 9. In this way, each shoe 15a, 1
Since the drive mechanism 13 for rotating the ultrasonic probe by 5b and 15ci is provided, the structure of the entire ultrasonic probe becomes complicated, and there are disadvantages such as an increase in size. As the ultrasonic probe becomes larger, it is necessary to insert the ultrasonic probe in arrays at nuclear power plants, etc., when the gaps between each pipe, such as those connected to the reactor pressure vessel, are narrow. This results in inconveniences such as not being able to perform ultrasonic flaw detection.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention was made in view of these points, and it is possible to bring the entire object surface of the shoe into close contact with the surface of the object to be inspected, which has a small curvature or a changing curvature, and has a simple structure. The overall purpose of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic probe that can be formed thin and capable of ultrasonic flaw detection even in narrow areas.

[Summary of the invention]

In the present invention, a plurality of vibrators are attached to separate shoes, and these shoes are attached to a fully flexible supporting member, and during flaw detection, the objective surface of each shoe is bent by bending the supporting member. The main feature is that it can be brought into close contact with the object by varying it according to changes in the surface of the object.

[Implementation sequence of the invention]

The implementation sequences shown in FIGS. 6 to 13 of the present invention will be described below.

6 to 11 show one embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 20 denotes a support member, which is attached to each plunger la of the cylinder 1.1 with a pair of pressing shafts 2.
, la. This support member 20 is the seventh
Frame 2 shown in FIG. 8] and shoe support plate 2 shown in FIG.
2a, 22b, 22c, 22d, and 22θ. Frame 2] matches the front end of the E-pole frame 21a with the end frame 21bf, and bolts 23a
, oak) 23 t), etc., and each shoe support plate 2 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of each side.
A groove U is formed on the outer periphery of each of the grooves 2a, 22e, into which the stepped portion 25 is fitted. And frame 2
The shafts 2, 2 are supported on the ends of each plunger la, la by ball joint-shaped bearings 26, 26, respectively. There is. In addition, shoe support plates 22a, 22J 22
c are integrally connected to each other by a projection 27 and a groove 28 and are shaped to be fitted into the frame 21, and similarly, the shoe support plates 22d and 22e are integrally connected by a projection 27 and a groove 28. There is. And the support member 20
To assemble the E-shaped frame 2 of the frame 21 in the disassembled state, fit each support plate 22a...22 e f into the groove 24 of frame 2] a, and finally End frame 2] 1) 'i bolt 23a5 nut) 23
This is done by tightening the E-shaped frame 2] a with b, etc. The support member 20 is made of an elastic resin material or the like, so that it has a flexible structure. This is to ensure that each shoe is brought into close contact with the object 40 even if the surface of the object 40 changes.

And each shoe support plate 22a, 22b, 22c, 22
d, 22e are provided with a vertical vibrator shoe 29a in order.
1 axial direction 45° angle oscillator shoe 29b 1 axial direction 60
° Oblique transducer shoe 2901 Circumferential direction 45° Oblique transducer shoe 29d1 Circumferential direction 60° Shoe for oblique transducer 2
9 e is fixed. Each oblique transducer shoe 29 tl...29 e rL measurement In order to completely prevent measurement noise from being mixed in, each ultrasonic sound absorbing material 30 is used.
Each shoe support plate 22k)...22e
installed on. A vertical vibrator 31a is fixed in a recessed portion 32 at the top of the vertical vibrator shoe 29a. Also, each oblique vibrator shoe 291)...
・29e includes, in order, axial direction 45° oblique angle oscillator 31b1 axial direction 600 oblique angle oscillator 31 c% circumferential direction 45° oblique angle kdJ element 31 d% circumferential direction 60° oblique angle oscillator 31
e are each fixed to the inclined surface.

Next, the operation of this implementation sequence will be explained.

Now, a case where the surface of the object to be inspected 40 is not flat but curved as shown in FIGS. 9 to 11 will be described.

First, the support member 20 is moved to the inspection point of the object to be inspected 4, and then the plungers la, l of the cylinders 1, 1 are pressed.
ai protrudes and presses each shoe 29a...29e against the surface of the object to be inspected 4. In this case, the support member 20
The frame 21 and each shoe support plate 22a to form the
Since 22e has 0T flexibility, it is bent along the curvature of the angular surface of the object to be inspected 40 by extrusion of the plungers 1'la, la. As a result, each shoe 29a...
. . . The lower surface of 29θ, that is, the surface opposite to IvIJ, is in close contact with the surface of the object to be inspected 4. After that, each vibrator 31a
......31 e each ultrasonic shoe 29a...
Accurate ultrasonic flaw detection is performed by oscillating into the inspected object 4 through Group 29B and receiving reflected waves.

In this way, in this embodiment, a plurality of oscillators 31a,
...31 e @ so 6 separate shoes 29a・
Since each shoe 29a...29θ is formed to be attached to ...29e, each shoe 29a...29θ can be formed thinly, and each shoe 29a...29 e f has a flexible support. Since it is formed to be attached to the push button, the object surface of the multiple shoes can be brought into close contact with the surface of the object 40 to be inspected, and the ultrasonic probe itself can be made smaller without the need for a rotating frame like in the past. can be manufactured. at the same time,
Even when the curvature of the surface to be inspected 'J/lJN is small, accurate ultrasonic flaw detection can be performed by placing each shoe on the objective surface t@. In addition, since the support member 20 is formed so that the frame 21 and each shoe support plate 22a...22eq can be disassembled, maintenance of the ultrasonic probe itself and each shoe 29aI, group, 29 e and each vibrator 31a...
'aie's sensitivity calibration work can be easily performed.

In addition, each shoe 29a...2 in this implementation row
The arrangement of 9 e and each vibrator 31a...31θ may be completely changed, and each vibrator 31a...31
e f The flaw detection performance may be improved by using a two-part type. In addition, the entire function of the ultrasonic flaw detector 30t may be omitted by having the shoe support plate 22t) and 228.22 (1°22e).

12 and 13 show the implementation of the pond of the present invention,
Each shoe support plate 22a serves as a flexible support member.
...Elastic blocks 33a and 33b on the lower surface of 22e
.

33cf, each shoe 29a, 29b, 29ci is fixed in the recessed part 34a, 34b, 34c formed in the lower part of each elastic block 33a, etc.

A vibrator (not shown) is fixed to each shoe 29a, similarly to the above-mentioned rows.

Each elastic block 33a, 33b becomes this support member.

33c, each shoe 29a, 2 as shown in FIG.
9b.

When the shoe 290 is away from the test object vJ4, the object planes of the shoes 29a, z9b, and 29c are held horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 13, during flaw detection measurement, the pressing force from the cylinders 1 and 1 is moderately bent so that the object surface of each shoe 29a, 29b, 29c is exposed to the surface of the IJ40 to be inspected. make sure it is in close contact with the This allows accurate ultrasonic flaw detection.

[Purpose of the invention]

In this way, the ultrasonic probe of the present invention can reliably bring each of the plurality of shoes and object surfaces into close contact with the surface of the object to be inspected, which has a small curvature or a changing curvature, and can generate accurate ultrasonic waves. It can perform flaw detection, has a simple fc structure, can be formed into a thin film, can be applied to automatic ultrasonic flaw detectors, and is easy to maintain and manage.
It is highly reliable and has the advantage of being able to easily detect flaws even in narrow areas.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Figure 1 is a side view showing 111flJ of a conventional ultrasound probe, Figure 2 is a sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1,
Fig. 8 is a side view showing a row of songs of a conventional ultrasound probe, Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line W-IV in Fig. 8, and Fig. 5 is a side view showing a row of songs of a conventional ultrasound probe. 6 to 11 show one row of the ultrasonic probe of the present invention, and FIG.
7 is a sectional view, FIG. 11 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9 showing the probe state, and FIGS. 12 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 9, and FIG. 13 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 11. 4...Object to be inspected, 20...Supporting member, 21...Frame, 22a...22e River shower support plate, 2
9a... Group 29 e... Shoe, 31a... Vertical vibrator, 31b... Axial direction 45° oblique vibrator, 31C
...Axis direction 600 oblique vibrator, 31d...Circumferential direction 4
5° oblique vibrator, 31θ...600 oblique vibrator in circumferential direction, 33a, 33b, 33c...elastic block (support member). Applicant's agent Kiyoshi Inomata h 1 Figure b 3 Flash 54 Quantity Mo 5 Figure 66 Figure 57 Figure 8 Figure 9 Z Mo 10 Figure ff'5 II Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An ultrasonic probe that has a shoe that is brought into contact with the surface of an object to be inspected and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers attached to the shoe, and that performs flaw detection from multiple directions, An ultrasonic probe characterized in that each of the ultrasonic transducers is individually attached to separate shoes separated from each other, and each shoe is attached to a flexible support member. a A support member is formed by attaching a plurality of flexible shoe support plates to a frame having a flexible structure, a shoe is fixed to each of the shoe support plates, and one ultrasonic vibration is applied to each shoe. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, characterized in that the probe is formed by fixing the probe. 3. Vertical vibrator, axial direction 45° oblique vibrator, axial direction 60°
° oblique oscillator, circumferential direction 45° oblique oscillator, local direction 600
3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1, wherein all of the oblique transducers are mounted on separate shoes.