KR20190128966A - Ultrasonic inspection device for baffle former bolt and method for inspecting baffle former bolts using the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device for an ultrasonic inspection of a baffle former bolt for connecting and fixing a baffle plate and a former plate which are components of an internal structure of a reactor, wherein the ultrasonic inspection device of the baffle former bolt comprises: a phased array ultrasonic probe including a vibration element; a control part for controlling transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal generated by the phased array ultrasonic probe; and an image generation part for synthesizing a phased array ultrasonic image through post-processing of the ultrasonic signal. Therefore, the present invention is capable of improving a reliability and speed of the overall baffle former bolt inspection.

Description

ULTRASONIC INSPECTION DEVICE FOR BAFFLE FORMER BOLT AND METHOD FOR INSPECTING BAFFLE FORMER BOLTS USING THE SAME}

The present invention relates to a device for the ultrasonic inspection of the baffle foamer bolt and a method for inspecting the baffle foamer bolt using the same.

Nuclear power plants contain components for loading and supporting nuclear fuel. The core barrel primarily supports the core, and many components are attached to the core barrel, including baffle former assemblies, outlet nozzles, neutron panel assemblies or heat shields.

Among these, the baffle former assembly consists of vertical plates called baffle plates and horizontal support plates called former plate, and is connected by baffle former bolts. The baffle former bolts are fixed using a locking bar to prevent them from coming off. Ultrasonic examination is performed to confirm the integrity of the baffle foam bolts.

Conventionally, an ultrasonic test was performed using a probe made of two or four vibration elements (piezoelectric elements) to perform an ultrasonic test.

In the ultrasonic test using a transducer composed of two or four vibrating elements (piezoelectric elements) as described above, for the defect in the direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic wave incident toward the center of the baffle foam bolt, the ultrasonic signal reflected is large so that the detection capability is high. Excellent. On the other hand, as the direction of the ultrasonic wave and the direction of the defect are inclined, the reflected signal is weakened and thus the detection ability is deteriorated.

In addition, the defect determination of the baffle former bolt through the existing ultrasonic signal, whether the crack generated in the baffle former bolt by the pattern analysis method that analyzes the difference between the ultrasonic signal collected from the normal bolt and the ultrasonic signal reflected from the defect site There was a problem to judge and assess the health.

Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2015-0131011 (November 24, 2015 published) Republic of Korea Patent Publication No. 10-2016-0132924 (Published November 21, 2016)

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic inspection apparatus of a baffle foam bolt that can increase the detection ability of defects generated inside the baffle foam bolt, and to generate an ultrasonic signal data generated from the inspection apparatus and a phased array ultrasonic image using the same. It is to provide a way to synthesize.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is an apparatus for ultrasonic inspection of a baffle foamer bolt for connecting and fixing a baffle plate and a former plate, which are components of a reactor internal structure, comprising: a phased array ultrasonic transducer including a vibration element; A control unit controlling transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal generated by the phased array ultrasonic transducer; And an image generator for synthesizing a phased array ultrasound image through post-processing of the ultrasonic signal.

The vibrating element includes a first vibrating element group and a second vibrating element group spaced apart from each other, and the contact surface of the phased array ultrasonic transducer includes a recess, and the first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group The concave portion is disposed therebetween, and the first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group each include a plurality of vibrating element units, and the vibrating element units may be linearly arranged in parallel with each other.

The controller collects the ultrasonic signals in a signal acquisition order, collects and stores the ultrasonic signals collected in the signal acquisition order as time domain signal (A-scan) data, and stores the time domain signal (A). You can process -scan) data as Full Matrix Capture (FMC) data.

The image generator may synthesize a total focusing method (TFM) image through post-processing of the ultrasonic signal.

The post-processing may synthesize the ultrasonic signal into the phased array ultrasound image by the following algorithm.

[Algorithm expression]

[x, y: image coordinate]

: n번째 초음파 소자 위치][

: nth ultrasonic element position]

An object of the present invention is the ultrasonic inspection method of the baffle for the bolts for connecting and fixing the baffle plate and the former plate components of the reactor internal structure, generating ultrasonic signals of various refractive angles from the phased array ultrasonic transducer, wherein, The phased array ultrasonic transducer includes a concave portion in contact with the baffle foamer bolt, and the phased array ultrasonic transducer includes a first vibration element group and a second vibration element group, and the first vibration element group and the second vibration element. The element group is disposed with the concave portion interposed therebetween, wherein the first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group each include a plurality of vibrating element units, and the vibrating element units are linearly arranged side by side; Collecting and storing the ultrasound signal as time domain signal (A-scan) data in a signal acquisition order through a controller, and combining the stored data into full matrix capture (FMC) data; And post-processing the FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data through an image generator, and synthesizing the FMC data into a phased array ultrasonic image.

The post-processing may synthesize the Full Matrix Capture (FMC) data into a Total Focusing Method (TFM) image by the following algorithm.

[Algorithm expression]

[x, y: image coordinate]

: n번째 초음파 소자 위치][

: nth ultrasonic element position]

The image generating unit may synthesize an ultrasound signal of a pulse-echo mode generated in at least one of the first vibration device group and the second vibration device group into the phased array ultrasound image.

Through the image generating unit, an ultrasonic signal of a pitch-catch mode generated from one of the first vibration device group and the second vibration device group to the other may be synthesized into the phased array ultrasound image. .

The apparatus for the ultrasonic inspection of the baffle foamer bolt and the baffle foamer bolt inspection method using the same according to the present invention has a high detection ability for defects generated in the baffle foamer bolt.

In addition, by outputting intuitive information in the form of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images through synthesis of a phased array ultrasonic image through post-processing of ultrasonic signals, accuracy in signal analysis and defect determination can be improved.

Therefore, the reliability and speed of the overall baffle bolt inspection can be improved.

The technical effects of the present invention as described above are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and other technical effects not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

1 is a view schematically showing an ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the baffle foam bolt according to an embodiment of the present invention,
2 is a view showing a phased array ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
3 is a view briefly showing the operation of ultrasonic transmission and reception and the collection, storage and processing of ultrasonic signals through the baffleformer ultrasonic testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
4 is a diagram briefly showing an algorithm equation for synthesizing an ultrasonic signal collected by a baffleformer ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention into a phased array ultrasonic image,
5 is a view briefly illustrating an ultrasonic inspection method of the baffle foamer bolt using the baffle foamer bolt ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention,
6 to 11 is a view showing the ultrasound image according to each ultrasound test through the baffleformer ultrasound test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Since the accompanying drawings are only examples to illustrate the technical spirit of the present invention in more detail, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the accompanying drawings, and the embodiments are provided so that the disclosure of the present invention is complete. It is provided to fully inform the person of knowledge of the scope of the invention.

Shapes of elements in the drawings may be exaggerated for more clear description, and the elements denoted by the same reference numerals in the drawings means the same elements.

1 and 2, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the baffle foam bolt and the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 for inspecting the baffle foam bolt according to the present invention will be described in detail.

1 is a view schematically showing an ultrasonic testing apparatus of the baffle foam bolt according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is a view showing a phased array ultrasonic transducer in the ultrasonic testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, (A) is a front view of the phased array ultrasonic transducer, and (B) shows the bottom surface of the phased array ultrasonic transducer.

As shown in FIG. 1A, the ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the baffle foam bolt of the present invention includes a phased array ultrasonic transducer 10, a controller 20, and an image generator 30.

The phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 includes a vibrating element (piezoelectric element) 11, and the controller 20 controls the transmission and reception of ultrasonic signals generated by the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 and the image generator 30. ) Generates a phased array ultrasonic image through post-processing of an ultrasonic signal.

A separate communication line 40 may be provided between the image generating unit 30 and the control unit 20 for post-processing the ultrasonic signal transmitted and received by the control unit 20, but the present invention is not limited thereto. Any device is irrelevant.

The ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 of the baffle foamer bolt as described above controls the collection, storage, and processing of the ultrasonic signal generated by the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 through the control unit 20, and the image generator ( Each step that synthesizes the phased array ultrasound image through 30 helps to determine the defects of the baffle foam bolts, and the overall reliability and speed of the baffle foam bolt inspection is improved.

Referring to Figure 2 will be described in detail with respect to the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 for the baffle foam bolt inspection according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2B, the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 is in contact with the baffle foam bolt during inspection, and is not connected with the baffle foam bolt to prevent interference by the locking bar protruding from the baffle foam bolt. The recessed part 13 is formed in the center part of the contact surface to contact. The first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112 are disposed with the concave portion 13 interposed therebetween.

The first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112 each include a plurality of vibrating element units 111a and 112a, and the vibrating element units 111a and 112a are linearly and densely arranged in parallel with each other. It is.

As shown in FIG. 2B, in the present embodiment, the first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112 are disposed on the left and right sides of the recess 13 and disposed. Although the shape and size of the first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112 are the same, this is not limited.

In addition, with respect to the arrangement form and the number of the vibrating element units 111a and 112a included in the first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112, in the present embodiment, the vibrating element unit ( 111a and 112a are formed in a linear form and are shown to be arranged in a total of 16 by 8 in the same manner, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

The number of each of the plurality of vibration device units 111a and 112a arranged is in the form of the cross section of the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 and the first vibration device group 111 and the second vibration device group 112 included therein. It may vary depending on the arrangement of the.

In addition, the arrangement of the plurality of vibrating element units 111a and 112a arranged in a linear form is not limited to the linear form, but may be configured in various two-dimensional forms. When arranged in the various two-dimensional vibration device unit (111a, 112a), it is possible to easily obtain the ultrasound image results of the three-dimensional form.

Next, a method of inspecting a baffle foam bolt using the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 of the present invention will be described. Herein, the inspection of the baffle foam bolt is performed by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals generated by the first vibration device group 111 and the second vibration device group 112 included in the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10. Determination of cracks generated and evaluation of their integrity.

Each of the first vibrating element group 111 and the second vibrating element group 112 included in the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 of the present exemplary embodiment transmits ultrasonic signals toward the center of the baffle-former bolt to avoid interference of the locking bar. Will occur.

Accordingly, the control unit performs the collection of the ultrasonic signals transmitted and received, and stores the collected signals and post-processes them to generate a phased array ultrasound image.

3 is a view briefly showing the operation of the ultrasonic transmission and reception and the collection, storage and processing of ultrasonic signals through the baffleformer ultrasonic testing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As described above, the control unit 20 collects the signals generated from the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 in the signal acquisition order. The ultrasonic signals collected by the signal acquisition sequence are collected and stored as time domain signal (A-scan) data, and the stored data is processed and stored as FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data.

As shown in FIG. 3, processing the collected data and storing the collected data as FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data means that only one of the plurality of vibration device units 111a and 112a transmits ultrasonic waves alone, respectively, and then the remaining vibration device units. The reflection signals are separately received at 111a and 112a and stored as time-domain signal (A-scan) data, which are sequentially performed N times for all the vibrating element units 111a and 112a, for a total of N ² data. It will mean to collect.

Although the method of processing the collected and stored data of the ultrasonic signal by the signal acquisition order as described above is the most optimized method, this is not limited. For example, one of the vibration device units 111a and 112a transmits ultrasonic waves, and repeats the reception of only one vibration device unit 111a and 112a instead of the whole, and thus the first vibration device group 111. Also, a method of collecting time domain signal (A-scan) data of all transmission / reception combinations in the second vibration device group 112 may be used. Even in the above case, a total of N ² data can be collected.

In addition, in the present embodiment, the procedure of acquiring the ultrasonic signals (signal acquisition order) is sequentially performed, but the ultrasonic signals for all transmission / reception combinations can be acquired, and in any order if the order is promised in advance. You may proceed, but this is not limited.

4 is a view briefly showing an algorithm for synthesizing an ultrasonic signal collected by a baffleformer ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention into a phased array ultrasonic image.

As described above, the image generating unit 30 receives the FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data from the control unit 20 in accordance with the signal acquisition order, and synthesizes it into a total focusing method (TFM) image through post-processing. .

As shown in FIG. 4, when X, Y, which are image coordinate values, is substituted into the proposed algorithm, a total focusing method (TFM) image may be synthesized through the image generator 30. In determining whether or not the crack generated inside the passage baffle foamer bolt, intuitive information in the form of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images can be obtained, and the accuracy in signal analysis and defect determination can be increased.

Synthesis of the TFM (Total Focusing Method) image may be described in connection with the ultrasonic transmission and reception operation diagram and data collection, storage, and processing through the baffleformer ultrasonic inspection apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG. 4.

Specifically, using data I and data III which are ultrasonic signal data of pulse-echo mode generated in at least one of the first vibration element group 111 and the second vibration element group 112. After the post-processing using the proposed algorithm, a phased array ultrasound image of a pulse-echo mode is acquired.

Meanwhile, using data II and data IV, which are ultrasonic signal data of a pitch-catch mode generated from one of the first vibration element group 111 and the second vibration element group 112 to the other, After the post-processing using the proposed algorithm, a phased array ultrasound image of the pitch-catch mode is acquired.

The total focusing method (TFM) image synthesized by the image generator 30 as described above may have a sharpness, resolution, and signal noise ratio as compared with a conventional phased array ultrasonic image.

In particular, the total focusing method (TFM) image of the pitch-catch mode was an image impossible to implement in a conventional phased array ultrasound apparatus, but the image is generated by the image generator 30 according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is possible to have an excellent effect in detecting defects for defects generated between vibration elements (piezoelectric elements).

FIG. 5 is a view schematically illustrating an ultrasonic inspection method of a baffle foam bolt using the baffle foam bolt ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 6 to 11 are baffleformer ultrasonic waves according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an ultrasound image according to each ultrasound test through an inspection apparatus.

As shown in FIG. 5, the ultrasonic inspection method of the baffle foam bolt using the baffle foam bolt ultrasonic inspection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes generating an ultrasonic signal at the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 (S1). In operation S2, the generated ultrasound signal may be stored and processed as data, and the step S3 may be synthesized into a phased array ultrasound image.

In the step S1 of generating the ultrasonic signal in the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10, a recess 13 is formed at the center of the contact surface in contact with the baffle foamer bolt, and the first vibration element group 111 and the first vibration device group 111 are formed. The two vibration element groups 112 are disposed with the concave portion 13 interposed therebetween, and the first vibration element group 111 and the second vibration element group 112 each include a plurality of vibration element units 111a and 112a. The vibration device units 111a and 112a generate ultrasonic signals of various refraction angles from the phased array ultrasonic transducers 10 which are densely arranged in parallel with each other.

Next, in the step S2 of storing the generated ultrasonic signal and processing the data, the ultrasonic signal through the control unit 20 is collected and stored as time domain signal (A-scan) data in a signal acquisition order and stored. The combined data is processed into FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data.

The step S3 of synthesizing the phased array ultrasound image includes a pulse-echo mode generated in at least one of the first vibration device group 111 and the second vibration device group 112 through the image generator 30. Transmitting and receiving according to an ultrasonic signal of a pulse-echo mode and an ultrasonic signal of a pitch-catch mode generated from one of the first vibration element group 111 and the second vibration element group 112 to the other It is to synthesize TFM (Total Focusing Method) image through post-processing by algorithmic expression using data.

6 to 11 illustrate ultrasound images of respective ultrasound tests through the baffleformer ultrasound test apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Each drawing shows the TFM (Total Focusing) by collecting, storing, and processing ultrasonic signals generated by using the phased array ultrasonic transducer 10 of the present invention with respect to defects at each position in the baffle foam bolt as FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data. Method) It shows the image implemented.

As shown in each figure, the resultant image shows the defects inside the bolt well, and especially the two-dimensional image shows the correct image which can help in the determination of the defect and the position evaluation. The reliability can be improved.

The apparatus for the ultrasonic inspection of the baffle foam bolt and the baffle foam bolt inspection method using the same according to an embodiment of the present invention, has a high detection capacity for defects generated in the baffle foam bolt.

In addition, by outputting intuitive information in the form of two-dimensional and three-dimensional images through synthesis of a phased array ultrasonic image through post-processing of ultrasonic signals, accuracy in signal analysis and defect determination can be improved.

Therefore, the reliability and speed of the overall baffle bolt inspection can be improved.

An embodiment of the present invention described above and illustrated in the drawings should not be construed as limiting the technical idea of the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is limited only by the matters described in the claims, and those skilled in the art can change and change the technical idea of the present invention in various forms. Therefore, such improvements and modifications may fall within the protection scope of the present invention as long as it will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

Claims (9)

Apparatus for the ultrasonic inspection of the baffle foamer bolt for connecting and fixing the baffle plate and the former plate, which is a component of the reactor internal structure,
A phased array ultrasonic transducer including a vibration element;
A control unit controlling transmission and reception of an ultrasonic signal generated by the phased array ultrasonic transducer; And
And an image generator for synthesizing a phased array ultrasound image by post-processing the ultrasonic signal. In claim 1,
The vibrating element includes a first vibrating element group and a second vibrating element group spaced apart from each other,
The contact surface of the phased array ultrasonic transducer,
Including recesses,
The first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group are disposed with the concave portion interposed therebetween,
The first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group each include a plurality of vibrating element units,
The vibration device unit is the ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the baffle foamer, characterized in that arranged in parallel with each other. In claim 1,
The control unit,
Collecting the ultrasonic signals in a signal acquisition order,
Collect and store the ultrasonic signal collected by the signal acquisition sequence as time domain signal (A-scan) data,
And baffle-former bolt processing the time domain signal (A-scan) data as Full Matrix Capture (FMC) data. The method of claim 1,
The image generator,
Ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the baffle foamer bolt, characterized in that to synthesize the TFM (Total Focusing Method) image through the post-processing of the ultrasonic signal. In claim 1,
The post-treatment,
The ultrasonic inspection apparatus of the baffle foam bolt, characterized in that for synthesizing the ultrasonic signal into the phased array ultrasound image by the algorithm.
[Algorithm expression]

[x, y: image coordinate]
[

: nth ultrasonic element position] In the ultrasonic inspection method of the baffle former bolt for connecting and fixing the baffle plate and the former plate, which is a component of the reactor internal structure,
Generating ultrasonic signals of various refractive angles from a phased array ultrasonic transducer,
Here, the phased array ultrasonic transducer includes a recessed portion in contact with the baffle foam bolt,
The phased array ultrasonic transducer includes a first vibrating element group and a second vibrating element group,
The first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group are disposed with the concave portion interposed therebetween,
The first vibrating element group and the second vibrating element group each include a plurality of vibrating element units,
The vibration element units are arranged linearly next to each other;
Collecting and storing the ultrasound signal as a time domain signal (A-scan) data in a signal acquisition order through a control unit, and combining the stored data into full matrix capture (FMC) data; And
And post-processing the full matrix capture (FMC) data through an image generator to synthesize a phased array ultrasonic image. In claim 6,
The post-treatment,
Ultrasonic inspection method of the baffle foamer bolt characterized in that the FMC (Full Matrix Capture) data synthesized by the Total Focusing Method (TFM) image by the following algorithm.
[Algorithm expression]

[x, y: image coordinate]
[

: nth ultrasonic element position] In claim 6,
Through the image generating unit,
Ultrasound of the baffle-former bolt, characterized in that the ultrasonic wave signals generated in at least one of the first vibration element group and the second vibration element group synthesized into the phased array ultrasonic image method of inspection. In claim 6,
Through the image generating unit,
The baffle-former bolts of the first vibration element group and the second vibration element group of the baffle-former characterized by synthesizing the ultrasonic signal of the pitch-catch mode (pitch-catch mode) to the other one of the phased array ultrasonic image Ultrasonic Examination Method.

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