Portable Ultrasonic Phased Array Flaw Detector and Recorder

THE VERSATILITY OF ULTRASONICS

Phased Array Modality

64/64 phased array electronics - independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture, parallel A/D conversion and on-the-fly real time digital phasing
Phased array pulser receiver with image guided ray tracing
Cross-sectional B-Scan (E-Scan), Sector Scan (S-Scan), Tandem-B-Scan viewing accompanied with standards compliant A-Scan / Gate based evaluation
Thickness / Skip Correction for B-Scan / S-Scan viewings
Gain per Focal Law Control providing Angle Gain Compensation for S-Scan and other applicable compensations for wedge / delay sound path and losses variation, in-equivalency of array elements, etc
A-Scan, B-Scan, CB-Scan, and TOFD
DAC/TCG per focal law adjustment
Up To 20m Length of One Line Scanning Record
3D data presentation through composing of Top (C-Scan), Side, End Views
Dealing with diffracted and mode converted signals - defects sizing and pattern recognition (delta technique, crack depth meter, etc)

Conventional UT and TOFD Modalities

1, or 8, or 16 additional conventional channels, each allows single / dual mode of operation
Thickness B-Scan
Flaw detection Angle / Thickness / Skip Corrected B-Scan
CB-Scan
TOFD
Strip Chart
Stripped C-Scan
Parallel / Sequential Firing and A/D conversion
DAC, DGS, TCG
FFT signal analysis

100% raw data capturing
Built-in encoder port
Ethernet and 2 X USB Ports
Sealed keyboard and mouse
Powerful off-line data analysis software tools
Remote control
Light rugged case
Large (8.5”) bright touch screen
Direct printout

General

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope uniquely combines phased array, single- and multi-channel conventional UT, and TOFD modalities providing 100% raw data recording and imaging. Along with portability, lightweight, and battery operation this makes it suitable for all kinds of every-day ultrasonic inspections

Phased array modality is performed by powerful 64:64 channel phased array electronics with independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture, each may consist of 1 through 64 elements. Each channel is equipped with it's own A/D converter. Parallel A/D conversion and ”on-the-fly” digital phasing are provided for every possible composition and size of the emitting and receiving aperture. Thus implementation of each focal law is completed within single pulsing / receiving cycle providing maximal possible speed of forming focal-law-resulting superimposed A-Scans

Depending on configuration ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope additionally carries 1, 8, or 16 independent pulsing-receiving channels to fulfill conventional UT, and TOFD modalities; each channel is capable for single and dual modes of operation

High ultrasonic performance is achieved through firing phased array, TOFD, and conventional probes with bipolar square wave initial pulse. Duration and amplitude of the initial pulse are wide-range-tunable. Initial pulse may reach 300 V pp for phased array and 400 V pp for conventional channels. Special circuit provides high stability of the amplitude and shape of the initial pulse and boosts all its' leading and falling edges. This significantly improves signal to noise ratio so the analogue gain of each channel is controllable over 0…100 dB range

Large 8.5” bright screen provides fine resolution for all types of data presentation defined by whole variability of modalities and sub-modalities implemented by ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope is fully compliant with the following codes

ASME Code Case 2541 - Use of Manual Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Section V
ASME Code Case 2557 - Use of Manual Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
ASME Code Case 2558 - Use of Manual Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
ASTM 1961- 06 - Standard Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth Welds Using Zonal Discrimination with Focused Search Units
ASME Section I - Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
ASME Section VIII, Division 1 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
ASME Section VIII, Division 2 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. Alternative Rules
ASME Section VIII Article KE-3 - Examination of Welds and Acceptance Criteria
ASME Code Case 2235 Rev 9 - Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography
Non-Destructive Examination of Welded Joints - Ultrasonic Examination of Welded Joints. - British and European Standard BS EN 1714:1998
Non-Destructive Examination of Welds - Ultrasonic Examination - Characterization of Indications in Welds. - British and European Standard BS EN 1713:1998
Calibration and Setting-Up of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique for the Detection, Location and Sizing of Flaws. - British Standard BS 7706:1993
WI 00121377, Welding - Use Of Time-Of-Flight Diffraction Technique (TOFD) For Testing Of Welds. - European Committee for Standardization - Document # CEN/TC 121/SC 5/WG 2 N 146, issued Feb, 12, 2003
ASTM E 2373 - 04 - Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
Non-Destructive Testing - Ultrasonic Examination - Part 5: Characterization and Sizing of Discontinuities. - British and European Standard BS EN 583-5:2001
Non-Destructive Testing - Ultrasonic Examination - Part 2: Sensitivity and Range Setting. - British and European Standard BS EN 583-2:2001
Manufacture and Testing of Pressure Vessels. Non-Destructive Testing of Welded Joints. Minimum Requirement for Non-Destructive Testing Methods - Appendix 1 to AD-Merkblatt HP5/3 (Germany).- Edition July 1989

Phased Array Functionality

ISONIC 2009 PA UPA-Scope - Technical Data

Pulser Receiver Channel for conventional and TOFD Probes

General Data

Phased Array Pulser Receiver

Phased array pulser receiver is controlled through intuitive regular ultrasonic flaw detector operating surface, which is additionally equipped with ray trace imaging for composing emitting / receiving aperture and controlling focal law. Type of wave generated in the material is controlled through simple entering of the appropriate value for ultrasonic velocity. It is possible to enter material thickness to provide ray tracing considering interaction of ultrasonic beam with surfaces of the object
Groups of phased array probe elements composing emitting and receiving aperture may be fully or partially matching or totally separated. Every composition of emitting / receiving aperture allows creating of focal laws for radiation and detection of the same or various types of ultrasonic wave
Regular way of signal evaluation (gating, automatic measurements of echo amplitudes, reflector coordinates, etc) is fully applicable to the A-Scans composed through the implementation of each focal law; DAC and TCG may be created either experimentally or theoretically through entering dB/mm (dB/inch) factor. Therefore signals obtained by phased array probe may be evaluated in full compliance with conventional UT codes and procedures

B-Scan (E-Scan)

B-Scan (E-Scan) is obtained through electronic shift of predetermined emitting / receiving aperture within entire linear array comprising more elements than aperture size. Whilst in the B-Scan mode the incidence angle is fixed
Sensitivity of each element of the phased array probe may deviate in a certain range. It is possible to compensate the deviation with use of gain per focal law control feature providing correction of analogue gain for each position of the aperture used whilst forming B-Scan
On obtaining an indication on the B-Scan mouse cursor or special marker may be placed over to reproduce corresponding A-Scan and proceed with signal gating and evaluation in accordance with conventional codes and procedures
B-Scan may be obtained for any type of ultrasonic wave entered into material at any feasible incidence angle with / without use of wedges or delay lines along with linear array probe

Sector Scan (S-Scan)

Sector Scan (S-Scan) is formed through electronic control of incidence angle whilst size and positioning of emitting / receiving aperture are fixed
Transparency of boundary between phased array probe and material, wedge sound path and losses, as well as effective dimensions of the emitting / receiving aperture depend on the incidence angle significantly. Gain per focal law control feature allows precise angle gain compensation within entire beam steering range

obtaining an indication on the S-Scan mouse cursor or special marker may be placed over to reproduce corresponding A-Scan and proceed with signal gating and evaluation in accordance with conventional codes and procedures
S-Scan may be obtained for any type of ultrasonic wave with / without use of wedges or delay lines along with linear array probe
Skip-corrected S-Scan presentation provides imaging of the real defect position

Tandem B-Scan

Tandem B-Scan mode is very useful for the detection of vertical cracks in welds, plates, tube and vessel walls, etc. It is implemented with use of one 64-elements linear array probe and wedge
After entering material thickness and defining a grid dividing object's cross section into small square cells ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope determines tandem insonification strategy automatically by such a way that focal points of emitting and receiving aperture do match in the center of each cell in subsequent pulsing receiving cycles. Gain per focal law control feature allows individual gain per shot setting in order to equalize overall sensitivity for the variety of incidence angles, sound path lengths and losses in the wedge / material used to insonify whole cross section of the material
For each pulsing receiving cycle time base of the A-Scan is re-arranged automatically to provide appearance of possible echoes from insonified cells at 50%-position and corresponding narrow gate is formed as well. Recorded echo heights are represented on the Tandem B-Scan image through amplitude-palette coloring of insonified cells
On obtaining an indication on the Tandem B-Scan mouse cursor or special marker may be placed over in order to reproduce corresponding A-Scan and ray trace indication

Postprocessing 2D

Every cross-sectional image data either B-Scan, S-Scan or Tandem B-Scan may be stored for further off-line analysis and data reporting purposes - complete raw data set is stored into a file making it possible playing-back A-Scans, measurements, etc

3D Imaging

3D Data Presentation - Top View (C-Scan), Side View, End View may be obtained through line scanning with linear array probe at rectangle to the elements count direction
Time based or true-to-location data recording may be provided for all types of cross-sectional insonification, either B-Scan, S-Scan, or Tandem B-Scan
C-Scan Top View image provides both distance and amplitude map modes
On case of scanning with 0-degree incidence angle Side and End Views may represent thickness profile

Inspection for vertical cracks
Tandem B-Scan combined with line scanning

Thickness mapping of aircraft skin
B-Scan combined with line scanning

Weld inspection
Shear wave S-Scan combined with line scanning

Inspection of composites
B-Scan combined with line scanning

Postprocessing 3D

Every 3D data set may be stored for further off-line analysis and data reporting purposes - complete raw data set is stored into a file making it possible recomposing of Top, Side, End Views of the material, recovery of all cross-sectional views obtained during scanning, playing-back A-Scans, measurements, etc

Dealing with diffracted and mode converted signals - defects sizing and pattern recognition

Sizing of near surface crack
Receiving back echo and tip diffraction signal

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope allows simple one-probe-implementation of various practical procedures related to defects sizing and pattern recognition, the typical examples are:

Delta-technique
Emitting shear / receiving both shear and longitudinal wave signals

Conventional UT and TOFD modalities

For single conventional channel operation ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope provides fully featured A-Scan inspection as well as line scanning recording, imaging and off-line analysis of the following types: thickness B-Scan; flaw detection B-Scan for angle beam and straight beam probes; CB-Scan for guided, surface, and shear wave probes inspections; TOFD. This fully covers scope of functions implemented by very well known ISONIC 2005 (ISONIC STAR / ISONIC 2020) portable ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder of Sonotron NDT - www.advanced-ndt.co.uk

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope instruments equipped with 8 or 16 channels additionally provide multi-channel strip chart recording with forming all known types of strips such as B-Scan, PE, TOFD, Coupling. For certain applications such as, for example, brush probe scanning strip chart is convertible into C-Scan. This fully covers scope of functions implemented by very well known ISONIC 2008 portable multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder of Sonotron NDT -
www.advanced-ndt.co.uk

Comprehensive off-line analysis and data reporting toolkit for all kinds of data captured using conventional UT and TOFD modalities is built-in

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