Patent ID: 8024975
Filing Date: 2011-09-27
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
1. An ultrasonic testing method for transmitting an ultrasonic wave from a transmitter to generate a plate wave in a test piece and receiving at a receiver the plate wave passed through a test piece to inspect the test piece along a propagation path of the plate wave, comprising the steps of: providing a probe, which acts as either another transmitter or another receiver, between the transmitter and the receiver which are arranged for transmitting or receiving the ultrasonic wave or the plate wave across a gaseous substance; mounting the transmitter, the receiver, and the probe on a probe holding mechanism respectively which have support legs placed directly on a surface of the test piece, which is selected from aerospace devices, composite materials, and lengthened materials having curves, bends, or branches, and are arranged movable in relation to the test piece so that the transmitter or the receiver can remain held at a desired angle to the surface of the test piece; holding the support legs in direct contact with the surface of the test piece at a location off the propagation path of the plate wave extending from the transmitter to the receiver so that the probe is suspended by the support legs to bridge, with no direct contact, over the propagation path while the probe holding mechanisms are arranged to move the transmitter, the receiver, and the probe simultaneously in relation to the test piece; and passing the plate wave beneath the probe while directing the probe to transmit the ultrasonic wave or receive the plate wave.