Patent ID: 6167760
Filing Date: 2001-01-02
Classification: G01N

Abstract:
An ultrasonic inspection system for determining the presence, location, and size of flaws in a laminated structure in a single inspection cycle, said ultrasonic inspection system including an immersion tank, a probe assembly comprising a plurality of probes and a plurality of individual shoes configured for complementary engagement with the laminated structure under inspection, said plurality of probes including a cap radius and flange radius probe for inspecting the cap radius and flange radius of said laminated structure, each probe consisting of a pair of vertically opposed shoes containing a plurality of through-transmission ultrasonic channels, a plurality of transducers, four motor assemblies, two encoder assemblies operating synchronously, the relative motion of said laminated structure driving said two encoder assemblies thereby producing position information for generating C-scans, a collection tank, and a recirculation assembly, said probes matching the shape of the laminated structure, said four motor assemblies comprising two motors fore and two motors aft of said immersion tank; said immersion tank having fore and aft windows for aligning the laminated structure under inspection and reducing the loss of water in said immersion tank; wherein the water exiting said immersion tank is collected in a collection tank and recirculated by a recirculation tank, the overflow water running down a trough for minimizing introduction of air into the water and attenuation of the ultrasonic signal thereby preventing false readings.