Patent ID: 8301401

Claim:
An ultrasonic probe for encircling the perimeter of a target component to be ultrasonically tested, the probe comprising: a base having a first arcuate inner surface for partly encircling a target component perimeter; a pair of jaws pivotally mounted to the base at respective opposite ends of the first arcuate inner surface, at a pair of respective joints, said jaws having respective second and third arcuate inner surfaces each for partly encircling a target component perimeter, said jaws having a closed position wherein the first, second and third arcuate inner surfaces form a continuous closed loop for encircling a target component perimeter, and an open position for admitting a target component between the jaws; a set of front seals connected to and extending along a front portion of the first, second and third arcuate inner surfaces for forming a continuous front seal for sealing engagement against a target component perimeter in the closed position of the jaws; a set of rear seals connected to and extending along a rear portion of the first, second and third arcuate inner surfaces for forming a continuous rear seal for sealing engagement against a target component perimeter in the closed position of the jaws; said front and rear seals being spaced from each other to form an annular coupling fluid chamber between the arcuate inner surfaces and an outer surface of a target component perimeter when a target component is encircled by the arcuate inner surfaces and the jaws are in their closed position; the base having at least one coupling fluid passage opening into the first arcuate inner surface for supplying coupling fluid into the coupling fluid chamber; an arcuate set of ultrasonic transducers connected along at least one of the arcuate inner surfaces for transmitting ultrasonic signals to the coupling fluid chamber; and a circuit connected to each set of ultrasonic transducers for electrically connecting each set of ultrasonic transducers to ultrasonic processing electronics for ultrasonically testing a target component.