Ultrasonic PHASED ARRAY Technology

[Gros, Xavier]

Group Sponsored Project
PHASED ARRAY TECHNOLOGY
A PRACTICAL EVALUATION OF THE BENEFITS
Ultrasonic inspection plays an important role in assuring the quality
and integrity of engineering components. However almost all industrial
inspections are based on probes which produce fixed ultrasonic beams.
This contrasts with the situation in medical applications where special
phased array probes are routinely used to produce beams which sweep
through the inspection volume, allowing highly detailed real-time images
to be produced.
Previous use of phased array techniques and equipment in other sectors
has tended to be restricted to laboratory or highly specialised
applications. However recent developments mean that they are now
available for wider industrial use and may represent the biggest advance
in industrial ultrasonics since the time of flight diffraction (TOFD)
technique. Potential advantages include:
Improved defect detection,
More accurate defect sizing,
Easier to interpret ultrasonic signals (displaid in an image format),
Faster inspections (reduction in inspection time).
Industrial interest in phased array techniques is rapidly increasing.
However, as with any new technology it is important that capability is
properly determined and both advantages and limitations identified.
We have therefore launched a Group Sponsored Project on "A Practical
Evaluation of Phased Array Techniques". It is intended to increase
understanding within the sponsoring organisations of phased array
technology, and allow them to make informed decisions on the
acceptability and potential benefits for their own applications.
I hope this is of interest to you. If you wish to receive more
information, if you wish to participate, or if you have any queries,
please do not hesitate to contact me.
Yours sincerely,
Xavier GROS
Senior Project Engineer
NDT Development and Services
xg...@mitsuibabcock.com
Mitsui Babcock

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