A nondestructive eddy current or ultrasonic articulated probe mechanism automatically detects rolling mill roll surface defects for use with a defect test system. The articulated probe mechanism is mounted on a traversing roll grinder carriage, is automatically positioned over the test roll, and has a probe head with controlled fluid bearing, air or liquid, to automatically maintain probe head-to-test roll gap. One or multiple eddy current, or ultrasonic, probes in the head generate anomoly test signals which, together with a probe head temperature sensor signal, are suitable for processing in an appropriate test instrument.

Articulated test probe mechanism with fluid bearing in test roll gap

In a test system carrier for non-destructive testing of a workpiece, a test head holder including means for moving a test head of the test system carrier and means for pressing the test head against a surface of the workpiece, the test head pressing means including a compressed air cylinder having a piston, a gimballed support body coupled to the piston for supporting the test head, the piston being actuatable to press the test head substantially perpendicularly against the surface of the workpiece.

Test head holder in a test system carrier, preferably for ultrasonic test heads

An ultrasonic imaging module including a housing having an internal fluid-filled chamber, and an ultrasonic transducer producing a beam of ultrasonic energy. The transducer includes a piezoelectric transducer element and a ball-shaped ultrasonic window rotatably mounted in a bearing in one wall of the chamber for transmitting the beam of ultrasonic energy to the object to be ultrasonically scanned while rolling on the object. A source of pressured fluid is connected to the chamber and the relative size of the bearing and roller-ball window are such that a film of ultrasonic coupling fluid is applied from the chamber to the surface of the object to be scanned as the roller-ball window turns in the bearing during the scanning process. An ultrasonic lens mounted in the chamber between the transducer element and the ball-window compensates for the effect of the sphericity of the window on the ultrasonic beam.

Roller-ball ultrasonic imaging module

of the Disclosure An ultrasonic transducer is held in a tubular holder which in turn is axially placed in a mount. A frame depends from a cover of a gimbal mounted container for coupler fluid and the mount is clamped to the frame at an adjustable angle so that the transducer axis always intersects the same point. Ball rollers on the cover position the container in relation to a pipe to be tested so that said point is located on the pipe's surface. The trans-ducer holder has a shoulder onto which one may seat a calibration standard.

Mount for ultrasonic testhead

Pruefkopfhalterung bei einer vorrichtung zur ultraschallpruefung der schweissnaht von up-geschweissten grossrohren

An ultrasonic measuring system particularly suited for measuring the wall thickness of large tubing of widely different shapes and sizes An ultrasonic transducer is adjustably supported in an ultrasonic head assembly so as to provide precise focusing of the energy across a gap to the surface of the part being measured The head assembly is urged against the surface of the part while the two are displaced relative to one another so that the transducer scans a predetermined path along the part Freely rotatable balls carried by the head assembly engage the surface of the part while a column of water is maintained to fill the gap between the transducer and the surface of the part Provision is made for rotating circular parts so that the transducer sweeps out a spiral path over the surface of such parts In the case of non-circular parts, the head assembly is oscillated from side-to-side while the part and the head are moved relative to one another along the longitudinal axis of the part so that the transducer sweeps out a sinusoidal path over a side of the part

Henry Edgar Babb

Papers

Ultrasonic inspection device and system