Introduction to Advanced Ultrasonic Phased Array

Phased Array and Time-of-Flight Diffraction (TOFD)

Design Parameters of PhasedArray Probes

a linear array (1D) is basically a long conventional probe

cut in many small elements, that can be individually excited

Phased-Array probes
Single Trigger Pulse

Time

Wave front

Conventional Waveforming
Excitation pulse
Crystal
A B C

Delay
Wedge

Material
A B C

Location

Wave front

Beam steering using conventional UT probe (Transmit):

angled wedge introduces appropriate delays during emission to generate angle beam

Conventional Waveforming
Received signal Crystal
A B C

Delay

Wedge Material
A B C

Location

Beam steering using conventional UT probe (RECEIVE) :

angled wedge introduces delays during reception, so that only waves in phase.

Phased-Array Waveforming
Delay Time Focal law

Wave front Element

Beam steering using phased-array probe :

appropriate delays introduced electronically during emission to generate angle beam

Beam Focusing
Is the capability to converge the acoustic energy into a small focal spot Allows for focusing at several depths, using a single probe

Beam Steering

Beam Steering
Is the capability to modify the refracted angle of the beam generated by the array probe. Allows for multiple angle inspections, using a single probe

Combined Beam Processing

Linear combined with steering and focusing

Tandem for Vertical Defects

TOFD For Weld Inspection

Description of TOFD technique (Theory)

The Diffraction Phenomenon

Incident wave

Diffracted waves
All directions

Reflected wave

FLAW Low energy Independent of incidence angle

Diffracted waves

Basic Setup
2 probes (transmitter, receiver) Wide beam, longitudinal waves Symmetric to the weld center Diffraction signal detection (high receiver sensitivity)

TOFD Signals
Signals received
Lateral wave, subsurface Back-wall echo Mode converted (shear wave) echo

Define top and bottom of part Note phase change

TOFD Signals
Transmitter Lateral wave Upper tip Lower tip Back-wall reflection Receiver

Data Visualization (TOFD)

A-scan

Indication

Lateral wave

Back-wall

Near Surface Crack

1 2

The crack blocks the Lateral Wave And the lower tip appears on the A-scan

Lack of Fusion, Interpass

1 2 3

Lack of Root Penetration

1 2 3

2
3

Note the inverted phase between LW and defect

TOFD - Advantages
Diffracted rather than reflected signals Longitudinal waves B-scan type imaging (side view) Accurate sizing capability (height) Interpretation of defects Less sensitive to defect orientation

TOFD - Limitations
Blind area - near surface, backwall ID and OD Geometry (Hi-Lo) Weak signals Couplant loss Flaw classification limitation Interpretation of defects Sensitive to grain noise and Coarse grained materials

Typical manual TOFD scanner