Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements
Ultrasonic testing technology is used to inspect pipe welds in nuclear and thermal power plants. This paper proposes a new method to measure weld defects in thick-walled pipes of about 100 mm using ultrasonic phased array technology. The effectiveness of annular arrays is confirmed by numerical simu...
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/4/1221 |
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| author | Shintaro Fukumoto Takahiro Arakawa |
| author_facet | Shintaro Fukumoto Takahiro Arakawa |
| author_sort | Shintaro Fukumoto |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Ultrasonic testing technology is used to inspect pipe welds in nuclear and thermal power plants. This paper proposes a new method to measure weld defects in thick-walled pipes of about 100 mm using ultrasonic phased array technology. The effectiveness of annular arrays is confirmed by numerical simulations, and element arrangements that enable point focusing and sector scanning are considered. The energy concentration of annular arrays is 7% higher than that of linear arrays and 3% higher than that of matrix arrays. Similarly, the sound pressure ratio of grating lobes is equivalent to that of linear arrays and 20% lower than that of matrix arrays. This array probe is driven by 64 channels by dividing the ring of an 8-element annular array probe in parallel and shorting the elements at symmetrical positions. The effectiveness is examined by measuring specimens with flat-bottom holes and simulated spherical defects. The authors confirmed peaks in the echo intensity of a φ1 mm flat-bottom hole and a φ3 mm pseudo-spherical defect arranged at 5 mm intervals. Comparing the measured results with a conventional linear array transducer, the results from the proposed method show that the number and size of defects can be accurately measured. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-7e82473647b544298cee56a65270947d |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-7e82473647b544298cee56a65270947d2025-08-20T02:45:01ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-02-01254122110.3390/s25041221Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned ElementsShintaro Fukumoto0Takahiro Arakawa1IHI Inspection and Measurement Co., Ltd., 2-6-17 Fukuura, Kanazawa-ku, Yokohama 236-0004, JapanCertification for Inspection of Welds (CIW) Inspection Industry Association, General Incorporated Association, Chairman, Former IHI Inspection and Measurement Co., Ltd., 5-4-5 Asakusa Bashi, Taito-ku, Tokyo 111-0053, JapanUltrasonic testing technology is used to inspect pipe welds in nuclear and thermal power plants. This paper proposes a new method to measure weld defects in thick-walled pipes of about 100 mm using ultrasonic phased array technology. The effectiveness of annular arrays is confirmed by numerical simulations, and element arrangements that enable point focusing and sector scanning are considered. The energy concentration of annular arrays is 7% higher than that of linear arrays and 3% higher than that of matrix arrays. Similarly, the sound pressure ratio of grating lobes is equivalent to that of linear arrays and 20% lower than that of matrix arrays. This array probe is driven by 64 channels by dividing the ring of an 8-element annular array probe in parallel and shorting the elements at symmetrical positions. The effectiveness is examined by measuring specimens with flat-bottom holes and simulated spherical defects. The authors confirmed peaks in the echo intensity of a φ1 mm flat-bottom hole and a φ3 mm pseudo-spherical defect arranged at 5 mm intervals. Comparing the measured results with a conventional linear array transducer, the results from the proposed method show that the number and size of defects can be accurately measured.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/4/1221non-destructive testingultrasonic phased arraypoint focusingannular arraysector scanphased array |
| spellingShingle | Shintaro Fukumoto Takahiro Arakawa Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements Sensors non-destructive testing ultrasonic phased array point focusing annular array sector scan phased array |
| title | Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements |
| title_full | Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements |
| title_fullStr | Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements |
| title_full_unstemmed | Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements |
| title_short | Development and Performance Comparison of a 64-Channel Annular Array Probe Excited Simultaneously by Shorted Symmetrically Positioned Elements |
| title_sort | development and performance comparison of a 64 channel annular array probe excited simultaneously by shorted symmetrically positioned elements |
| topic | non-destructive testing ultrasonic phased array point focusing annular array sector scan phased array |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/4/1221 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT shintarofukumoto developmentandperformancecomparisonofa64channelannulararrayprobeexcitedsimultaneouslybyshortedsymmetricallypositionedelements AT takahiroarakawa developmentandperformancecomparisonofa64channelannulararrayprobeexcitedsimultaneouslybyshortedsymmetricallypositionedelements |