Abstract: A pulse generation circuit and method includes using digital signals to trigger a first and second varying analog signals and detecting when they reach one or more reference levels. In response to the first and second varying analog signals reaching one or more reference levels, a first and a second digital control signals are produced and provided as input to a pulser producing a voltage excitation pulse having a width and timing defined by the first and second digital control signals.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method suitable for calibrating a phased array system configured to inspect square bars. A square bar is provided with an array of parallel linear notches across the full range of the testing surface of the square bar for this calibrating purpose. The square bar is passed through the probe in probe's passive direction during the calibration. The phased array system is adjusted and calibrated so that the echo amplitude for each inspection channel of the phased array probe received from each notch is substantially equal. Then a known flaw with a typically expected flaw's size and shape is created on the same testing surface so that the system's sensitivity is adjusted using the amplitude of the echo signal from the known flaw as a baseline.

Abstract: A coupling wedge for use with a ultrasonic phased array inspection system has a body with a bottom side configured to face the object to be tested and a front side generally oriented at an angle to the bottom side and a top side to be coupled with a phased array probe. The probe includes a plurality of apertures. The front side of the wedge has grooves formed with a plurality of reflectors that are positioned on the front side of the wedge, leaving a distance from the bottom side. The change in TOF values from the reflector to a specific aperture enable the determination of the temperature change in the wedge. An alarm to an operator or alternation of focal laws in the system for temperature compensation can be applied.

Abstract: The method uses an XRF instrument for identifying a specified element on a jewelry sample by illuminating its surface with excitation radiation and measuring first and second intensities of characteristic emission lines of a specified element and calculating the ratio between the intensities to establish a measured thickness and to determine based on a certain range criteria whether the sample can be considered to be plated jewelry.

Abstract: A phased array system and the inspection method which is configured to inspect the weld seam of an HSAW for all standard types of flaws located both near pipe's internal and external surfaces in one scan pass, diminishing the need of making mechanical adjustment for the probes during the one pass of scan. The configuration includes the usage of at least one linear PA probe for Lamination inspection right above HAZ zone, at least one pair of PA probes for longitudinal defects inspection and holes detection and at least two pairs of PA probes for transversal defect inspections.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device.

Abstract: A touch screen is disclosed which responds to a user's touch for re-drawing, re-scaling, re-translating and re-positioning an impedance plane signal received from non-destructive testing equipment, such as an eddy current sensor. The impedance plane is manipulated by slidingne, two or more fingers simultaneously to an end position to effectuate a complete re-drawing operation of the image.

Abstract: A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.

Abstract: A pulse generation circuit and method includes using digital signals to trigger a first and second varying analog signals and detecting when they reach one or more reference levels. In response to the first and second varying analog signals reaching one or more reference levels, a first and a second digital control signals are produced and provided as input to a pulser producing a voltage excitation pulse having a width and timing defined by the first and second digital control signals.

Abstract: A user configured measurement display system and method for a non-destructive testing device and instrument (NDT/NDI) with high input data rate is disclosed. The system and the method provide the means for NDT/NDI instruments display measurement values that satisfies user designated measurement criterion occurring during any measurement time intervals (MTIs). The present disclosure overcomes the shortcomings of conventional ways of picking and displaying measurement values at fixed MTIs, by which the values truly satisfying the measurement criterion that occurs at random MTIs (other than scheduled MTIs) are often skipped.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effecting ultrasonic flaw detection of an object processes an echo signal received from the object being tested in at least three signal channels, wherein the echo signal is scaled to different degrees along each channel to increase and extend the dynamic range of an associated A/D converter system, in a manner which dispenses with the need for using numerous analog high pass and low pass filters and a variable gain amplifier. This reduces complexity and avoids performance limitations. The digital to analog converters sample the differently scaled input signal and a selection circuit selects the output of the digital output obtained from that analog to digital converter which has the highest gain, but which has not overflowed. The digital outputs are seamlessly merged to produce an output that can be displayed as a scan display which shows the location of faults.

Abstract: Disclosed is a wear plate assembly for NDT/NDI probes which provides sufficient protection for the probe being wrung against test objects, desirable acoustic performance meeting the requirements for versatile ultrasonic inspections while providing a mechanism that allows the transducer to be put into or taken out conveniently. The wear plate protects probes from being pieced, worn or structurally deformed albeit being thinner than a wavelength of the acoustic echoes.

Abstract: A peak visualization enhancement system for use with a non-destructive inspection (NDI) instrument using a digital display which replicates the haloing effect of analog cathode ray tube (CRT) displays. A peak detection algorithm is provided which intelligently selects the peak values from within the uncompressed digitized waveform while taking measures to prevent noise spikes and the like from being identified as valid waveform peaks. The digital display then highlights the identified peaks, or a subset of the identified peaks, on the compressed waveform display. In this way the effect of bright spots (halos) about the zero slope points on a waveform displayed on an analog CRT is replicated in a digitally compressed waveform display.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing ultrasonic inspection of an object, during one measurement on the object, triggers a sequence of excitations of the probe system and receives a sequence of substantially identical echo signals reflected from the object, and further scales each echo signal to different degrees to increase and extend the dynamic range of the echo signals. An A/D converter is then used to digitize the scaled signal sequentially in a manner which dispenses the need for using numerous A/D converters and the associated filters. The digitized signal samples are then combined to produce a single digital output in a manner that is not over-flowed and with desirable resolution.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of detecting non-linear operation of a measuring device comprising an array of transducers and at least one receiver channel portion. The method comprises receiving measured signals through transducers of the array, processing the measured signals from the transducers through the receiver channel portion, combining the processed measured signals to produce a combined measurement signal, and detecting non-linearity of the combined measurement signal and non-linear operation of the measuring device by detecting saturation of the receiver channel portion. In one embodiment, the receiver channel portion comprises an analog-to-digital converter, a threshold is assigned to a digital output of the analog-to-digital converter, and saturation of the receiver channel portion is detected when the digital output of the analog-to-digital converter oversteps the assigned threshold. In one application of the invention, the measuring device is a non-destructive testing device.

Abstract: An intelligent eddy current array probe comprising a plurality of coil elements and an embedded non-volatile memory element is disclosed. Prior to coupling the intelligent eddy current array probe to an NDI system, a data table describing a desired firing sequence for the array probe within a given inspection operation is created. This data table is then stored within the embedded non-volatile memory element of the intelligent eddy current array probe such that when the array probe is coupled to the NDI system, the elements of the NDI system can load and execute the stored firing sequence without operator intervention. In this way, a plurality of intelligent eddy current array probes, each with its own firing sequence, can be used interchangeably within a single NDI system without the need for mechanical adjustments to the NDI system.

Abstract: A system incorporating a balanced mechanical resonator and a method for vibration of a sample composed of granular material to generate motion of a powder sample inside the sample holder for obtaining improved analysis statistics, without imparting vibration to the sample holder support.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved ultrasonic probe for Internal Rotating Inspection System (called IRIS) for inspecting tube-like structures from the inside of the tubes. The improved design deploys a rotor with rotor blades and a slotted stator located close to the emitting face of the transducer, to direct the flow of water such that air bubbles are carried away from a zone immediately in front of the transducer emitting face. Inspection accuracy and efficiency is significantly improved when air bubbles are effectively removed.

Abstract: An eddy current probe assembly suitable for inspecting a test object with longitudinal shape, being passed through the assembly in the object's axial direction during an inspection session, the probe assembly comprising multiple probe modules being disposed in a radial plane and with the modules partially overlaying on each other forming an iris structure encircling an inspection zone, wherein a movement in unison of each of the probe modules closer to or further away from the center of the inspection zone makes the inspection zone enlarged or contracted. Spring tension is applied on each of the probe modules so that constant life-off in maintained between the probe modules and the test surface. Array of eddy current elements for each probe module and multiple layers of probe modules can be employed to achieve complete coverage of the test surface. The radial cross-sectional shapes of the test objects can be of round or polygonal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system which efficiently and accurately identifies an acoustic wedge by as simple as pressing a button to execute a command for a phased array inspection system, once the wedge is engaged with the system. It is based on the approach to use the time of flight that ultrasonic signals travel in the wedge to measure and calculate critical parameters, such as the wedge acoustic velocity, the wedge or incident angle and the height of the first element of the associated phased array probe above the base of the wedge.