Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an ultrasonic wedge and a probe are disclosed. The calibration method includes the steps of automatically determining the ultrasonic signal acquisition width and the first ultrasonic signal gate based on the theoretical parameters of the ultrasonic wedge and the probe. The calibration method can also include the steps of automatically determining the operating status of transducer elements in a phased array transducer and then determining the actual parameters of the ultrasonic wedge based on the live transducer elements.

Abstract: A method of selecting one element among a plurality of elements of a phased-array ultrasonic weld inspection arrangement during inspection of a weld to obtain optimum weld inspection coverage. The weld connects portions of material having a known thickness. The elements extend along an ultrasonic transmission wedge of the arrangement that supports the extent of the elements at a wedge angle relative to the welded material. The method includes utilizing material thickness, offset distance of an edge of the wedge from a weld centerline and number of elements within calculation that yields the selection.

Abstract: A method of computing optimal beam numbers of a phased-array ultrasonic weld inspection arrangement. The arrangement is for inspecting a weld that is within an area of interest that has a known dimension and with the inspection arrangement being at a known offset distance from the weld. The selection is such that operation of the at least one element provides sufficient information data for weld analysis. The elements extend along an ultrasonic transmission wedge of the arrangement that supports the extent of the elements at a wedge angle relative to the welded material. The method includes utilizing the dimension of the weld area of interest and dimension of offset of the inspection arrangement from the weld within calculation that yields the selection of the at least one element.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of an ultrasonic wedge and a probe is disclosed. The positioning method includes the steps of automatically determining the position of the ultrasonic wedge and the probe based on a number of parameters, including parameters that are based on the particular ultrasonic wedge and the probe as well as parameters based on the dimensions of the conduit and the girth weld.

Abstract: A system for use in determining a location of a defect in an object is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic phased array configured to provide a sector scan of the object, a display, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a volume-corrected view of a sector of an ultrasonic inspection of the object on the display, wherein the object has a first surface defined by a first radius and a second surface defined by a second radius that is shorter than the first radius, receive gate parameters of a gate used to measure a location of a reflection of a beam emitted from the ultrasonic phased array, wherein the reflection is indicative of a defect on the first surface or the second surface, and calculate a location of the defect using the gate.

Abstract: A method of computing optimal beam numbers of a phased-array ultrasonic weld inspection arrangement. The arrangement is for inspecting a weld that is within an area of interest that has a known dimension and with the inspection arrangement being at a known offset distance from the weld. The selection is such that operation of the at least one element provides sufficient information data for weld analysis. The elements extend along an ultrasonic transmission wedge of the arrangement that supports the extent of the elements at a wedge angle relative to the welded material. The method includes utilizing the dimension of the weld area of interest and dimension of offset of the inspection arrangement from the weld within calculation that yields the selection of the at least one element.

Abstract: A method of selecting one element among a plurality of elements of a phased-array ultrasonic weld inspection arrangement during inspection of a weld to obtain optimum weld inspection coverage. The weld connects portions of material having a known thickness. The elements extend along an ultrasonic transmission wedge of the arrangement that supports the extent of the elements at a wedge angle relative to the welded material. The method includes utilizing material thickness, offset distance of an edge of the wedge from a weld centerline and number of elements within calculation that yields the selection.

Abstract: A method and system for determining the position of an ultrasonic wedge and a probe is disclosed. The positioning method includes the steps of automatically determining the position of the ultrasonic wedge and the probe based on a number of parameters, including parameters that are based on the particular ultrasonic wedge and the probe as well as parameters based on the dimensions of the conduit and the girth weld.

Abstract: A system for use in determining a location of a defect in an object is provided. The system includes an ultrasonic phased array configured to provide a sector scan of the object, a display, and a processor. The processor is programmed to provide a volume-corrected view of a sector of an ultrasonic inspection of the object on the display, wherein the object has a first surface defined by a first radius and a second surface defined by a second radius that is shorter than the first radius, receive gate parameters of a gate used to measure a location of a reflection of a beam emitted from the ultrasonic phased array, wherein the reflection is indicative of a defect on the first surface or the second surface, and calculate a location of the defect using the gate.

Abstract: A method and system for calibrating an ultrasonic wedge and a probe are disclosed. The calibration method includes the steps of automatically determining the ultrasonic signal acquisition width and the first ultrasonic signal gate based on the theoretical parameters of the ultrasonic wedge and the probe. The calibration method can also include the steps of automatically determining the operating status of transducer elements in a phased array transducer and then determining the actual parameters of the ultrasonic wedge based on the live transducer elements.