ISonic 2009 - UPA Scope

THE VERSATILITY OF ULTRASONICS

Phased Array Modality

· 64:64 phased array electronics - independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture, parallel firing, A/D conversion, and on-the-fly real time digital phasing
· Phased array pulser receiver with image guided ray tracing
· True-To-Geometry and regular B-Scan and Sector Scan (S-Scan) accompanied with all-codes-compliant A-Scan based evaluation
· Unique Tandem-B-Scan for the detection of planar vertically oriented defects
· Multi-Group scanning and imaging with use of one probe
· Encoded and time-based line scanning with forming Top (C-Scan), Side, End Views imaging, 3D-Viewer
· Independent gain per focal law control - angle gain compensation for S-Scan, etc
· DAC, TCG
· Processing of diffracted and mode converted signals for defects sizing and pattern recognition
· Operating matrix-array probes with real time three-dimensional imaging (3D-Scan)

Conventional UT and TOFD Modalities

· 1, or 8, or 16 channels
· Single / dual modes of pulsing/receiving
· Regular A-Scan
· Thickness B-Scan
· True-to-Geometry flaw detection B-Scan - straight / angle beam probes
· CB-Scan
· TOFD
· Strip Chart and Stripped C-Scan
· Parallel or sequential pulsing/receiving and A/D conversion
· DAC, DGS, TCG
· FFT signal analysis

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope uniquely combines phased array, single- and multi-channel conventional UT, and TOFD modalities providing 100% raw data recording and imaging. Along with portability, lightweight, and battery operation this makes it suitable for all kinds of every-day ultrasonic inspections

Phased array modality is performed by powerful 64:64 phased array electronics with independently adjustable emitting and receiving aperture, each may consist of 1 through 64 elements. Groups of phased array probe elements composing emitting and receiving aperture may be fully or partially matching or totally separated allowing flexible managing of incidence angles, focal distances, types of radiated and received waves including directly reflected and diffracted mode converted signals

Each channel is equipped with it's own A/D converter. Parallel firing, A/D conversion, and ”on-the-fly” digital phasing are provided for every possible composition and size of the emitting and receiving aperture. Thus implementation of each focal law is completed within single pulsing/receiving cycle providing maximal possible inspection speed

Depending on configuration ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope carries 1, 8, or 16 additional independent channels for conventional UT and TOFD inspection and recording capable for both single and dual modes of pulsing/receiving

High ultrasonic performance is achieved through firing phased array, TOFD, and conventional probes with bipolar square wave initial pulse with wide-range-tunable duration and amplitude. Maximal amplitude of bipolar square wave initial pulse is 300 V pp for phased array and 400 V pp for conventional channels. High stability of the amplitude and shape of the initial pulse, boosting of all it's leading and falling edges, and electronic damping are provided by the special circuit significantly improving signal to noise ratio and resolution. Thus analogue gain for each modality is controllable over 0…100 dB range

Large 800X600 pixels 8.5” bright screen provides fine resolution for all types of inspection data presentation

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope is fully compliant with the following codes

· ASME Code Case 2541 - Use of Manual Phased Array Ultrasonic Examination Section V
· ASME Code Case 2557 - Use of Manual Phased Array S-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
· ASME Code Case 2558 - Use of Manual Phased Array E-Scan Ultrasonic Examination Section V per Article 4 Section V
· ASTM 1961- 06 - Standard Practice for Mechanized Ultrasonic Testing of Girth Welds Using Zonal Discrimination with Focused Search Units
· ASME Section I - Rules for Construction of Power Boilers
· ASME Section VIII, Division 1 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels
· ASME Section VIII, Division 2 - Rules for Construction of Pressure Vessels. Alternative Rules
· ASME Section VIII Article KE-3 - Examination of Welds and Acceptance Criteria
· ASME Code Case 2235 Rev 9 - Use of Ultrasonic Examination in Lieu of Radiography
· Non-Destructive Examination of Welded Joints - Ultrasonic Examination of Welded Joints. - British and European Standard BS EN 1714:1998
· Non-Destructive Examination of Welds - Ultrasonic Examination - Characterization of Indications in Welds. - British and European Standard BS EN 1713:1998
· Calibration and Setting-Up of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique for the Detection, Location and Sizing of Flaws. - British Standard BS 7706:1993
· WI 00121377, Welding - Use Of Time-Of-Flight Diffraction Technique (TOFD) For Testing Of Welds. - European Committee for Standardization - Document # CEN/TC 121/SC 5/WG 2 N 146, issued Feb, 12, 2003
· ASTM E 2373 - 04 - Standard Practice for Use of the Ultrasonic Time of Flight Diffraction (TOFD) Technique
· Non-Destructive Testing - Ultrasonic Examination - Part 5: Characterization and Sizing of Discontinuities. - British and European Standard BS EN 583-5:2001
· Non-Destructive Testing - Ultrasonic Examination - Part 2: Sensitivity and Range Setting. - British and European Standard BS EN 583-2:2001
· Manufacture and Testing of Pressure Vessels. Non-Destructive Testing of Welded Joints. Minimum Requirement for Non-Destructive Testing Methods - Appendix 1 to AD-Merkblatt HP5/3 (Germany).- Edition July 1989

Technical Data

Phased Array Pulser Receiver

Phased array pulser receiver is controlled through intuitive operating surface comprising user interface of conventional ultrasonic flaw detector and ray-tracing graphics. Type of wave generated in the material is controlled through key in of corresponding ultrasonic velocity. Trace of ultrasonic beam is truly imaged upon entering thickness, outside diameter, and other suitable geometry data characterizing object under test - this extremely simplifies creating of focal laws and calibration of the instrument as well
Signal evaluation fully compliant with conventional UT codes and procedures is applicable to A-Scans composed through implementing of various focal laws; DAC and TCG may be created either experimentally (up to 40 points) or theoretically through entering dB/mm (dB/inch) factor

Typical Phased Array Pulser Receiver screen of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope

B-Scan / S-Scan

Cross-sectional insonification and imaging of the material may be provided electronically with use of linear array probes through:

· Linear scanning with ultrasonic beam at predetermined incidence angle through reallocating of fixed size emitting/receiving aperture within entire array and composing of B-Scan image
· Sectorial scanning with ultrasonic beam produced by fixed emitting/receiving aperture through steering of incidence angle in the predetermined range and composing of S-Scan image
· Combining linear and sectorial scanning
· etc

Typical B-Scan indication of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope representing inspection of composites for laminations: 1- scanning surface; 2 - bottom surface; 3 - lamination; 4 - A-Scan corresponding to the position of cursor over image

The effects of inequality of elements of linear array, varying sound path and loss in the delay line or wedge, dependency of energy of refracted wave and effective size of emitting/receiving aperture on incidence angle should be compensated to equalize the sensitivity over insonified cross-section. The unique feature of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope is the ability of managing independently adjustable focal laws within the same frame-composing sequence of pulsing/receiving shots so every focal law may me executed with individually adjusted gain, time base, and other core settings providing:

· Gain per Shot Correction for B-Scan
· Angle Gain Compensation for S-Scan
· True-to-Geometry imaging representing actual distribution of ultrasonic beams and true-to-location indication of defects in the cross-sectional view of the material

S-Scan produced by ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope for several equal reflectors in the material with use of wedged linear array probe: 1 - angle gain compensation (AGC) is inactive; 2 - AGC is active; 3 - typical AGC graph

Regular (4) and true-to-geometry (5) S-Scan produced by ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope for compact reflector located at 20 mm depth of 40 mm thick plate. On the regular S-Scan single compact reflector is indicated twice for half (6) and full (7) skip detection while on the true-to-geometry S-Scan single reflector is shown in the real position once for both ways of detection (8)

Weld inspection is typical application benefited through use of True-to-Geometry imaging: upon defining geometry and entering dimensions operator is provided with intuitive ray tracing dialogue indicating actual coverage of the weld for the desired probe position and incidence angle steering range followed by live S-Scan with true-to-location defects indication. To ensure detection of variously oriented defects several S-Scan and B-Scan insonifications may be performed simultaneously with use of the same probe providing multi-group cross-sectional viewing and recording along whole inspected length

True to Geometry Imaging

Testing of solid and hollow shafts, axles, rods, longitudinal seams, nozzles, etc are among other applications improved significantly thanks to the easy-to-interpret advantage of True-to-Geometry imaging vs regular S-Scan and B-Scan

True-to-Geometry S-Scan for single location and complete cross sectional image of the hollow shaft with defects obtained after full circumference scanning with linear array probe

True-to-Geometry S-Scan for longitudinal weld (1) and nozzle (2)

Tandem B-Scan

Tandem B-Scan is another unique feature of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope being most effective technique for the detection of vertically situated cracks in welds, plates, tube and vessel walls, and the like. It may be implemented with use of wedged 64-elements linear array probe. On entering material thickness and defining a grid dividing object's cross section into corresponding cells the instrument determines insonification strategy automatically by such a way that focal points of emitting and receiving aperture do match in the center of each cell in subsequent pulsing receiving cycles covering cross section completely. Individual gain per focal law adjustment is provided to equalize overall sensitivity for the variety of incidence angles, sound path lengths and losses in the wedge and material. For each focal law time base of the A-Scan is re-arranged automatically to provide appearance of possible echo from each cell at 50%-position. Recorded echo heights are represented on the Tandem B-Scan. Placing mouse cursor (marker) over desired cell reproduces corresponding A-Scan and ray trace indication

3D Data Presentation - Top (C-Scan), Side, and End Projection Views is performed through line scanning with linear array probe either encoded or time-based at rectangle to the elements count direction. It is applicable for all types of cross-sectional insonification

C-Scan & 3D

For line scanning every cross sectional view is recorded along with complete sequence of raw data A-Scans it is composed of. C-Scan image is switcheable between distance (thickness or defects depth) and amplitude map

Powerful off-line data analysis toolkit includes playing back cross sectional views and A-Scans, gain manipulation in ±6dB range for all recorded A-Scans followed by corresponding image update, all-standards-compliant gate-based evaluation of echoes, geometry and amplitude filtering, image slicing and profiling, determining projection dimensions and area size of defects, 3D-viewing, etc

Crack Sizing

Sizing of near surface cracks may be implemented with use of 64-elements linear array probe. Separated emitting and receiving aperture producing and receiving longitudinal wave have common focal point, which is manipulated over vertical line between bottom and near surface of the material. For each focal law time base of the A-Scan is re-arranged automatically to provide appearance of every possible tip diffraction echo at 50% horizontal position. Recorded signal heights are represented on the Tip Diffraction B-Scan. Placing mouse cursor (marker) over desired cell reproduces corresponding A-Scan and ray trace indication. Upon tip diffraction echo has been detected the crack depth and remaining material thickness are determined with high precision through triangulation

Tip Diffraction B-Scan for linear array probe placed above the material without (1) and with (2) a crack:3 - lateral wave (LW) signal mark; 4 - back wall (BW) echo mark; 5 - BW echo representation on the A-Scan; 6 - tip diffraction echo mark; 7 - tip diffraction echo representation on the A-Scan; 8 - precisely defined crack depth; 9 - precisely defined remaining material thickness

Defects pattern analysis may be carried with use of well-known Delta Technique allowing distinguishing between low risk compact volumetric defects and cracks. Shear wave insonification of the evaluated discontinuity is performed with receiving of both direct shear wave and diffracted longitudinal wave echoes using the same linear array probe. Both echoes have been evaluated automatically providing digital readout of so called K LS value, based on which defect pattern is determined

Defect Analysis

Implementation of Delta Technique is extremely simplified as only one linear array probe placed into position of receiving maximized echo from evaluated discontinuity is used instead of pair of conventional shear wave and longitudinal wave probes. Corresponding screen of ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope indicates 2 individually adjustable A-Scans comprising direct shear wave echo (1) with A S amplitude, diffracted longitudinal wave echo (2) with A L amplitude, and digital readout of K LS value (3) rating A S /A L

For single conventional channel operation ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope provides fully featured A-Scan inspection as well as line scanning recording and imaging of the following types: thickness B-Scan; flaw detection B-Scan for angle beam and straight beam probes; CB-Scan for guided, surface, and shear wave probes inspections; TOFD. This fully covers scope of functions implemented by very well known ISONIC 2005 / ISONIC STAR / ISONIC 2020 portable ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder of Sonotron NDT

ISONIC 2009 UPA Scope instruments equipped with 8 or 16 channels additionally provide multi-channel strip chart recording with forming all known types of strips such as B-Scan, PE, TOFD, Coupling. For certain applications such as, for example, brush probe scanning strip chart is convertible into C-Scan. This fully covers scope of functions implemented by very well known ISONIC 2008 portable multi-channel ultrasonic flaw detector and recorder of Sonotron NDT

Comprehensive off-line analysis and data reporting toolkit for all kinds of data captured using conventional UT and TOFD modalities is built-in

Conventional UT & TOFD

Remote control of ISONIC 2009 UPA is implemented through Ethernet port. The instrument is fully compatible with new UT over IP technology from Sonotron NDT allowing full control of the instrument, imaging, recording, and storage inspection data in the remote control computer

Remote Control - UT over IP

ADVANCED NDT LIMITED,
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Telephone: 44 (0) 1905 371460         ***  Fax:   44 (0) 1905 371477
E-Mail:  sales@advanced-ndt.co.uk ***  Website:   www.advanced-ndt.co.uk