Multi-element adjustable transducer arrays for the ultrasonic scanning of aging aircraft

Igor N. Komsky

doi:10.1117/12.469873

11 June 2002 Multi-element adjustable transducer arrays for the ultrasonic scanning of aging aircraft

Igor N. Komsky

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 4702, Smart Nondestructive Evaluation for Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems; (2002) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.469873
Event: NDE For Health Monitoring and Diagnostics, 2002, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

As a part of an aircraft inspection, characterization of fatigue cracks and corrosion spots is a vital task to ensure airworthiness of airplane structures. Conventional techniques for crack or corrosion characterization are based on either echo-amplitude measurements or time-of-flight evaluation. Application of more advanced imaging or scanning techniques significantly improves the accuracy and resolution of ultrasonic measurements. However, these techniques usually require high-cost instrumentation and training. A novel adjustable transducer array for an ultrasonic scanning using low-cost portable data acquisition units has been developed at Northwestern University. The array is utilized to detect and characterize small incipient fatigue cracks and corrosion spots, as well as to monitor the sealant quality in the multi-layered airplane structures. The arrays are suitable for rapid adjustments of elements with different parameters over a wide range of spatial orientations based on the configuration of the aircraft structure, type of the flaw to be detected, and the inspection procedure. The adjustable transducer arrays will replace currently used single element transducer assemblies that are custom-made for each particular application. The new arrays require minimal time to be readjusted from one application to another. The arrays are compatible with the commercially available portable ultrasonic units.

Citation Download Citation

Igor N. Komsky "Multi-element adjustable transducer arrays for the ultrasonic scanning of aging aircraft", Proc. SPIE 4702, Smart Nondestructive Evaluation for Health Monitoring of Structural and Biological Systems, (11 June 2002); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.469873

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

;

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available

Members: $17.00

Non-members: $21.00 ADD TO CART

PROCEEDINGS
12 PAGES

DOWNLOAD PAPER SAVE TO MY LIBRARY

GET CITATION

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

Get copyright permission Get copyright permission on Copyright Marketplace

KEYWORDS

Transducers

Ultrasonics

Corrosion

Inspection

Multi-element lenses

Aluminum

Signal to noise ratio

Show All Keywords

Keywords/Phrases

Search In:

Publication Years