<Engineering Physics-I>

< Ultrasonics NDT- Pulse Echo System - Reflection & transmission modes >

Introduction

FIGURE (1)
The age of this fetus in a mothers womb is seven months. Do you think, how is it possible? It is possible with the use of 3-D ultrasound scanning. Basically this method is called Non Destructive Testing. Before going to understand ultrasound scanning, one should know very well about the ultrasonic pulse echo system. Learning Objectives On completion of this topic you will be able to understand: The working of ultrasonic pulse echo system.

The ultrasonic pulse echo system is used to detect flaw, evaluate the dimension of the flaw, characterize a material, find hidden cracks, voids, porosity, and other internal discontinuities in metals, composites, plastics, and ceramics, and so on. An ultrasonic pulse echo system basically consists of the following several functional units. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. A master timer (an electronic clock) An electronic (signal) pulse generator Signal transmitting transducer. Reflected signal receiving transducer. An echo signal amplifier and A display device such as CRO

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< Ultrasonics NDT- Pulse Echo System - Reflection & transmission modes >

Master Timer

Time base amplifier

Signal pulse generator Echo signal amplifier Probe of transducer Work piece

CRO x
Y

The master timer (the electronic clock) triggers the signal pulse generator at regular intervals. Signal generator sends a short burst of high frequency alternating voltage to the transducer. The transducer generates pulse of ultrasonic waves. This sound energy propagates through the inspection piece. When there is a discontinuity such as crack in the wave path, part of energy is reflected back from the flaw surface. The reflected pulse causes the receiving transducer element to vibrate inducing alternating electrical voltage across the transducer. This induced voltage is instantaneously amplified and fed to display device (CRO). Initially when the master timer triggers the signal pulse generator, simultaneously it activates linear time base circuit of the display device (CRO). Hence in CRO, the reflected signal strength versus the time is displayed.

Procedure to find flaw

Cross section of typical contact transducer Ultrasonic flaw detection is basically a comparative technique. Using appropriate reference standards along with knowledge of sound wave propagation and generally accepted test procedures, a trained operator identifies specific echo patterns corresponding to the echo response from good parts and from representative flaws. The echo pattern from a test piece may then be compared to the patterns from these calibration standards to determine its condition.

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< Ultrasonics NDT- Pulse Echo System - Reflection & transmission modes >

A typical ultrasonic flaw detector in its reflection

mode is as shown below.

Let d be the distance of flaw from the transducer; v be the velocity of sound in the test specimen and t be the time of flight. Then the total distance traveled by the sound in the specimen=2d.

v=

2d vt or d = t 2

The following diagram shows such echo pattern indicating the presence of a defect.

Merits:
1. 2. 3. 4. Only one side of the specimen is required for the study. The specimen may be of any shape (both the sides of the wall to be studied need not be parallel) Since single probe is used for transmission and reception coupling loss is minimum. The depth of the defect from the surface can be measured.

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< Ultrasonics NDT- Pulse Echo System - Reflection & transmission modes >

A typical ultrasonic flaw detector in its transmission

mode is as shown below.

Transmitting probe

Specimen

flaw

Receiving probe

In this method the transmitting probe is placed in contact with the test piece surface on one side and a receiving probe is placed exactly on the opposite side of the test piece as shown in the figure. Both the transmitting probe and receiving probe are moved together. When there is no defect, the receiving probe receives full signal and when there is a defect between the transmitter and receiver the amplitude of the received signal is reduced because of partial reflection at the defective region.

Demerits 1. Both the sides of the specimen are required for the study. 2. Both the sides of the wall to be studied need to be parallel. 3. Since two different probes are used for transmission and reception coupling loss is maximum.
4. Only the presence of the defect is revealed. Its depth is not made known.

Check your understanding:

1. What are ultrasonic waves? 2. What does transducer mean? Answers to CYU are available in page number 5

Summary:
On completion of this topic you would have learnt the working principle of flaw detector, which is ultrasonic pulse echo system. Its basic principle is as follows. Sound waves are simply organized mechanical vibrations traveling through a medium, which may be a solid, a liquid, or a gas. These waves will travel through a given medium at a specific speed or velocity, in a predictable direction, and when they encounter a boundary with a different medium they will be reflected or transmitted according to simple rules. This is the principle of physics that underlies ultrasonic flaw detection.

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< Ultrasonics NDT- Pulse Echo System - Reflection & transmission modes >

Activity
A coconut can be gently hit with a small hammer or our fingers. If the coconut is in good condition, the intensity of the reflected sound is large and if it is not good the intensity of the reflected sound is comparatively small. Here the basic principle of pulse echo system is involved.

Suggested Reading
1. Engineering Physics by Gaur and Gupta

Answers to Check Your Understanding:

1. Ultrasonic waves sound waves of frequency greater than 20KHz. 2. Transducer is a device, which converts one form of energy into another. Here, the transducer converts electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa.

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