Phased Array Technical Guidelines

Useful Formulas, Graphs,

and Examples

R/D Tech Corp.

Table of Contents

Preface ......................................................................................... ix

Introduction ................................................................................ 1

1. Phased Array Ultrasonic Technology—General

Features ............................................................................... 3

2. Phased Array Probes—General Features ................... 11

2.1 Types of Phased Array Probes ........................................... 11
2.1.1 1-D Annual Array ...................................................... 11
2.1.2 1-D Plan Linear Array ............................................... 13
2.1.3 2-D Planar Matrix Probe ........................................... 14
2.1.4 2-D Plan Segmented Annular Array ....................... 15
2.1.5 1.5-D Plan Matrix Probe ............................................ 16
2.1.6 1-D Plan Circular Probe ............................................ 17
2.2 Properties of 1-D Plan Linear Array Probe ...................... 17
2.3 Phased Array Probe on the Wedge .................................... 18
2.4 Field Properties of Phased Array Probe ........................... 27
2.5 Time-Frequency Response Features .................................. 33
2.6 Electrical Features ................................................................ 35
2.7 Probe Characterization ........................................................ 35
2.8 Recommended Blocks for Probe Characterization ......... 36
2.9 R/D Tech Phased Array Probes .......................................... 38
2.10 Recommended Features for Probe Checking ................... 42

3. Focal Laws—General Examples ................................... 45

3.1 Generalities ........................................................................... 45
3.2 Beam Deflection (Scan) Patterns ........................................ 47
3.3 Examples of Focal Laws and Beam Deflections .............. 52
3.3.1 Linear Scan .................................................................. 52
3.3.2 Depth Scan .................................................................. 56
3.3.3 Azimuthal Scan .......................................................... 57
3.3.4 Focal Laws for OmniScan—Examples .................... 61

4. Scanning Patterns, Views, and Layouts ..................... 65

4.1 Scanning Patterns ................................................................. 65
4.1.1 Bidirectional Scan ...................................................... 66
4.1.2 Unidirectional Scan ................................................... 66

R/D Tech Table of Contents v

 4.1.3 Linear Scan ................................................................. 67
4.1.4 Skewed Scan .............................................................. 68
4.1.5 Helicoidal Scan .......................................................... 69
4.1.6 Spiral Scan .................................................................. 70
4.1.7 Other Scanning Patterns .......................................... 71
4.1.8 Free Running Sequence ............................................ 71
4.1.9 Scanning Based on Time (Internal Clock) ............. 72
4.2 Basic Views ........................................................................... 73
4.2.1 Rectified A-Scan ........................................................ 73
4.2.2 Unrectified A-Scan .................................................... 74
4.2.3 B-Scan ......................................................................... 75
4.2.4 C-Scan ......................................................................... 75
4.2.5 D-Scan ......................................................................... 76
4.2.6 S-Scan .......................................................................... 77
4.3 Other Useful Views ............................................................. 80
4.3.1 Strip Views (Position) ............................................... 80
4.3.2 Strip Views (Amplitude) .......................................... 81
4.3.3 TOFD View ................................................................ 82
4.3.4 Polar View .................................................................. 82
4.4 Special Views ....................................................................... 83
4.4.1 FFT View .................................................................... 83
4.4.2 Calibration Views ..................................................... 84
4.4.3 Beam Simulation View ............................................. 85
4.5 Layouts ................................................................................. 85
4.5.1 One-Line Scanning ................................................... 85
4.5.2 Raster Scans ............................................................... 87

5. Ultrasound Settings, Calibration, and Periodic

Checking ........................................................................... 89
5.1 Ultrasound Settings—TomoView ..................................... 90
5.2 Ultrasound Settings—OmniScan .................................... 102
5.3 Calibration Operations—Generic ................................... 104
5.3.1 Vertical Linearity ..................................................... 105
5.3.2 Horizontal Linearity ............................................... 108
5.4 Calibration Operations—Specific to TomoView ........... 110
5.5 Calibration Operations—Specific to OmniScan ........... 116
5.6 Periodic On-Site Equipment Checking .......................... 119
5.6.1 Integrity of Probe Elements Checking ................. 120
5.6.2 DDF Board Functionality Checking ..................... 121
5.6.3 Refracted Angle and Index Point Checking ........ 123

6. Useful Tables, Charts, and Formulas ........................ 125

6.1 Constants and Useful Formula Tables ........................... 125
6.2 Ultrasonic Field Graphs ................................................... 131
6.3 Snell’s Law .......................................................................... 134
6.4 Detectability Curves ......................................................... 136
6.5 Reflectors and Reflectivity Laws ..................................... 137
6.6 Axial and Lateral Resolutions ......................................... 140
6.7 Defect Height Measurement ............................................ 142
6.7.1 Relative Arrival Time Technique (RATT) ............ 142
6.7.2 Absolute Arrival Time Technique (AATT) .......... 143

vi Table of Contents R/D Tech

 6.7.3 Delta Technique ....................................................... 144
6.8 Time-of-Flight Diffraction Technique—TOFD LW ....... 145
6.9 Mode-Converted Techniques ........................................... 150
6.10 Defect Location and Plotting on Flat Surfaces ............... 152
6.11 Defect Location and Plotting on Curved Surfaces ........ 157
6.12 Curvature Effect on Probe/Wedge Size and Gain
Setting .................................................................................. 161
6.13 Immersion Techniques ...................................................... 164
6.14 Focused Probes in Immersion for Bar Inspection ......... 167

Appendix A: Unit Conversion ............................................ 169

Appendix B: Support and Training .................................... 171

Selected References ............................................................... 173

Index ......................................................................................... 175

R/D Tech Table of Contents vii