Linear scanner with rotating coupling fluid

US8991258B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• General Electric Company · US

Inventors

• Stephan Falter · Simmerath, DE
• Kurt Guenter Fuchs · Ruppichteroth, DE
• Dieter Lingenberg · Bad Mergentheim, DE
• Cord Heinrich Asche · Hürth, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: May 10, 2012
• Grant date: Mar 31, 2015
• Expiry date: Jun 18, 2033

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01N2291/2634
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An inspection arrangement and an associated method for inspecting an elongate object. The arrangement includes a housing providing an interior space. The housing has an entrance and exit that are aligned. The arrangement includes a plurality of ultrasonic sensor arrays disposed to direct ultrasonic sensory pluses. Each sensor array has a plurality of ultrasonic sensors with each ultrasonic sensor positioned to direct a respective ultrasonic sensory pulse in a respective direction. The arrangement includes a fluid delivery device that delivers a coupling fluid into the interior space. The coupling fluid transmits the ultrasonic sensory pluses to the elongate object. The arrangement includes a plurality of redirecting elements associated with the plurality of ultrasonic sensor arrays. Each redirecting element is positioned such that ultrasonic sensory pluses from the respective ultrasonic sensor array proceed through the respective redirecting element and are redirected along a different direction.